The Royal Contract

But it would seem she had judged him too unfairly. Working together showed them a different side to each other, but trust was not easy to give even if he showed her all his good side.

She had too many bad experiences not to be skeptical of the people she had just met, especially men. Although, she would give him the benefit of the doubt and the chance to prove himself for the success of their job.

“I like what you have done so far.” Brenda praised their work, nodding in approval. “I think you two work well together.” She continued with a wink, thinking they might be a good match other than work.

But she disagreed with her boss and her matchmaking. Aside from work, she doubted that the two of them would have anything in common. Besides, she could sense that something was wrong with him. He was different. She just could not pinpoint it just yet.

“I think Ria is very good at what she does.” Her partner complimented her job, bestowing her the credit.

“I think it was a team effort. Zach also did well.” Ria countered, sharing the merit of their work. “But we are far from accomplishing our task.” She admitted that they were just halfway through.

.....

Her boss shifted in her seat before her desk as she faced them. She handed their initial work back to them and spoke. “I still think you two have already done a great job, and I think I will assign you again to another project.”

“Thanks.” Both of them simultaneously answered, both looking forward to their new assignment.

“Now, get out of my office.” Brenda jokingly said, dismissing them with a wide grin on her face.

Ria could already foresee the teasing she would endure when she was alone with her immediate supervisor. They had started to grow close, liked friends since the night her boss took her clubbing.

Brenda believed she was right about the two of them, that they looked good together. But, of course, she begged to disagree. The last thing Ria needed at the moment was office romance. She was here to work, nothing else.

“You know Brenda is right. If not for you, this project would have gone to the can.” In truth, Zach believed he was good, but his arrogance sometimes led him astray.

But with Ria contradicting him at every turn, she had managed to direct the project in a more productive outcome. At the same time, she had taught him a few things about himself and how the world worked on the other side of the fence.

Growing up surrounded by people saying that they were better than the rest of the population, it was not easy to change his way of thinking. But now, he finally saw the truth. Without the other people around them, they were also nothing.

“Don’t sell yourself short. You also have great ideas in that head of yours. You just needed a little direction.” She explained to him, not wanting him to think that she was better than him.

Admittedly, she also thought that he was intelligent. He just needed to be guided in the right direction. But if he learned to control his impulses, he would be unstoppable.

Although she thought they were competing in the same spot, she could not deny that he had a better chance of getting this position. Still, she was not giving up easily. She would also do her best to prove she was worthy of it.

“I guess I better get back to my other work before Alona gives me a wide eye.” Zach jokingly said, slightly chuckling, showing off his boyish smile. “Shall we meet again later when you are free to discuss the rest of the paperwork?”

“Sure. I will text you if I have some spare time.” She informed him as she proceeded to her desk.

He stood in the hallway, ready to return to his desk but stopped to call her. “Ria.” But she was suddenly hesitant to ask her what was on his mind. It was not like him to be tongue-tied like this.

“What is it?” She halted on her steps to look at him. But when he did not answer immediately, she added. “I do not have all day.” She stamped her feet impatiently as if that would hurry him up.

“By the way, is there any chance you will want to go out to dinner with me tonight or another night.” He swallowed the saliva that had gathered in his mouth before finding the courage to ask her.

He did not know what was wrong with him when it involved her. He had never been like this before with anyone. He never felt unsure about himself, thinking he was inadequate in her presence.

She certainly made him feel that he was not the king of the world with the way she treated him. Unlike the people who knew his family, his name, and his father, she made him believe he was just an ordinary man.

“What?” She was not expecting that again from him. She thought she might have heard him wrong, but she knew what he had said.

“I am asking you out.” He finally bluntly enunciated. “On a date.” He added, believing he did not stutter and not wanting further confusion.

She looked at him like he had grown a horn or something. She could not fathom what insanity had entered his mind. Did he believe that she was into this kind of game?

“I am sorry, but I am not in the habit of going on a date with a stranger.” She answered him, not particularly thrilled with his offer. As far as she was concerned, he was still someone she barely knew.

Although she did feel a pang of excitement go through her body with his suggestion. Still, she was not about to act on her impulse, not again. She was not an innocent girl anymore that would fall for such lines.

“If I see any stranger lurking around, I will guarantee that you will be the first to know. But I am not one, so maybe you can reconsider.” He was certainly not used to being turned down, but somehow he had expected it from her.

She was unquestionably in a class of her own.