The Royal Contract

"Jacob!" Cassie jumped out of the couch as soon as Jacob entered her apartment, excited to share about the latest development.

She had not seen him since his last visit. She had been looking forward to this day. Since he left, he suggested laying low for a while. He did not want them to be caught by his brother.

Although he did call a few times, it was usually brief. He said he was stuck on several on-call duties since then and assisted in several back-to-back surgeries.

"Hi, Cassie!" He greeted her as soon as he saw her. "I am sorry if I was not able to visit sooner." He locked the door behind him before proceeding inside the room.

He was swamped with work since he last saw her. It had been difficult for him to squeeze her in between his obligations in the hospital. He usually passed out on his bed by the time he went home, too tired to do anything else.

On the other hand, he also used that as an excuse not to see her. He wanted to evaluate his feelings for her after the kiss they had shared.

He did not want to string her along if he was not serious about her. He had to be sure first before he pursued any form of relationship with her.

She already had been through enough with his brother. He did not want to add up to her burdens. Now, he believed he knew what he wanted with her.

"Do you think it is now safe for me to go out?" Walking toward him.

She had heard from the news that Nick had been apprehended. He was now in the custody of the police. She was glad that finally, the man she hated so much was behind bars.

She could not wait to leave this place and feel free again. She had so many things she wanted to do, but most of all, she wanted to spend more time with Jacob outside of these walls.

"We are still not sure. Nick still had many men roaming the streets, probably looking for you." He told her, moving forward until he stood close to her. "It might be more dangerous for you now that he is facing criminal charges."

He could guess that it was not the words she would like to hear from him, but it was the truth. He could not risk her life by sending her out when the coast what not yet clear.

He had not visited his brother since he was taken by the police. The last time he saw him was, on the night, his brother accidentally bumped into him at the lobby of this building.

Until now, he still had to schedule his visit with him. But he had to secure Cassie first before he did that. He believed her life was still in danger once his brother located her whereabouts.

"That is a load of crap. Until when are you going to lock me up in here?" She shrieked at him, unable to control the built-up emotions inside of her from exploding. She was done with the excuses.

She knew it was not his fault if she was hiding in this apartment, but she could not help feeling like a bird in a cage, with clipped wings, unable to fly free.

She only wished to return to her regular life, where she could do what she wanted. She also planned to find a job where she could use her skills.

She was done pretending like a bimbo who used men to get what she wanted. She was intelligent and capable of doing great things by using her talent.

"You are not a prisoner in here. Alex and I just wanted to guarantee your safety." Jacob hugged her, trying to calm her down.

He could understand her pain, her situation. It could not be easy staring at the four walls of this apartment all day, unable to see the world outside.

It did not help that he did not visit or call her more often. She must be going crazy on her own with no one to talk to or a friend to share things with.

"But I am sick and tired of my life. I don't want to stay here for a minute longer." She whined like a child, frustrated with her condition.

She returned to the sofa and slumped down on the soft cushion, losing the enthusiasm she was feeling earlier. She felt like all her energy zapped out of her by the news, banning her from going out.

She could not complain to Alex, knowing that he was still recuperating from what Nick did to him. She wanted to understand his situation and be reasonable.

However, her current state was taking a toll on her mental psyche. She had no idea how long she could handle her situation before she permanently went bat shit crazy.

"Give it a few more days. I will talk to Alex about taking you on vacation for a few days. Maybe that would help." Jacob suggested out of the blue.

He did not plan it, but it suddenly developed in his head and simultaneously came out of his mouth. He was not entirely sure if that was a good idea, but it was already out there. Taking it back would only worsen the situation.

He mentally thought of his schedule, whether he could take a few days off from work anytime soon. It would be tricky, but he believed he could make it work if Alex would agree.

"You will do that for me." Her earlier frown quickly disappeared, replaced by a gorgeous smile that almost reached her eyes. "Yes, I like that."

Her mood instantaneously shifted again, going in the opposite direction upon hearing his suggestion. She was ecstatic with the news that she would be out of here and going on vacation.

It was not just the out-of-town trip that she was excited about. It was the thought that she would not be alone. In addition to that, she would be spending time with Jacob.

"I am happy you like the idea." He sat down beside her and pulled her into his arms, relieved that he had made her smile. "Have you eaten anything yet?" He asked, trying to change the topic.

He still had to plan it in his head, if that was even possible, before going to Alex and recommending it. He did not want to add to the plate that was already consuming most of the man's time.

"Actually, I just nibbled a cookie but have not eaten anything yet." She suddenly remembered, realizing that she was hungry. She appreciated him more for his concern. She would not have survived this long if not for him.

After the kiss they shared, she was convinced that she had finally found the man that could make her happy. She had never felt this way before with all the men she had been with, especially Nick.

She was not entirely sure if he felt the same way. But she was willing to risk her heart with him. He was a good man and would not intentionally hurt her.

She would surely do her best to win his heart. She worked hard for what she wanted, and she was not about to change now.. If it did not work with Jacob in the end, she had no one else to blame but fate.