The Royal Contract

“I am so happy that you are finally engaged.” Dani stared at her as she walked into her friend’s office late afternoon, carrying her coffee and some files.

Jacky admitted that she loved to wake up late in the morning but not on a workday. But give her a break. She was still on cloud nine after the grand proposal, in addition to the fantastic night she had with her man.

She noticed that her friend had her hand extended toward her as she neared her table. She believed it was her friend’s birthday the other day and not hers.

“Thanks, but what is this for?” She took the small box wrapped in golden paper with a tiny red ribbon on top of it.

She stared at it, trying to figure out what could be inside, curious about it. But still, she was confused about why she had received a gift. She shook it a little, feeling if something would rattle inside, which would give her a clue.

It was not heavy, but something was moving inside.

.....

“Why don’t you just open it?” Dani suggested as she took the files she placed on her table and started skimming on them, but her friend still glanced in her way as she unwrapped the paper.

She could see a black velvety box inside. It could only mean one thing, a jewelry box. “You should not have bothered.”

Suddenly, she felt like crying as tears moistened her eyes, seeing how much her friend valued their friendship. She immediately opened the lid and found a short gold chain.

It sparkled every time a light passed through it. What seemed like a simple bracelet had small diamonds embedded in it.

Her eyes also found engravings on it after close examination.

JACKY, MY SISTER BY HEART... DANI

It was not the gift’s monetary value that made her tears fall from her eyes but what was meant by those words. She would not exchange their friendship for anything in the world.

To her, blood was overrated. It was what was in their hearts that made them a family. To think Marcus proposed in front of those people she had considered her family made it more special.

“Considered it as my prewedding gift. But assume there is more to come.” Dani warned her, but she knew if she kept refusing her, she would still do it anyway.

Her friend knew that she was not a charity case and that her friend could dole out her money every time she felt she needed it. She had worked hard for every penny she spent on herself or the gifts she gave to her brother, Andy.

She did not need more than what she could afford. But she accepted her friend’s gift because it symbolized their friendship. Nothing more.

“I love it. Thank you, Dani.” She stood up, and at the same time, her friend also did, and they hugged each other. “But you need to stop spoiling me. There is someone else who is willing to do the job.” She teased her friend, although she did not mean it.

She just wanted her friend to stop giving her so many expensive gifts. She never wanted Marcus also to do the same. She was happy to be with them.

“Shall I put it on you?” Dani offered, taking the bracelet in her hand and fastening it around her left wrist. It was indeed beautiful and looked very expensive.

She raised her left arm to see what it would look like as she jiggled it, and it danced through the light, creating patterns on the walls.

“It does look great on me.” She jokingly said as they both returned to their seat and discussed her plans for the wedding, which was still nil.

How could she have plans when she barely had time to wrap her mind around the idea that she was getting married. Soon, she would be “Mrs. Jacky Kenley.” It did not sound so good to her ears. But in her heart, it was all she ever wanted.

“Anyway, if you need any help, just ask me.” Dani offered since she did have experience on the matter. She also remembered her friend, Abby, who did her beautiful gown.

“I will surely take note of that.” Jacky would need all the help she could get. She might be great at organizing things, but when it came to her own, she might suck on it.

She was about to stand up and get back to work when someone interrupted them. “Excuse me, nobody is out there, so I decided to proceed here.” A familiar voice she knew she had heard before talked behind her.

She thought that she might be here to visit Dani about their project. She had been here several times before. It was not new anymore.

“Hi, Haley. Come in.” Dani quickly said upon seeing her friend by the door.

Jacky finally turned around to see her and was about to leave the two alone. “Please, go right in.” She gestured for her to enter. “Can I get you something?” Offering her refreshment as part of her job.

In the heat of the moment, all thoughts about Haley vanished in her mind. But it seemed that Marcus also forgot to mention her again, or maybe he also forgot about her.

But now, all memories of that day returned. She still had no idea what her last relationship was with her fiance. But looking at her ring, she knew she had nothing to worry about anymore.

“Hi, there, Dani.” She greeted their friend before shifting her attention to her. “But actually, I am here to see you, Jacky.” Haley looked at her with a friendly smile.

“Me?” Jacky was a bit surprised, but at the same time, she was expecting it too. She remembered how much Haley tried to corner her so that they could talk during the ceremony.

Now, it would seem that she had no more choice but to confront her. She believed Haley was not going away until she had her moment with her.

She was going to talk to her whether she liked it or not. Anyway, she finally nodded at her to follow her to the other room. Jacky was ready to finish this overdue conversation after all.