The Royal Contract

Someone else was now preparing her coffee. Then, one needed an appointment before seeing her. Could you believe that? Well, she was still wrapping her mind around it.

Luckily, she had some business to discuss with her new boss because she needed fresh air. Not exactly new, but the title was different. Immediately, Jacky walked into her office to deal with an issue, at the same time, check on her boss.

“Dani, are you sure you are ok? You looked a little pale.” Jacky moved to her side and placed her hand on her forehead. “I knew I should not have accepted my new position. I should never have left your side.” She could not help but worry about her.

Jacky began fussing around her friend like a mother hen, checking her temperature and the color of her eyes. She believed Dani might be overworking herself after her father had died.

Although she appreciated the promotion, she was still happier just attending to her friend and her needs, but her friend convinced her that it was better if she took the new job.

“I am ok, just exhausted.” Dani quickly responded to her, taking a deep breath and expelling the tension in her body. “Nothing that a good cup of coffee could not fix.”

.....

Her friend closed the file she was reading and looked at her. Then, she leaned on her chair, relaxing her body on her new comfortable chair.

Jacky was still unconvinced. Although her friend was right, she was not sick. Still, she needed more than a quick fix. “I still recommend that you take some time off. Rest. I think we both do.”

She finally admitted feeling the stress of her new job. It was indeed getting into her. But like any challenge, she would work on it because she did not want to disappoint Dani.

She trusted her to do this job. She would do it well. Still, it was not an easy shoe to fill since many doubted her capabilities. But she could not blame them. She did jump from the ranks.

But she would prove to all of them that her boss was not just her best friend, but she deserved to be in this position.

Still, she had worked hard all her life to make herself better. She would not allow anyone to ruin what she had achieved.

“I am sorry for putting you in that position, but I think you are wasting your talent by just being my assistant. You are so much more.” Dani told her, confident of her capability as always.

Jacky would admit her friend was right. She had exceeded her time as her secretary. She could also feel that there was so much more she could do with her talent. Maybe it was time to explore her new opportunities.

“Anyway, I still need to thank you for giving me this chance to prove that I can still be better.” She still appreciated the promotion, especially the raise.

Although Marcus kept saying she did not have to work a day in her life because he could take care of her. Still, she did not want to depend on him for money. She had always been independent, and she would keep earning her keep.

“Because you deserve it, and don’t let them get to your head.” Dani quickly added the last part. “I heard the rumors.” She continued as she stood from her chair and moved closer to her.

“Don’t worry. I eat rumors for breakfast,” Jacky responded with a humorous smile on her lips. “Anyway, take my advice. After the Annual Ball, I suggest we take a long, leisurely trip, my treat.”

Besides the raise, she did get some bonuses. It would be nice to treat her friend to a relaxing vacation.

“Better yet, maybe we should start discussing your wedding. I like to help you plan it.” Dani offered her.

Her friend did have more experience in wedding preparations than her, but she believed she could handle it so far. Besides, she did not feel it was right they should get married while their friends were still mourning the loss of their loved ones.

“I will keep you posted.” She replied, not giving her friend any details yet of her plans. She did not want to burden her with more problems, knowing she was drowning with hers.

“Jacky, when is the wedding? You keep on changing the topic when I ask you about it.” It would seem her friend finally noticed what she was doing. “Is there a problem? Are you experiencing cold feet?” Now, her friend’s eyes were all over her.

Worried lines covered her face as she tried to read her expression. Before she responded to her question, she asked another one that almost made her laugh.

“Is Marcus having an affair?” She could not blame Dani for thinking that. Her fiance did not exactly have a good record. But of course, he was not.

Many would probably jump to that conclusion after what Marcus did to her, but he was a changed man. She was confident that the man she loved and was about to marry would never hurt her again.

“No, to your first and second question.” She finally answered her friend. “We are just thinking of postponing the matrimony to a later date.” She finally admitted it to her friend but did not give her the reason for it.

She looked up to stare at her friend. She could see the questions swirling in her eyes. But she did not want her to think she was part of the cause why the wedding had to take place on a later date.

“Don’t tell me it is because of my father. Mom and I will not take it against you and Marcus if you get married tomorrow. We want to see the two of you happy.” Dani told her, always supportive as ever.

“Well, as much as we also wanted that. We know that you and Alex need us now more than ever. We can always get married when things settle down a bit.” Jacky explained what she and Marcus had agreed upon in their last conversation.

Besides, she had complete trust in their relationship. A ring would not measure their love. What was important to her was the love they shared every day.

But of course, she still wanted the ring, the cake, the wedding bells in the end. But she did not mind waiting a bit for their friends. Besides, she believed it would not take long anyway.

“Thank you, Jacky, for always being there for me, but I don’t think it is fair that you have to wait because of us.” Dani moved closer and hugged her.

“I insist we proceed to your original timetable and prepare for this wedding as soon as possible.” She continued. “You are done sacrificing your happiness for other people.”

She looked into her eyes. “It is now your time to shine.” Dani did not allow her to protest. “We will do this together.” Her friend let go of her and grabbed her phone.

“What are you thinking?” Jacky finally asked, observing the mischievous smile on her friend’s lips.

“I think it is time we call for reinforcement. I think we are already a bit behind our timetable.” Dani answered her as she dialed a number.

Then, she called their friends to join her for dinner tonight to discuss the preparations. As her best friend, Dani said she would assume her right to be the matron of honor at her wedding. She was taking charge of everything.

“Haley, thanks for confirming fast. I will be expecting you tonight.” A few more calls and she had everyone coming tonight.

“There is no rush.” She insisted, but she knew Dani was determined to help.

“Abby already agreed to do your gown.” She continued as she dialed another number.

“Dani stopped.” Jacky pulled her phone away from her. “Calm down. If you want to help, then let us plan this out. But I still don’t see the point of rushing this.”

She insisted since she was already living under Marcus’ roof. They were almost acting like a married couple. All that was missing was the ring and the paper.

But those were just material things. What mattered most was what they felt for each other. Without that, those things would not count.

She could easily throw or pawn the ring because it would not have value to her if the marriage failed. She could tear those papers after filing a divorce, so getting married would only matter if the love was real.

“Are you sure we are not just holding you back from your dream?” She could see the concern in her friend’s eyes.

“Of course not. I will marry the man I love when the time is right.” Jacky assured her friend.