The Royal Contract

"Hey, Dani! Can you spare me a few minutes?" Jacky strode to her office with determination and a purpose.

She had been planning something special for her friend before her wedding, but she could not seem to get her friend in a room for one decent conversation.

Jacky understood that Dani had tons of work she had to finish or at least work on before she took her leave of absence from her job for her wedding and honeymoon.

"I am busy." She automatically replied to her friend without even lifting her face from the papers in front of her.

Her priority, at the moment, was the case against the foster family that abused Jeremy and the other kids that were under their care. 

She did not want them to get away with their evil ways. She wanted them to go behind bars. People like them did not deserve pity after they never showed any mercy to those innocent kids they used for their benefit.

"But you need to make time. We need to talk about your wedding. I am only your maid of honor. I am not the one getting married." Jacky pointed out, standing up closer to her table, trying to catch her attention.

Dani still had many last-minute decisions that she had to take care of regarding the wedding. The wedding coordinators were already at their wit's end as they attempted to get in touch with her.

In the end, they continued to bother her since she was her assistant and maid of honor. Also, she was the only one they could talk to about the preparations.

"I will look at all of them later," Dani finally looked at her friend, knowing that she was not going away if she did not listen to what she had to say.

She held the papers that Jacky placed on the table and waved them in front of her, indicating that she would check them after her other works.

She also would like to make time for her wedding. Just like every bride, she wanted a beautiful wedding. But most of all, she wanted to get married soon.

"You promised." Jacky only wanted her friend to give her a few minutes to pick and decide on the selections. "Maybe we should do it now. I can help you if you want." Changing her mind.

She sat down on the chair in front of her desk, refusing to leave. She could already foresee Dani would go back to her work once she left the room. Then, she would forget all about the preparations.

"Fine." She finally gave up, seeing that her friend was not leaving her alone until she got what she wanted.

She dropped her pen and leaned on her chair as she looked at her friend with a satisfied smile. She did agree that maybe she could spare her a few minutes to finalize the decisions for her wedding.

"Good," Jacky jumped from her seat and moved to her side, bringing her chair along with her. She moved closer to her friend so that they could check everything one by one. "Move a little." She said as she made room beside her friend.

Jacky placed the first pages of the files in front of her. It was several photos of various flower arrangements that would need her approval.

"So, where do we start?" Dani allowed her friend to take the lead. She was glad that her friend was as excited about her upcoming wedding as she was.

Although, the wedding would still take place without consulting with her. But the Duchess did not wish to proceed with the preparation without obtaining some input from her. 

It was her wedding, so her preference was relevant. Although, she already expressed that all she wanted was to marry Alex. Still, they insisted that she should participate in the wedding planning.

"Ok. Satisfied." She finally told her friend when they finished the last set of papers that needed her approval. 

She did enjoy working on them with her friend, not realizing that it could be fun. Although, Jacky insisted that she should be doing this with Alex. 

But she did not want to burden Alex with this mundane task. He was also busy with his many responsibilities to tackle on this one. Though, it would have been nice to share this with him.

"Yep. Now, I will leave you alone in peace." Jacky stood and returned the chair to its original position, giving Dani her space again. She took the files and walked out of her room.

"Thanks, Jacky." She called out to her friend before she went out of her sight. Life had been more colorful with her by her side. 

She believed that meeting and having her as a friend had been one of the most exciting and enjoyable chapters of her life. Now, she was ready to embark on another one because of her never-ending support.

If not for her friend, she would not have the courage to take another chance with life. After being scourged by love, or what she thought was love, she never thought she would love again. But her friend convinced her to take a leap of faith.

"Your welcome," Jacky responded before she was gone. She returned to her seat, ready to email the details to the coordinators.

Afterward, she ended up staring at the files in her hand, imagining that she was the one picking the flowers, the colors of the candles, the designs of the napkins, and more.

"Your time will come." She mumbled to herself, not wanting to give up on love. Then, her thoughts returned to the other night when Lance showed up in her apartment.

"Am I part of the things you need to sort out?" She remembered her question clearly in her mind.

"I'm sorry if I kept leading you on, but I don't think that I am ready for a relationship." He finally decided, even if he was still confused with his situation.

He knew that there was a likelihood that he might like her more than he felt right now. But he knew that his obligation to his family and country outweighed what he felt for her.

It was unfair to her if he kept telling her that he liked her, but he could not even commit to her. He did not want what they had built to be a one-sided relationship. 

"I think that is a good idea." She quickly accepted his decision, not at all bothered by it. 

She believed that she had known about it for a while. Hearing the words finally confirmed what she felt and sealed their fate. But honestly, she did not feel bad about it. She was glad.

"Are you sure you are fine?" Lance felt relieved to see her reaction. "Do you think we can still be friends?" Wishing to keep her as a friend rather than a past he needed to forget.

The ringing of the phone snapped her out of her reminiscing. She quickly closed the files and set them aside to attend to the phone call.

"Yes," Jacky answered the caller, but her mind still thought of her current love life or the lack of it.

But she did not mind being single again. She accepted that Lance could only be a friend. She deserved more than him.. She earned the right to demand a man who could give her everything and not just a scrap of love.