The Royal Contract

Chapter 601: A new start for a family

“What do you think?” Alex proudly asked, letting his eyes roam around the empty space.

He wanted to see what she initially thought of the place before telling her what was on his mind. It would give him an idea of how he should proceed with his plans.

“Did you already buy this apartment for us?” It was the first question that popped out of her mind while Alex placed her feet down on the hard floor.

She immediately assumed that he had bought the apartment as a gift to her. It was the only logical explanation she could think of upon seeing the place.

“Before you completely reject my surprise, I wish you would hear me out first.” He knew that it was not likely, but it was a possibility.

He knew he promised to consult with her before deciding on matters that would concern their future together. But he was hoping that she would let this one slide, even just this once.

He gently pulled her into the middle of the room, where an old couch was situated. It looked like it had seen its better days, but it still had more to give, exactly fitting to the aura of the place.

.....

“Ok.” She could see that he was serious about what he was about to say to her. “I am listening.” Besides, she had no outright plan of refusing his gift without carefully evaluating everything.

She did not mind if he bought the place without consulting her. It was his money, and he could do whatever he wished to do with it. However, she also had the right to think about it and decide on the matter.

But she would not make any form of conclusion yet, not until she heard what he had to say. It was the least she could do for all his effort to surprise her and try to make her happy.

“Let me introduce you first to my favorite couch. I bought this when I first moved here in this country.” He explained, guiding her to the slightly tainted but still functional and comfortable sofa.

He could tell that she had many questions lingering in her mind, just waiting to be asked. He planned to answer them all once he told her the story of this place.

He thought she might still have many things she did not know about his life. He believed that telling her more about this place was like introducing what made him who he was today. It was like his big revelation of his past.

“Just like this couch,” Alex tapped the backrest of the old seat as he tried to make a point. “I bought this building a long time ago. It was the time I was still starting out to make a name in the business world.”

The previous owner of the building was the same man who owned the first big company that he bought. He would not sell any of his property to just anyone.

But he sold this and some more of his property to him at a reasonable price. Nobody knew why he would do such a thing, but only a handful did.

“Why would he do that?” Dani asked, curious when she heard his story. “Why did he pick you?”

She also remembered wondering about that when she first heard about the buyout. It was a phenomenon in the business community that baffled everyone.

“Because he believed that I look very much like my grandmother.” He stated, making her raise her brows higher, more confused than before.

“Yes, this was all about my grandmother. Nanna was his first love, but it did not work out for them. Nanna fell in love with my grandpa.” He continued, seeing the questions in her eyes. He narrated the history of his acquisition of the place.

The old man built his empire thinking that his Nanna would eventually return to him. But it never happened. He accepted his fate and tried to love someone else, but his wife only wanted his money.

He had three kids, but they were a spoiled, greedy bunch, just like their mother. Until the old man accidentally met him. Mr. Welsh befriended him, and soon enough, he became one of his mentors.

“One day, he just offered it to me, not wanting his legacy to go down the drain if he would just leave it to his kids.” He finished his narration, remembering the memory of the old man who he had learned had passed away recently.

“He built this building for Nanna. But when they never rekindled their relationship, he did not have the heart to live in this apartment anymore.” The reason why the space was never decorated ever since it was constructed.

“Wow, that was some love affair. I really wish I met your grandparents, especially your Nanna.” Dani could only imagine what Mr. Welsh had gone through, not getting the woman he loved. But loving her from afar.

She could not help but wonder if there was only one great love for each person. She suddenly felt sorry for those individuals who died without meeting the one for them or a chance to be with them.

Luckily, she did not suffer the same fate as some of them. She was thankful that she had finally met the one meant for her. Her one true love and soulmate.

“They would have loved you.” He assured her as he enveloped her hands in his and looked directly into her eyes. “The thing is. When I first saw this place. I never knew what to do with it.”

The only thing he had done so far with it was painted it white. Other than that, it remained a place where he just visited if he wanted to be alone.

“But when I went out here the other day, something occurred to me.” He stood up from his seat, pulled her with him, and guided her towards the window.

He was grateful that she remained silent, just listening. He still had a few more things he would like to say to her before showing her his other surprise.

“I want us to transfer into this house.” He said as they both stared at the view of the outside of the city. He stood behind her, entwining his arms around her body, waiting for her reaction.

He knew that his present house was not what she wanted. He was hoping that if she put her touch on this place, it would turn out into something that would be good enough to call their home.

It was still in the middle of the city, just a few blocks away from her job. It had the same facility as their other home, but it was bigger and had more space for her and if they would expand their family.

“What do you think?” Alex asked when she still kept her silence. He could not help but worry that she did not like the place.

“I think the place has its own appeal.” She smiled at him, contemplating his offer. She pulled away from his arms and walked back to the middle of the room.

She twirled around, scanning the place. If she was being honest, she seemed to like the apartment. She could not see why they could not move into this place.

“So, would you consider it?” He could not contain his smile from showing on his face. When he saw her nod her head, he pulled her into a hug.

It was not exactly about the place but the idea that they could start afresh with building their lives again. A new start for a family.