The Royal Contract

She did not know how she managed to drive home in her condition. Her body must have moved automatically, but she was glad she had not met an accident and landed on her bed without a scratch.

“I am so stupid!” To think that she could go back to her hometown and reclaim what was hers.

She thought that if she had made that flight, she would storm to the castle and asked Lance for forgiveness. Then tell him about their child. Did she think that could be that easy?

She did not even make it to the plane because fate and the Count would not allow it.

“You’re a fool!” She muttered to herself as she kept her eyes staring into blank space.

All she remembered was walking directly into her room from the main door and throwing her keys and bag somewhere in the room. Then, she stared at her ceiling all night, afraid to close her eyes.

.....

She did not want to dream or have a nightmare. She just wanted everything to stop spinning, but how. Whether she closed her eyes or opened them, nothing seemed to matter.

“Eida, are you finally awake?” Amelia shouted outside, knocking on her door. “I already have breakfast in the kitchen.” She slightly lowered her voice as if waiting for an answer.

Her friend must be wondering what had happened to her last night when she suddenly disappeared and where she had been since nobody was awake when she came home way past midnight.

She saw the messages, slightly concerned that Amelia could not reach her. But she had managed to text her friend when she retrieved her phone from the officer.

She told her about a late emergency meeting she had to attend. Of course, she had to lie. She just hoped that her friend had bought that excuse because she had no way of explaining without revealing the truth of what had transpired in that police station.

Last night, she accepted that her life was going down the drain. At least her relationship with the love of her life had its final nail in its coffin. She was not dragging her friends with her, not especially her child. She had to learn to move on and never look back.

“I will be out in a second.” She knew she had to answer to keep up with her lie, or her friend would suspect something and try to bug her.

Then, she still had to determine how to decline the job to cover the wedding. She knew she could never watch the man she loved marry another. Besides, she had to consider also what happened last night.

It still took her half an hour before she could finish fixing her face to look presentable. She looked like a walking ghost without her makeup and polished-looking hair.

“What happened to you last night?” Angela asked, probably wondering why she did not join them for dinner. “Amelia said that she could not get hold of you.”

Eida kissed her friend on the cheek as she greeted Angela before answering her. “Somebody called with an emergency story. I tried to fix it immediately, but the reporters screwed up big time.”

She breathed a heavy sigh, pretending to be disappointed with her team. In truth, she was guilty of lying to her friends. However, she had no choice, knowing she could not put them in the middle of her problem.

Besides, she had already decided to let her past go and move on with her life. She could not ruin other lives because she was selfish enough to want Lance to be hers.

“I am all about you focusing on your career. Just make sure that Luisa also gets ample time with you.” Angela reminded her, knowing how much she valued family time.

Angela patted Luisa on the cheeks while the child was in the arms of Amelia, sitting beside her. “She deserves all the love in the world.” Her aged but wise friend continued.

“I understand.” Eida agreed with her as she moved closer to Amelia. “Did you miss me?” She took her baby from her friend and cradled her around her body.

She could feel her heart was about to burst as well as her eyes, so she turned to look at the window outside, hoping she could pull herself together.

Would the pain ever end? She wondered as she gazed at the beautiful blue sky outside. Every time she thought she had passed this dreadful misery. Even a single memory would trigger it all again.

“She did,” Amelia stated as she stood up to get a fresh plate and utensil. Then, she grabbed a freshly squeezed orange juice before returning to her seat and passing it to her.

“Yes, she did.” Even Angela seconded her friend. “That was why we were trying to call you.”

“Oh! I am sorry, my darling. I will not do that again.” Eida kissed her baby on the forehead, glad that her tears did not fall and that somehow she was back in control of her emotions.

“She cried all night as if there was a big fire. But amazingly, I tried what I saw you do the other night, and it worked. She slept like a log.” Amelia continued, but this time, she looked fascinated.

“What are you talking about?” She asked as she played with Luisa’s cheeks.

“I played the video on your tablet. The one saved on your favorites, and Luisa loved it.” Amelia cheerfully stated as if she would remember it. “It probably connected her with you and her dad.”

Then, she finally remembered. She had not played that video of Lance’s race for some time since it reminded her of him so much. But it did calm Luisa and made her fall asleep.

Now, she was back in memory lane, fighting hard to keep her emotions intact. However, something else bothered her. What if Luisa started asking for her father? What would she tell her?

What fairytale would best suit their story?