The Royal Contract

"Hey! Can I cut in? I do wish to dance with my daughter." A booming voice interrupted Alex's trance, and he suddenly realized that they were kissing in the middle of the dance floor.

He slowly pulled away, keeping a smile on his face as he continued to gaze at Dani, who was still slightly dazed by their stunt. She was still under the spell of that kiss they recently shared.

"Of course, Ethan," Alex replied, not showing any embarrassment at all. Why would he when he was only expressing how much he wanted her in his life?

It finally snapped Dani to the present and made her realized what was happening. She looked at her father with her cherry tomato cheeks, feeling like she wanted to hide from his gaze. 

Not that she was ashamed to be caught kissing Alex. She was just not used to being too showy of her emotions when she became a lawyer. Unlike when she was young and stupid, she had changed.

It was the exact reason some had labeled her as the ice queen, a tigress, and other words relating to a woman who did not like to be emotional.

"You look so lovely, Dani." Her Dad uttered, especially with the blush on her face. He suddenly remembered her little princess, who would sit on his lap and enjoy telling him what she did all day.

Even if there was a way to turn back time, he knew that he would not change anything. All that happened in their past, whether good or bad, had led them into this moment.

It was the most special day in his daughter's life. He could see the happiness that was radiating in her eyes. It was spilling in her smile even though she was trying to control it.

"You don't look bad at all." Dani retorted to her father, who seemed to be doing much better, in comparison, to the last time she visited him. "Are you sure you feel better?" She asked, still a bit concerned.

She believed that her father should have sat this one out and rested instead in the safety of their home. He should not be forcing himself to be part of this stressful celebration.

"I know you are worried about me. You don't have to because everything is under control. You see me. I am not worried at all." He assured her as they continued to dance to the slow music humming in the background.

The last thing he wanted was to see his wife and daughter suffering because of him. He was not afraid if he had to die any time soon. He already had made arrangements for his family. 

"You can't blame Mom and me. We love you so much, Dad. We don't want to lose you." It had been a while since they had such a heartfelt conversation. 

She carefully watched his expression and his body movements. She checked for any telltale sign that he was feeling tired or uncomfortable. 

His hold in her hand was still firm, and his stride to the dance floor was in tune with the beat. He seemed very healthy and energetic when you looked at him physically. 

But she knew better because she had lived with him most of her life. In his eyes laid the truth of what he truly felt. Once she looked into them, she had seen what he did not want them to see.

"Well, you won't." He swung her to the music as if he never felt so much better. Like there was nothing amiss with their situation. "I will be here till the day that you give me my grandchildren." It was supposed to be the plan. 

Hopefully, all his effort to fund the medical world would pay off, and he would survive the surgery that would save his life. If not, he was bound to leave this world for good.

He shook his thoughts away from his fears. He might be one of the most influential people in this room, but he did not reach this point without giving fear its due respect.

Without acknowledging the most he was afraid of, he would not have built the courage to overcome it. Fear and courage must always come hand in hand, or it would be just a waste of time.

"I'm happy that you finally reconsider having the surgery." She hugged him, not caring anymore if they stopped moving.

She had no reassurance that the surgery would be successful. No matter how many statistics told them that her father would turn out alive at the end of it. There was still that tiny percentage that said otherwise.

It could be the last time they had a father and daughter dance like this, and she wanted to savor every minute of being in his arms. She already had wasted so much time. She could not regret this moment too.

"Hey, I am not dying. I promise you." Ethan whispered in her ear as he buried his chin on her hair. He pulled her closer, comforting her. "I will fight death no matter what. For you and your mother." 

He felt her sob, but she was trying to control it. Not wanting to show the people that surround them how much all of this was affecting her. She always had been strong-willed, and she would continue to do so for him.

"I know, Dad. I am sorry for hating you all those times. For staying away from you. For thinking of the worst." She finally looked up from her current position to look into his eyes.

She was not going to cry because there was no need for it. Her father was still here, fighting with her and her mother. She would show him that she could still trust him. But most of all, she loved him so much.

"Shall we go to your mother? She could not wait to see you." Ethan finally said as he smiled at her like nothing went wrong in their relationship.

It was the only time she realized that the song had already ended, and the people around them were either leaving the dance floor or waiting for the next one.

"Let us go. I am also excited to see Mom." She responded to her father moving with him away from the dance floor.

She did not care if people saw their exchange or what they thought of it. What mattered to her right now was the reconciliation she had with her father. 

"She would love the dress you are wearing." He told her, guiding her to where he left his wife talking with Alex's parents. If not mistaken, Alex would probably have joined them. He had vanished from his sight earlier.

"I'm sure Mom was the one who chose your outfit. You look very handsome and dashing, Dad." She complimented the impeccable three-piece suit that his father was wearing tonight.

"You know your mother never approved of my taste." Her father complained.

"Because you have the worse one. I wonder how you managed to win Mom's heart." She jokingly said, which made them both laugh.

"Well, it is a secret that she would never allow me to tell." Ethan placed his fingers on his lips and sealed it.

He might be laughing with Dani, but his mind was also wandering somewhere else. It broke his heart to think that it would hurt her tremendously if something happened to him. He was afraid that death was just in the corner, waiting for him.