The Royal Contract

Chapter 1206  Cross paths

He looked around the spacious room, packed with people waiting for their plane schedule. He guessed he was one of them as he checked his watch. He was catching the last flight home, but there was some delay.

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He sat in the waiting area, wondering what time they would depart. He had no more reason to be here. He just wanted to return where he belonged and nurse his heart back to health if possible.

"Are there any other flights that I can take?" He asked the woman at the ticketing booth. He did not feel like staying in this place longer than necessary. He was willing to take any other flights that would leave soon.

"I am sorry, but the officials grounded all the planes for safety and security reasons." The woman behind the desk said. But they were not offering more details at the time.

Who knew if there was a weather disturbance? However, looking outside, he could only see a clear blue sky and perfectly great weather. Therefore, it could be a bomb threat or a life-threatening condition for the airlines to ground all the planes and delay the flights.

"How long do we have to wait?" He asked as frustration crept into his mind. He just wanted to get away.

"I can't answer that at the moment. But please try to understand. It is for your safety and the rest of the passengers." The woman calmly tried to explain to him.

He returned to his seat, knowing that it was not her fault. She was only following orders. She did not deserve to be the outlet of his frustration. Therefore, he tried to relax and think of something else as he stared at the blue sky outside the large windows.

However, his mind would not let him rest as it rewound what happened earlier. He could still remember talking to Sister Margaret, appreciating her hospitability.

"I am looking for someone." He remembered answering the woman's question. At first, he was hesitant to tell her who he was looking for. It was not as if this was the usual place to find a missing person, especially a famous star. "But I am unsure if I am in the right place." He continued.

"I am sure that you came to the right place." The woman tapped him on the shoulder as she guided her inside the place, still showing him around. "Whoever you are looking for might be just around here." She said, even though he had never even mentioned her name.

His eyes wandered on the spacious space, scanning the room for a particular face. But he only saw strangers smiling back at him. Although they had friendly smiles on their adorable faces, they were not the person he wanted to see.

But he also noticed that the place seemed to be buzzing with excitement. It looked like something was happening, and everyone was on their feet, especially the kids.

"Is there some kind of event happening today?" He could not help but ask as he noticed almost everyone going around like bees in a feeding frenzy.

He even saw some kids running in the hallway, appearing as if they were in a hurry.

"The kids are going on a field trip at the beach, and everyone is excited." Sister Margaret related to him what the buzz was all about.

He guessed that would be a big deal for these young ones. It would already be a chance in a lifetime to experience something like that. He could not help but be happy for them.

Still, that was not the reason he was here.

"I am sorry if the place is a little chaotic, but I assure you that we always have time to entertain anyone who walks through our doors. But you are also welcome to come back to see the kids if you like." Sister Margaret offered.

He was slightly confused by his words until he realized what she meant. "No. I am not looking for a child." He attempted to correct her assumption.

He believed Sister Margaret thought he was looking to adopt a child as she showed him around the place, introducing him to the other nuns and the kids. But that was not his reason.

"Oh! Pardon me, but I thought that was the purpose of your visit." The woman still smiled at him, although looking slightly disappointed.

He felt sorry for these kids, knowing how hard it was to grow up without a family. But that was not the reason he came to visit this place. But given a chance, he might adopt someday. But first, he needed to have a family, meaning a wife.

But how would that happen when the person he wanted was still out of his reach? Where was she anyway? David said this was the place where he would find her.

"I wish, but not today." He answered the woman as his eyes continued to search for her as the woman continued to give him a tour of the place.

"Then, tell me, my child, why you are here? Who do you seek?" She finally asked as they stopped at the end of one of the hallways, reaching another room of the massive structure.

He could see that it was a large kitchen, but only two people were inside. And he recognized one of them. He finally found her. He concluded that he was in the right place.

But unfortunately, it was not the right time.

It seemed he was too late as he watched her hug another man. She looked so happy and contented. It was as if she had just won an academy award. She appeared to have moved on and forgotten all about him.

"I guess I was seeking my salvation." He finally explained to the woman beside him, ushering her from where they had come from before the woman he sought turned and saw him.

He did not want her to catch him, not now that she had finally found her happiness. He did not want her to feel bad for hurting him again. It was not her fault he liked her or that she did not feel the same way.

"Do you think there is a way I can help this orphanage?" He offered instead, hoping that would be a good excuse for why he was here in the first place.

none of this was her fault.

"There are many ways you can help us. Our doors are always open He did not want anyone else to know he had dropped by, especially Sabrina. She did not need to feel guilty about this situation since none of this was her fault.

"There are many ways you can help us. Our doors are always open to those who want to be part of these kids' lives." She told him as she ushered him toward the other side of the place.

"Now that I have seen the place. Can I pledge my support to your wonderful cause?" He offered, agreeing to arrange assistance that could help the kids with their future.

If he could not get the one thing he wanted, he could at least do some good deed instead. At least his effort would not completely go in vain. In his mind, he was satisfied. Although, his heart was shattering into a million pieces.

"I would love to hear from you again, Mr. Mason." Sister Margaret cheerfully responded, firmly shaking his hand to show her appreciation. "I am sure the kids would be happy to hear about this."

"I have one more thing that I need to ask from you." He said as he moved closer to the woman. "I don't want anyone to know who I am." The last thing he wanted was for Sabrina to learn that he had come here to see her.

Eventually, he said goodbye and walked toward the orphanage gates without anybody else noticing him. He just wanted to get as far away from there as soon as possible. He did not want to accidentally bump into her in the hallway or see the pity in her eyes.

"Excuse me, but we are checking everybody into a hotel for a few hours until we can sort the problem with the airlines." One of the attendants walked to him and interrupted his thoughts.

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"If you have no other accommodation, we would be more than welcome to help you with one." The man explained to him.

He guessed he had no choice as he followed the man to sort out an arrangement. Until now, they had no confirmation of what would happen on the flight.

He never liked flying on a first-class ticket, but that was the only available seat on the plane. Now, as their VIP passenger, he was given extra special treatment.

"Where am I staying?" He asked the man arranging his booking. He looked at his watch, wondering how long he would be here. But nobody could give him a detailed answer.

"It is a beach resort not far from this place. We give you the option to stay for a few hours until the flight is arranged or stay overnight as our complimentary apology for the delay and book you tomorrow on the earliest flight."

Of course, he chose the first one. He believed he had no reason to stay overnight in this place. He had already lost the fight. He had missed his chance.

He doubted they would ever cross paths again.

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