The Royal Contract

As the wedding came closer every day, so was the pressure of accomplishing everything before the big day. Time was ticking, as well as all the deadlines.

She was just glad that weekdays were almost over. It was just a couple of hours more, and she would be free from her responsibility from her job.

"Jacky, can you remove the files that I already reviewed and take them to David." She instructed as she piled them up on the outgoing tray. "By the way, I am going home early."

She prided herself for her dedication to her profession and with the people who depended on her. But since she met Alex, her view of life and work had drastically changed.

Her world had stopped revolving around her career but slowly included Alex in everything she did. She had put him at the forefront of her every plan for the future. 

She looked at the time and wondered if Alex was about to go home too. She would like to surprise him with dinner or anything that would break their monotonous activities.

"I am glad that you still remember your fiance. I thought that you already buried yourself in all those rubbles." Jacky ridiculed her friend, pointing to the papers still waiting for her perusal.

She could not help it. She had suggested to her friend cut down on her responsibilities in the firm. Her wedding was almost near, but she insisted on maintaining her load.

"Just clear this up, so I can go home early." She smiled at her friend, knowing too well what she was implying. She heard her friend, but she had no time for her sermons. 

David and Evan already told her that they were taking over some of her clients while she was on leave, but she did not want to leave her responsibilities just like that.

She had to assure her clients that they would not be left hanging when she took her absence for her wedding and the honeymoon. Not that she did not trust David and Evan to do a good job, she could not pass her cases with a crappy job.

"Fine," Jacky took the files and left her alone to finish the rest of the papers still on her table.

She was almost at her table when she noticed a woman was approaching her table. At first, she tried to remember where she had seen her before. The woman looked familiar, but she looked different as well.

The unexpected visitor was already standing in front of her desk when she remembered who she was. She sat down on her chair as she stared at the newcomer.

"Yes, is there something that we can do for you?" She tried to be cordial since she was in the office. 

However, all she ever wanted was to launch at her and shove her on the floor. She could not let her get away from all her sins against her friend.

She could not believe the nerve of that despicable woman to show her face in her friend's office after what she had done. She wondered what evil scheme the unwanted visitor was planning this time.

But the terrible woman was not alone. A man stood by her side, but this time, Jacky was sure that it was the first time she had seen the guy. She believed he was not from around here.

"I am here to see Ms. Daniella Hamilton." The woman spoke up sweetly, hoping that the other woman behind the desk would not recognize who she was.

She had to see her former friend and speak to her about something urgent. She feared that if Dani learned her name, she might not talk to her or even see her.

"I am sorry, but my boss is quite busy right now. Since you don't have an appointment today, I can't let you in and see her." Jacky politely made her excuses, but deep inside, she wanted to shout at her and call her names.

"Hey, I am sorry if we came without an appointment, but maybe you can tell your boss that it is important that we speak with her. Maybe she would make an exception." This time, the man interrupted Jacky.

He knew the importance of their reason for coming to this office, so he was not about to leave without seeing some results. He still wondered why his companion insisted on seeing her.

He had met her before at the hospital. He could not stop wondering what the connection of this lawyer was with his friend. 

He only knew that this lawyer was the ex-fiance of his brother. But he never met her before except when she brought a questionable kid to the hospital.

"I don't know who you are." Jacky pointed to the man with her fingers, "But, I know you, Cassie." Telling her that she was busted. "I don't think Dani would appreciate seeing you."

She felt the need to protect her friend from the likes of her. For all she knew, Cassie was here to ruin the upcoming wedding. Maybe Nick sent her to spy on them.

Jacky was not aware that her friend was looking for Cassie. Dani failed to mention that to her, so now, Jacky was hell-bent on sending Cassie away before she caused any more trouble.

"Please, Jacky, right? I need to see Dani. It is urgent. It is a matter of life and death." Cassie pleaded, desperate to have a word with her former friend. "I am willing to wait for as long as it takes."

Instead of going to Alex, she decided to turn to Dani. She knew that Nick's men would be all over town. And the possibility that some of them might be watching Alex's place was very likely.

But she knew that Nick would never think that she would seek Dani's help. After all, their friendship did end badly. Even she never believed that she would end up in her office after all she wronged her.

"That is not how it works. You can book an appointment, then come back again." Jacky insisted, not wanting them to wait and see her friend.

"Please, we did not come here to make trouble. Cassie only wanted to correct her mistakes. Please, give her a chance." Jacob finally spoke up.

This time, Jacky could see the difference in Cassie's movements. She did not appear to be acting the same way when she was with Nick. Even the guy beside him looked sincere when he said those words.

She looked at the two uninvited guests and wondered if she should believe them. But it could be a trap, concocted by Nick. She still should proceed with caution. 

"Why don't you wait over there." Jacky pointed to a chair on the side as she checked on Dani.

The two moved to the side and decided to wait. Jacob was still skeptical about Cassie's plans. He would have preferred that she had run as far away from this place as possible.

He could not help but think of what Cassie would need with this woman. Or the man that she called Alex. He just realized that moving into this place had proven to be more complicated than he initially thought.

As much as he wanted to separate himself from his brother's world, fate seemed to have a different plan for him. Suddenly, he understood what Cassie was doing. 

There was no running from his brother.. Unless she fought it head-on, there would be no escape for her.