The Royal Contract

Alex assisted her to his car, opening the passenger door for her before going to the driver's side. But before they left, she noticed in the rearview mirror the man that was following her. The same one that went to Alex's home, but this time, he was not alone.

The unknown man rode the car just a few meters away from them. She wondered if they were going to follow them as Alex started the engine. As Alex drove to their destination, she noticed that the other car also moved in the same direction as them.

It appeared that they were following them, but Alex either was not aware of it, or he was ignoring it. She was getting more curious about the identity of the man in the other vehicle. And what was his connection to Alex? Most importantly, why was he following her?

"Do you have any word of advice regarding how I should deal with your parents?" He asked her as he kept his eyes on the road, distracting her from her thoughts.

"My father likes to talk about business. As long you praise how great he is, I'm sure you'll do just fine. Besides, we are not going to my father's house to ask for his blessing, so no need to work yourself up. There is no need to impress him." She pointed out.

"I guess you are right. Business and nothing about us. Did I get it right?" He teased her, waiting for her reaction to his statement.

"Yes, let's not complicate it by involving our parents in this. It is enough that they think that we are getting married." She told him.

She turned her head to the window, not wanting to look in his direction.

They finally entered the massive iron gate and parked in the mansion that served as her home since she was born. She looked at the imposing home and compared it to where she was living now. Her entire apartment was just a tiny room in that structure.

"Before we go in, I have a question that I need to ask of you," Alex said. It was something that was bothering him since Evan mentioned it earlier. It was a matter that they both could not ignore.

"What is it?" She asked, removing her seatbelt, finally shifting her attention to him as she waited for him to speak.

"As my fiance, we will be expected to show affections to each other. I wonder if you will be comfortable with me kissing you occasionally in public. Not just a kiss on the cheeks, but the lips." He removed his seatbelt and slightly moved his body so that he was now facing her.

"I already thought of that. We can't avoid acting like we are truly in love. I have no qualms about a few kisses in public or doing it in front of our families. But let us make it brief as much as possible." Stating her opinion on the matter. 

Besides, she could do nothing about it because it was part of the bargain when she signed the contract. For their facade to work, they had to be convincing that their relationship was real.

"No tongue kissing." She emphasized, a bit embarrassed to say it, but she had to be clear about it.

"I completely agree with you. I'm glad that we are on the same page." He accepted her decision, but it did not mean that he was not somehow disappointed. He was not sure what else he was expecting to hear from her. But, she was right. They should not complicate their situation. After this deal was through, they were going on their separate ways.

"One more thing. I have something important to tell you." He stopped her when she was about to get out of the car without waiting for him.

She looked at him, expecting him to blurt out what was in his mind. "What now?" She was a bit tired of talking about how they should pretend in front of her parents.

"Nothing." He suddenly changed his mind, seeing that she was not in the mood for more conversations. "Why don't you wait for me to open your door?" That was what he said instead.

He walked down from the car and assisted her out of her side. When she looked behind her, she found the car that was following them, parked not far behind them. 

"Alex." She was about to ask him about those men but did not get the chance since her mother appeared at the front main door.

"Dani. What are you still doing out there?" Her mother called to them.

They climbed on the few flights of marble stairs leading to the main door until they were a meter away from her mother.

"Mom, you look a bit pale, and did you lose weight." She immediately noticed when she moved closer to her to hug and kiss her.

"It is nothing. Just probably a bug. I think I look better at my current weight." Her mother jokingly said, posing her latest gown in front of her. "By the way, welcome to our home, Alex." Turning to the man at Dani's side.

"Well, you certainly look lovely, Laura." Alex took her hands. "I'm glad to be here." Giving Laura's knuckles a soft kiss as a sign of respect.

"Shall we go inside? Your father is already waiting for you at his study." Her mother informed them as they followed her inside, through the hall, leading to the lounge. "Why don't you go ahead, Dani. I'll check on our dinner." She instructed them. "I'll be right with you shortly."

Her mother disappeared in the other hallway, leaving the two of them. "Shall we?" She showed him the way to his father's office, which was on the opposite side of the kitchen. 

"So, you grew up here." He stated. "This is not bad." He carried on.

"It is not, but it gets tiring too." She admitted.

She loved this place when she was a child. Growing up like a princess was every girls' dream. She even wore a tiara sometimes, thinking that this was her palace. But those childhood dreams were eventually shattered. 

She was no princess, this was not a castle, and a fairytale was just a story. She woke up to the sad truth. In real life, one thing was true. She lived in a world where villains exist.