The Royal Contract

It was not as big as the other conference room, but it was still large enough for the two of them as she stared at her guest, who sat with her back straight on her chair with her legs crossed underneath the table.

She looked at the epitome of elegance and style. She had many similar qualities to Dani that she admired. She admitted before that she wanted to be her friend too.

“Hi, Jacky. I am sorry if I suddenly came here unannounced, but I want to talk to you.” Haley began as she placed her beautifully manicured fingers on top of the table and directly looked at her as she sat on the other seat on the head of the table.

There was no hint of anxiousness in her eyes, as her breathing seemed normal. There was no dilation in her eyes to indicate she was dreading this meeting.

But she knew Haley was picking her words before she had spoken. She had no idea why but she had the feeling that she would know soon enough.

“That is ok, Haley.” She responded but keeping her hands on her lap underneath the table. Although she was ready to face her, her nerves were still slightly showing in her fingers as they slightly trembled.

.....

“I am sorry if I came on too strong at the party. I really would like to clear some things with you.” Haley explained, but before she could continue, her phone rang. She held her hands to excuse herself as she answered the call.

Haley stood up from her chair and walked just outside the door to have some form of privacy. In the meantime, she remained inside to wait for her to return.

She sat quietly in her seat as she partially heard her conversation. Well, at least the part where she was the one speaking, and some of it was louder than her normal voice.

It was confusing since she believed she knew who she was talking to based on her one-sided conversation. She patted her pocket but came up empty, only to realize that she had left her phone on her desk.

She wished to play with her phone or text someone so she would be distracted and not keep eavesdropping on someone else’s conversation.

“Fine.” She heard her visitor say to the line, but before she could listen to more of the conversation. Haley ended the call.

She watched her guest drop the phone back into her bag as she walked back into the room with an apologetic smile. Her eyes looked guilty, but she could not figure out why as she returned to her seat.

“I am sorry for the interruption, but I think it would be better if we wait for Marcus,” Haley told her, resuming her position earlier.

Her face must have registered shock or surprise as she gave her a friendly smile. “I am sorry again, but Marcus wanted to be here before I say the reason why I am here.”

“Marcus is also coming here.” That was news to her since he had never mentioned anything about this when she last saw him this morning.

“Yes, I told him that I plan to see you today, but he insisted that he should come with me. Now, he is probably on his way up by now.” Haley confidently smiled at her as if everything would be alright.

“Can you just tell me what this is all about instead of making it so mysterious?” Jacky questioned her guest, finding the entire situation irritating. She had no time for their games.

The two of them were communicating with each other that she had no idea of until now. But whatever they were talking about behind her back, she did not like it.

“I was going to tell you, but he insisted that he wanted to be present. Just a minute longer, and he will be here.” Haley continued. Pleading was not the word she would use with the way she was convincing her to be a bit more patient.

She gazed down at her watch, observing the thin hand as it moved one tick at a time. She wished she could force it to go faster because her patient was wearing thin.

She was not exactly known for this particular trait. It was not one of her best characteristics. She tapped her feet as the seconds ticked by to a few more seconds before the minute was up.

“Be straight with me.” She stared at Haley, not waiting for Marcus anymore. “Did you have a past relationship with my fiance? Or have a current affair with him? Or a child that I don’t know of that you two are keeping from me?”

She rattled questions that circulated in her mind. Things she conjured with the way these two morons were acting around her. Who would blame her if she came up with these conclusions?

“She is not my girlfriend, nor did she become one. And I am sure that I don’t have a son or daughter out there. At least that I know of until now.” A voice suddenly answered all her questions coming from the door.

She turned and found her fiance looking directly at her with a smirk on his face. He certainly was not alarmed by her questions. But he seemed confident about himself as he came closer to her.

“Then, what is going on in here? What is this all fuss is all about?” She was again confused as her eyes shifted from his fiance to the other woman in the room.

She could see that Haley wished to say something, but Marcus silenced her with his stare.

“If none of you speak right now, I am leaving.” She threatened since she had reached her limit.

“I am his sister.” Haley finally blurted it out. Haley smiled at her, standing up from her seat and holding her hand. “I only wanted to say welcome to the family.”