The Royal Contract

It had been days since she had received the email from her father. Since then, she barely had a good night's sleep.

She either had a wonderful dream where Gerald was alive and playing with their child. Or she was having a nightmare where her father held a gun that he used to shoot Gerald.

But, of course, both were just the figment of her imagination. She still had to get to the bottom of the truth. But so far, she had no idea where to start.

"I hate to leave you here, Haley, but we believe you are still better off staying on the island until we find a more permanent solution." Marcus gently touched her shoulder, reminding her that he would always be there for her.

She understood the situation. It was still dangerous for her to go back home, knowing her father was still dead set to find her.

She was not afraid of him but terrified of what could happen to her child. She had no idea how her father would react once he learned she was pregnant with Gerald's child.

"Don't worry. I am safe here." She also agreed with him that the safest place for her in the meantime was to stay put.

Whatever questions she had roaming around her head. They would have to wait for answers. At this point, her child's safety would be her priority.

She would deal with all these secrets when she could finally guarantee her child's safety.

"Are you sure that you are ok?" Jacky moved forward, putting her arms around her shoulders. Her friend hugged her tightly, bringing to mind how much she would miss her once she left.

"You look like you are not getting enough sleep," Jacky added, probably noticing the eyebags she tried hard to conceal. "Have you seen your doctor yet?"

She could understand her friend's concern since she had already had a traumatic miscarriage once. She already knew how painful it was to lose a child.

Therefore, Jacky and her brother had been extra careful with their child, afraid the same thing would happen.

"I am ok. I have a regular check-up, and my doctor assured me the baby is great." She knew what was wrong with her. And she intended to remedy the situation for the sake of her baby.

"We just want to make sure." Marcus joined them, wrapping both her and his wife in his arms. Then, she felt his lips on his forehead like in old times.

She never felt more anxious for all of these problems to be over. Of course, she wanted to go home and be with her family.

She wanted to see her nephew or niece. And she also wanted them to meet her child. She could already imagine the laughter of watching their kids grow together.

"I know. And I am confident that all of this will pass. Then, I can go back to my life with you guys." That was what she wanted.

She did not want a life on the run. She would never accept the witness protection program they offered because that would keep her and her child from her family and friends.

That was not the life she had dreamt for her child.

She watched her brother and his wife depart the premises, leaving her again.

But one thing she had learned in this unusual experience. She had become more dependent on herself. She had discovered a strength and courage she never knew she had.

"Hey, someone is out there looking for you." Trixie knocked on her door, alerting her of a visitor.

She was not expecting anyone. She knew she had canceled her schedule for today. Although only her boss and the employees around here knew who she was, it could be one of them with an urgent problem.

"Who is it?" She eventually asked, not wanting to speculate anymore.

She returned to her table, ready to work on another one of her floor plans. If she would stay here, she might as well finish what she had started.

"He said he is an old friend." Trixie curiously answered as if she also had no clue. "And you had asked him to come and see you."

Suddenly, a face came into her mind, remembering the conversation she had last night with an old friend. But she was not expecting him for a few more days.

Therefore, that could not be him. Right? But who else could it be? None of her old friends knew where she was except for him.

"Send him in." She told her assistant, convinced he was the person she wanted to see.

If there was someone who could help her with her situation, it was him. And she had chastised herself for not thinking about him in the first place.

"Hey, Pumpkin." The beaming voice of a middle-aged man filled the room. And that was not all. Suddenly, the room brightened up with his radiating smile.

Truthfully, she hardly recognized the man with his thick beard and mustache that almost covered his face, not to mention the long hair that almost covered his back.

The man looked like those bikers minus the leather jackets and the thick booths. But she could see his bulging belly that seemed bigger than hers.

"Oh! What happened to you?" She questioned, remembering that he used to be lean, always sported a military cut and a clean-shaven face.

She would not have recognized him if she had not seen the similarity in his features and heard his familiar voice. He had certainly changed from the last time they saw each other.

"I should ask the same question." The man burrowed his brows together as he stared at her growing belly. "And what are you doing here in that condition."

The man walked over to her, examining the plans she had been working on.

Of course, she had not mentioned to him her situation. She planned to once they saw each other. She guessed this was the time.

"Uncle Will." She could not help it anymore as she stood and rushed to his open arms. "I miss you so much." Then, a few tears dropped in her eyes, remembering the last time she saw this man.

Nevertheless, it had been a long time, too long to count the years.

But her uncle was here now as she looked at the man who reminded her so much of her mother. Well, he was the only brother of her mother. But they had lost touch through the years.

Her father never liked him, and the feeling, she suspected, was mutual. As far as she could remember, they did not see things eye to eye.

But thinking about it now, she imagined the reason. One was a stickler for the law, ensuring that people followed them. The other was a criminal who broke the law but used his power to hide from persecution.

She now understood they would never get along, not in this lifetime or maybe not even the next. She could only assume they tolerated each other just for her mother's sake.

"And I miss you too, kiddo." He kissed her on the top of her head before slightly pulling away. "But I guess you are not a kid anymore."

He was right about that.

"I guess not." She laughed with him as he guided her to a couch. "I thought you were not arriving until a few days." At least, that was her assumption from their last conversation.

She was glad that she had kept his contact number. She knew he was busy with his missions. Therefore, they seldom saw him.

And she had been so busy with her life that she also failed to call him. But he was here now. They could catch up with their lives again.

"I learned a friend was passing by this island, so I hitched a ride." He told her as he sat more comfortably on the soft sofa, putting his feet up, just like she remembered him.

She remembered he always told her about his tall stories of his missions. Until now, she did not know if she should believe it since it was too improbable. She thought it could only happen in the movies, not in real life.

"Don't tell me you jumped off a plane and parachuted down the island." She teased him, knowing that was how he would tell his tales.

"Nope, not this time. I think I am too old and fat to do that anymore." He started patting his bulging belly, showing her what he meant.

She could only guess his uncle must have retired from the force. It was the only explanation for the way he looked. He was out of shape and not looking sharp.

Now, he looked like the traditional uncle that she would sit on his lap during Christmas. And far from the Commander, she had to salute when she greeted him.

"What about you? How did this happen? And who is the lucky man?" He shifted in his seat as he looked at her with curiosity.

She guessed they had the rest of the day to discuss her life in detail. She could still cancel all her plans the next day if needed.

She was just glad that he was here now. But could he still help her with her problem, now that he seemed to be living a civilian life?

She guessed that remained a question. She would know more after they had discussed her situation. But she hoped so.

"I hope you are not in a hurry because it is a long story."