Keeping The Royal Treaty CHAPTER 2

-Vince Damon Donovan (these images does not belong to me) 

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Vince took the seat across me. Straightaway, I feel the aura of my surroundings change. I envy how his very presence exerts dominance wherever he sets foot. Not only the way he looks but the way he speaks, a natural thickness in his voice. It’s a struggle to be in the same room with this man. 

“Good morning Sir Vince, coffee?” Hans asks, holding a cup.

“Please,” Vince answers.

Vince seems to be in a good mood today. On a usual day, he normally skips breakfast and comes home late. And in times when he does join me for meals, things get very awkward easily between us. Well, mostly my part.

I rarely see him take days off either. I do see him in the pool somedays, and I turn back when the pool is occupied. Or when I go to the library, and I catch him leaning on the door listening to my out-of-tune piano practice.

Sad as it may sound, we are strangers living in the same house. And I might have made it worst by running my mouth and cursing him.

I stayed quiet, and the only sound I hear is the cups and plates put back on the shelf.

“Francis was looking for you Sir Vince, he said he wanted to talk to you,” Hans said, and I glare at him.

“Yeah, um, I need a haircut. I was wondering if I could go out and get one today. It’s getting long and uncomfortable, especially on the sides,” I said, running my fingers in my hair.

Vince has the look on his face, when his lips are slightly apart and his brows furrow. I know where this is going. “That won’t be necessary,” he said. “I’ll have someone come in and-“

I stood on an impulse and cut him off before he could finish. “I really want to visit downtown. I’ve been cooped up for weeks and – and I do need some fresh air. I promise I’ll be very careful. I’ll wear a disguise if I have to,” I plea, sounding desperate.

Vince folds his arms and leans on the backrest of his chair. “Do you know the damage of your last ‘visit downtown’?” Vince ask.

“I didn’t mean for that to happen,” I whisper, feeling my confidence slip away. “I – I didn’t know.”

“No, you didn’t. Four civilians are still recovering at the hospital at the moment. An elderly woman who shortly passed away after a shard of glass flew in her direction and bleed to death,” he states. 

Upon hearing that, my mind went blank for a bit. Even my breathing stops.

I heard a clink beside me and I came to my senses. I immediately look away, scrambling to getaway.

“Consequences, Francis,” Vince said, as I turn around, sprint my way up the stairs and lock myself in my room.

____

I didn’t mean for any of that to happen. The worst part is, I didn’t do anything. I couldn’t do anything. I know my ignorance will kill me someday. But Vince keeps shutting me out every time I ask why I was targeted, or who is targeting me.

This marriage completely ruined my life. I don’t know who to trust anymore.

There is a soft knock on the door. “Francis?”

“What do you want?” I ask, burying myself under the covers. Hans walks in and closing the door behind him.

“Are you coming down for lunch?” He asks.

“No, I’m not hungry,” I groan.

“So, are you going to stay here and mope?”

“What else is there to do? I’d rather sleep, makes the day go by,” I answer.

“I know you’re in a difficult situation,” Hans whispers. “Can I suggest something?”

“Sure,” I answer, uncovering myself.

“You know, the first time I met you, I have to take a different way of approach – than I normally do with sir Vince’s guests or his family.”

“Why is that?”

“Because you were – a little different,” he chuckles, taking a seat beside me.

“Different? I am the different one?” I ask, emphasizing the one. “I’m the exact opposite. This is not normal Hans.”

“Well, not in this life,” he argues. And it does make sense. “Do you know where I’m getting at?” He asks.

“No, not one bit. Like you’ve said, I am different,” I bark. 

“Francis, please take no offense. I only want to help you,” he ensures. 

“I’m sorry, Hans. What do you suggest?” I ask.

“All you have to do is gain his trust. If he can see how liable you are, then he might grant you some freedom.”

“And how am I suppose to do that?” I ask.

“That you have to figure out yourself,” he snickers.

“Thanks for trusting me, Hans,” I said, leaning my head on his shoulder.

I don’t know much about Vince, but Hans told me some details. Vince and his family are known in the business industry. They practically run tens or hundreds of companies. From small to big.

But of course, there is always a twist. Not everything is legal. They take part in illegal trades. On the streets to the largest black market. People don’t just target me or throw explosives at me for no reason. In desperate times, people can be violent.

But overall, some rules need to be followed. Hence, the treaty our forefathers had negotiated. Without this treaty, there is no peace, and those who have power will walk all over the unfortunate once.

And there are the people on the higher table, the gods, and Hans didn’t need to explain how they work. It already says on their title.

For the nth time, I change the channel. For the rest of the day, I tried calming myself. Swam for a bit and snack for a bit.

I’ve been waiting for Vince to come back. It will take a while to earn Vince’s trust, but it’s worth a shot.

I heard the front door finally open. Vince walks in, ignoring my existence, and went straight to his room. I rose and followed him, slowly peeking through the door.

And froze on my feet. Petrified.

“Don’t ever sneak up on me,” he said, with a gun pointing at me. 

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Hello readers,

Just to let you know, I’ve edited chapter one and this chapter. And I will continue to do so until chapter 8. I made a lot of changes: correcting grammar, spelling, punctuations, etc.

I am also deleting contexts and adding a better version, so it’s not confusing where the story is heading.

I’d also like to remind everybody that this is a fiction story – created from imagination.