The Royal Contract

Of course, she had already seen him many times before. Talk to him about the different cases they had worked on together. But she had never talked to him about personal stuff. And not as brother and sister.

“Jacky.” She hollered to her friend across the room, gesturing for her to enter. “Do you think I should finally face him?” Closing the file on her desk, finally admitting that she could not focus on them.

Her friend raised her eyebrows at her as if questioning her plans. She immediately stood before her, her eyes narrowing in her direction. “Have you gone insane?” Jacky uttered in shock.

Dani could not blame her friend for reacting in that way. Now that Jacky knew all about her brother and his involvement in the underground syndicate and her kidnapping.

“Do you think it is wise that you should meet with him without backup?” Jacky placed her hands on her waist, making her point. “He is dangerous, a criminal. He could hurt you or worse.”

Her friend had already told her all the despicable things that her brother was capable of doing to her. For her, Gerald was the evilest person on the face of the planet.

.....

Finally, her friend took the seat opposite her, ready to argue about the merits and demerits of her plans. Marcus must have taught her a thing or two about making a good argument.

“But, I could not keep avoiding him. He already called three times.” Dani stood from her chair and walked in front of her desk, facing her friend. “Besides, he is now my brother. Surely, he would not hurt me, especially inside the office.”

Her justification might be reasonable, but she was also skeptical about it. Suddenly, the man she had admired turned out to be the villain in her story.

“That is what you think,” Jacky responded slightly violently, her voice echoing in her room. “Do not ever let your guard down around him.” She continued as she stood from her chair and paced the room.

“Keep your voice down. I don’t want the entire building to hear our conversation.” She reminded her friend, calmly telling her to cool it down.

“I know how important family relationships are, but this is different,” Jacky stated, but knowing her, this was coming from her heart. “He did not deserve what all of you are giving him. I don’t know why your father is protecting him.”

Jacky repeated what she had already told her as if that would make her see her point. But she had considered all her opinions, but she agreed with her father. He was still family.

He might have done some bad things in his life, but it could have been a result of the circumstances in his life. In a way, her father had a significant role in what happened to him.

“I know what you are saying, but I think he still deserves a second chance.” Dani closed her eyes, remembering how her father begged for her to understand, to give her brother a chance to redeem himself in their eyes.

Even her mother also had the same opinion regarding this matter, supporting her father with whatever he had planned. She could feel the guilt in his eyes, blaming himself for how his son ended up in his situation.

Still, she could not help but think if Gerald felt the same way. Was he even asking for a second chance and willing to change for the better?

Since she had learned the truth, she waited for him to approach her. She wondered if he would ever come to her to ask for her forgiveness for what he had done. But until now, she was waiting.

“You think or are you just repeating what your father and mother said,” Jacky questioned her statement. Suddenly, she stood in front of her with her hands crossed along her chest.

Honestly, Dani was still confused about the entire situation with her brother. She was not even sure how she would react in his presence, knowing he had planned to hurt her before.

After all, she believed he was now the leader of the deadly underground illegal activity in the city. A strong organization that could easily hurt her and her family if he wanted, which he had already proven he was more than capable of doing.

“I do somehow agree with them.” She eventually moved back to her seat, leaning on the backrest of her chair as she gazed blindly into the space before her.

“I give up. But I still think that is a mistake.” Her friend raised her hands to the air, shaking her head. “You should not trust him, I am telling you. He is the devil. He is...” But Jacky suddenly stopped when she saw her face, signaling her to shut up.

“And he is standing behind me.” She mumbled silently but still loud enough for her to hear it. So, most probably, he also heard it.

Jacky turned around, smiling at the man who came to her office. “I think you are still the devil.” She sweetly said to the man, unafraid to face him.

“Just shout if you need backup.” She turned to her friend. “But if you want him out of here, I can always call security.”

But the man at the door seemed unfazed by her words or actions. He only ignored her friend and focused on her. His eyes seemed to be studying her.

“Jacky, I will be fine.” Dani smiled at her friend, not wanting her visitor to feel like he intimidated her by his sudden presence.

She could see Jacky’s hesitation to leave her alone with this man, but Jacky had no choice. In this office, she was still her boss, not her friend.

“Just close the door on your way out.” She instructed as she invited her guest to enter the room and take a seat.

Soon, the man she had been avoiding all day was now sitting opposite her, staring at her. She saw the door closed as her friend left the room, leaving her finally alone with her brother.

“So, now that you know I am your big brother, how do you feel about it?” Gerald made his opening statement.