The Royal Contract

"Can you call, Marcus? Have him report to me when he is available." He informed his secretary as he looked at the files on his table.

He wanted to finish all his meetings today because he planned to ask Dani out. It had been two days since they saw each other because of their busy schedules. 

Their moms had been whisking Dani away for the last two days, so she had spent her every available time with them. By the time she went home, all she wanted to do was sleep.

And just like Dani, Alex was also juggling his time between his company, his father, and Ethan. So, these past couple of days had been a struggle for him too. Luckily, his parents were finally on their way home.

"Yes, Sir." His secretary answered him. "Sir, Mr. Hamilton also called. He said that he is on his way here. He was asking if you could spare him some of your time."

He had to scratch the back of his neck, knowing that he could not refuse to make time for him. He was though a little surprised that Ethan decided to visit him.

"Squeeze him in my schedule. If you have to reschedule someone else, do so." Alex instructed his secretary before going back to his work.

Alex was in a meeting when Ethan arrived at his office. He was early from their appointed time, but he was known to value his time.

"Sir, sorry, but I could not stop him." His secretary said as Ethan walked into his office as if he owned the place.

"That is ok." He informed her since there was nothing that he could do about it. 

"I'm sorry for barging on you. I know you are a busy man, too, but I only have a few minutes to spare to discuss something with you." Ethan informed him.

His secretary quickly moved out of his office and closed the door, leaving his team inside the room with his new visitor.

"Guys, maybe we could resume our meeting at another time. My secretary would inform you of our new schedule." Dismissing his staff in favor of the new arrival. "Marcus, stay for a while."

He wanted his legal counsel present in this meeting if Ethan was cooking up a new business deal. Although he could handle it himself, he preferred another mind to deal with the tycoon in his midst.

"With your wedding on the way with my daughter, I felt that we should consider mergers between our businesses," Ethan said without waiting for any formalities as he studied Alex's reaction.

Ethan's partnering with Alex in their first business venture convinced him that it could be lucrative and a way to get to know him. But he was still being cautious with his business dealing with Alex. He did not want a repeat of what happened with him in the past.

It was different when it was all about business. Ethan could deal with it without any hassle. But when his daughter's happiness was involved. He found it hard to be objective. 

Ethan could not help but put emotion on the equation. But not this time. He had to make sure that Alex was not using his daughter to gain his trust, even if he was starting to like him.

"We don't have to do this right away. We could talk about this when Dani and I are finally married." Alex stated, a bit surprised but not finding the situation odd.

It was a common practice for two families to bind their assets once married. Usually, it was by merging their companies to make it bigger and stronger.

But Alex did not see the point in encouraging him to do this since the marriage was not happening. He could not bind his company with his, knowing that he had no plan to proceed with the wedding.

"We could process the papers and proceed with the merger when you are ready. If you are serious about marrying my daughter, I think that this should not be a problem with you." Ethan challenged him, seeing the hesitation in his eyes.

Ethan was expecting that he would jump at the chance of merging his company with his since it would boost him in the business world. But his outright refusal to do it suddenly surprised him.

Although it said a lot about his character, he was still unconvinced. It could still be a ploy to disguise his real intention when the time came.

"Ethan, I hope you won't think of me as disrespectful, but I had to decline your proposal. Marrying your daughter doesn't mean I am marrying you and your company." He pointed to Ethan.

"Alex, shouldn't we talk about this more before you decline the offer." Marcus finally interrupted the discussion. 

It was a big deal that they should not easily pass up. An opportunity of a lifetime they had been waiting for since they started this company. And now that it was almost at their grasp, Alex was letting it go, just like that.

"There is nothing to discuss. I agreed with our little business arrangement because I saw it as a lucrative business and a chance to learn from you. But I am not taking advantage of Dani's position as your daughter to take your company." Alex stated as he stood from his chair and went to get something.

"Would you care for some drinks?" He asked his guest. Suddenly feeling stressed about this entire situation. 

He could sense that the merger was a bait designed to lure him in and investigate his motives with his daughter. He already knew that Ethan was only doing this because of his experience with Nick.

He was sure that Ethan was only waiting for a chance to expose him if he saw anything amiss in his intention with his daughter. He knew that he had to be more careful in dealing with him from now on.

"Sure." He accepted his offer of a drink.

"I respect what you are trying to say. But it won't hurt if you think about it first before you shut my proposal down? I think it would be beneficial for you to be associated with my company." Ethan came here with a purpose, and he did not quickly back down.

Ethan knew it was a risk, exposing his company to Alex. But it would also reveal what Alex was hiding behind his books. By seeing his company's profile, he could see further what Alex had been doing with his business.

"Fine. I will look into it, but I don't promise anything." He was not afraid to show him who he was. He had nothing to hide in his business dealings, and his intention with his daughter had always been pure. 

But what he could not promise him was the marriage part because it was a lie. Although, the possibility of marrying Dani remained an option for him. He was still not sure when that would be.

"That's good enough for me. Let's toast to that." Ethan raised his glass to him and Marcus, who seemed very interested in his plans.

Alex also raised his glass to them and swallowed the alcoholic drink. He thought of Ethan's proposal and knew that he had to be careful with it.

But playing Ethan's game at this point would only complicate things for him and Dani. He did not plan to get caught in his fishing expedition.