The Royal Contract

"If you cook like that every day, Alex, I will never have second thoughts of marrying you," Jacky said as she savored the succulent taste of the dish she just had.

Now, she knew why Dani was head over heels in love with him. Although, she would not say that out loud. Dani would not appreciate her preempting her feelings.

Even Alex seemed to be in the same boat. Jacky just wondered when would Alex and Dani realize that they felt the same way and admit it to each other. But that was not her business. She needed to shut down her thoughts before she blurted them out loud.

"I told you, if ever you decide to change profession, you might consider opening up your restaurant." Dani agreed with Jacky as they gathered around the living room.

They just finished dinner, and Jacky could not stop praising his culinary skills. She did agree with Jacky about the cooking skills, but about the marrying part. She still had not thought about it.

"Well, I'll leave the two of you alone. If you need anything else, I will be just in my room." Jacky pointed at the door near the living room, winking at Dani as if Jacky was reminding her of the earlier incident.

"We'll probably finish the movie we are watching, then retire for the night too. In my room." Dani added the last part to assure Jacky that her message was clear and received.

"Goodnight." Jacky closed her door on them and laid down on her bed with the phone in her hand.

Jacky did not feel like watching a movie with them anymore. She only felt sad not having someone to cuddle with while Dani and Alex appeared so into each other. She wanted that too.

She suddenly remembered her last date with Sebastian. The way he was making all the effort to make their time together almost perfect. As much as she wanted someone to be with her, she suddenly felt guilty for using Sebastian.

After he dropped her off at her door and kissed her passionately, she still did not feel the spark she hoped for in their first kiss. She then realized that it was time to admit to herself and Sebastian what she truly felt. 

She was only using Sebastian as a rebound for her failed relationship with Marcus and Lance. She could not use him for her selfish reasons.

Back in the living room, the two remained sitting on the couch as they watched and goofed around, enjoying the easy and stress-free time together.

"Are you staying the night?" She asked as she scooted closer to him. She wished he would. She would like to snuggle with him even if they could do nothing else.

They just finished several movies and watched some series that both interest their fancy. But both never had the chance to watch it with their busy schedules.

They did enjoy watching the same movies but contradict at some points in the plot or the characters. Well, they figured that they could never agree on most things because they were both hard-headed and stubborn at times. But they could settle it with some compromises.

"I want to stay. I have nothing to do tomorrow as well, so expect me to pamper you all day too." Alex told her as he cuddled her body on his while they sat on the couch.

He cooked their lunch and dinner, making it an extra special dish because he wanted to feed her a delicious meal. Even Jacky enjoyed the food that he served them.

"Are you sure? I don't want to waste your time taking care of me. I'm sure Jacky will not mind looking after me until I can slowly use my foot." She tried to reason with him.

It was enough that he sacrificed his entire day trapped in her apartment without much to do but watch the television and cooked for them. But another day of that, she felt it was already abusing him and his kindness.

She suddenly remembered the time back on their trip where she was ill. Alex had taken the time to take care of her until he had nursed her back to health.

"I don't mind being stuck here with you. Even if it takes a month for your foot to heal, I will gladly stay and take care of you." He said with a beautiful smile on his luscious lips.

"You are insane for wasting your time here when you can do so many other things with your time." She responded, finding it hard to believe that Alex would choose to be with her during this time of her minor crisis.

But who was she to complain when she was the one benefiting from his affection? She would take as much as she could while he was still giving it to her. Who knew how long their relationship would last?

She was not a fool to believe that what they had now was a sure thing. She had learned in her past that not everything lasts forever. She also had to be realistic and be prepared for all eventualities.

"Yes. I am insane about you." He slid a bit closer to her and started playing with her hair, twisting it in his fingers.

"What are you doing?" She asked, slightly shifting her body away from him so that she could face him at a better angle.

"You know I like you, but I think you need a bath." Alex started inhaling the scent of her hair and moved closer to her neck. Then, slightly back away. "You stink."

"No. I don't." Dani denied his claim, slapping him in his arms and looking at him like he just declared war.

She eventually tried to smell herself, sniffing her clothes, then her armpits. She did not care that Alex was watching her. She would prove him wrong.

Then, realizing that she still wore her clothes from earlier. She had forgotten to change into something else or take a shower due to the incident. 

Her sweat earlier must have dried up and clung to her clothes, but she believed Alex was exaggerating. She did not stink.