The Royal Contract

"Are we not done yet?" He asked as they walked the busy street, trying to avoid the rushing passersby, either on their way home from work or those who were about to go somewhere else.

It was already dark but not quite late yet. Some businesses were still humming with life, with customers going in and out of the establishments. While some were barely just beginning.

If her situation was not complicated, he would not have qualms about enjoying the night away. However, they both knew that was not the case.

"Let us have dinner, then we are done." She promised as she thought of a restaurant. "Please, Jacob." She begged, pouting her lips and making googly eyes on him.

She missed eating in her favorite restaurant, which was not far from where they were. But she was unsure if it was a good idea. Her situation had not changed yet. 

She could already see the frustration on his face. He was clearly not happy with her actions so far based on his low tone voice. She was afraid to push him to his limits and keep stretching her luck.

"Fine." He felt he had no choice but to concede. He just did not have the heart to see her sad. "But only dinner. Then we go straight home." He made a compromise.

He understood her and her need to feel free. It was not easy what she was going through. He could not imagine himself locked inside the room, unable to do anything else but hide.

But his reluctance also had its reason why he wanted to keep her from other prying eyes. The threat in her life was real and not something he not simply a whim he had conjured in his mind.

"Come on. I know where we can have our dinner." She grabbed his arm and pulled him in another direction, away from where Nick usually took her to win her over.

She remembered seeing a small diner somewhere on the other corner, which she had never tried before. She believed that seeing someone she might know from that little deli was close to none.

Under other circumstances, she would never in her wildest dream eat in that place. But this was her last night to get out. Who knew when she would have the chance again. She would like to make the most of it.

"I hope this is all worth it." He mumbled under his breath, showing off his hesitation. "You know I can cook, right?" He tried for the last time, but he knew it went on deaf ears.

He allowed her to drag him as they maneuvered around the pedestrian crowding the street. Allowing her to get her way. Suddenly, he did not care anymore as he saw the excitement in her stride.

She pulled him to the back of the deli, hoping to find some privacy. Despite the difference in atmosphere from where she usually frequented before, she believed it was still better to play it safe and not blow her cover.

"So, Cassie, what do you think are their specialty?" He asked her, doubting if the small food establishment had anything interesting to offer. 

A uniformed woman in a pink apron approached them with a pad and a pen on her hands. For someone in the service business, he believed she needed to work on her social skills upon seeing the scowl on her face.

She forced a smile on her lips as she recited their specialty, which was not much. In terms of choices, well, there were a few. So, the two chose the one that was most likely be any good.

"Come on. I am sure it is not that bad." She wanted to be optimistic, flashing him a mega smile while tapping her hands on his arms for assurance.

She hoped. But judging from the patrons of the place, they were either here because it was cheap or hiding from the world, just like she was. 

In her honest opinion, nobody sane would probably eat in this place. Not even the waitress, who seemed ready to bolt if only she had other options.

"I bet the food here is really great." Well, his tone was full of sarcasm, but he smiled anyway, not wanting to dampen the mood. "Let us get our quick meal and head home."

He was skeptical, but he knew he was right. They were better off eating his cooking. But he kept his thought to himself and waited for the meal to arrive. 

He could already guess that she would never admit that she made a mistake. She would eat this meal with gusto only to prove her point. But, he would let her.

"Here comes our order," Cassie said, giggling in delight on the outside. But on the inside, she dreaded putting the food inside her mouth.

She knew she could not back out now, not after her insistent despite his warnings. Then again, she psyched herself up that it was still food to fill their bellies. It could not be that bad, just like she stated earlier.

The waitress who took their order placed the plate of food on their table. She stated the name of the food but never made eye contact with her customer or showed interest in what she was doing.

"Bon a petit." Jacob took his spoon and fork and dived in his food without a care in the world. He did not mind the food since he had eaten far worse than this during his youth or residency.

Besides, he was hungry after all the going around they had been doing all day. It had been fun accompanying her in her schemes. He believed they could have done more if not for their disguise.

They had avoided the places she frequented in the past. Hid their faces, especially her, due to fear that someone might recognize her. 

At a certain point during the day, he had to drag her out of the street because he believed he saw someone who might be working for his brother.. He suddenly knew what it felt like to be a fugitive from justice since it did seem that way.