Keeping The Royal Treaty CHAPTER 5

Once again I’m stuck in this damn house, but this time, I feel different. 

What happened two days ago is still haunting me. I clearly remembered how I managed to save a stranger’s life in his annihilation. I didn’t think very well at that point, I didn’t know what to do, but I know that everything isn’t right and I need to do something.  

I am so desperate to save the man. So I did the unthinkable, I made a deal with the devil himself. I begged Vince to spare the man’s life.  But of course, when you make a choice, it always comes with a consequence. In exchange for his life, I have to grant Vince anything he wishes.

A throbbing pain shoots right through my head. I haven’t been sleeping very well these past few days. I kept having the same dream every time I try to sleep. The same face was trying to reach out to me, crying for help.

I closed my eyes and buried myself on the lounge. I tried to focus my mind on the woman blabbering on the media, just to keep my thought occupied. 

“I heard you haven’t been sleeping well lately, nightmares I assume.” 

I kept my eyes shut, but I can hear footsteps marching towards me. I felt the other side of the couch immersed, so he must’ve seated, “What do you want?”

“There’s no need to be grumpy. After the stunt you just pulled, my men saw how weak and pathetic you are.” 

“If you’re here to insult me, you can leave now. I’m not in a good mood today Vince.”

“Well lucky for you, I have a good news.” To my surprise, I look at him straight in the eye, and yet again handsome as always. 

“Your father and I had a little conversation a couple days ago. He said you’ve always wanted to study medicine, so he wants me to consider sending you to college. I know that you’ve been trying to convince your father to send you to school,” he said. His tone is casual and light.

“Really?But of course, you’d disagree.”

“Indeed. Tell me, why would you choose to go to school when you should be asking him to run your family’s company? You don’t know how much power your father has.”

“I can’t do that Vince. You know that he won’t let me. You said it yourself, I don’t know anything, how am I suppose to convince him? Besides, I don’t want to be involved in this kind of things. I’m not…”

“Upupup – I’m not done talking yet. I know very well that you don’t know anything about the black market, and just so you know, your father holds one of the biggest markets in the industry. You see, your father never wanted any negotiation between my father nor any groups associated with my family. I want to settle things with your father.”

I don’t like where this conversation is going. He is up to something and whatever that is, I don’t trust him at all. I made a deal with him and I know that I won’t always make the right choice but a deal is a deal.

“How is that a good news?”

“Well, you’re turning twenty in two weeks and I think that it’s a good idea to invite your father for your birthday celebration. Isn’t that nice? A family reunion. Don’t you think it’s a good time to bond with your father?”

“No, thank you. I don’t want any celebration, so forget it.”

 “Tsk, too bad, we made a deal.”

“I said I don’t want any…”

“I don’t give a damn what you want, but let me get this straight, I want you to honor your part of the deal. Just to remind you, it was your idea to make a deal. I let that witless fucker live, now give me what I want.”

I don’t like this, he’s using it as a blackmail, “Who was that guy? The guy that your men almost beat to death. What did he do to you?”

“What do you think is that we do here Francis?”

“You kill people! That’s what you do!”

“There are only two kinds of people in this world, people like me and people like you.”

What is that suppose to mean? “That’s the reason we never get along! You criticize me!”

“You wanna know why we never get along? Because a kid like you. . .”

“You’re right! I am just a kid, a kid who gave his freedom to keep the treaty! I don’t want to be here any more than you want me to be here!I hate it when people think I’m weak because I can’t defend myself, especially you! I will never apologize for being me. No matter how bad you treat me.”

“Are you done with your tantrum?” It’s no use, there’s no point of arguing. No matter how much I try, he will never listen. All he cares about was himself, but why does it hurt?

I don’t want to cry, yet I feel the steaming hot tears start to flow,”Okay, I’ll do it.” 

“Good.” My body trembles as soon as I felt his hands lift my jawbone, “There’s no need to cry. Remember, you brought this on yourself. We made a deal.” Tears kept falling, and whimpers escape my mouth, I can’t stop myself…why can’t I stop myself?

“So fragile.” The moment I hear those words, I pushed him away from me. I immediately turn my back on him, eager to run away from him. 

___

I don’t know how long I’ve been sitting out here on the patio. It’s been hours ago since I’ve watched the sky turn dark. I can feel the cool air biting into my flesh.

I’m not stupid enough to believe everything he said. Clearly, he is using me as an excuse to talked to my father. But why would dad refuse to negotiate? Surely there must be a reason why behind it.

“Francis, I told you to stop biting your nails. That habit of yours is starting to annoy me. Are you trying to peel off your fingernails? And what’s next? Your toenails?”

“Sorry, I just couldn’t stop myself.” He hands me a warm cup of tea and took the seat beside me. 

“I know. I believe you have onychophagia.”

“A what?” 

“Onychophagia is an oral compulsive habit. It’s a common habit and a strange one. To put it simply, people who have this kind of habit tend to bite their nails to cope up with anxiety, most likely caused by stress. Judging your appearance, you look stress.”

“Really?That obvious?”   

“What’s been bothering you? You’re not your usual self. Normally, at this time, you should probably be complaining not having dessert for not eating your vegetables.” I can’t help but laugh at his remark. He always knows how to lighten my mood every time I feel like crap. 

“Hans, if you were given a chance to live another life, what would you want to be?” He was quiet for some time. He looks at me, he had the expression as if he saw a ghost.

“Hmm… Since when did you become a drama queen? I don’t know what happened between Sir Vince and you, but nothing’s gonna happen if you mope around.”I laugh at his statement, he’s right, all I ever did was mope every time Vince and I argue. But what else can I do? 

I took a sip of my tea, ignoring his question, but he seems in the mood to talk, so he begins again.

“So, I heard you’re turning twenty in two weeks. Sir Vince instructed me and the maids to prepare for a banquet. It’s been awhile since we had a guest, hmm, your wedding day to be exact.” 

 I nod my head and took another sip of my tea. I don’t really want to talk anything that has to do with Vince or anything related to him right now. I just don’t feel like talking at all, “Anyways, what do you want for your birthday?” he said.

What do I want? A freedom?, “A friend.”

“Well, you know what, I guess its time for you to meet my son.” I look at him with surprise. A son?

He never mentions he had a son. Well, I never bothered to ask if he has a family. I always presume that he doesn’t have a family. I mean, he literally lives here. The only time he leaves the house is during weekends, or when he is out for vacation or rest day, but most of the time he’s home.

“You have a son? Where is he? Wait, are you married?”

“Nolan is six years older than you. And just like you, he lost his mother at a very young age,” he said. His voice sounds raspy, making him sound older than usual.

He took a deep breath and stares at the sky, his cheeks were red from the cold breeze, “My wife passed away when he was just a baby. It was too late when we realize she had cancer. I was scared, scared to raise my son by myself, not knowing anything about parenting.”

“How did you manage?”

 “I always told myself ‘everything is going to be alright’.  I couldn’t give him everything he wants. I tried to take care of him the best I can, but I never ever failed to give him all the love I can give. I was blessed, Nolan has matured and become independent at the age of sixteen. Now, he’s out there saving lives, taking care of sick people.”

I never knew this side of him. He’s a proud father, proud of his son, there’s no doubt. “I can’t wait to meet him.”

“Well, he’s coming to visit in two weeks. Come on.” He stood up and reaches down his hands for me. “I know its late but do you wanna go out and grab something to eat?” 

Hans isn’t the type of person who sits down and tells stories. I know exactly his motive, he’s not here to chit-chat or to brag his accomplishments. 

“What? I thought -I thought I’m not allowed to leave the house?”

“Right, but I heard a new diner has opened a couple days ago, and I do want to try it.”

“Uhm, so, you want to sneak out?”

“Yes Francis, yes I do.”

________

Finally!

Hi! So how was it? Did you guys enjoy? Too much drama? 

Again, I know that there’s a lot of grammatical errors and I’m doing my best. I’ll edit it some other time.

Just to let you guys know, I will make a couple changes in Chapters 1 and 2. I really appreciate all your comments, like I said, it motivates me to keep writing.

Please feel free to leave comments and please don’t forget to vote!