The Royal Contract

Chapter 666

Chapter 666: Some secrets were better left unsaid

“Amelia. Glad I caught you.” She cringed when she heard her father’s voice calling to her, stopping her in her tracks when she was about to leave the house.

She had been avoiding him all day, but somehow, she still bumped into him on her way out of the door. She gradually turned around and faced him, not particularly happy to see him.

“I hope you finally change your mind,” He abruptly said to her, using his commanding voice to intimidate her.

She knew that he would insist on his plans, but she was not interested. She only extended her stay because she had promised her friend that they would go out tonight.

“I am not marrying Lance, Dad.” She said. “That is my final decision. I am leaving this place tomorrow.” She voiced out explicitly her plan, not wanting her father to misinterpret or think otherwise.

She had loved Lance with all her heart ever since she could remember, but she was not forcing him into this marriage because their parents wanted them to extend their wealth and power. She would not be a pawn in their merger plans.

“I hope you will rethink your decision because I am only thinking of what is best for you,” Leonardo told his daughter, letting his voice boom in the room, emphasizing his wish for this marriage to push through.

.....

He always believed that his daughter had been a spoiled brat, blaming his wife for indulging all her whims. She was rebellious and an ingrate to all he had done for her.

However, he thought this was her chance to show that she cared about this family and their legacy by marrying her childhood friend. Besides, he was doing her a favor by choosing someone she loved.

“I am sorry, Dad, but I need to leave.” She moved closer to the door, finally ignoring her father, irritated by his assumption of knowing what she wanted and needed.

Growing up, she wished her father would give a damn about her life. She always hoped he would show interest in what she did, but that time was long gone. She had no use for it now.

She just wanted to be left alone to do what she wished with her life. She had to go away again. So she could get over her obsession with Lance. Hopefully, someday she would find the man for her that she deserved.

“By the way, I was looking for you earlier because I need to tell you that Thomas and Lance will be dining with us tomorrow night.” His father continued to talk to her despite her walking away.

“I do wish you will join us before you leave. Lance, at least, deserves to see you before you disappear on us again.” She heard her father say before she could exit the door.

She tried not to look back or stop because she already knew what her father was doing. He knew how much his emotional blackmail affected her. He knew using Lance would make her change her plans.

“Damn!” She mildly slapped both sides of her cheeks to wake her up from the reality that her father never cared about her. He never did and never will.

However, hearing that Lance would be expecting her for dinner made her think if she could abandon him without even saying goodbye.

Maybe seeing him one last time would finally give her the closure she needed instead of her just running away again from him like what she did last time.

She put her car in reverse and started her engine. She badly needed the drink that her friend offered her. Then, maybe in the morning, she could think more clearly.

“I thought you would never show up.” Eida was already sitting at the table she had reserved for them.

She arrived a few minutes earlier than their schedule, but she did not mind waiting because she had a few things she had to deal with anyway.

She had been on her phone for the last ten minutes, dealing with an issue with one of her stories. But she was glad that her friend was here now. They could finally keep updated with their lives.

The other day had been a hectic schedule for her. Therefore, she asked her friend to meet her tonight instead.

“I am sorry.” Amelia quickly apologized, knowing that she was a little late. “I was held up.” She did not want to elaborate on her reason for it as she ordered her food and a glass of wine.

“How have you been?” She excitedly asked, wanting to forget her earlier conversation with her dad. Her friend offered a good distraction from her problems. “Are you dating someone?”

She would rather ask the questions instead of answering hers. Her friend could be nosy sometimes, but that was her job. Luckily, anything she told her did not end up in the news.

But tonight, she was in a dilemma whether to confide in her or keep it to herself. At the moment, she just wanted to hear what her friend was doing with her life and see what the rest of the night would bring.

“Easy with the questions.” Eida raised her brows at her, seeing that her barriers were up. She could only guess that it had to do with her father. “What is going on with you?”

That was always her case. But she wondered about the childhood sweetheart that she used to tell her. Nothing about him had come up yet.

She never knew his name because she would rather keep it to herself, but she knew how much her friend liked him, enough to run away from her unrequited love.

“I am sorry. I am just curious about the recording that I heard. It seemed that it was so passionate, it could be something more.” She teased her friend, trying to redirect her friend’s attention back to her.

She could already see the reporter in her itching to ask her questions that were swirling in her mind. But she was not yet ready to answer them.

She believed that anything to do with Lance was something she should keep to herself. Some things were easy to share, but some secrets were better left unsaid.