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-NovelFire

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.

But he only sat for a few more seconds before looking at his watch and grabbing his coat on the back of his seat.

"Hold all my calls and reschedule my appointments for today." He told his assistant, walking passed her desk on his way to the Senior Partner's office.

He had no idea what would happen after he met with his other boss, but he never liked assuming anything. He would wait to hear what he had to say before deciding on anything.

When Evan's secretary saw him, she signaled him to wait for a second. Then, after finishing her phone call, she greeted him and ushered him to the adjoining office.

"Thanks." He said to the woman who left the room. Then, he focused his eyes on the man sitting on the other side of the desk.

"Adam, please take a seat." Evan quickly stood from his desk and greeted him, shaking his hand and tapping him on the back before showing him to a chair.

He never liked the suspense. But under the circumstances, he had no choice. He sat on the empty chair and waited for Evan to settle on his.

Instead of returning to his chair, Evan chose to sit next to him with a bright smile on his face. Suddenly, he doubted that firing him was even in Evan's mind.

"How are you settling in your new office? I hope it is to your liking." Evan said, showing him a warm welcome in their fold.

He could only assume that David had not mentioned what occurred last night. But he could see the curiosity in his eyes when he noticed the state of his face.

"I am good. The office is more than adequate." He honestly felt that a simple office would be good enough for him. "Thanks."

He did not need the lavish corner office he currently occupied. But he doubted moving to another office would be their top priority.

Besides, he had to keep up with the firm's image since he had to cater to their elite clients. It was part of the deal he agreed with in exchange for his pro bono cases.

"If you need anything else, just tell me or David. I am sure we can work something out." Evan told him while explaining his other obligations to the company.

He did not need much prepping since he knew this business at the back of his mind. He had done this rodeo before.

"Sure thing." He assured his friend as he accepted his offered welcome drink. "But you don't have to worry about me. I think I can handle this. Just give me a few days to get acquainted with the files."

He guessed he had to get his head on the game. He had to work hard and give his hundred percent if he would continue working for this firm.

He owed that to his friends, who gave him this chance, and his clients, who trusted him with their cases.

"You have the week," Evan said before he stood from his chair and walked over to his desk.

His friend pulled a drawer behind his chair and extracted a folder from inside. Then, he leaned on his table and pushed the file to him.

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.