The Royal Contract

Dani was making him feel so different from his previous relationships. He was acting so unlike himself around her. 

He never experienced jealousy like that before. Not that he had many relationships before Dani. And not even with Tyra, who he thought he loved deeply.

Now, he questioned if love was real. If it was, then, how would he know if it was love that he was feeling? How would he differentiate it from infatuation or lust?

"I hope you have not eaten anything yet, because I have something special for you." She showed him the food she had prepared. 

She meant the food that she placed on the plate from the cardboard box it came with when it was delivered. But Alex did not have to know that unless he asked.

"Of course not. I am starving." He flattened his hand on his stomach, indicating that he was hungry. "Let me help you with that." He offered, seeing that she was struggling with the wine lid.

She handed him the wine and sat beside him on the table. "Come on, let us eat." She felt satisfied with her work, despite the mess earlier with Troy. But at least all seemed to be ok now.

She suddenly thought of what Alex said about Troy. Was he interested in her? And was she entertaining his advances unknowingly? 

She like Troy because she felt comfortable around him, but she was not attracted to him romantically. She enjoyed his company, but it did not mean that she was flirting with him. 

She suddenly felt the need to rectify the matter once she saw Troy. It would be a shame to lose a friend if that was the case.

"Oh, you did well with the meal. I thought you said that you are not a good cook." He announced when he mockingly licked his fingers to point out how much he loved the food.

"Fine, you caught me. I ordered those at the diner that you like so much." She knew she could not lie to him.

"Thanks for thinking of what I like." He pulled her from her chair into his lap. "I don't care if you can't cook an egg, but I appreciate you know how to order my favorite." He pulled her closer to him until her face was just a few inches above his.

"I knew that you would figure it out. I should have ordered somewhere else." She teased him, putting both of her palms on his cheek, squeezing it tight before kissing his nose. "But I have another surprise for you. But you will only get it after we clear all of this."

She escaped from his clutches and started clearing the table. She did not want her friend to come home with their mess. She suddenly wondered what was going on with her date. 

She hoped that the new guy was worth her friend's affection. She also deserved to be happy, just like what she was feeling now.

"Wait, I also have something for you." He rushed to the things that he left on the table and came back with a single rose. "I was going to give you this when I arrived, but I guess my mind went somewhere else." Remembering how he was distracted by what he saw.

"I like that you are jealous because it somewhat indicates that you care enough to see me with another man. I also felt the same when I saw you with Tyra." She suddenly admitted that she did get jealous when they were on their fake date, and Tyra was all over him.

She did not want him to think that jealousy should be an issue between them. If they were to build a solid foundation for their relationship, they should talk about these things. 

She firmly believed that trust was one of the most significant components of a long-lasting committed relationship.

"I guess you are right. You are not only beautiful but quite bright too. How did I get so lucky?" He said as he helped her clear the table and cleaned the kitchen. He could not help but grin when he saw the box that she had thrown away in the trash.

When they finished cleaning the kitchen, he pulled Dani close to him. Turning her around, he removed the apron she was wearing. "Can I now have my surprise?" Thinking that it was a kiss as he lowered his head to hers.

But before his lips touched hers, she dodged away and disentangled herself from his embrace.

"I'll get it, wait for me in the living room and bring the wine." She instructed, moving fast away from him towards her room.

Suddenly, a thought crossed her mind. She figured that if she was going to surprise a man like him. It would be better to go full battle gear on.

"Oh, you have a real surprise." He uttered, throwing his head back in mild laughter with his realization, suddenly curious as to what it was.

He walked towards the living room with the wine and two glasses, waiting for her to return. He poured himself a glass of wine as he waited for her.

After a few minutes, he decided to turn on the player and played some soft music. Watching a movie was out of the question tonight. He considered that a soft melody was more appropriate in a night like this.

When she returned, she had changed into her new nightgown, ready to give him her next surprise. "I hope you are ready for what I have planned for tonight." She uttered in her seductive voice, moving closer to him.

But what she was not expecting was his surprise. He laid on the couch with his head resting on the backrest, eyes closed and snoring. He was fast asleep. She suddenly realized that he must be exhausted.

She wondered if she had taken that long to change for him to fall asleep on the couch. Then, she thought that maybe she did. It was an impromptu decision that she only thought of a moment ago. 

But now, it seemed that she had ruined the night as she sat beside him and gazed at his sleeping form.