The Royal Contract

What if they come after her? Her father alone was a powerful man. She had no doubt whoever those two were must be equally influential people. Without her father, she was nothing.

“You know I like Gerald. He was like a son to me. I had mentored him. But he never listened to me.” Don answered her father. “He thought that because he was the Boss. He could do anything he liked.”

“I understand what you mean.” Her father responded. “It would have been hard to control a man like him.”

She wanted to leave, having heard enough. She wanted the safety of her room to think, but the following words stopped her.

“We can still do what you want. Your daughter is beautiful. I will not mind marrying her.” The younger voice interrupted them. “I think she will look good at my side when I become Governor.” He added.

“That is a great proposition. What do you think, Alfred?” She heard the older man ask. That must be Don, she concluded.

No, Dad. Say no.

She mentally hoped her father would not agree to such a ridiculous idea. She would not marry a man she did not love. And she doubted that she would ever love any other man ever again. She believed her heart died with Gerald.

.....

Besides, they were all criminals. Why would she even consider complying with this insanity? Why would he marry someone who had the man she loved killed? Maybe he was the killer himself. The thought brought a chill through her body.

“Well...” Her father seemed to be thinking. “I think that is a great idea.”

Damn! She could not believe it. Her father just sold him to this murderer. Now, she understood why Marcus never wanted anything to do with their father. She was a fool to believe that her father loved her.

“I think this would be a very lucrative and favorable partnership. With Gerald gone, I can take over his leadership in the organization. Michael can become the Governor, and you will be one powerful and rich man.” Don announced merrily.

“I guessed we should drink to that,” Michael said, equally sounding thrilled with the prospect of their horrendous plans.

She could imagine the guests and her father raising their glasses to that. Suddenly, it made her sick to think that her father had something to do with Gerald’s death and to marry her to such an awful man and for what, more power and money?

And what was the man talking about when he mentioned organization? She did not remember Gerald heading some foundation or something like that. Although he had been active in his pro bono cases and charity events, he was just a benefactor.

“To the success of our plans.” Her father announced as they probably drank to that. “Maybe both of you should join us for dinner tonight. So you can get to know my daughter well. I am sure that she might be home by now.”

She heard her father offer, making her stand on alert. Now, she knew she had more than enough. She straightened and gradually stepped away from the door. Then, she tiptoed to the hallway where she came from, signaling for Zeny to follow.

Once inside the safety of her room, she finally breathed a sigh of relief. But she knew it would be short-lived if she did not think of a way out of this mess.

She knew she could not go to the police with her information without proof. She would only look like a fool, accusing her father and those two men of a criminal act, basing her case on what she heard.

Then, she would be putting her child in danger if she pursued this path. But she could not sit around and pretend she did not know what had happened. Now, what should she do?

“Are you ok, Ms. Haley?” She finally realized she was not alone in her room since Zeny followed her inside.

But she knew she could trust Zeny. She had taken care of her since she was a child and had been a friend of her mother. She did not have to fear her.

“Yeah! But I need to get out of here.” She told her, but not what she heard in the room. “Would you help me pack?”

She believed that was the best recourse for her at the moment. She had to move out of her father’s place, something she should have done a long time ago.

But where would she go? She had an apartment that she had never used. She could go there. But did she want to be found by her father, who wanted to marry her to that monster? That would be the first place her father would go if he looked for her.

“Did something happen in there?” Zeny surmised, looking at her concernedly.

“Nothing. I think it is time for me to be on my own.” She told her, not wanting to involve her in the problem. The less Zeny knew, the safer she was from her father’s wrath. “I just need you to promise me never to mention to anyone that I came down there to listen.”

The woman nodded. “I promise.”

“Go get my luggage. I will need a few things.” She told her. She would figure out where she was going later. For now, she just needed a few things before she left.

They were barely halfway through packing when a knock came on her door. She could only guess who it was.

“I am sorry for disturbing you, Ms. Haley.” The usual maid who brought her dinner stood outside her door. But she barely opened her door, so nobody would see what she was doing inside.

“Your father requested you join him for dinner in the dining room.” The young girl informed her.

“Tell him that I will join him shortly.” She replied, knowing that she could not let her father suspect anything. If she wanted to get out of there and away from him, she had to do this right. She could not act impulsively.

She guessed she had no choice but to endure a dinner with them. It would also allow her to get to know her enemies. This way, she could have a more concrete idea of her situation before executing her escape plan.