The Royal Contract

"I heard that you were leaving tomorrow," Lance uttered just behind her on top of the poolside.

He watched her move in the water, happy she was enjoying herself, but she was alone. He wondered what happened to her friends. He knew that he should be flying around the world right now, but he could not stop thinking about her. He had to see her.

"Oh! Hi, Lance. How long have you been standing there?" Jacky looked in his direction, a bit surprised by his sudden presence.

She suddenly stopped swimming in the water, if she would call what she was doing as such, and focused her attention on him. She wondered if he had been watching her for some time.

She did not know that he was coming today. Yesterday, when they separated after their overnight trip on the island, he mentioned that he was going on another trip. So, there was no possibility that they might see each other before she left.

With nothing to do, she decided to laze around the pool today. She was also hoping that Dani would show up and join her. Maybe they could do something together. 

"I just arrived a few minutes ago." Lance moved closer to her location and lowered himself on the pool so that he would be on her eye level. She also moved closer to him, so they don't need to shout as they talked. "I see that you are practicing what I taught you." He implied that he had seen her swam in the pool.

"I think I am getting the hang of it. You are indeed a good teacher." She felt a bit embarrassed since she must have been like a duck wagging her tails, lacking grace as she made her way from one side of the pool to the other end.

"I think you are a good student. It is why you easily learned," Lance commented as he looked at her. "By the way, where are your friends and Alex." He turned around as if he was looking for them around the area.

"My friends? I have no idea. They are all probably busy with something." She replied to his query. Well, she did not have any idea of where they were or what they were doing.

Dani seemed busy with Alex since she hardly saw her during their entire trip except for their occasional talks. She wondered what was happening with her and the two's pretend relationship. 

She hoped that Dani would come to her if she needed any help, but she wished that whatever was happening between Dani and Alex was better than what happened to her and Marcus.

"I thought you needed to be somewhere today?" She gazed at him with one of her eyebrows slightly in a questioning arch on her forehead, suddenly remembering their last conversation.

"Well, I postponed it for tomorrow. I thought I would rather spend the day with you if you are free and have no other plans." It was his turn to give her an inquisitive expression on his face.

He only tried his luck that she had nothing to do on her plate today. Although this was not part of his itinerary today, he decided to change it and cancel all his remaining schedules to be with her.

"I don't have plans, but are you sure it is wise that you waste your time with me. It seems that your meeting is more important than you spending it with me." Jacky wondered what he was thinking. 

She could not agree that he should ditch his meeting for her. It did not sound right in her book.

"I'm sure that this is what I wanted to do. And I assure you that I am definitely not wasting my time. Are you free to go out with me?" He was hoping that she would.

She still looked at him first before making a decision. She did not have anything planned, and he was already here, waiting for her. "Ok. Why not?" She finally conceded since she wanted to go out with him too.

"Then, get dress. Maybe we can grab an early lunch on our way," Lance suggested, wanting not to waste any more minutes of their time together.

"Just give me a few minutes to shower and change." She moved out of the water, but he quickly stood to assist her out of the pool.

He also grabbed her robe to help her into it and her towel. "I'll wait for you while I say hi to the folks inside." He walked with her until the living room, and then they went on their separate ways. 

She quickly climbed the stairs to her room, happily humming to herself. She was looking forward to another day with Lance. After this, who knew when she would see him again, or if ever they would cross paths again.

But at least, she experienced what it was like to be treated like a princess by a real-life prince. How many girls could say that? In her world, she believed none. 

She was still giggling inside with the prospect of a good time when her mood suddenly changed. She just got out of her room and was about to meet Lance downstairs when she saw Marcus on his way to her.

She did not doubt that he was looking for her since he was walking towards her room. Maybe Marcus was on his way to a rendezvous with another girl in a room next to hers. But as far as she knew, the rooms near hers were vacant. So, that was unlikely.

"Jacky, I was looking for you. Do you have a minute to talk?" Marcus asked when he was a couple of meters away from her.

"I'm sorry, but I'm in a hurry." She said calmly, but inside she was feeling the opposite. 

She had been avoiding him. She hated his guts. Seeing him only made her blood boil, but this was not the place and time to make a scene. 

"Please, just a few minutes. I want to say I'm sorry and to talk about us." Marcus pleaded with her. Well, in his opinion, he was already apologizing and doing things that he had not done with another girl.

"Ok. You already said you're sorry, but here is my answer. I don't care. About us talking, I believe we already said all we have to say to each other. If you still did not get it. Here. I'll say again. We are through." She walked past him and straight to the stairs, not looking back.

"Wait." Marcus pulled her arms to stop her from getting down the stairs. "Just give me a chance to explain." He knew he had to do something quickly before she walked away from her for good.

"Let go of me." She pulled her arms from his hold. And then she faced him. "Never touch me ever again." Her face was full of contempt that she could not hold how she was feeling for him.

Seeing her expression, Marcus had no choice but to hold up his hands away from her and let her go. He had never seen her look at him like that before nor heard her with that tone. He knew then that he did mess up big time, and then getting her back would be near impossible.