The Royal Contract

The lady bartender was also a bit surprised but went to go and get his drink. That probably also caught the attention of the other girl near him. She turned her head to look in his direction.

But instead of smiling at him, she just shook her head in disbelief. Though she did smile eventually, it was a grin, saying she was more amused by him than the situation.

"What is so funny?" He finally asked as he also turned to her, looking directly at her. "Do I have something on my face?" He patted his cheeks as if he was trying to remove an invisible speck.

He did not plan to use that as a start-up conversation, but the opportunity presented itself, so he had to grab it by the balls. He was never great at pick-up lines, not having any practice with going out with random girls.

He did not usually come up to girls at a bar. In truth, he rarely had been inside a bar. With his busy schedule, going out had always been out of the question, much alone dates.

"Nothing." She replied but then again changed her mind. "You, I guess. I am not used to men in this place ordering a cheap beer. It diminishes their social standing." She explained to him, slightly curious about this stranger.

Men who usually came to this kind of place wanted attention. He had to prove to the other that he was better, wealthier, and more powerful. 

The more expensive their alcohol and cigarettes were, the more respect they felt they deserved. Booming markets, trade successes, business alliances, and mergers were only a few of their status symbols.

"Well, I am not a man of this place. I am just passing through. So, that should answer your question." He responded to her even if she did not ask him any question.

He could read it in her eyes, her curiosity about his identity. He suddenly wondered if she knew his brother. He remembered her looking at their table earlier. Or was she interested in him?

"I guess that much." She replied quickly, slightly challenged by this man. She looked in her date's direction and immediately locked eyes with him. She concluded that he was still watching her every move.

He still had not forgotten about her. It would have been easier for her to execute her plan if she could find a way to distract him. He thought that this man would do the trick, but it seemed that it did not work.

She returned her gaze at the man next to her. She could sense that he did not seem to be the typical man she met in this place. He was different. He still looked young but old enough to be part of these underworld activities.

She wondered what he was doing talking to her date. He did not look like he could hurt a fly. His face did not seem to be haunted by his crime. But then again, looks could be deceiving.

"What about you? Are you one of them?" His voice contained a challenge for her to answer him truthfully.

He was not naive about what this place was. It was full of secrets and lies that could be dangerous to anyone who did not belong, just like him. 

But his brother was a bit up in the ladder, so nobody would dare to touch him unless it was he who would order the hit. As of now, he did not see any reason for him to fear for his life. Not that he knew of anyway.

"I'll have what he is having." She ordered, thinking that it should answer his query. "Bottoms up." She grabbed the bottle and drank directly from it, not waiting for the bartender to pour it on clear glass.

She watched him follow her lead as they both finished the drink in one go. She had a high tolerance for alcohol. Getting drank was the least of her worries. 

But somehow, she had to get rid of this man. She could not have him watching her every move, especially if he could be a part of what she was running away from, or else she would never be able to escape.

"You should be careful. I think you are asking for trouble by drinking too much." He had already seen her with a drink earlier. Then, another one before he walked near her.

He could tell that she was no ordinary woman. She was someone with a unique and strong personality. But it did not mean that men could not take advantage of her. After all, she was still vulnerable to cruel and despicable men that dominated this place.

"Can I ask you a favor?" She knew it. Her guess was correct. This man was different.

He was not like most of these men. They were all losers who tried to overcompensate, using money and power to cover up their shortcomings as decent human beings.

"What is it?" He asked, willing to help her with whatever she needed.

He always thought that men ought to treat women as if they were delicate flowers. They deserved to be loved, cared for, and respected, just like his mother.

"Can you stay here and guard my bag? I am just going to the dance floor and dance unless you care to join me." She appeared to be ordering him subtlely in his consciousness.

It was an ability she slowly developed over the years. With her charms, in addition to her wit, she was able to manipulate men to do what she wanted.

He had two options. He could stay on the counter and watch, or he could dance on the dance floor. Either way, she was good with it. She could work on both scenarios to her advantage.

"I am sorry, but I will have to pass." He answered her, not that he did not dance. He could not at the moment. He remembered that he had to make a call. It was an important one that he could not put aside.

Although, he did feel slightly disappointed because it would have been nice to dance with her.. Maybe another time, he thought as he watched her sashayed away.