The Royal Contract

Did he convince David of his innocence? He could not tell. His friend had an excellent poker face. But at least he tried to explain his situation. It would be up to him if he would find it in his heart to believe him.

Of course, he did not stop him from telling his sister. That was his right to protect her from anybody who attempted to hurt her. On the contrary, he appreciated that someone would have Serena's back beside him.

"Adam, I am glad you are still here." Evan walked straight to his office late that night.

He did not expect his friend or anyone else would still be in the office, but he guessed he was not the only workaholic working on this building.

Evan did not bother to sit down as his friend went straight to his desk, placing a brown folder on the surface.

"Evan, did you want me to work on something?" It was the only explanation for his sudden late-night visit and the document on his desk.

He did not mind adding extra work, even if cases were already piling on his desk. He had already accepted that he had to prove to the rest of the board that he deserved his position as the new partner.

"Yes, this one." He pushed the folder toward him. "I am working on that and thought of including you in the negotiation. I can use your opinion and expertise."

He finally grabbed the file, hastily perusing the first few pages to understand the situation. He recognized the case, remembering seeing a summary of it before in some of the associates' deliberations.

"I handled something like this before." He admitted, recalling a case he took while working under another corporate firm many years ago.

He had managed to find a smoking gun in his case, making him win a huge settlement. It was one of the highlights of his short career in the corporate world that had paid off.

"I know. I saw it. So, I hope you don't mind if you help me with this one." Evan explained, as he honestly admitted he had his motives for taking him on the case.

Of course, he had no qualms about that. He would help him with this client since that was his job. They paid him to use his expertise, knowledge, and skills.

"Sure. You can leave this with me so I can study it and get back to you as soon as possible." He grabbed the folder and placed it in his priority pile, putting it on the top.

"There is one more thing. I am meeting with the clients next week. I want you to go with me." His boss more or less told him, giving him no options to say no.

Nonetheless, that was fine with him. He had accepted this job, knowing it was part of his obligation in exchange for their arrangement.

"Just send me the details, and I will be ready," Adam answered confidently. He could not guarantee the same result as the previous one he had worked on, but he would ensure to do his best to check this case with a fine-tooth comb.

"That is great to hear. I will have my secretary send you the details." Evan gave him a satisfactory smile. "By the way, have you noticed anything strange with David? Has he mentioned anything to you?"

As far as he knew, David and Evan were very tight. They never kept secrets from each other. They had already treated each other like brothers when he joined the group.

Therefore, it was a surprise to hear that Evan was clueless about what was happening between him and David. He thought David might have already mentioned it to him by now.

"I don't know what you mean," Adam answered his friend, pretending to have no idea. He thought it was not a story that he should share with him.

It was a problem between him, David, Roseann, and Serena. And should be handled in private. He did not want to complicate the matter by involving more people.

"I guess it must be Rosella," Evan concluded on his own, giving him some relief that he did not need to add to his lie.

Everybody knew David's situation with Rosella, at least the most obvious ones. But, of course, he would not discount that there might be some things that David would rather keep to himself.

Suddenly, he wondered how he was doing. He had been selfish these past few days, only thinking of his situation with Serena that he forgot David might also be going on a rough patch.

"How is she?" He asked, admitting he barely knew the woman that captured his friend's heart. He never had the chance to meet her, unlike Evan's wife, Amelia.

"She is still suffering from memory loss. She still could not remember anything about her family and David." Evan elaborated on what he knew about Rosella.

It was sad to hear that something like that could happen to two people in love. A horrific accident wiped out her entire memory, leaving her with no trace of the love they once shared.

It must be devastating for David to get her back but to lose her again. Suddenly, he could not help but wish Rosella would find her way back into his arms.

David might have had issues in his younger years, but he had changed for her. He deserved a second chance to find love again with her.

"I could not imagine what he might be going through." He said. But then again, as he thought of losing Serena, he changed his mind. He guessed he could, filling the gripping pain in his heart.

"I ask him to go on a double date with me and Amelia. Maybe that can help jog Rosella's memories." Evan told him. Then, his eyes narrowed at him.

"Are you dating someone?" He suddenly questioned as he walked closer again to his desk. "Maybe we can go on a triple date." He suggested.

That was a terrific idea, only if that was even possible.

He would love to shout to the world that he was dating the most beautiful and kind woman in the face of the world.

However, under his present circumstances, he could not tell if she would ever want to see him again after their last conversation.

"I am dating, but it is complicated at this time." He had no idea how he could explain his situation to him. "Maybe some other time. Besides, maybe it is best that you and your wife should go for now."

He thought it was best to avoid David until he had settled his situation with Serena. And not include other people in the picture.

"Yeah, I guess you are right," Evan said. "Anyway, it is getting late. Amelia might already be wondering where I am."
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His friend said farewell as he walked out his door while he sat on his chair, wondering what he would do for the rest of the night.

He knew that despite his exhaustion, he would hardly sleep a wink tonight. He debated whether to stay a little longer or go home.

However, another idea nagged at him that did not include the two options. Should he risk going to Serena's place after she told him that she needed space?

But what else was there to do?

Finally, after another few minutes, he gave up on his paperwork and grabbed his phone and bag. Soon, he was in the elevator without a damn clue where he was going.

"Sir, you have a nice night." The patrolling security guard greeted him on his way to his car. It seemed he was the only one around in this almost empty parking lot.

"Thanks, you too." He waved to the slightly aged man who had probably worked for this company for years.

He walked further into the darker portion of the spacious floor, seeing the large columns and most empty parking slots.

He was used to this eerie surrounding since he had worked through the slums of the city. He guessed those empty, dirty, dark alleys were far worse than this place. It was more dangerous.

He grabbed his keys from his pocket and unlocked his car, entering the driver's seat without any problem. But before he could close his door and start the engine, an epiphany appeared in his mind.

He knew exactly where he would go as he revved the engine of his reliable car and drove out of the parking lot.

"I hope this works." He muttered, inhaling hard to fill his lungs before expelling it in one long breath.

He was running out of ideas and options. But losing the woman he loved would never be an option. Therefore, he would do anything in the book to win her over.

He drove the light traffic, passing through several green lights on the way to his predefined destination. He had a plan in his mind, but he hoped that it would go accordingly. But it would all depend on the circumstances.

He worked his way into the less-than-appealing neighborhood, believing he would find what he sought in this place.

"Wish me luck." He thought, believing he would need more than his convincing prowess to pull this through.

He did not have luck or success in convincing this client the first time he presented him with his initial proposal. Maybe this time, he would find a way.

Nevertheless, giving up was not in his book this time. It was his one chance to win her back or at least his ticket to her good side.