The Royal Contract

His hand kept steady on the stirring wheel and his feet on the pedals, but his face kept turning and glancing her way every few seconds.

However, Jacky was not giving him anything, since this time, it was her surprise. “Nope, just keep your face and eyes focused on the road.” Using her forefinger to push his face away from looking at her and back to the road ahead.

There was a slight build-up, so the traffic was slightly heavy as they kept stopping with other cars honking at every corner of the street. All impatient to get away from whatever was blocking their way.

“Are we still far, or just a few minutes away?” Marcus asked again, presumably wondering when they would be out of the traffic jam.

She could only surmise that an accident might have happened just a few blocks from their location. But just like the other motorist, he could not help but honk his horn out of frustration.

“Maybe a few blocks more.” She finally admitted, giving him a piece of information to appease his mind. “But with this traffic, I doubt we will make it in time.” She answered him, also slightly getting disappointed.

.....

Jacky grabbed her phone from her purse and quickly typed a short text. Then, pressed sent. In a minute, her phone beeped, signaling an incoming message. She immediately opened it and smiled.

“Who is that?” He asked with his eyes squinting at her and his nose scrunched up in the middle of his face.

She could tell he was curious again about her behavior, pointing with his lips to her phone. But she only waved the phone at him before putting it back in her bag.

“That is my surprise.” She relaxed again in her seat, knowing that she did not need to worry about where they were going.

“I hope you plan to compensate me for all my effort after this.” He naughtily smiled at her, indicating that it was not a mere threat but a promise. He might be tolerating her, but she had something coming later on, but she only smiled at him as a response.

He turned his head back to the road as the traffic resumed its normal flow. Steadily, the car finally reached the intersection where they had to make another turn. Then, a few more buildings away, she asked him to pull into one of the driveways of a restaurant.

“Are we celebrating an anniversary that I forgot?” Suddenly, his face looked worried, probably feeling guilty that he had forgotten one of their special occasions. “But I could not think of one.” He started recounting the dates of their birthdays and anniversaries.

Admittedly, he had never bothered with those dates before. But ever since he had been serious about their relationship, he had changed drastically.

She could only laugh, but she appreciated that he seemed to remember all of them just fine. Except for this one because it was not part of their special occasions yet.

“Relax. You are all good.” Jacky tapped him in the hands as he turned the engine off.

She still could see the puzzlement in his expression, but her smile seemed to ease his confusion as he exited the car and assisted her out of the passenger side.

“Then, what are we celebrating?” His face was priceless, looking so puzzled by her actions, escorting her to the entrance of the elegant establishment.

Although they frequented a classy and exclusive restaurant that needed booking way ahead of time, still, it was usually to entertain a client or celebrate a special occasion. Not just for an ordinary lunch.

“Something special. I guarantee.” She walked beside him, entwining her hands around his elbows, showing all the girls turning their heads in their direction that this man was hers.

Confidently, she could now claim him, not just as her boyfriend but as her fiance and soon-to-be husband. But more than that, the man who loved her.

As the hostess ushered them to their table, she smiled at the hostess, who acted professionally as always. But as soon as she left, her eyes scanned the room as if looking for someone else.

“Are we dining with someone besides us?” Marcus asked, narrowing his eyes at her, probably noticing her eyes roaming around the place.

But before she could answer him, her eyes saw someone walking towards them. She thought she might have left already. Thankfully, she waited.

He tried to follow her eyes, but before he could turn completely around.

“Hey, you guys are finally here.” A female voice greeted them. She finally stopped in front of Marcus and leaned down to kiss him. “Hello, brother.”

“Hello, Haley.” Marcus finally kissed his sister on the cheeks, slightly surprised as he looked questioningly in her way. “What are you doing here?” He asked, his voice sounding suspicious as he stood on his seat.

“Jacky asked me to come.” Then, she turned to her and did the same thing. “Thanks, Jacky, for inviting me.”

“I hope you did not mind, Marcus.” Jacky looked at her fiance’s reaction, but she could not see any anger in his expression. At least that was a good sign.

“Of course not. I am glad that you seem to be becoming good friends.” Eyeing her and then his sister. “Are you joining us for lunch?” Turning to his sister.

He was probably surprised that Haley showed up since there were only two reserved chairs he could see, but there was a reason. However, she had no doubt now that he would not object to her plans.

“Actually!” She paused, looking at him. “This lunch is for the two of you. I think you need time to reconnect with each other.” Jacky abruptly stood from her chair and offered it to Haley. “It is time for you guys to bond as siblings.”

She knew how important it was to have a good connection between two people who shared the same blood. She had a brother who was not blood-related to her, but Andy was her family.

She would give anything to be with him as often as she wished, but their lives had different paths. She was just glad that he was happy in his family now.

“What about you? Where are you going?” Marcus asked, suddenly stopping her from leaving.

She stood by his side, dropping him a long kiss on the lips before straightening up again. “I am going out with Dani. She is already waiting for me on the other side of the room.”

She pointed to the adjoining room, slightly hidden by a divider and a column. She had arranged all of this when she had learned of Marcus and Haley’s connection.

Dani and Haley were more than happy to help in the situation. But more than that, she was glad to discover that Haley was not another of his past bimbos waiting on the sidelines to catch his attention.