The Royal Contract

Being alone as Alex and Dani had planned seemed to be impossible at the moment as their parents once again planned some family picnic, inviting everyone to attend. Meaning it was not a request but more of a command.

After breakfast with their family, the organizers assigned respective vehicles to each member of the family and the guests that would transport them to their destination. Everyone had an hour to prepare before their departure. 

"You know we can still get out of this if you want." Alex offered to Dani when they were back in their room to change and packed for an overnight stay at one of their vacation homes.

Alex was a bit concerned that she was still recovering and not yet fit for strenuous activities. He could use that as an excuse for them not to join the activities.

He was also looking forward to spending some time with her alone today. These past few days had been fun, but he wanted more. A chance for him to show her who he was and to find out more about her.

"As much as I want to, I know I will not hear the end of it from my father. Besides, it sounded fun." She told Alex, knowing that her parents would want to spend some time with them.

She was sure that her getting sick had prevented their parents from spending more time with the two of them. This event was a way for them to catch up with lost time.

"Yeah, you are right. Better agree with our parents and enjoy the rest of the day." Alex agreed to her statement since he was expecting the same case with his parents.

Alex was the one who finished first again, using the bathroom, while Dani took her time dressing inside the walk-in closet. A setup they both agreed upon so that they could both co-exist in the same room without finding it awkward.

As she looked at herself in the mirror, she was expecting to lose a bit of weight. But Alex managed to take care of her, making sure that she ate adequately, drink her medicine on time, and sleep tightly.

He never left her side until convinced that she would not need anything more.

"Are you done?" He asked just outside the closet, waiting for her. 

He was used to waiting for Tyra for hours when they were still together. Tyra never left the mirror until she looked perfect as far as he remembered. 

"Yes, I'm coming out." She wore a simple dress with flat doll shoes, carrying a small overnight bag.

"Oh, that was fast." He was surprised to see her finished preparing for the trip in just a few minutes. She even packed very light. "Are you sure this is all you need?" He took the small bag from her hands to carry it for her.

If Tyra were in her position right now, she would be carrying at least three large bags for the trip. Her shoes alone could already fill one of the bags. But he was glad that Dani was different from her. He liked that she lived her simple life, as shown by how she dressed and her lifestyle.

"What else would I need?" She knew what he must be thinking. Maybe if these were more than ten years ago, when she was still young, she would be acting differently from what she was today. 

She would be like the rest of her previous friends. 

Assuming they were privileged to live a more comfortable life compared to the others because of their wealth. But that was not her anymore. She had a long time ago abandoned that belief. 

"Nothing. You already look perfect." He could not stop the compliment from slipping from his lips. But why would he even think of preventing himself from telling the truth? It was about time that he showered her with all the compliments that she deserved.

"Stop that. I'm hardly perfect." She quickly looked away from him, not wanting him to see the effect of his words on her. 

"But you are to me." He produced something from his back. "I want you to have this." He said as he handed her a hat. "Wear that at all times when you are under the sun. We don't want you to get sick again." He reminded her.

"Thanks." She took the hat from him, holding it in her hand. 

Simple gestures like that were what made him so irresistible to her. He did not need to make bold statements or give her flashy gifts to make her feel how much he cared.

She believed that he was quite different from the rest of the men she knew. She already felt it the first time she saw him that night, a long time ago. Something that she would never forget for the rest of her life.

"Shall we join them?" He asked her, offering his arm for her to hold as he assisted her out of their room.

"I guess so." She could not think of anything else that would stop them from pushing forward to their next destination.

She feared that if he kept doing that, showing her that she was exceptionally special to him, she would easily give in to his wishes. She would eventually agree to become her girlfriend. 

Although she felt that was what she also wanted, she supposed he was right. She had to carefully study and make sure that she was not rushing into this.

There were so many aspects of her life that she needed to consider before going into a relationship. There was her family, her career, and most importantly, her heart. 

"Are you alright?" He asked, noticing that she had become quiet.

"I'm fine. I was thinking of where Jacky might be." She quickly made an excuse, not wanting him to figure out what she had in her mind.

She felt a strong attraction for him, and she also developed some affection for the man walking beside him. Would that be enough for her to risk her everything to be with him?

Alex was no ordinary man. Getting involved with him now, with all the things that he was going through in his life, would mean complications that she was not sure she was ready to accept in her life. 

"Tell me if you need anything or if you feel sick." Clearly showing his concern for her safety and wellbeing.

"Of course, I will notify you immediately." She assured him.

Although she believed that Alex was different from Nick, she was still unsure if a relationship with him would be full of rainbows and butterflies. On the other hand, it would seem that it was more likely to be surrounded by rough storms and weeds with thorns. 

She had avoided relationships precisely because of these reasons. She was afraid that those difficulties would hinder what she wanted in her life. Would she be able to handle the problems that were attached to this kind of romantic intimacy? 

Then again, was she ready to get hurt once this relationship did not work in the end? Because there was no guarantee that they would last forever or if what they had was true love.