The Royal Contract

Congratulations! Prince Alexander and Princess Daniella.

Welcome! Prince Ares

The message covered the front lobby of the building, written in bold letters on the banners hanging on the walls. Zach was still on the trip yesterday and did not hear the news until now.

He was happy for his boss and wife. He heard it was their first child. But he had to wait till his boss decided to come to the office before he could congratulate him. For now, he had to focus on completing his task.

“I heard that you had a successful negotiation. Mr. Stark is very impressed with the two of you.” Alona’s voice floated in the air until it reached his ears as he stepped out of the elevator. “I guess congratulations are in order.”

“Good morning, Alona.” He greeted the woman, holding a few files in her hands and a lovely smile on her lips. Then, he walked to his desk with her following closely behind him. “I think our boss is the one you should be congratulating.”

“He is not in yet, but I will,” Alona responded as she dropped the files in her hand on his desk. “For now, you deserve the praise for a job well done.”

“I think they were impressed more with her than me. Ria did a great job out there.” He added before checking the files on his table. “If anyone deserves the accolades, it is her.”

.....

He was speaking only of the truth. In his opinion, Ria had worked hard and had proved to them that she knew what she was doing. If anyone deserved the position, it was her and not him.

He knew that Ria deserved the position more than he did. If anyone should get the job, it was her. Besides, he never needed this job, although he enjoyed working here and learning from his boss.

“Ok. Now I am curious. What happened out there?” Alona suddenly sat on the edge of his table and stared down at him as he sat on his chair. “Tell me.”

He pictured her as the queen of talk shows he had seen on tv shows, waiting for a piece of juicy information. He almost laughed at how anxious she was as she lingered in front of him.

“What?” He acted like he had no idea what she was asking. He was not a kiss-and-tell kind of guy.

“You see. I can sniff a story a mile away. From this...” She waved her fingers in front of his face. “I know something happened between you and Ria.”

This time, her face changed after looking at his reaction. From the playful one, she became serious, as if she had confirmed something. And she did not like it.

He could only conclude that she had an eye for reading people and a wide range of networks. No wonder she was one of the most trusted people by their boss and one of the highest paid compared to the other ordinary employees.

“It is not what you think.” He suddenly felt the need to explain himself. “I like her.” But when he saw the scowl on her face, he quickly added. “And no. I have no intention of hurting her.”

He knew that many people around here liked Ria and seemed to protect her from the big, bad wolf like him. He understood now why. But he was not the same as before. He did not pursue her just to hurt her. He knew better now.

“But you do understand that...” Alona was about to lecture him, but he stopped her, knowing what else she had to say.

“I know about her baby. We talk about him. And I will meet him tomorrow.” He told Alona, knowing that was the secret they were not telling him.

Not that Ria was ashamed to talk about her child. She just did not like people talking about her personal life. And he understood her now. She was only protecting her child and herself.

“You know about Edison.” Her eyes were wide as saucers. “And you are absolutely, unequivocally sure that you are ok with it.” She sounded like she was asking a question more than stating a fact.

He nodded as he replied. “I have never been sure of my life.” He smiled at her, knowing that was a big deal.

He knew what most of them would be thinking. What was an eligible bachelor like him doing with a woman with a child? But that was not what was important to him. Ria was. And he was willing to do anything for her.

“Then, I guess there is nothing else I can say.” Alona stood from her position and looked at him one last time. “Just please don’t make her cry.”

“I promise.” He said, knowing that Alona was merely looking after her friend. “I only want to make her happy.”

Then, Alona turned around and was about to leave when he stopped her. “Hey, can I ask a question?” She then turned again to look at him. “What can I give Edison? I want to buy him a gift.”

She smiled at him as if amused at his question. She gave him a few possible things he could consider. But before she left, she gave him some advice.

“But if you think that things are too much for you to handle, let her down easy. You might think you know what you are getting into, but in the end, you might change your mind.”

Then, she was back at her desk, working hard like before, while he was left to think about her parting words. He could be stubborn about it and ignore her warning. But in truth, she was right.

He had to tread lightly in this relationship with her. He liked her, but could he handle a kid? What did he know about taking care of a child? Nothing, but he was willing to learn and love that child.

However, what about his family? Would they like her, knowing how traditional his father was? Would they accept her for having a kid out of wedlock? Could he go against his family if they disapproved of their relationship?

He believed he would in the name of love.