The Royal Contract

"You know you don't have to bring me home. I could have just grabbed a taxi." Jacky said to him at the back of the black limousine that was taking her home.

She decided that it was time to leave the happy couple for their new adventure. She said her goodbyes but did not expect that Lance would come along with her.

He insisted on taking her home, even though she refused to accept his offer. She did not want to waste any more of his time. The ball was over, and her time was up. She should slip away before the clock turned twelve.

"You know I can't do that, Jacky. I will make sure that I return you to your home safely." Lance, who was sitting close beside her, turned to her and took her hands in his.

He could sense that she was ready to bolt again, unsure if it had something to do with him or something else. He did notice Marcus occasionally looking at her.

He was not sure if she even noticed him, but he did. He could not help but wondered if Marcus was still interested in her. Judging from his observation, he might still be. Who would not be? Jacky was a great catch.

"Ok. Fine. Thanks, I guess." She always fell into silence whenever she felt cornered in an awkward situation with him.

Until now, she felt confused about what their situation was. She did love the kiss she shared with this magnificent prince. It had been the highlight of her night.

But what would come after that? Are they now dating, or was it a one-time thing? She had no idea if she should ask him outright about it or just waited it out.

"It is the least I can do." He told her, still holding on to her hands. He could feel that it was slightly shaking in his touch.

He figured that her edginess had something to do with him. He was not exactly forthcoming about how he planned to proceed with their relationship.

There were several things he wanted to discuss with her. But he had no intention in doing that at the ball and certainly not inside this car. The privacy of her apartment seemed ideal if she was going to invite him inside.

She looked at their entwined hands, wondering if it should mean anything. Lance did kiss her and said a bunch of stuff, but where was this leading them. "You know what? Stop being honorable for once."

She felt like a child throwing a tantrum, but she did not care because she had enough of waiting for him to make a move, or if ever he would.

It was either he figured out what he wanted or just moved on. Jacky could not wait for him until he realized that she was just a toy he enjoyed playing with until it was his time to face reality.

"What do you mean?" He was slightly bewildered by her sudden outburst.

Although, he might have an idea why she suddenly had the urge to vent her frustration at him. He was also feeling the same difficulty as her with their current relationship.

He wished there was a simple explanation that could magically make things right. But in his world, things were always a bit more complicated.

"You are giving me so many mixed signals. I was ok with you putting me in the friend zone. I had accepted it because that exactly is where I belong." She pulled her hands away from him with a bit of force.

She did feel a slight resistance from him before he finally let her fingers slid out of his. She could not afford more distraction from her objective, and his hands and the warmth it emitted in hers were preventing her from being rational.

"Then, why did you have to kiss me when we both know that it will only lead us to nowhere. It was a big mistake that I allowed you to take me home tonight. I should have taken a cab." She continued with her litany.

While Lance maintained his silence, allowing Jacky to release all her pent-up emotions. At least now, he saw what she thought of their relationship. More or less, her view of it.

Yes, he had played it safe with her in mind. He did not want to make any haste decision that could only hurt her in the end. But before making any move, he felt obligated to lay to her all his cards.

"Actually. Stop this car. I want to get out." She tapped on the partition window that separated them from the driver. "Stop the car because I am getting out."

"Jacky, would you at least hear me out. Give me a chance to explain my side. As you said, we are friends. Should you at least invite me to your apartment so we can talk about this?" Lance appealed to her.

The glass partition opened up, and the driver looked at the rearview mirror at his passenger. "Should I stop, Sir?" The chauffeur asked.

"Stop the car on the sidewalk." He instructed, honoring the wish of Jacky.

The partition closed again, and slowly the car changed direction until it made a gradual stop. He only looked at her but did not say any more.

When the chauffeur opened the door, Lance stopped Jacky from moving from her place. "Take the car. I will feel much better knowing that you got home safely."

He quickly stepped out of the car and closed the door behind him. He instructed the chauffeur to bring Jacky safely home. He would take a cab back to his apartment.

But the car did not move from its position. For a minute, it remained parked on the same spot. Lance wondered if there was something wrong.

Then, the door opened, but no one came out. Lance was confused about what it meant, but he was not about to aggravate the situation by assuming things.

"Come back inside. We can share a ride back to my apartment. Then, we can talk." She hanged her head slightly outside the door, shouting at him. "Only talk."