The Royal Contract

1103 First official date as a couple

Zach arrived on time for their lunch. He said he would like to take her out, but she declined. She told him she could not have a long break because of her deadlines. Partially, it was true.

But her other reason had something to do with what had happened earlier in the bathroom. As expected, she did not like what she heard afterward. But she could not come out of the bathroom and make a scene.

Therefore, she stayed hidden until the two left.

They indirectly accused her of being a gold digger, claiming that Zach was super rich, although they were not saying names. They said she must have bewitched him, using some witchcraft to seduce a man like him.

“Are you ok?” She suddenly heard him as she turned to look at him. She quickly nodded before he suspected anything. “You must be tired. Don’t worry. I already ordered, and it is on its way.”

He repeated what he said since she was too distracted by her thoughts. “Great. I am starving.” Ria offered that they eat at her table, not wanting to go anywhere at that moment.

She knew she should not listen to what those mean girls were saying about her. But she could not help but think about it. Again, she doubted her worthiness to be with a man like him.

She guessed that he was not like her. She noticed it with his manners, his things, and how he carried himself. He was loaded. But she never considered that he could be super rich like the other girls said.

She remembered that he was working in the mail room. Then, when they were together, he never made her feel like there was a zillion difference between them. Yes, he never complained about money, but he never flaunted it too.

.....

“I still am unfamiliar with your favorites, but I hope you like pasta.” He declared as he walked over to her side. “I found a good one that was just around the corner.” He informed her as his fingers landed on her shoulders and massaged her aching muscles.

“Oh!” She loved what he was doing. “I love pasta.” She added as she closed her eyes, letting his fingers do their magic. It was untangling the tension on her nerves. But at the same time, creating a new one in the pit of her stomach.

“I love to do more, but I don’t think this is the right place.” He suddenly leaned over and whispered in her ears.

Was he trying to torture her? If anyone was bewitching anyone, it was him. He must have put a spell on her because she could not stop thinking about him.

“You...” But they had to stop when a knock interrupted them as both stared at the source.

It was the delivery of their food.

Quickly, Zach took and paid for it, making her wonder again how much her boyfriend was worth. She had never bothered to google him since she was not like that. She never bothered to check on her ex, so why would she check on this man?

But maybe she should have.

She should have investigated his background before jumping into a relationship with him. Who was Zach Andrews? Suddenly, she was anxious about what she would find on the internet.

Maybe she should ask him. But as she said before, was it too early to ask him too personal questions? She did not want to scare him away. What was the protocol in a relationship? She had no idea.

“Are you sure you are ok?” Suddenly his hand lifted to touch her forehead, checking if she was sick again. “You seemed to be zoning out again.” He pointed out.

She was not sick, just having too many thoughts running inside her head. Somehow, the idea that he could be super rich was bothering her. How would she fit in his world? What about her son?

Now, she could see the bigger picture as she stared at him. She could now see the little signs suggesting he was no ordinary guy. How could she be so blind? But was that a big deal?

She reminded herself that he was not Ryan. Zach was so much better than her ex. There was simply no comparison between the two. She was sure that Zach would never hurt her as Ryan did.

“Yeah! Just a bit tired.” She reasoned, not yet ready to question him about the things bothering her. “But hungry.” She took the food he offered and told him to sit and eat with her.

Soon, he started telling her about his day and some funny moments he had done earlier. Soon, they were laughing. She temporarily forgot her troubles as she enjoyed his company.

“Thanks for lunch.” She said as she helped him clean her table. “It was delicious.” She told him while he threw away the trash.

She decided not to bother him with her issues. In the meantime, she wanted to get to know the man, not the size of his checkbook or his family’s fortune. She did not want to include that in the equation.

If they would work on their relationship, it was because they genuinely liked being together, not because she could secure a future with him. He was not her sugar daddy because he was too young to be, but she would not be with him because of his money.

“I also enjoyed it. But we should go to dinner.” He suddenly said. “I want to take you on a date. What about tonight?” He asked.

She would love to go out with him. She could feel the excitement of going on a date with him. But she doubted she would be good company tonight. She believed she might be too tired by then.

“Sorry to rain on your parade. But I don’t think tonight is good for me.” She felt disappointed with herself, but she still had a child to care for afterward. She could not just dump her child on the family next door while she went on a date. She did not want to abuse their kindness.

“I understand. But maybe Saturday night.” He suggested, looking hopeful.

“Ok. Saturday will be perfect.” At least that would give her enough time to prepare for it.

She wanted to look perfect for him. And not a haggard witch that could hardly open her eyes.

Suddenly, she could hardly wait for their first official date as a couple.