The Royal Contract

Honestly, he felt guilty for not showing up. But technically, he did not say yes, nor said no. He could not decide whether he should do it or not. Choosing to work for David seemed easier than agreeing to the proposal.

“Hey, you are that guy from the bar, right?” A woman in uniform said as he passed a patient in a wheelchair.

He stopped, wondering who the woman talking to him was. He could not remember meeting her. But mentioning the bar, he could only think of one possibility. She was one of Roseann’s friends.

“What?” He asked again, pretending not to understand. He maintained the excuse that he was here for the papers and not to see her.

But his mind nagged at him that it was a lie. He was a stupid fool for missing the opportunity to date what seemed to be a wonderful person because he was still pining for someone that left him.

“Hi! I am Bernadeth, Roseann’s friend. I saw you at the bar, talking to Roseann.” She further explained as she extended her hand in a friendly gesture.

He guessed he had no more excuse to ignore the woman. He took her hand and firmly shook it. “Hi! Adam.” Introducing himself. But he did not bother to supply more words, wanting to excuse himself quickly.

“Are you looking for Roseann? She is now at the Doctor’s lounge. I can page her for you if...” She kindly offered, but he stopped her.

.....

“No.” He abruptly said. “I am not here to see her.” He added. “I am here to see someone else.” He further explained.

He knew he could not look at the woman directly in her eyes as shame ate up inside him. He knew he had nothing to feel guilty about but could not help himself. He hated when he believed he had aggravated a woman.

“Oh!” Bernadeth said in surprise. Judging from the expression on her face, he concluded that she might know more than just meeting him in the bar. “Ok. But if you change your mind, let me know, or page her directly.” She told him, looking quite disappointed.

“Excuse me!” Another voice joined them. “I am in pain here.” The older man said as he sat in his wheelchair.

“I am sorry,” Bernadeth apologetically said, realizing she still had a patient to attend to as she looked at the man before her. “I have to go, but nice meeting you, Adam.”

Then, she wheeled the patient away while he continued to the opposite hallway toward the room where his friend was waiting for him. But his mind could not stop thinking that she was here.

Again the possibility of bumping into her in the hallway or at the bar was high. But did he want to see her after not showing up on their date last night after she made an effort to see him?

“Adam, please come in.” His friend called him as soon as he saw him by the door. “You know you can have just dropped off those papers at the office tomorrow.” He said, indicating the signed documents in his hand.

“Unless you have a few questions that you want to change in the contract. I am all ears.” David said, asking him to join him on a couch on the other side of the room.

“I think everything is in order. Frankly, I have already signed it.” He admitted, handing the papers to his friend, agreeing to everything the contract stated. “But I have something I wish to discuss with you instead.”

“What is it?” David said, slightly confused and curious as he put the papers aside and focused his eyes on him.

He straightened on his seat and squared his shoulder, hoping that his friend would understand what he was about to ask him next. He doubted if his friend knew how he felt about his sister.

“I just want to know if you have heard from Serena.” He had no idea why he had to torture himself like this. But he had to know that she was ok. “Have you talked to her lately?”

He watched his friend’s face change from mere curiosity to suspicion, as if he was trying to figure out what was missing in the picture. But he could not blame him. He would have acted the same way if he had a sister.

“Of course, why asked?” He kept his eyes on him, probably scrutinizing his face and waiting for his answer. “Is it about her case?”

It was easier to conclude that it was about her case, but it was not about that. “No. It is a bit personal. I only want to make sure that she was ok.” He said.

He knew he was not delusional, thinking he only imagined how she felt about him. He sensed that she also felt a strong attraction to him, but unfortunately, time did not give them a chance to explore their feelings.

Then, she was gone.

“She is doing ok under the present circumstances,” David answered, but his eyes still searched for something else. “Is there something between the two of you?” Suddenly, his friend addressed the elephant in the room.

But how could he even answer that question when in truth, they were nothing between him and Serena but suppressed feelings? How he wished there could have been more.

“No. I am just concerned about Serena.” That was the most honest answer he could give him. “I mean, I did like her.” He finally admitted to his friend. “But I swear, we are just friends.” That was the most their relationship had reached.

“That is too bad.” Suddenly he heard his friend say, shaking his head in disappointment. “I would have loved to have you as a brother-in-law.” His friend confided with him.

He looked at him dumbfounded, not expecting his friend would say that. He thought he would get angry and accuse him of taking advantage of his baby sister during her time of vulnerability.

“But...” He paused in surprise. “I thought you would be furious.” He disclosed this to his friend. It had been his reason for keeping it from him.

“Why would I? My sister had been in a string of bad relationships, even abusive. I know that with you, she would be safe and loved.” David took a deep breath as he thought of his sister and what she had gone through in her past relationships.

That was true as he thought of her. He would have kept her safe. And he would have loved her with all his heart. But should he keep waiting for her and hope she would be brave enough to face her feelings for him?

Or should he move on with his life and force himself to forget about her?

“Unfortunately, I don’t know if she felt the same way.” He told his friend. Sadly, what his friend thought did not count. Serena was the only person who could decide if they had a chance in the future.

“Then, ask her,” David said. “Don’t let her fear ruin what could be.” His friend said. “Look at me. Not even the possibility of death could stop me from loving her.” His friend lovingly stared at the sleeping form on the bed.

Without waiting for an answer, his friend pulled out his phone and started typing something on the screen. A few minutes later, he heard his phone beep, indicating a message.

“That is her address. That is where you will find my sister. Why don’t you drive over there and see her before you start working for me?” David proposed to him. “Maybe she might have a different answer this time.”

He looked at the screen, debating whether to listen to his friend or ignore it. Besides, Serena said she needed time. But how much time? He closed his phone, still undecided about what to do.

“I will think about it.” Adam pushed his phone back into his pocket to face his friend. “But thank you for understanding. I was not expecting...” He failed to finish his statement when his friend stood up and tapped him on the shoulder.

“Even if you and my sister did not work out, I always thought of us as more than a friend. We might not have the same blood. But we have always been brothers.” David told him with affection.

He agreed with his friend. They had a long history together. He might not belong to a Royal lineage or an heir to an empire, but his friends always treated him as their equal.

They had enjoyed their youthful years with the usual mischief and naughty ways. But they also did many good things they could proudly tell their kids in the future.

And he would never forget those times when they had bailed each other out of trouble back in the day. They had been brothers who always had each other’s back.