The Royal Contract

However, her consciousness was nagging at her. It kept insisting that she had another ulterior motive for wanting this story so bad. And, it had nothing to do with the story.

“Where is he?” She mumbled to herself as she waited for him in the lobby of the building where he told her to meet him last night.

She looked at her watch and realized that he still had more than ten minutes to spare before their scheduled appointment. He was not yet late, but she was just early and impatient.

She could still remember the scene last night after she left him and went to her car. She just barely revved up her engine when her phone suddenly rang. It was an unknown number, but she already suspected who it might be.

She turned around in her seat and eyed her caller, who was also sitting in the other parked car. She could only wonder what was going through his mind, but she knew how eccentric these royalties could be.

“I want you to meet me at exactly six in the morning.” He said, continuing to watch her from his position.

.....

He gave his instructions in rapid order, not even giving her time to respond. When he was done, “Did you get that?” he asked. When she acknowledged that she did, he disconnected the call without saying goodbye.

Next, she watched him drive away, accelerating his engine when he passed by her car, which was still parked on the side of the street. He did not even look at her as he continued on his way.

She heard he was a hotshot race car driver, but she also knew a thing or two about the fast lane. She revved up her car again and pulled out of the parking lot.

A minute later, she was speeding up on the almost empty street, catching up with him. Eventually, she slowed down on his right side, matching his speed. “Bye!” She mouthed at him.

Then, she smiled and waved her fingers at him before slowing down and turning on the curve, finally parting ways. Showing him that she did not shy away from a challenge.

“Excuse me, Ms. Eida Harlowe?” A young woman approached her at exactly six on the dot.

“Yes,” Eida acknowledged the woman’s question, looking at her with curiosity.

“I am Gian.” She introduced herself, nodding her head to her as a show of respect. “Prince Lance asked me to assist you to the changing room.” She told her. “If you will, please, follow me.”

She waited for the prince’s guest to stand up and walked with her, passing the lobby and toward a narrow hallway until they had reached a door.

“By the way, you are more beautiful in person. I am an avid fan of your show.” She spoke with a tinge of excitement, but she still acted professionally around her.

“Thank you. It is nice to know that people appreciated my work.” Eida responded with a smile, always enjoying not the fame but the impact of her show on the people.

Gian opened the door and gestured that she should follow inside. She was expecting to see the prince inside, but the room was empty. She could see some of his pictures scattered around the room with his trophies and accomplishments.

She could see that he was really making a name in the racing industry. He was not just a face, who drove fast cars, so it would seem.

She did not have an interest in him before, so he was not keeping track of his records and achievements. However, she could not help raise her brows at what she had just discovered about him.

“Pardon?” She asked the young woman with a confused smile. “Where is Prince Lance?” Since she never mentioned his whereabouts.

She wondered if he was running late since he was not in his changing room, assuming this was his room. She walked towards a table where a set of racing uniforms was neatly folded.

She wondered if it belonged to him. Is this what he was going to wear? She assumed he was competing today since he offered to meet her here. She had no idea since she was not into racing, although she did like fast cars.

“The prince is already on the tracks,” Gian answered her as if that should have been common sense. “He usually starts to practice before the break of dawn.” She quickly clarified, probably seeing the surprise on her face.

“Oh!” Indeed, she was not expecting that. Then, she remembered that athletes did have a different kind of discipline that they followed.

Now, she was starting to get convinced that he was not just doing this for fame, but he was actually serious about the sport. Maybe she had misjudged him due to his looks and lineage.

“Prince Lance wishes for you to join him in the race tracks, or else you can wait for him until he finishes his laps on the sidelines,” Gia informed her.

“I think I will join him in the race tracks. Please, just show me the way.” She quickly said since it was a no-brainer.

Of course, she would choose to go where the action was. She might as well enjoy the show in the front seat. She might learn a thing or two in the process that she could use in a future story.

If the prince was waiting for her outside, she wondered why she took her to this room instead. It certainly did not make any sense to her, but the entire story of the royal family was still a mystery to her.

“Well, he had one condition. If you want to join him in the tracks, you have to wear the uniform.” Gia pointed to the folded clothes she was looking at earlier.

“Are you serious?” Eida asked, walking back to the set of clothes.

When she checked on it, she could see that it was about her size. She finally noticed the shoes that matched the uniform. It also looked like it would fit her.

She wondered how he had known her size. But she only assumed that he had his secretary probably researched about her. She commended him for his resourcefulness.

She was actually flattered that he would go to the trouble at all for her. Anyway, she felt more excited. She always loved to try something new.

“Yes, Ms. Harlowe,” Gia answered. “I will give you a few minutes to change. I will be waiting outside the door. If you need any help, just call me.” She offered.

She finally left her alone in the room to contemplate her decision. But there was nothing to think about. She quickly jumped into the overall suit and replaced her heels with her new racing shoes.

“I am good to go.” She finally said to her assistant as she walked out of the room in her new sporty clothes.

She guided her back to another path where the sound of the engines was getting louder and louder. She could feel her heartbeat speed up with excitement. She could not wait to try her hand on the fast lane.