The Royal Contract

She had no idea why she said that to him. "You." Her answer kept repeating in her mind. She just told him that he was the reason she could not go back.

She believed since seeing him last night. Her mind had gone haywire. She could not think straight as her memories plagued her thoughts of their moments together and the emotions she kept shoving aside.

"What do you mean?" Serena remembered him asking, but she never had the chance to answer as the kids rushed to their side, calling them so they could join the games outside.

Honestly, she was glad of the interruption. Until now, she had no clue how to answer Adam's other question.

"Hey, focus on the ball." One of the kids shouted at her. "You are making us lose." Another one complained when she kept dropping the ball.

She was part of Team A while Adam joined the other group. They were supposed to collect as many ping-pong balls, by throwing them to several baskets on the other side.

First of all, she was not good at it. Adding to that, she was distracted. Therefore, it was only natural that she failed miserably in this game. She sucked.

"I am sorry. I am doing the best I can." She promised her team as she concentrated on shooting at least one ball. But if she could manage two or more, that would be great.

The team that could shoot the most numbers of balls would win the game. Therefore, everyone scrambled to pick some balls and sink them in their designated baskets.

It was chaos, but it was fun as she started enjoying the game. Soon, she forgot all about her thoughts as she joined the competitive spirit.

"That's it." One of the older boys guided her, teaching her the technique. "A little more power." He told her.

She guessed she was getting the hang of it as she finally sunk her first ball in the basket. "Yes," Serena shouted jubilantly, basking in the thrill of accomplishing something new.

"Come on. You can do it." Now, it was her turn. She encouraged her teammate to get as many balls in the basket, more than she did.

"Wow! That is impressive." She told the young girl who placed three balls all in all.

"That was a valiant effort on your part, but my Team will never let you win," Adam said, competitively against them as he looked in her direction, challenging her to do better.

"My team is not afraid of you guys." But she was, seeing that the other team had more balls in their basket than them. But she would not give up without a fight.

"Serena. It is your turn." The youngest member of their group called her. This time, she would do better in this last round.

She focused on the ball, remembering what they had taught her. Eventually, she managed two balls which were better than the other rounds.

Until the game ended, his team won, and hers lost. But that was not the lesson of the story. "Hey, guys. It is not about the winners and the losers."

She gathered all the boys and girls in the center, seeing the other team rejoicing and the other one sulking on the other side.

"It was how you played the game. How much you enjoyed every second of it." She looked at each one of their faces.

"Not that it is any of your business, but Sebastian is my friend." She clarified to him what her relationship was with the other man.

She could not tell if he liked what he heard, but something seemed to glow in his eyes. But again, she was not great at reading people. She could not even distinguish the good and the bad ones.

"Are you sure he is just a friend?" He asked, but he did not seem to wait for an answer. "What about me? What am I to you?"

Again, those questions were hard to answer because once she did. There was no turning back. But was she ready for the outcome and the consequences?

"I am sure that Sebastian is just a sweet and kind friend, nothing more." She disclosed to him. Then, she took a deep breath, thinking of what she would say next.

She expected him to nag her, but he remained quiet in his seat as he waited patiently for her. But was she ready to divulge her feelings for him?

"I am still unsure of what I feel for you." She finally told him, feeling like it was the best answer she could give him.

She knew it was not enough, but she could not force herself if she did not feel ready to enter another relationship.

She knew she was a fool for letting him go. But she could not accept something she did not deserve. And he was too much of a perfect man for her.

Although she believed many of her physical and psychological wounds had healed, she still carried some emotional baggage that made her damage good.

"Here is the thing, Serena." He finally stood up and moved closer to her. He planted his hands on her shoulders, mildly coercing her to look at him.

"I love you, Serena. More than I ever loved anyone else." He confessed to her. "But I can't wait for you forever."

His eyes searched hers as if he was digging through her soul for answers. But how could he see them when she had denied her feelings for him?

"I need to know that you feel the same way as I am." He continued. "I need you to say that you love me too."

She could feel his hand slightly tightening on her shoulders as if he could not control his feelings anymore. But she still could not say it back to him.

"I can't." She finally told him.

She could see the pain registering in his eyes. She felt the knife cut through her heart, as well, after denying him what he wanted to hear.

"Why?" He seemed desperate to know.

Why? She repeated in her mind, but she still could not answer him.

"I guess then, this is goodbye, Serena." Adam leaned over and kissed her on the cheeks before letting her go.

This time, he marched out of the room without looking back at her. She could only surmise that he was gone for good.