The Royal Contract

He shook his head at his foolishness. "You idiot." He sifted his fingers through his hair, loosened his tie, and took a deep breath. He sank back on his seat and stared at the darkness outside his window. He checked on his watch, it was getting dark, but the street still had a lot of cars passing by.

His mind went back to this morning when Marcus mentioned that he was going out with Jacky tonight. Then, the idea that Dani would be alone kept nagging at him the whole day until he eventually gave in, grabbed his jacket, and rushed out of his office. The need to see her overwhelmed all reason.

"What am I doing? This is insane." He bawled out inside his car. He glanced at the seat beside him, glancing at a bouquet of rose laying on the seat.

He was not thinking straight when he first thought of this idea. Now, he realized how stupid this whole thing was. He picked up the flowers and shoved them in the back seat.

His phone rang, slightly disrupting his thoughts. "Yes," he answered Bob, who was heading his security today.

"Sir, just checking if you need us to do anything," Bob replied as they sat in their car, parked a few cars away from their boss. He did remember this place, from the last time their boss asked them to follow a girl.

"Just keep your distance." Having his security following him around had been a norm in his life. Another of the things attached to his name was the constant threat in his life. Although he was trained to protect himself, additional backup was a necessity he could not disregard.

Now, sitting in his car for almost half an hour and staring at her apartment building made him looked like a damn stalker. Of course, he could not just come up to her apartment unannounced knowing that she had no idea he knew where she lived. That would send red flags and all his plans would blow on his face.

His phone started ringing just in time as a movement in the front of the building caught his attention. Ignoring the buzzing sound, he strained his eyes, focusing on the vehicle that was about to leave.

He recognized the car and the figure in the driver's seat. Where was she going this late of the night? Alone. If what he was thinking was correct, he had an idea where she was heading. That would be perfect for his plan. He might be able to salvage this night yet.

The persistent ringing brought him back and he answered it while starting the engine of his car, cautiously watching the other car's direction. He slowly pulled out of parking, following the car ahead.

"What?" Alexander shouted at the caller without even looking at whoever was behind the other line. He figured it could be his security checking up on him once again.

He concentrated on putting a considerable distance between him and the other car. He made sure that it was enough without losing sight of the car ahead of him.

"Where are you, man?" A familiar voice boomed on the loudspeaker.

"Oh shit!" He muttered between his teeth.

He forgot that he had a late meeting tonight. What was wrong with him? He might be losing his mind to be this irresponsible and reckless like this. He cursed himself and it was all thanks to the brunette or this time blonde a few meters away from him.

"I'm sorry man. I have an emergency I need to take care of. I won't be able to make it." He quickly made an excuse, still chastising himself for his big slipped up. He looked at his watch, and he knew there was no way he would be able to arrive at the meeting on time.

"What emergency? Do you need any help?" The voice on the phone asked, probably wondering what kind of emergency that he would blow off a very important meeting.

"Nothing I couldn't handle." He said curtly. Not wanting to explain his irrational behavior. "Can you take care of the meeting on your own? I'm confident that you can manage just fine without me." He said calmly this time. He truly believed that his friend could take care of this.

"Are you sure you can't make it? Mr. Richards was looking forward to seeing you." His friend continued, still doubtful of the situation.

"I will just have to make it up with him. I have to go." He said as he spotted the other car slowing down and turning on a curve.

"Sure man. See you this Monday?" The man on the other line said.

"We'll see." As he terminated the call. He could see that the car was pulling up on the curb. Just as he expected, she was parking in a bar.

He waited at his car as she entered the establishment. Stalking and borderline obsession. That was what he was doing. A criminal act. Then again, he was just making sure that she was safe. He remained inside his car trying to justify his actions.

Inside the bar, Dani looked at the new place. She concluded that she kind of like it. It was not crowded and the ambiance was just right for her. She went straight to the bar and ordered a martini. The sooner she got the buzz, the sooner she could get out of there.

"Would you like anything else?" The bartender asked her. She only shook her head to dismiss the man, and she was alone once more.

Unlike before, she kept her gaze in front of her. She did not look at the men and women who were busy chatting around the place. She was lost in her world that everything else was irrelevant.

She was not aware of the man on the other side of the room just watching her every move. Waiting for the right moment to approach her. She was drowning in her thoughts and all she wanted was some peace of mind.

The only solution she could think of was to have herself buried into oblivion.