The Royal Contract

The doctor said it was a successful surgery, but the recovery would be tricky. He would probably need years of therapy before he could fully recover.

“Evan, I am pleased that you are still here.” The Duke suddenly appeared behind him while he was gazing at his friend, who was still unconscious with machines attached to him.

He wished he could talk to Lance and tell him to recover fast because he was about to become a father, but that was not his place. Lance needed to hear that from Eida, not from him.

“Just checking on Lance,” Evan responded with a gentle smile, still sorry for what his friend was going through but glad that he was out of the woods.

He also heard Ethan had a successful surgery, but his condition was still touched and gone. The doctors could not give them the guarantee of his survival or recovery.

“I am glad that he has loyal friends like you.” The Duke gently spoke as he placed his hand on the glass partition that separated them from the patient.

.....

At the moment, they could only observe his friend from the outside. They were limiting his exposure to people for possible infections. He did sustain several burns from the small fire that engulfed the car after the collision.

The tank leaked, and the friction created a small fire. Luckily the rescuer contained it and rescued him just in time before it had worsened his condition.

“I am lucky to meet him and your son.” Evan honestly felt that way, especially Alex, who had been his mentor and friend for a long time. Despite not being part of royalty, Alex still befriended him and treated him like a brother.

He also helped him establish himself in New York, introducing him to his friends and establishing a good connection that helped him get to where he was today.

“Speaking of my son. How is he?” Fred asked, seemingly worried about Alex and his condition. “I know with Ethan’s condition. Many would come after him, the business.”

It was also what he thought when he first heard of Ethan’s attack. “I know he could handle them. He was trained by the best.” Evan assured the Duke that he had nothing to worry about Alex.

He wished he could also be there to assist his friend, Alex. But he knew of Lance’s current condition. He was more needed here. However, he planned to go back home soon once he had helped Amelia and Eida with their plans.

“You have to excuse me, but I also had to check out my grandmother from the hospital.” Evan tapped the Duke on the back as he started to move away.

“Say hello to Angela for me. Tell her that I love to see her in a few days.” The Duke told him before shifting his attention again to the man behind the glass.

“I will.” He responded as he walked away on his way to his grandmother’s room.

They had met before, and somehow they had become friends. Even the Duchess loved his grandmother. But who did not love that adorable, lovely actress? She could always get away with her trickery by showing her sweet smile.

“Are you ready to leave, ladies?” He asked once he was inside his grandmother’s room, looking at three pairs of lovely eyes directed at him.

He suggested that since Amelia did not have a home to go home to, Eida was not in any condition to be alone, and his grandmother should be on constant watch.

They should all probably stay in one place in the meantime, under his care. He had no idea if he was losing his mind, recommending such an insane idea.

Babysitting. Three women.

“Yes, we are,” Angela answered for the three of them.

He nodded his head, ready to embark on this craziest idea he had ever made in his entire life.

He carried his grandmother’s things while Nurse Jane entered the room to assist in pushing Angela’s wheelchair out the door. The other two also followed behind.

The short ride home to Angela’s place was silent, which he appreciated. It gave him time to think about this more carefully. He knew he had entered a difficult situation, but there was no taking it back now.

“Welcome to my home.” Angela showed the two women to the vacant rooms where they would be staying while he took her grandmother’s things to her room.

She watched the ladies enter their respective rooms while his grandmother also retired temporarily to her bedroom. “Well, make yourself at home. I need to lie down for a few minutes.” Angela excused herself as she closed the room.

“Thanks again for letting us stay here,” Amelia said before closing the room of her room.

Eida had already closed her door, so he walked towards the mini bar where he knew his grandmother kept her small stash of alcohol. She was not an alcoholic, but she used it when she entertained some guests.

At the moment, he badly needed a strong drink that could unwind the tension in his body. “Great.” He finally found a good brand, pouring himself a glass full of the delicious scotch.

Then, he walked toward the balcony that overlooked the city below him.

He had lived in this city almost his entire young life. But he never felt at home. He might have been born here, but it had never been where he wanted to spend the rest of his life.

“Hey,” Eida suddenly appeared behind him and walked closer to his position. “I hope I am not being a bother.”

She hesitantly walked by the door of the balcony and stared at him. When he smiled, she walked further into the balcony and gazed at the other buildings around them.

“Hey, I thought you might be resting,” Evan said, although it was still early for them to sleep. They still have not had dinner yet, but that could wait.

He could always order something from a nearby restaurant. At the moment, he was letting everybody have their time for themselves first.

“I could not sleep.” She admitted, letting her hands glide on the metal rail, preventing her from falling from the highrise building. “Thanks again for doing this for us.” Eida finally raised her eyes to him.

“It is the least I can do for my friend and his unborn child.” Evan looked at her, feeling sympathetic about her situation.

He could feel that what she was going through must be worse than anything he had been through his entire life. He suddenly felt more blessed in his life.

“How is he?” Eida finally asked, looking away from him.

But he saw the fear in her eyes before she could hide it from him. She was trying to show a brave face, but he could feel that she was hurting.

“His surgery was successful. Doctors are expecting full recovery after his therapies.” He told her what he had learned when he visited his friend earlier.

He could see that she made a sigh of relief after hearing that, probably thankful to hear that the father of her child would survive this ordeal after all.

Suddenly, he wondered if he would ever have someone who would worry about him just like that. Would there come a time when he would want to become a family man?