The Royal Contract

Although his friend told him what this was all about, he still found it hard to believe him. Experienced had thought him to be wary, especially when he was with him.

“Maybe I should turn around and leave.” That was his instinct talking. He did not want to end up in trouble again. The last time he was with his friend, he ended up in jail.

Although admittedly, it was his fault. He had let his friend talk him into it. It was not an excuse that he was intoxicated, but he should have known better than to consume more than his capacity.

Then, he still could not stop thinking about Ria and Edison. He missed them and wished to see them soon. He almost felt guilty that he did not fulfill his promise to Edison. But that was not his fault that Ria canceled on him.

“Ria, answer the phone.” He mumbled as he tried to call her again, but it went to voice mail. He just assumed that she still might be sleeping. He smiled, thinking she would probably have a terrible hungover later.

He wanted to come to her apartment last night after taking Bianca home. But she texted that she was out with some friends and that Edison would stay with Sasha for the night.

He remembered texting her. CAN I DROP BY TONIGHT? But her response was not affirmative but the opposite.

I MIGHT BE LATE. CAN I CALL YOU TOMORROW INSTEAD? She texted back.

.....

He thought of coming over even if she said no, but he changed his mind. Of course, he would not force her if she did not want company. Besides, he admitted that he was also tired.

Nevertheless, he had seen how hard she had worked during the day. Then, when she came home, she was also a full-time mother. He believed she also deserved some time for herself.

He wondered when was the last time she had enjoyed her youth with her friends. Maybe never. Truthfully, he was glad she was out, having the time of her life.

He vaguely remembered how her friends made her laugh the first time he saw her in a bar. Her face lit up like she was young again compared to the first time he saw her outside the coffee shop.

He guessed her circumstances forced her to mature earlier than her age group. She had to take on more responsibility to survive, having lesser time to have fun, making it her last priority.

From now on, he would put it in his life mission to always make her smile, to alleviate the burden that she carried alone all this time, and to love her the way she deserved to be loved.

Anyway, he was driving toward her apartment when his friend called. “Please, Zach. There is someone I want you to meet.” He recalled his friend telling him over the line.

“Is this another one of your sick jokes? If you are fixing me with one of your girls. I am not interested.” He told his friend. He did not want to have anything to do with another one of his mischiefs.

He was about to end the call when his friend answered him. His friend said something that suddenly piqued his curiosity. “I want you to meet my fiance and my son.”

He did not even know his friend was seeing anybody, at least seriously. Now, he was engaged and with an instant son. What was his friend up to now? Knowing his friend, he guessed this was another one of his games.

“Family? Fiance and a son?” He had better things to do with his time than to play his ridiculous games. “If you are trying to be hilarious, you are not funny?”

“No. I swear this is the real deal. I am marrying this woman because she is amazing, and we have a son. I want to give my son my name, and we will build a family.” His friend continued to tell him, sounding genuine this time.

“I hope for your sake that this is not just another one of your pranks.” Zach still felt skeptical as he stopped outside Ria’s apartment.

“I am not joking. I am a changed man because of them.” His friend continued.

“In that case, I am happy for you. I wish you luck and congratulations.” Zach expressed his well-wishes to his friend, who never seemed to commit to anything. He hoped this time his friend would not blow it.

“Thanks. And by the way, I want you to be my best man at my wedding.” He remembered his friend’s parting words before he hung up.

Anyway, he still came, wanting to deal with him now since he knew his friend would not stop hounding him. Sometimes, he wondered why he even kept up with him and remained in touch. All his friend did was put him in trouble. But maybe he had changed this time.

After a few more minutes, he entered the elevator, where he pressed the button for the penthouse suite. Trust his friend to get the best room in the building. Unlike him, his friend lived his entire life frivolously and luxuriously.

Before the door closed, he heard someone shout to hold the door. Instantaneously, his hand automatically stopped the door from sliding shut. Then, someone hastily ran inside to join him.

“Zach?” The woman breathlessly panted as she greeted him. “What a coincidence! What are you doing here?”

She was already inside when he recognized her. But he knew her voice was familiar. It just did not register immediately in his mind since he was busy thinking about something else.

Honestly, he was surprised to see her again. It seemed that, lately, they had been running with each other more often than he would like. He presumed last night was not a coincidence. But today, he could not help but wonder.