The Royal Contract

Evan had let them borrow his plane and arranged their flight schedule so no one could trace Eida and her whereabouts. He would have come with them, but he still had many unfinished businesses to attend to before he could leave their hometown.

She had no idea how Evan managed to organize everything in just a few hours, but Eida was now flying under a new identity. Based on him, it would be hard for anyone to trace who she was.

“Are you sure about this?” Amelia asked her friend, who silently watched the view outside her window. Luckily, she was barely showing any signs of pregnancy, so she was not experiencing any discomfort from traveling long hours.

At least the plane was full of amenities. So they could fly comfortably. It even had a room at the back where they could rest if needed.

She was used to this comfort, but since she left her father, she had learned to live a somewhat ordinary life. She even flew coach when necessary.

“Yes. It is the right thing to do for myself, my baby, and Lance.” Eida answered as her eyes were full of determination.

.....

She could tell that Eida had herself convinced she was doing this for the good of everyone.

However, she could also see that her friend was lying to herself. Eida could fool everyone else but not her. She had learned everything she needed to know about her friend.

“You know I don’t believe that.” She countered, unable to contain herself from speaking her mind. “I also think you are only fooling yourself for accepting that crappy excuse.”

She was through trying to tread on eggshells around her friend, afraid that she might hurt her feelings. Because as far as she could witness, she was already doing that to herself. She did not need any help from them.

“I don’t care if you don’t believe me. But it is the truth.” Eida insisted, refusing to look at her as she continued to gaze at the clear sky outside.

How she wished that what they felt was as beautiful as the view beyond their windows, but it was worse than having a dark, cloudy sky with a storm brewing on the horizon?

“You know what I think.” Amelia unbuckled her seatbelt and moved out of her chair, standing on the aisle just in front of her. “I think you are full of shit.”

She placed her two-fisted hands on the side of her waist and faced her friend, not planning to back down. She would point out to her friend that she was making a mistake by doing this.

She believed there was still time. They could turn back and forget about all her plans.

“I think you are so scared to face the truth that you would run away rather than confront Lance about the problem.” Amelia vehemently stated, pointing her finger at her.

She could not stand that her friend, who she idolized because of her strength, would suddenly give up the fight. Besides, she gave up Lance because she believed it was their destiny to be together.

“Amelia. You have no idea what you are talking about, so I suggest you sit down and stay quiet.” Eida asked her, but Amelia was not through with her.

“Well, too bad for you because we are spending a lot of time on this plane. You will hear whatever I would say even if you don’t like it.” She told her friend as she buckled herself on the available seat close to her.

Then, she shifted in her seat until she was facing her. “What did the Count tell you? Don’t you bother to lie to me because if you haven’t noticed, I know him better than you know him?” She said with her eyes narrowing at her friend.

“What he said was only the truth? I will only destroy Lance’s life and this baby as well. That is if I would pursue wanting my selfish desire to have Lance in my life.” Eida quietly said as her eyes welled up with tears threatening to fall.

Amelia could only imagine the conversation between her friend and the great, almighty Count Wellington. Sadly, the wealthy and powerful people did not usually fight fair.

She could already guess that the Count had all Eida’s dirty past dug up, investigated, and even her possible future completely mapped out before her friend.

Somehow, the Count was no different from his father, who would use dirty antics to get what they wanted. Luckily, she had managed to get out of her father’s clasps, or she would be suffering the same fate as her friend.

“No!” Amelia adamantly responded. She could not believe that her friend would listen to his lies. “You are more than what happened to you in your past. You should never think that you are no better than the rest of us.”

“Stop! Amelia.” Her friend finally turned around to look at her. “I know that you mean well. You think I am doing this because I am letting the Count win. But this is more than that.”

Eida closed her eyes, wiping the tears with the back of her hands. “I am doing this for myself and my baby more than anything. I know this is what is best for the two of us.”

“I know Lance loves me in his way, and I love him. But we are not meant to be. Someday, he would move on, and I will also do that, and everything would be right for all of us.” Eida grabbed her hands, squeezing them tightly before her.

“Stop judging me for my decision, but if you could not, I think it would be better if I do this alone.” Her friend concluded, giving her no chance to answer.

But what could she say to that? Her friend needed her, and she could never turn her back on her. But her friend was right. Eida was old enough to know what she was doing.

No one could dictate what she needed to do and what would be best for her and her baby. She guessed she should stop criticizing her decision and help her as Evan did.

“Ok. I will stop. But know I will never leave your side even if you keep pushing me away. I will be there for you and this baby.” She moved a little closer, leaning in front of her friend.

Then, with one of her hands, she touched her friend’s belly, excited to know that she would soon be a godmother. Well, of course, she was not settling for anything less.

“Just promise me one thing.” Amelia stared at her friend’s eyes, not even blinking for a second.

“What is it?” Eida looked at her with curiosity, probably wondering what she would be asking from her.

“I am going to be this child’s godmother, or I swear I will personally take that child from you and deliver her or him to Lance’s doorstep.” She threatened her.

But something in Amelia’s expression made Eida laugh. Soon, Amelia was laughing too.

Well! She wanted to see her smile, but laughing was better.