The Royal Contract

“Maybe you meant pee.” She corrected him as they laughed inside the elevator on their way to her room. “You were brave down there. But not everything could be settled with a fist.” She advised him.

Serena noticed earlier how the boy had clenched his fingers, ready to strike. Although she believed the man deserved a light beating, that was still not the way to resolve matters, not with violence.

Besides, she doubted that the boy could even hurt the burly man. He would only make a spectacle of himself more than teach anyone a lesson.

“I know, but he should not have called you a thief.” Ken lowered his head, seemingly watching his worn-down shoes. “It is ok if it was just me since it is true.”

Then, he tilted his head upwards, finally looking at her face. “But he judged you just because you were not looking your best.” He dared again to hold her hands as the lift kept climbing to her floor. “You are the kindest person I have ever known, and I will never let anyone badmouth you.”

She did not expect to hear that from the boy. He said he was a fan, but she did not know he would defend her like that. She felt overwhelmed with emotion as she gathered the boy in her arms and smiled down at him.

.....

“Don’t put me on a pedestal because someday you will learn I don’t deserve it.” She did not want to disappoint him as she had disappointed her family.

She knew despite the success she had achieved in her career. She still ended up with nothing in the end. She was a loser who could not even get anything right. After this case, she would return to nothing.

“What are you saying?” Ken might be wise for his age, but it did mean he understood everything she said.

As far as he was concerned, his new friend was the best person he had ever met in his young life. Although he had met a few friends, he still felt uncomfortable trusting them, but with her, it was different.

Or maybe she had influenced his judgment since he had idolized her since he saw her on the television. He had watched some of her movies and looked at her pictures on the billboards, using her as inspiration.

Who would have thought he would have the opportunity to meet her in person? Not him.

“Nothing.” She realized she was talking to a child even if he appeared wise for his age. “Shall we go inside?” She said as she held the key in her hands. “We can order something you like.”

The boy nodded his head. “Neil told me never to say no to good food.” Recalling one of his mentors on the street.

“That sounded good advice, even from a man like him.” She suddenly remembered how frightened she was in his presence.

Maybe he was harmless, but just like everyone in her world, they judged people according to their appearance. Probably, it was time that she reconsidered how she lived her life and how she viewed the world.

“Are you crazy?” A woman shouted even before she had opened her doors. Then, she found her manager sitting in the room, waiting for her. “Are you trying to get yourself killed?” If looks could kill, she would drop dead that instant.

“Nora, what are you doing here? It is late.” Serena stared at her manager, confused and a bit apprehensive about how she looked at her. She was not expecting to find her in her hotel room at this time of the night. Unless. “Is there a problem?”

Her manager looked like a dragon as her nose burned red and her ears seethed with steam. Could she blame her, remembering she had ignored all her calls? She must be worried about her. Now, she regretted her actions.

“You?” Nora snapped at her furiously. “You are my problem.” She began pacing the room as if trying to calm down but finding it difficult. “You were not answering your phone. Then, Claire had no idea where you went.”

Her manager rattled on, not allowing her to speak or even enter the room. She stood by the door, waiting for her manager to ease up. “Do you wish for me to have a heart attack? What are you thinking?” She added.

Serena did not answer, not wanting to rile her up more. She knew she deserved whatever her manager would say to her.

“Are you even thinking at all? And what are you still doing standing out there?” She looked at her like she had gone mad. “Do you want everyone to hear our conversation?”

It was not like there were people in the hallway. However, they were not exactly alone on the entire floor. Someone might walk in and find them discussing her situation.

“By the way, this is my friend, Ken.” She introduced her friend, pulling away from the wall until he stood by her side.

However, she could see now that he was slightly apprehensive about joining her in the room after what he had witnessed. She wondered if her manager was able to scare him.

“And who is that?” Nora asked, looking at the boy like she was about to explode. “You lost it.” She freaked out, waving her hands in the air and shouting profanities.

“Nora, let me explain.” She wanted her to understand her reason for bringing the boy with her.

“Why would you take home a stray boy in your apartment? Have you lost your mind?” Her manager did not stop saying words that the boy could hear. Maybe even her nearby neighbors overheard her.

“He is not a lost puppy. I want to help him.” She defended her decision to take the boy against her manager, who never gave her a chance to say her piece.

“Hey, don’t worry. That is ok. I have to go anyway.” Ken interrupted their heated argument.

But she did not want him to leave. “No, you are staying.”

“You said if I don’t want to stay. I can leave.” The boy reminded her of their earlier agreement.

But that was supposed to be after she had thought of a way to help him. Not before they could even enter her room. “Yes, I said that.” She knew she had no choice if that was his wish.

“It was great to meet you. But I hope we don’t cross paths again.” The boy smiled at her and then at her manager. “It is my pleasure.” Then, he walked back to the elevators.

As he pressed it, it automatically opened and closed as he rode it. Then, he was gone.

“Good riddance.” Her manager breathed a sigh of relief as if she was glad to deal with that problem. “You are better off not associating yourself with another problem.”

She wanted to believe that her manager was right. But in her heart, she felt the opposite. She wished to save the boy from a gloomy future, but how could she do that when her life was a mess?

She looked at the closed door at the end of the hall. She wanted to go after him, but what could she do? Besides, a deal was a deal.