The Royal Contract

“Hey, you did not give me a chance to explain.” He suddenly appeared on her side, matching her every angry stride with ease.

He knew he should have just let her leave, but Rick was right. It was still their fault that she felt that way. He should at least reason with her.

“There is nothing to explain. You had your fun, and everybody had some good laughs at my expense. I am happy for you.” She answered him sarcastically as she continued without looking at him.

Then, he suddenly stopped her by gripping her arms. He pulled her to the other side of the building, where there was no one to see them or hear their conversation.

But she did not come along with him without a fight. She struggled to break free from his hold, but he was stronger. However, he made sure that he was not hurting her, at least not too much.

“Can you just hear me first?” Lance said, making her stop from struggling and protesting. “Just give me two minutes to air my side.”

.....

He actually had no idea why he was trying to clear his participation in this bet. But he guessed he had to. For an unknown reason, he felt obligated to fix things between them.

“I only bet with the guys because nobody would bet on you. Everybody was saying that you did not have what it takes. But I have seen you drive your car, so I know you can handle it.” He quickly related to her the story of what happened earlier when he told the crew of his plan.

He usually did not join in this nonsense, but he did not stop his team from practicing the game either. Most of the other crews also liked to bet on different things. It was just a silly game to release the tension with the pressure of the competition.

“If that is true, how much did you win?” She asked, still skeptical about his story.

She could not believe that he did not mastermind this whole operation. But seeing the sincerity in his eyes, she was starting to change her mind.

“One pack of beer.” He smiled at her as he said this, running his hands in his already long hair.

He kept reminding himself to get it trimmed, but he never had the time. But he still looked good in it, so there was no problem. He was not a vain person, but he still needed to look presentable every time he went out of his house.

“What? That is all I am worth.” She shouted in surprise. If she was mad earlier, she was irritated this time. Then, she started laughing at the absurdity of the bet.

“I’m sorry, but that is all I can afford. At least we can have three bottles each.” He added when she started bursting into laughter.

He could not help but smile, too, realizing the silliness of their situation. They were actually fighting over those damn beers. But those beers were all worth it, seeing the hanging faces of his team after he beat them.

“I guess three bottles would be good enough.” She admitted, finally stopping as tears moistened her eyes from laughing too much.

Suddenly, all her anger disappeared. Actually, she did not understand what she felt earlier. It was as if she was possessed by an unknown force, and she could not see reason.

She did not get emotional like that in any other circumstance. She would have probably laughed about the bet. But somehow, she found herself blowing out of proportion.

“Does this mean that we are good?” He asked, still standing close to her.

He still had no idea why it was such a big deal that he had to fix things with her. He could have just let her walk away, and his problem was solved.

But then again, she was a reporter. She could make up a story and make his family look bad to the press and the world. She was indeed an influential figure in the media and the masses.

“I guess.” She accepted his explanation with a grain of salt.

She figured that she still needed him for her story. She still had no concrete information. She was still aiming for a personal interview with the couple. He was still her ticket to that.

But was that the only reason for her willingness to forgive and forget him that quickly. She immediately squashed the idea forming in her mind. The image of him lowering her face and kissing her.

She shook her head, trying to clear her mind. She did not want that mental image to haunt her, not in her waking hours or even while asleep.

“Are you alright?” He asked her when he failed to respond to his previous question.

He noticed that she had been silent and appeared that her mind was in a daze. He would shake her, but he was afraid she might slap him again.

Not that her slap had caused that much harm on him. He just did not like to anger her again. He was, after all, trying to ask her to forgive him even if he had not done anything wrong.

“Oh, sorry!” She finally realized that he was talking to her, and she zoned out. “I think my head just had some buzzing. It is probably from the sounds of the engine.”

“Well, I think I lost you for a few seconds there. But it is perfectly understandable. You are probably adjusting to your vertigo.” He explained her condition, seemingly buying her excuse.

He was alarmed for a moment when she seemed to faze out. But when he continued to catch her attention, she finally snapped out of it.

“Were you saying something?” She asked, thinking that she might have missed something important. She chastised herself for getting out of focus.

She just did not need the distraction right now. She had to concentrate on her career and her stories before giving in to any of her carnal desires.

Besides, she was unsure if the prince would like a casual fling on the side. Because she did not do commitment. She could only provide a no-string attached relationship. And, it had to be mutual.

“I asked if you might be available tomorrow night. I think I owe you three bottles of beer.” He repeated what he told her earlier.

He thought it was only fair that he should give her what she deserved. And at the same time, the talk that he promised her. A few bottles of beer would not be considered a date.

“Well. I think I can manage it tomorrow night.” She mentally checked her schedule and then ignored it. She could cancel whatever it was if anything was on her calendar the next night.

Her meeting with the prince would always take precedence since he was the source of her future story. She kept telling herself that to assure herself that she would not be diverted to something else.

“Good. Then I will text you the address.” He suggested to her as he looked into the watch on his wrist. “I am sorry, but I really have to go. I still have another appointment.”

He did not attempt to shake her hand, not wanting physical contact with her. He was already afraid of the attraction that he had with her. He did not want to turn it into a full-blown obsession to have her.

It was enough that they were going out to finish his obligation to her so that he had no need to see her again ever. He could already sense that she would be too much on his plate, and he did not need the extra challenge.