The Royal Contract

1164 The father of the year

She looked around her new place, her new home, to be exact. She had visited his apartment before but only as a guest. Now, she would live here permanently, at least for now, as a newlywed.

Although her husband promised they would eventually move to something more appropriate for a family, especially when they had kids. She agreed. His apartment was for a bachelor’s life.

“He said to make myself feel at home.” She scanned each room, wondering what to change or add to make it homier.

She had no plan to change the apartment’s appearance, not totally. She thought she could add a few touches to make it cozier for her. Her husband was right. She needed to make it feel that she also lived here now.

She could probably put some personal things like pictures of them, maybe some colors in the decorations and even flowers to liven the dull colors of the place.

Quickly, she made some calls. She knew a few people in the city that could help her. “Yeah, I appreciate that.” She told the person she usually called when she handled some events in the city. “Thanks.”

Her friend said that he would be coming over as soon as he finished with a prior engagement. Now, she needed to find something else to do while she waited.

Evan went out to meet some people while she had to get used to not having him around every minute and second of the day. The man had many responsibilities and not just her.

“Now, what should I do?” She asked herself as she moved toward the sliding door that led to the open balcony. She ended up staring at the tall skyscrapers that surrounded their building.

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She guessed nothing but the best for Evan as she stared at the street below. It was a long way down since they were on the top floor. But would she be happy living in this tower?

“Maybe I need a job.” She told herself as she contemplated on what she would do with her life.

However, it had been a while since she last had a career. But it was more like a part-time gig as a model. Most of her work involved organizing a fundraising event, but she could hardly call it a permanent job.

She never needed to earn since she had enough money to last her a lifetime. Now that she had married a successful and wealthy man, she doubted she would require more.

“But what will I do all day?” She asked again, finding herself lost in this new jungle before her.

She turned around and stared at the empty room behind her. She could not depend on Evan to accompany her. Her husband had a company to run. Therefore, she had to find something to preoccupy her time.

It was different when she was living with Angela, Eida, and Luisa. She always had something to do. They always needed her one way or another. But in this enormous apartment, she only had one company when Evan was not around.

“Tony.” She heard the dog barking as if calling her attention. “What is it?” She asked as she entered the apartment and followed the dog further into the room.

“Aww, aww!” The dog kept barking at her as if he wanted to tell her something. She walked behind him, trailing on his paw steps until they had reached the kitchen.

Then, Tony grabbed his bowl, showing it to her. Now, she wondered if he was asking for food or water since she hardly knew much about caring for a dog, much more a large dog like him.

“I guess you want some water.” She assumed and took the bowl, feeling the heat of the day. Then, she filled it with water and placed it on the floor near him.

The dog immediately replenished his thirst, making her feel satisfied that she did something, even if it was just taking care of her new pal. She guessed it would not be that terrible if she had kids to care about, suddenly missing her little princess.

She patted the dog’s head and returned to the living room, wondering what else she could do to pass the time. She picked up the remote from the side table and sat on the sofa, wondering what she would find entertaining.

Then, she felt the couch move beside her, finding her new friend lying on the cushion on her right side. “I guess we are stuck together for a while.” She let her fingers run through his smooth fur, comforting him.

Tony crawled closer to her, letting his head rest on her lap. She could assume she had finally earned his trust, which was sweet of him. As she said before, she always wanted a dog but never got the chance to own one.

“Thanks, Tony, for keeping me company.” She muttered with a delighted smile. At least she did not feel completely alone.

Then, a thought came to her mind as she stared at her new bestfriend. Maybe she did not need a job to keep her busy. Maybe she needed someone else to love aside from her husband and Tony.

“Ummm!” She uttered under her breath. Was that the solution to her situation? Was she keen to love again? Was she ready for such a huge responsibility?

“What do you think, Tony?” She turned and asked the dog, who only looked at her with his cute adorable eyes. “Well, you have to help me here, buddy.” She encouraged the dog to give her a response.

Finally, the dog barked several times, which made her laugh. Either the dog had told her to go ahead or be quiet. But it was still a relief to have someone to talk to, even if it was just for a short while.

Then, she heard the buzzing sound coming from the door. She assumed that would be her guest, who had finally arrived. She quickly stood up to answer the door while her friend lazed around on the couch.

“Wait.” She shouted when another buzz came on the door. Her friend must be in a hurry since he seemed impatient to wait.

She hurried to the door and opened it, expecting no one else but the man who would help her redecorate her new home. But to her surprise, it was not him but someone else.

“Dad!” Her eyes blinked twice as if trying to erase the image before her. But he still stood there, unmoving, as if waiting for her to say something more. “What are you doing here?”

She stared at her father, who she did not expect to see ever again after she had severed all her ties with him. She had long decided she was better off living alone than associating her life with her father, who only wanted to use her to gain more power and wealth.

“I guess I only want to congratulate my daughter even if she never bothered to invite me to her wedding.” Her father, Leonardo Stewart, stepped forward, making her step aside.

“Aren’t you going to invite me inside?” He questioned, like always, sounding like it was a command, and she had no choice.

But she was not afraid of her father anymore, unlike before. She had learned to say no to him when she had learned that he did not see her as his daughter but as a commodity that he could trade.

And that would not change now.

And yes, she did not invite him to the wedding because she knew he would not give his blessing. Therefore, there was no point in him attending when she knew he would only ruin her special day.

“Come in.” She moved aside, giving his father the space to enter the apartment.

She watched his father proceed to the living room but only looked around. He did not bother to sit down. Either he had no plans to stay long, or he was intimidated by the dog looking at him.

Tony must be sizing their new guest, contemplating whether he was a friend or a threat as he slightly moved in his position, lifting his head to get a better view of the other person in the room.

“What are you doing here, Dad?” She asked again, knowing that this was not a social call.

She moved to the center of the living room, following her father until he was just a few feet away. She could only wonder if she would like what he would have to say.

“Maybe this would be hard to believe, but I miss you. I think I had overdone it when I thought I knew better what was good for you.” He finally turned to look at her. “You are my daughter.” He paused as he moved closer to her. “My only flesh and blood.”

She would be a hypocrite if she said that she believed the words coming from her father. But she was not a monster either, not to give even a slight benefit of the doubt.

“I want us to try again. I am willing to sit down with your husband, Evan, and get to know him. I hope that you will give me a chance.” His father strode closer to her and touched her cheek like he had done many times when she was young.

“Please, tell your husband I am inviting you for dinner tonight.” He looked sincere, but she also knew that her father was a manipulative man. He could even charm a blind man with his smile and make him believe his lies.

She knew her father too well to believe he would miraculously change and turn into the father of the year. But still, she could not help but hope for a miracle.