The Royal Contract

Instead, her father asked her about her job, not having anything else to talk about in the meantime. If Alex had been here, they would probably discuss the company.

Besides, she believed he was avoiding the topic of his health condition. She could tell he was not in denial about the severity of his illness. Still, he had no plans to show or discuss that with them.

“How is Gerald as a boss?” Suddenly, Ethan changed the topic and stared at her. She could tell he was studying her reaction to the question.

She closed the files she was discussing with him and faced her father. She wondered where this discussion was going, but she planned to weigh her answers according to what would be best for everyone.

“Gerald, just like David and Evan, has been a great boss. I have learned many things from him.” Dani only spoke the truth based on their working status.

She had admired Gerald from the start, seeing his work ethic and how he handled his cases. She had patterned her career based on him, helping him with many of his pro bono cases.

.....

She also had wondered why Gerald had stayed on as just a Senior Partner when he could have competently established his firm. But it appeared there was a simple explanation for it.

He had used the firm as a cover-up in his underground activities. He used his position to build connections with the big fish in the vast sea of businesses surrounding them. It was the perfect setup, a subtle disguise to cover his tracks.

“I know this is too early to ask, but from the short time you have known that he is your brother, what did you feel about him?” Her father continued to ask.

She hinted that her father wanted something from her but had been beating around the bush. It was the first time they had discussed her brother with just the two of them, so he was probably seizing the moment.

“Honestly, Dad. I am in between hating him, accepting him, and forgiving him. I do want to give him a chance. I hope he will change, but doubt makes me question if he was beyond saving.”

Her eyes searched his father’s face, eventually focusing on his eyes. Hurt was etched deeply in his expression. She could not determine if it was physical pain or something else, but she knew it greatly affected him.

“As a father, it is hard for me to see that one of my children had gone astray. I have failed to guide him to the right path because I was a coward to face him.” He had no tears in his eyes, but she could feel how much this weighed on him.

She had no idea of what his father felt about his brother. She was not a parent yet, but somehow, she believed she understood his sentiment.

She dropped the files on her lap on the center table where she had been working since she arrived that afternoon and walked toward her father to comfort him.

She did not want her father to feel that he was alone in this fight. Although she still doubted her brother’s intention toward their family, she would give him an extra chance to prove that he wanted to belong to their world.

“We all make mistakes, and you already paid for yours. The ball is now at Gerald’s corner.” Dani sat on the head of the bed, leaning closer to her father. So she could wrap her arms around him. “Stop beating yourself up, Dad.” She uttered as silence enveloped them for a few minutes.

“But honestly, Dad. I think Gerald would eventually turn around.” Giving her father some hope, which she believed he badly needed. She pulled her father tighter in her body, transferring her warmth into him.

“Am I missing something in here?” Her mother suddenly entered the room, catching them in their solemn moment.

At least they were not crying, something she did not wish her mother would witness again. Her Mom had been through a lot. She deserved some moment of reprieve from the pain.

“Wow, my darling, you look so lovely.” Ethan voiced his astonishment upon seeing her mother stride inside the room, looking like she had just come out of a magazine.

She was expecting her mother to barge in the room, looking like she had hardly slept, not this person who had been so in control of her emotion. She could only hope this was not just a phase. Then eventually, she would suddenly hit rock bottom.

“Now, I feel underdressed.” Her father continued to tease her mother, just like they used to do whenever they were together.

Those simple things were what she witnessed that made their relationship stronger through the years. It was something she had watched and wished to have in her marriage.

Luckily, she married someone who seemingly had the same traits as her father. Somehow, she could look forward to great years ahead of their married life.

“Of course, I have not forgotten about you.” Laura stood beside her husband before kissing him gently on the lips.

After a few minutes, a knock on the door made them look in the opposite direction. When Laura permitted them to enter, her assistant, Rachel, walked into the room, carrying a black tuxedo that was perfect for her father.

It was soon followed by several of their staff, carrying an entree of food that looked like a small feast, setting it up on the vacant corner, together with some decorations to brighten the room.

“What is this, Mom?” Dani had to raise her brows at the surprise her mother had brought with her.

She walked next to her, giving her a questioning look. But her smile showed her nothing that would tell her anything was amiss. Her mother seemed genuinely happy, or she had just learned how to act.

Still, she was glad that her mother made all this effort for her father’s benefit. Her father looked so happy to see them together like this, not distraught and making a big deal of his condition.

“Help me get your father dressed. We are having a small family gathering. I missed this, and I am sure your father had been looking forward to this.” Dani did not want to ruin her parade, so she just nodded and went on with her plans.

“Don’t you worry, I already called Alex and Gerald. They are coming to join us for dinner.” Her mother said as they assisted her father into the suit. Not an easy task, but seeing her father’s excitement was all worth it.

As they waited for the rest to arrive, Dani returned to the sofa on the other side of the room. Then, her mother sat next to her father, talking to him about her day.

She still watched the two with concern, but they seemed happy, chatting about nothing and everything. They looked perfectly content to be just holding their hands.