The Royal Contract

Chapter 1289: Coming clean

Adam tapped his foot and fidgeted with the phone on his fingers as he sat on his chair in his new office. He intended to speak with his new boss, but his secretary said he was not coming to work today. Experience new tales on m v|l e

He also expected security would stop him at the lobby and tell him he no longer worked for the company. But nobody bothered to look his way as he went straight to the lift.

"Here are more cases that you need to get updated." His assistant placed the documents on his desk, piling them with the previous ones he had not touched yet.

But instead of leaving, she stood in front of his desk with a frown on her forehead. She seemed to be suspecting that something was odd about him.

"Is there something else?" He asked, pretending that nothing was wrong with him.

However, he knew he was not fooling her. She had been working for him for years. She knew him at the back of her hand. She could tell if something was bothering him.

"Yeah!" She stepped closer to the table as if studying him. "You don't look great." She commented while tapping her fingers on her chin. "I can sense trouble."

He could try to deny it, but she would never believe him anyway. She could read him like a book and could see through him. Or maybe, he was just not good at lying.

"This is nothing." He pointed at the bruise still visible on his face. He tried to hide his black eye with a sunglass, but his busted lips were still noticeable if they looked closely enough.

He could never hide that he was in a fight where he became the punching bag. Not that he could not defend himself, he just chose not to.

"It doesn't look like nothing to me." She suddenly looked worried. "Are you in some kind of trouble?" She asked. "You know you can talk to me."

He could see her genuine concern. He guessed she was the nearest person he considered his family. She also felt the same way as she treated him like her younger brother.

"Don't worry." He looked at her. "This is not something I can't handle." Reassuring her that she should not worry about him.

He had been in a worse situation than this, a more life-threatening one. But he guessed this one was different. It was more complicated than he had imagined.

"Are you sure?" His assistant asked again. "I have never seen you like this before." She mildly spoke her observation. "But if you say so." She reluctantly backed away, respecting his wishes.

"Thanks." He appreciated her concern, but that was not necessary. "Is there anything else?" He repeated his question earlier, in a way, dismissing his assistant.

"Oh, yeah..." She paused for effect at the door. "Mr. Blake just called and wanted to see you at his office." She informed him.

Should he assume that David asked Evan to be the bearer of bad news? But he guessed he would only find out once he saw his other friend.

"You should have started with that." Adam gave his assistant a reprimanding look, but she only smiled before she left him alone in his room with his thoughts.

Adam stared at the folder, wondering what it was. Was it an extra case that his friend wanted him to handle? He took it, not minding the extra work.

"Thanks. But what is this?" He asked, opening the file and perusing the first page.

He could see a picture of a young man and a brief background. But he had to read the entire file to understand the case.

"Your first pro bono case," Evan responded with a friendly smile. "I want that to be your first case. That is one of Gerald's files, but he never had the chance to close the case."

Evan explained that they tried to handle the remaining cases of their dear departed friend, but unfortunately, they still have a few backlogs to finish.

"Of course, I am more than honored to accept this case." Adam knew how everyone loved Gerald.

He knew he had a big shoe to fill now that he was taking over his position. Although, they kept saying that there was no pressure. He still believed he had to work hard to keep up with his record.

"I am sure that you will do an excellent job." Evan boosted his morale, giving him a show of confidence. "Anyway, I heard that you are dating Serena. That is nice to hear." Evan clapped his hand in approval, showing his support for his relationship with their friend's sister. He suddenly wondered if he would still think the same if he learned about his stupid mistake.

Honestly, he did not intend to make out with Rosella. She was his friend, nothing more. But the alcohol must have clouded his judgment, making him believe she was Serena.

But, of course, he was not making any excuse. He still held himself accountable for his mistake. He knew he had to correct this misunderstanding.

"She had a hard life, and I agree with David. She deserves a man like you." Evan kept saying, which only made him feel more guilty.

He could honestly say that his intention for Serena was pure. He loved her and would marry her in that instant.

But before he could ask for her hand. He had to come clean with her. He had to confess what had happened before she heard it from her brother.

"I wish I could be the man that she deserves." He did. He wanted to be the man that could make her happy.

But he suddenly questioned his integrity. If it happened once, what assurance did he have that it would not happen again?

"Knowing you, I know she would never find a better man. I assure you that you have David and my blessing." Evan seemed convinced.

He would have thought the same if last night's incident did not happen. However, he was not giving up. He loved Serena too much. If he had to beg for her forgiveness, he would.

"Thanks." He wanted to say more, but his secretary interrupted them, informing them that his next appointment was already outside.

He left his friend's office, determined to call her. How would she take it? That was something he would have to find out and face.

He believed the only way to correct his mistake was by being brave and coming clean.