The Royal Contract

Chapter 825

Chapter 825: Hero for the day

They stood by the lobby floor for what seemed like a few minutes, but who was counting. Both could barely look at each other as they stood silently, lost for words.

But what could he tell her when the only logical word to say was goodbye. But he did not want to leave, not yet. He wanted to stay and be with her.

“Would you like to go up to my room?” Finally, Amelia was the first one to break the silence. “The least I can do for saving my life is to treat you with breakfast.” She added quickly, making him realize she was only returning the favor.

But he would grab anything she would offer as long as it was more time spent with her. He knew he suddenly sounded pathetic, but he did not care anymore. He was happy. That was what mattered.

“Oh! I have forgotten about breakfast.” He quickly replied. “Sure, I think I can eat a horse.” Then, they both laugh at his silly joke. At least it broke the awkwardness between them.

Then, she led the way toward the elevator. “I am also famished.” She admitted, making light conversation inside the elevator with three other occupants.

“I can hear that.” He teased her because her tummy made those gurgling sounds, making them both chuckle silently, making it their private joke since they were standing close together at the back of the metallic lift.

.....

Soon, they were walking in the hallway, opening her door, and entering her apartment with smiles and laughter on their lips. A few minutes later, breakfast was on their table.

It was the first time they had felt relaxed in each other’s company. It was as if the pressure of their past was gone as they talked about anything under the sun.

“I never thought that you knew how to box. Is that something you like to do or just for self-defense?” She looked like she had been dying to ask him about that. He could read it in her eyes.

But just like her, he was curious to know more about her. What were her likes and dislikes? What was her ideal man? Would he fit into her dream man? But those questions remained trapped in his lips.

He was one good litigator, yet he could not question her.

“I only used it as an exercise. In truth, I was trembling earlier because I had never once used it to defend myself. I was never a physical fighter. I usually do all my battles in court.” He confided in her.

He did not know if that would ruin his chances with her, learning that he was not a real knight in shining armor. But he could not pretend to be someone that he was not.

“Well, I never believed in physical violence. I always thought that amicable settlements are better when resolving a situation.” Amelia told him, giving him another hope that she might still think highly of him despite his terrible record.

“But today, I owe you my life. You are the bravest man for me, not because you can fight. But because despite your fear, you still risk your life to save me.” She tilted her head from the food she was eating to look at him.

“I am no hero if that is what you are saying. I am just at the right place at the right time. I only did what was right.” He did not want to put a label on what he did. It was nothing. “Besides, you got hurt because of me.” He still believed that it was his fault.

“Ok. Maybe we should talk about something else.” She suggested, avoiding the topic that was making him uncomfortable. She thought for a few seconds before something clicked in her mind.

“How did you know Haley?” She suddenly asked as she probably remembered he had mentioned her name earlier. She must be dying to know his connection with her, seeing the curiosity in her eyes.

He drank the slightly cold coffee on the table and looked at her. He did not want her to think he was hiding something, knowing his record with women. She might be thinking that Haley was one of his girls.

But could he blame her after all he had told her about him? The way he had acted obnoxiously around her. And the despicable things he mentioned to her. There was no reason for her to think of him as anything but disgusting.

“He is the sister of one of my best friends. And before you get any ideas, I did not sleep with her.” He quickly added the last part, sounding so guilty about his past.

He turned to look at the window and the view outside her hotel room. It was a beautiful day. A bit chilly outside, but it still displayed its grandeur as the sun shone its brightness all around them.

He knew his past had been colorful, but it was not without the dark shades that tainted its beauty. He would not lie to paint some perfect life because nothing about his life had been flawless.

In truth, it had been many ups and downs, struggles that he had to overcome, but thankfully he had people who cared enough to put him on the right path.

“I was not going to say that, and I was not thinking anything like that.” She immediately denied his presumption. But he could see the guilt in her eyes. He believed it did cross her mind.

“Fine.” He answered. “But just to set the record straight. I never slept with half of the female population of this city. So, you could stop wondering.” He jokingly said, smiling widely, hoping to keep the mood light between them.

“Ok. Noted.” She accepted, raising her coffee to him as acknowledgment. “But still, thank you for today. You might not want to see yourself as my savior, but that is what you are to me.” Amelia once again looked at him with those doe eyes.

Her eyes reflected her appreciation for his effort to save her life. Although he would not like to take much credit for what happened earlier, he still felt proud of what he did.

He might not be the usual hero who saved the day, but he had been her hero for the day.