The Royal Contract

Chapter 1372: I am only a man

BOOM!

BAM!

Screams!

Haley could hear the chaos that started downstairs. She could see from the room's window how her father's security was on high alert.

She also noticed the guests in their beautiful gowns and dashing tuxedoes running on the grounds, rushing to escape the horror that shattered the peace and prosperity of the occasion.

"What is going on?" Her trembling voice broke the silence in the room. She could feel her heart was ready to bust out of her chest at how hard it was beating.

Nevertheless, she could not help but notice how calm Gerald and Mike were. Maybe Mike had been startled, but he quickly recovered from the blast as he calmly watched the scene below them.

Still, she could not understand what was happening around them. "Shouldn't we be running out of this place?" She asked as fear continued to grip her.

Then, she felt his hands on her shoulders, warm and comforting. He squeezed her flesh gently before he leaned forward to whisper in her ears.

"Relax, trust me. We are safer up here than down there." He assured her as he wrapped his arms around her.

For the first time after a long time, she never felt more safe again. It seemed that all her doubts had melted away.

She believed whoever this man was. He was still the man that she had fallen in love with. He was still the man she wished to spend the rest of her life with, especially in raising their child.

"But what about the explosion?" Haley swore she heard something that blasted downstairs. Where? She was unsure, but it was loud enough to create panic among their guests.

Therefore, she could not help but fear for their safety, especially her child. But just like Gerald said, she had to trust him. She had to believe he had a plan.

Besides, she believed Gerald would never put their child in harm's way. In addition, Mike seemed to agree with Gerald.

"I think Gerald is right. The security might be searching for us on the grounds. It is better if we wait until things calm down." Mike seconded his friend as he walked away from the window and sat on the vacant chair, making himself comfortable.

"How can both of you be sure?" She still felt on edge. "What if that explosion created a fire? Wouldn't we be trapped up here?" She could not help but think of the worst scenario.

The idea of burning alive was not something she would look forward to. She would take her chance downstairs rather than wait to turn into burned flesh or ash.

"Come on, I think you should sit down and relax." Gerald pulled her away from the window, guiding her to the extra chair near Mike.

He also followed her, sitting beside her. Then, he took her hands, massaging them as if easing her from her worries.

"But just to ease your mind, I will tell you a secret." He turned to look at her as his eyes searched hers. It was as if he was reading her thoughts, delving into her mind.

But she could not help but wonder if he could decipher the chaos going through her head. It was like her mind had turned into a puzzle where she always ended up on a dead end.

And the idea of finally getting information to clarify her thoughts excited her. She guessed she hated that she was always the last to know.

"I wish I could be like her. She was the best mother any child could have." Haley honestly believed that. Her time with her might have been short, but it was full of love.

Now that she was about to become a mother, she realized the sacrifice that a mother would make for her child. And she could clearly remember how her mother had sacrificed a lot for her.

She gave up her career to be there for her. She had probably put up with her father to give her a family that her mother thought she deserved.

"I think you already are," Gerald said as he finally faced her, putting his fingers across her face, gently caressing her cheeks and wiping the tears that she did not even notice she had cried.

She liked his vote of confidence, but she still had her doubts. Still, she was glad that she had someone to look up to, reminding her what being a good mother looked like.

"Thanks, I appreciate that," Gerald telling her she would be a great mother to his child was already a boost in her confidence. But still, she believed it would be hard work. And in the end, she would still be a work in progress.

"Anyway, there is one more thing I need to discuss with you." But before he could utter another word, she heard the sirens outside.

She could only conclude that the loud explosion might have alerted the authorities to come and check it out. And it might be part of Gerald's plan.

"That is one of your cues," Gerald told them as Mike moved to check the ongoing downstairs through the window.

"There are firetrucks and police outside." He informed them as he kept his eyes outside. "Should we move?"

"Can you give us a minute?" Gerald asked his friend. Then, Mike nodded in understanding as he strode toward the door.

"I will check the hallway if it is clear," Mike told them as he exited the room.

"I hope you know how much I love you. I would give you the world if I had that power, but reality doesn't work like that. I am not perfect. I had made many mistakes." Then, she felt his arms enclosed around her.

"I am only a man who wishes to do everything to keep you safe and our child." Then, his lips sealed his words.

*** To my Royal Contract readers.

I will take a few days break from writing this story.

And I might not be able to write a chapter every day.

But rest assured that I am still determined to give you a good ending for this story.

Then, I will resume writing the continuation of Lance and Eida's story with The Royal Arrangement.

In the meantime, you might want to try my new book, A Contract to Marry the Cold-hearted CEO.

It is a new book that is different from this one. But I assure you it will be a nice story you might enjoy like this one.

Anyway, I do hope you will understand.

Again, thanks for all your support.