The Royal Contract

He was not expecting that his plan would work. It was better than he ever imagined would happen tonight. Truthfully, he was already anticipating the opposite, thinking he would go home empty-handed.

However, somehow, as if some miracle had happened, she changed her mind about him. She was giving him a chance. He guessed that was more than he could hope for.

"I took the liberty of ordering some of your old favorites. I don't know if you can remember them, but I hope your taste bud will somehow like them." He arranged the food on the table by the couch as soon as it arrived.

He had asked his assistant to arrange everything, listing all her favorites. Then he asked that it be sent to her room whether she accepted his invitation. Or not.

"What if I said no?" She asked, realizing he had arranged all this before asking her. "You could have wasted your time and money on all this."

She stared at the food on the table, wondering how they would eat them all. There were just too many to choose from. She recognized some of them, but there were some she was not too sure about.

"Then, you will probably eat these with your mother, Roseann, or the staff." He said as he finished taking them out of the bags.

"Besides, you still need to eat, I assume." He said, putting a little sense of humor and a little dash of his charm on his smile. "Or, they would end up in a dumpster still left unopen."

He guessed that was a gamble he would take for her. He had to do everything in his power, even using all his resources for a fighting chance to get her back. He would not give up on her that easily.

"I don't think I can throw food away just like that. Maybe if I don't eat it, I will probably give it to someone else." Rosella told him.

But still, she believed that wasting money was not a good habit even if this man had plenty to spend. Other people sacrificed a lot to earn a decent living.

But she doubted their effort had been compensated, not even a fraction of what this man must be worth. Looking at his stance, the clothes and items on his body, and the way he spoke, he was a man of wealth and power.

Therefore, she questioned how she ended up with a man like him.

"I know. You value things, big or small, too much." David agreed with her, appearing as if he could see through her. He looked at her as if he knew everything about her.

But could she trust him? Could she truly believe everything he would say about who she was? But her mother told her she could trust him, despite her mother's misgiving about him.

"You know me that much." She commented, believing her guts wanted to trust him even if her mind still advised caution.

She could hardly remember anything except bits and pieces of things she could not understand. She wanted to believe that her memory would soon return to normal, but at the moment, she just wanted to survive one day at a time.

"I know Rosella before the accident. So I will not presume to know who you are now. But I am willing to start again as your friend." He walked toward her and stopped by the bed.

He did not want to force her to remember and insisted on what they had before. That could only backfire against him. Therefore, he would take baby steps rather than do something extreme.

It would be better if they could become friends again. Then see if things would progress to something else. But if not, as what he had already decided earlier. He would accept her decision and love her from afar.

"I like that. I want to be your friend." She took his hand and accepted his help as he guided her to the couch.

She could slowly move her legs, but it would still need some time before she could run again. It might take some time, but she hoped things would work out for the best in the very end.

"Then, shall we eat?" He offered the first dish closest to her, putting a few spoonfuls into her plate so she could taste it.

He knew food could hardly bring back her memory. It would not miraculously heal her. But he hoped small steps, when finally added up, would create a ripple effect that could mean a significant outcome.

"It looks delicious." She commented as she took the first bite. "Everything looks mouthwatering." She added, seeing all the delightful and colorful dishes before her.

Her first bite reminded her of home, whatever that meant. Maybe it might have something to do with her mother's cooking, remembering the food her mother had brought with her during her visits.

She decided to try another dish, hoping it would somehow bring a memory or even if it was just a feeling. It might somehow trigger something that would make her eventually remember something.

"You should try this one." He offered another dish, putting two pieces of the seafood dish. Of course, she knew what a shrimp was, but she could not remember if she liked them.

"Am I not allergic to it?" Funnily, she was concerned about her condition but still could not remember her name.

The doctors said that she had selected amnesia. The distinct parts of the brain could store different kinds of data.

In her case, the part of her brain that stored her memories had been traumatized by the accident. But it did not affect the portion in charge of her body function and basic knowledge.

"As far as I know, you are not. You used to love it." He quickly added the last part.

He also loved seafood, just like her. It was one of the things they had in common. That was not the only thing, but the rest would have to wait until she was ready. He did not want to overwhelm her.

"Ok. Then, let me try it." She said, curious and excited to try something new. She was like a child that was about to get a treat.

But was she better at forgetting her past and creating a new future? Or would it be so much easier if she would regain her memory and start from there?

"What do you think?" David looked at her with anticipation, but judging from the expression on her face, he believed she liked it.

He remembered how much she loved it when he brought her to a famous seafood restaurant where they offered the best delicacies fresh from the ocean.

It was one of his favorite memories.

That was the time he bought the boat. Because he knew they both loved the sea. They could spend the entire day and night on the open ocean staring at the stars while gliding with the waves.

"It is..." Rosella paused as if trying to produce the right word to describe the experience. "I guess one of the most delicious seafood I ever tasted." She told him. "I think I still like it." She concluded.

But she still had several more to try before deciding which was her new favorite. So far, the shrimp was taking the lead.

"Great. I think you should also try this one." He pointed to another dish. "Anyway, I heard that they might send you home tomorrow."

His friend, Doc Jacob, had updated him about her situation. The doctors had decided that Rosella could finally go home. She could choose to continue her therapy at the hospital or through home care.

There was no more danger in her life. Therefore, she would be better off with her family while working on her full recovery.

"Yeah, they mentioned that earlier." She cheerfully said, but she could feel that it lacked enthusiasm.

She knew she should be happy that she was getting out of there. She was alive, healthy, with her body intact.

Except for her lost memory, she should be thankful she was still lucky to survive the traumatic experience. Yet, she could not rejoice as fear crept into her mind.

"Have you thought of what you want to do once you get out?" David asked her, both curious and worried for her.

He could tell it would not be easy for her to adjust to the real world, especially if she had to start from scratch. It would be a long struggle.

He wanted to be there for her. But he was afraid to ask. Would she welcome his help? Or would she shut him down again if he came on too strong again?

Maybe it would be better if he waited for her to ask than for him to offer. But what if she was also afraid to ask? What then?

"I don't know. Frankly, I don't have a clue." Rosella said, looking lost, afraid, and confused. "Mom said that I will be going home with her. They would take care of me."

Her eyes focused on the various dishes before her. She could not help but compare her situation to the food in front of her.

There were too many things to think about, too many things to choose from, and too many things to decide.

What if she made a mistake?

What would she do if she chose wrong? Could she spit it out if she did not like it and try again? Or would she end up stuck with no choice but to swallow it?

"As your new friend, I am here if you need me." He guessed that was all he could offer her for now.

But if he had a choice, he would have given more if she would just let him. He would not hesitate to love, serve and devote his life to her if she would give him a chance.