The Royal Contract

"Thanks for a nice dinner and warm welcome," Lance said as he stood up from his chair. "But I think I better head back to my apartment."

  He knew it was getting late, and he already gave up the idea that he would still see Jacky. She might still be having a good time with whoever she was out with tonight. But again, it was none of his business, as he kept reminding himself.

"Ok. Remember, you are always welcome to visit us anytime." Dani said with emphasis on the last word.

She was sure that Jacky would be more than happy to see him. She could already visualize her reaction once she finally saw Lance. Their reunion would be full of excitement.

"I'll take note of that," Lance said, hugging Dani again before looking at Alex. "What about you? Are you staying over?" He asked Alex.

But seeing that Alex was not showing any indication that he was about to leave, he already knew the answer. It would seem that his cousin had it bad for Dani. Alex deserved to be happy, he thought.

"Yeah, I'll just see you at the office tomorrow." He told Lance as they said their goodbyes.

As Lance walked in the hallway to the elevator, he took out his phone from his pocket to check on an incoming message. Busy with his phone, he did not notice someone was also walking on his path until he collided with her.

She, on the other hand, was rummaging at that moment on her bag for her keys. She did not see the man that was also on her path. It was too late to avoid him as they collided with one another.

"Woah!" He grumbled, instantly regaining control of his body seconds after the incident. But when he saw the girl was about to fall, his swift reflex managed to hold on to her hand and pulled her to him before she completely lost her balance. Unfortunately, she lost the handle of her bag as it toppled down on the floor.

"You should watch where you're going." She mumbled under her breathe, quickly recovering from her shock. She bent down to pick up her things, scattered on the floor.

He also bent down to help her with her things, and when he looked at her, he suddenly realized who the girl he had bumped into was. It was Jacky, but she was too upset to notice him as she gathered her things while blabbering nonsense angry words at him.

"Hey, Jacky." He finally uttered softly as not to irritate her any further. He did not mind her ire since it was also his fault. But he was glad he ran into her before he left.

This time, Jacky looked up, curious about the voice that called her name. It did sound familiar in her ears but only speculated imagining things.

But her shocked earlier when she nearly fell on the floor was nothing compared to what she felt at the moment. She had no idea how to describe the way her heart pounded and jumped almost out of her chest.

"Hi! Remember me." He asked as she remained quiet and just continued to stare at her face.

His imagination did not do her justice. He thought as he saw her more beautiful than before. Or, was he still under the spell of the shock of earlier, he shouted on his head to wake him up from his daydreaming?

"Of course, Lance, I'm sorry." She slightly stuttered in her speech. She tried to breathe steadily, regaining her composure. "Anyway, what are you doing here?" She felt her last statement sounded much better.

How could she forget him when all she could think about was him? She still could not believe that he was here. It suddenly felt like she was dreaming as she stared into his face and then into his eyes.

"No, it is entirely my fault." He immediately took the blame. He helped her up when they finally finished collecting her things. "Alex invited me for dinner. I thought this was his place. As it turned out, it is yours and Dani."

He still did not let go of her hand immediately, remembering how it felt when he held it before. He was suddenly transported to the time that they enjoyed each other's company.

"No, I meant here in the city, out of your country." Jacky tried to explain further to get rid of her confusion.

She still could not believe that he was present in front of her, staring at her as if she was a social experiment.

"Oh! You meant that. I'm here for business." Lance told her as he finally moved back a few steps away from her.

He did not want to crowd her space since she seemed to be ok now. The initial shock of seeing him again had probably worn off, he thought as he started to observe activities in her eyes again, and her body began to slightly relaxed.

To study their opponent's body language, as well as their facial expressions, were part of his combat training. It helped him to know their weaknesses, which he usually used in his business clients or competitors.

"Oh, that's good." Jacky found herself speechless and disappointed.

What was she thinking? That he would come flying to see her and proclaimed his undying love for her. That is very stupid, Jacky. Besides, she did not even know if she was in love with him.

She knew that ever since meeting him, she had constantly thought of him. They had a strong connection. She felt comfortable around him and enjoyed every moment she shared with him.

If that was the definition of love, then she might be in love with half of the men she dated, including that scumbag, Marcus. But there must be more to it than just those classifications to say that it was love.

"By the way, since I am already here. Maybe it is your turn to show me around." Lance still maintained his eyes on her face, trying to read the way her face changed from one emotion to another.

He wondered what went through her mind as she quickly masked the sadness in her eyes with a smile on her lips. "Sure. Just tell me when you are free, and I'll give you a tour of the city."

"Then, maybe I should get your number so it will be easier for us to communicate." He took out his phone and unlocked it, handing it to her. "Just pin in your number."

"Sure," Jacky complied, thinking that it was only fair that she should show him the same courtesy he did for her.

In all honesty, Jacky liked him and would jump into an opportunity to have a relationship with him. From the few times she spent time with him, she knew that he was a good catch.

But that was not the issue here. The question that plagued Jacky's mind did not have anything to do with him. Because as far as she knew, he was perfect. An ideal man for most single ladies around the world.

The problem all had to do with her. Was she worthy of a guy like him? Was she a good catch for him? She was a nobody who happened to be a friend of somebody. 

That was the only common denominator of their friendship. Other than that, Jacky and Lance were a world apart. That was her opinion, and she had accepted the fact that they could not be more.

"Then, I will assume it is a date," Lance said, not meaning that they were going on a date but more of scheduling a time to spend some time together.

His eyes studied her as she returned his phone to him with her number. He knew he did like her because she was different from the women he dated before. But his situation was different.

Having girlfriends was quite common on royalties like him. But going on a serious relationship was something else. Just like what Alex had to go through, Lance also had to choose a good wife that he would have to present to her family and the Empire.

He could only marry from noble birth or the same stature as his. Jacky did not fit the criteria of that. Then, what was he doing going out with her? He had no idea.

"Of course. I'll see you for your tour." Jacky corrected him, just making sure that she was not jumping to any of her conclusions.

She abruptly cut her thoughts before it started assuming anything more. Lance was only here for business and nothing more. 

She was taking him to visit some places only to return a favor. That was it.

Lance was not here to make any declaration of love. Nor, anything remotely similar to a prince, who was about to sweep her off of her feet.

"Bye, for now." Lance took her hand and placed a chaste kiss on top of her knuckles. It was more of a sign of respect rather than some romantic notion. 

He moved to the elevator, leaving Jacky staring at his back. Before he rode the lift that would take him down, Jacky immediately rushed to her door, opened it, and closed it again, not wanting to see him go.

As Lance walked out of that building and rode his car, once again, he began to contemplate why he felt that way upon seeing Jacky again.  He knew that they had developed a friendship while back in his hometown.

Was he mistaken with his assessment of his feelings for her? Did it become much deeper? Did he want them to be more than friends?