The Royal Contract

He animatedly watched the two interact in the small living room. It was like they had not seen each other for decades as they excitedly conversed about anything under the sun to what they had been doing lately.

He could only observe in amazement at the connection the two had. It was as if they could have been in each other's lives for years.

"But seriously, Serena, this is by far the worst disguise you ever wore." He heard the young boy comment with a chuckle as Ken stared at Serena's drabbed clothes and shoeless feet.

"Wait!" The boy said as he walked toward the door of the bedroom. After a minute, he returned carrying a sneaker with him.

"This might fit your feet." He brought the shoes toward her, kneeling before her feet. "It is old and dirty, but it would at least protect your feet from the street.

He appreciated the boy's gesture, demonstrating again how selfless he was. He barely had things he owned, and yet, here he was lending his things.

"Oh, that is so sweet of you, Ken." Serena picked up the shoes from the floor beside her feet, checking if it would fit her.

She guessed the boy had big feet for his age, or she just had a relatively small one, as the sneakers fitted her with just a little allowance left.

Adam watched her tie the last knot on the old shoes. Then, she tried walking them, smiling as she modeled it in front of them.

"I think you should also take this." The boy grabbed the cap that sat on the cabinet on the side, putting it on top of her head. "Yeah, that is perfect."

Again, the interaction between the two could only make him smile as they all laughed. Even the big man was laughing with them as he sat quietly on the other side of the room.

He knew then that with Serena, his life would be complete. He was now more convinced that he could not see anyone else in his lonely life besides her.

She was the only person he would want to build a family and spend the rest of his life. And adding the boy would make it perfect.

He now understood why Serena was so deadset to adopt Ken. The boy was extra special.

"What do you think?" Serena curiously asked, directing her attention at him.

She twirled to emphasize as she waited for his opinion on her new outfit. "I think you look perfect." He believed that even in patched clothes, Serena would always look beautiful.

"I think we should be going. It is getting late, and Ken here has an early class tomorrow. Am I right?" Adam hated to break the enjoyment, but they still had to stick with the rules.

And one of the rules he set for Ken was putting his studies before anything else. The boy could work for him, but only after he had done his school activities.

"Yeah, I still have a few catching up to do." The boy acknowledged this because he had stopped for several years. Luckily, he had a high IQ, so it would not be that hard for him.

"I am sure that you will do great," Serena said. "I think you will do much better than me." She admitted with a teasing smile.

He heard from David that Serena was not the brightest in school. On the contrary, she was famous because she was beautiful and talented but not because her grades were exceptional.

"I will try." The boy promised, looking like he genuinely wanted to learn.

Adam had seen the books and the papers on the kitchen table. He knew the boy was working on them when they arrived.

And it warmed his heart to see how determined Ken was to prove to them that he could do this. He could make something out of his life.

"That is all we need to hear." Adam tapped the boy on his shoulders, assuring Ken he was doing a great job. "We are so proud of you."

"And you too." Adam pointed at the gentle giant sitting on the corner, who only nodded at him.

There was nothing much they could do for the man. According to his psychological and neurological assessment, he had a mild deficit in processing information.

It could be a trauma when he was a child or an accident in his growing-up years. But for now, the big man seemed more dependent on Ken for survival than anything else.

Although they tried to help each other out, Ken, at his young age, called the shot in their odd friendship. Still, Ken took care of this man while he also did the same by protecting the boy.

"Do you think Ken would ever want to be adopted?" Serena asked when they were back in the car.

He knew Serena wanted to ask Ken about it, but he guessed she held her tongue. He also believed Ken was not ready yet. He still needed time.

"Let us see." He had no guarantees. "But for now, let us be there for him." At least the boy was slowly opening up to them. That was a start.

"Yeah, I saw the light in his eyes spark again." Serena thoughtfully said as her eyes stared at the dark street before them. "I see hope in him."

He could only agree with her. He also believed that the boy seemed to embrace this new life. He just hoped nothing would rock the boat and make him change his mind.

"Anyway, do you mind coming with me?" He changed the topic, verging away from the boy and into a new one.

"Where?" She asked, raising her right brow in question, excited and curious. "But I don't mind. Besides, I don't want to go home yet."

He felt the same way. He guessed he did not want the night to end. Truthfully, he was afraid that this could be a dream, and when he opened his eyes, he would be back in his car, staring at her building.

"Something special to me," Adam answered, not revealing much but just enough to entice her to agree.

He had been dreaming of taking her there, but the incident with Roseann ruined all his plans. Maybe this was the opportunity he was waiting for, even though it did not seem ideal.

"Ok. I would love to see this place." It was not that far, but it was still a considerable drive.

But he would go to the end of the world for her. He would climb the highest mountain or swim the vast sea to be with her. To sum it up. He would do anything for her, no matter how hard it was.

It did not take them long since the traffic was light, but they both fell into a comfortable silence as they listened to a cozy rhythm.

The only occasional sound that echoed in the car was their breathing and a few hums that broke out of her lips in time with the song.

"Is this the place?" She asked when he parked the car in the empty lot.

He noticed it was already very dark since it was late. But he still had the headlight of the car to light the way.

He hoped the moon would show up and brighten the path, but the clouds seemed to cover the vast dark sky that even the stars could not peek behind the shadows.

"Come on. Watch your step." He helped her out of the car and into the dim path.

He initially had better plans than this. But he was not expecting they would be coming here tonight. He guessed he would have to improvise.

It was an impulse decision that he would not regret, seeing her standing on that spot, perfectly aligned with the magnificent view of the entire city.

He would have loved to catch this scene in a photograph, but it was better preserved in his memory for his eyes only to see.

"This place is magnificent." She gasped in excitement as her eyes scanned the entire area around them. "How did you find this place?"

One of his wealthy clients owned many real estate properties. And when he mentioned his intention to find a place where he could build his ideal home.

His client quickly recommended this lot. The kind man even offered to give him a good deal since he had saved him from an unjustified lawsuit.

He admitted that not all the filthy rich people were scumbags. He guessed there were still a few good men out there.

"Isn't it beautiful?" He agreed with her, finding the scene captivating, even magical. But it was because she was there with him.

He guessed the moment had turned out more beautiful than he had planned. All he truly needed was this woman and nothing else.

"Yeah, it is." She nodded as the clouds slightly cleared, showing some of the bright stars that lit the sky. "And by the way, who owns this?"

It looked incredible as the stars seemed to merge with the brighter lights of the city. It appeared like they were staring at a big canvas as they stood, admiring the delightful creation.

"I do. I bought this place thinking of building a house over there." He pointed at the large lot on their back. "And I am thinking of putting a swing on that tree over there."

Adam carefully watched her, studying her every reaction, wondering if he could read her thoughts.

"Oh, that seems to be a great plan." Serena uttered, but her words sounded different in his ears. He could not tell what she was thinking or how she was feeling.

"Oh, it would be. But I still need one more thing."