The Royal Contract

She was already getting herself ready to sleep. Roseann had given her the spare room in the apartment. Well, it was a large stock room that her sister fixed to make into a makeshift room for her.

She did not need much anyway. Therefore the room was perfect for her. At any rate, she had no intention of staying for long. Hopefully, she would regain her memory soon.

If not.

"I guess you will just have to start somewhere." She told the woman staring back at her at the small mirror in her room.

She stared one last time at her reflection, trying to get to know herself. Who was she? She asked herself as she closed her eyes and buried her face in her palms.

Eventually, she moved toward her bed, testing it for the first time. She could not remember sleeping anywhere else except the hospital bed.

"Rosella, are you still awake?" She heard her sister behind her closed door.

"Yeah, come in." She offered as she sat on the edge of the bed and waited.

"Do you need anything else?" Her sister walked toward her, probably calculating her moves. After all, they were practically strangers now, at least from her point of view.

"No. I don't think so." Rosella answered. As far as she could tell, she had more than enough. "Don't trouble yourself."

She knew she was already a burden to her family, especially to her. She heard that Roseann was a promising doctor, a surgeon. She had already had a lot on her plate.

She did not want to add to her responsibilities. The sooner she got back on her feet, the better for everyone. But where to start? That was her first problem.

"Of course, it is no trouble. Please tell me if you need anything. It is the least I can do for all your sacrifices." Roseann expressed a genuine concern as she sat beside her and rested her head on her shoulder.

"I don't understand what you mean." She had no idea. But how could she know when she had no recollection of her past?

"Let me check." Her sister asked her to stay as she exited the room. "It can be one of my friends needing a place to crash." She explained, probably not wanting her to get worried.

She stared at the pillow and pulled the blanket debating whether to sleep or check on her sister. After a few seconds, she stood up and strode toward her door.

Her curiosity outweighed her plan. Besides, she doubted she would sleep soon. Her body was still too strung out to rest.

"What are you doing here?" She heard Roseann ask whoever it was behind the door.

Her sister was not necessarily toning down her voice. Moreover, it was a small apartment. The walls were paper thin.

She slightly opened her door just in time to see the late visitor enter the apartment.

"I just thought I should bring her things. She might need it." He stated, explaining his late presence to her sister.

Her things, she thought as she peeked at the slit.

If he had her things, then he was telling the truth. She must have been living with him before she had the accident. But did that change anything between them? Could she trust a stranger?

"You didn't need to bring it now, Adam. You could have dropped by in the morning." Roseann said to their guest, looking at him incredulously as if she could not believe him.

Eventually, she widened the door and let him inside, ushering him to the sofa at the center of the small living space.

"I know, but I just thought she might need it tonight. It is her favorite pillow." Adam raised the big bag in his right hand. "She sleeps better with this."

She could not verify the authenticity of his claim. But she was touched by his concern. Was this man for real?

And was he hers to keep?