The Royal Contract

Nothing about this scene she was witnessing seemed to make sense. She felt like she was in some bizarre dream. But when her nails dug into the flesh of her palms as her hands fisted on her side, she knew then she was wide awake.

“Amelia...” Her name echoed in her ears, but her thoughts could only process one thing at the moment. He was here at her friend’s house.

Her eyes finally moved, scanning the state of the man who probably mirrored her face as shock registered on his expression.

His hair was still wet, and trickles of moisture glistened on his chest from the light coming from around him. His body was naked except for the portion covered by the white towel.

“Amelia, please come inside. Let me explain.” Her friend’s familiar voice finally registered in her brain, eventually seeking the source.

Her face shifted to the other figure standing closer to her, finding her friend wrapped in a robe. It was not that hurt her at all. She had seen her friend in a worse state before.

.....

But what crushed her heart more was the guilty look on her face as she kept begging her to come inside and talk. What is there to talk about in this situation? Finally, her eyes looked from one to the other.

“Amelia.” That was the last straw, hearing his voice, calling her name. A knife suddenly pierced her heart and twisted it several times to guarantee it would never be whole again.

Words.

She could not find the words she wanted to say. Her mind looked like a puzzle, and most letters were misplaced. She probably looked stupid just staring at the two people she trusted the most in her life.

Lance and Eida. They had betrayed her, breaking her into million pieces.

Without another word, she turned around and ran, letting her feet lead the way, allowing her instinct to direct her actions because, at the moment, she knew she was not in control.

“Amelia, please stop.” One voice after another reverberated in the hallway. She was glad that finally, it had stopped.

Her eyes could barely see anymore as tears flooded her face. Then, a hand touched her. She flinched, moving away. “My dear, are you ok?” A gentle voice asked her, unfamiliar but seemingly kind.

Still, she lowered her face, looking at the floor, at her feet, finally realizing that she was moving. Upward. It finally registered in her muddled brain that she was in an elevator.

When her eyes landed on the lady, she recognized her. “I am sorry. I must look horrible.” Finally, she was slowly returning to her senses, but her heart was still torn in two as tears still flowed down her eyes.

“We all go through that.” The kind lady moved closer and wrapped her in a warm embrace. “Come, my apartment is just over there.”

At that moment, the elevator doors opened, and the woman dragged her with her. “I am not taking no for an answer.”

She could easily protest and pull her arms away, but she did not. Her kindness seemed to drug her and put her at ease. She could not say no to the elderly, sweet woman.

Soon, she was sitting in this friendly woman’s living room with tissues, sitting on her lap and a small basket for her trash. But the woman never spoke another word, as she just allowed her to wallow in her sorrow.

After what seemed to be a considerable time, her tears had finally refused to come out as they dried out on her cheeks, and her weeping had dwindled into an occasional sob.

“How are you feeling?” The woman spoke up but kept her position by the armchair, watching her. “I hope you are not annoyed with me for forcing you to my apartment.”

Suddenly, her statement made her smile. As if her petite frame could force her to do anything. But she did come willingly at the time. She wanted to answer her, but she was still trying to compose herself, breathing more deeply.

“I don’t want you to drive yourself out there in your condition. Nor would I think to leave you alone if you were on your way to the roof of the building.” She continued with her soft tone, putting her hands on the chair’s armrest as if trying to be more comfortable.

The smile that graced her lips was so adorable that she could not stop the laughter from bursting out her lips. Her face was a picture of innocence, but her words implied something else.

“That is better. You should smile more because I always love your smile. You look so beautiful.” The sweet lady complimented, but she doubted her words, thinking how horrendous she might be at the moment.

“Thanks for that.” She raised her hand, unable to explain what she meant by that. “But I assured you, I am not driving at my condition nor on my way to the roof.”

It was only to reassure the kind lady. But thinking about it, she might have done those things if the lady was not kind enough to take her under her care for that single incident.

At that point, she admitted not thinking clearly. Although she was still a little unstable compared to earlier, she felt better after crying it out.

“Nevertheless, I don’t want people to see you in such a state. I am sure the lobby and the street would be full of people who like to snoop with your business.” The woman reasoned, which in her opinion, was again on point.

“I guess I would have disgraced myself in front of many strangers.” Amelia conceded, again appreciating her help. “Thanks again, Ms...”

“Just Angela.” The woman interrupted her. “I prefer if you will just call me by my given name since I think we can now consider ourselves as friends.”

She gradually stood up and poured two glasses of fresh juices, handing her one. She did not even notice them before, only concluding that she was worse than she thought.

Luckily a kind woman, who she believed had already saved many people, had taken the time to help her. This incredible lady was undeniably a guardian angel.