The Royal Contract

"Jacky, I'm going out on a jog." She shouted outside her door, but as usual, she did not get any response from her. She was probably still deep in her sleep or refused to acknowledge her. She still left a note notifying her that she would be back soon.

She placed her headset on and played her usual upbeat music, dropping her phone on the kitchen counter together with the note. She opened their front door and walked on the hallway towards the elevator. Then, her heart suddenly went to her throat when a hand touched her shoulders.

"Hey! I'm sorry. I did not mean to startle you." A man quickly apologized, putting his hands on the air as he looked at her when she swiftly turned around to look at her assailant. But she knew he meant no harm when she recognized who the man was.

"Hi! Troy. I thought you were..." She did not finish her sentence. She removed her earpiece so she could hear him better. She did not realize that she had up the volume on her music player, making her unaware of the sound around her.

"I'm truly sorry. I was calling you, but it appeared that you did not hear me." Troy explained as they continued to stand just outside her apartment door. 

"Sorry, I had my music on high I did not hear you." Showing her earpiece to him. "Anyway, are you going out for a jog?" She asked, unsure if he was on his way or already done, but he was still in his jogging attire.

"I'm heading out. That was why I was trying to catch you. Maybe you would like to run together." He asked her as they got on the elevator.

"Sure." She answered him, finding nothing wrong with his suggestion. "I'm sorry I had set the music in high. I did not hear you earlier." She excused herself, letting the earpiece of her music player fell on her shoulders.

She did enjoy his company. She found talking to him about politics, the weather, sports, and anything about the world quite entertaining.  He was not just articulate, but he had quite a sense of humor.

"I haven't seen you around lately." He stated his observation as they stepped inside the elevator, resuming their conversation.

"I had been away on a trip." She suddenly found herself thinking if she should start telling people about her new relationship. But then again, it was not as if it was a secret she should hide. "I spent the week with my boyfriend."

It had conflicting sounds in her ears when she heard her say it. She felt happy and uncomfortable at the same time. She was glad that she was again in a relationship with an extraordinary man. But she also found herself still getting her footing in this dating or couple thing.

Eventually, she thought that it was better to tell him the truth. That would also inform him that she was not available, just in case he was interested, as Jacky insisted. She suddenly remembered Jacky's insinuation that Troy was into her.

"Oh! I never thought that you have a boyfriend." He stated, but his face for a second changed before it quickly returned to its neutral expression. It was barely a few seconds that it was unnoticeable if you were not watching.

"It is a recent development." She answered him truthfully. 

She wondered why she was very comfortable sharing information with this man when she still hardly knew him. But he seemed very harmless, so she did not give it much thought.

"I guess congratulations are in order." He smiled at her.

They just exited the building and were on their way to the park, a few blocks from their place.

"Thanks. What about you? Are you in a relationship?" She asked, not feeling nosy at all.

It was not like she was interested in him. She just wanted to get to know him if they were to become friends. In all honesty, since she started working, most of her so-called friends have distanced themselves from her. Or was it the other way around, she thought.

She did not mind finding new friends. And Troy seemed to be a good start. Besides, it is good to be friends with their neighbors.

"I used to, but we both decided to end it since it was not working for the both of us." He spoke up with a bit of an edge on his voice. As if talking about it was not something he would enjoy doing.

"I'm sure you'll still find someone else." She told him, suddenly regretting asking him the question. 

It would seem that it happened recently, and it still stung to talk about it. She decided to cease her questioning for the moment. Then, they fell into silence as they continued their run to the path they already got used to following.

They finally stopped on a section of the park where she usually took a breath, rest, and rehydrate. There was a small stall there where she could buy a bottle of refreshing drink when she forgot to bring one.

"Let me get this," Troy said as he bought them both a bottle of cold water. 

They both sat down on their bench and wiped the sweat on their face and skin, both trying to get over the awkward conversation they had earlier.

"You see those two girls at your three o'clock." She rested her arms on the back of the bench and stretched her legs on the ground, relaxing her muscles as she waited for him to look at the girls.

"What about them?" He turned his face to them, wondering why she wanted him to look at them.

"Well, they are staring at you since we stopped here to rest." She teased him, hoping that would light up their mood. "Why don't you introduce yourself and get yourself a date?"

Now, she believed she sounded like Jacky, trying to match him with every girl they saw. Her intentions were noble. She just wanted to clear the tension between them. 

"I don't think that is a good idea. Besides, I am not looking for a relationship right now." He turned his head back to the view in front of him as they continued to sit on the bench, drinking their water.

"Ok. If you ever change your mind, I am sure I can introduce you to many of my friends. Just tell me when." She told him. 

She wondered if he would be a good match with Jacky, who seemed depressed since they came back. Well, she went on the trip with Marcus and their unconventional relationship and came back broken-hearted. What else would she expect?

Although Jacky felt she met the perfect man on their trip, she left him a million miles behind with no hope of seeing him again. Now, she was alone, moping in her room.

"I'll take note of that. In case that I would need a date, I will ask for your help. It was just sad that you are not available anymore." He whispered the last part, which she almost did not hear. But she did.

She suddenly felt uncomfortable sitting here with him, confirming that he was indeed interested in her.

"Shall we go back?" She stood from the bench and threw her bottle into the trash, moving towards the path towards their building.

There was only one thing she could offer him. That was friendship and nothing more.