The Royal Contract

One day, she suddenly vanished without a trace. He asked her manager about her whereabouts, but Nora said she just needed time to think. She would resurface when she was ready to face her problems.

He could not help but wonder if the defendant had successfully intimidated his client. He remembered that she had a private meeting with him. Then after that, she seemed to act strange. A few days later, she was gone.

Now, she was back, learning she walked back into her apartment that afternoon. Quickly, Adam knocked on her door, wanting to see her. He believed he had the right to know what was happening with her.

When she opened the door, he greeted her, “Hi.” as he stood outside her door. She still looked beautiful and well, but something was different with her. He could tell.

“Hey, Adam.” She responded as if she had not disappeared on him. She stood there just looking at him without ushering him inside.

He could not see what was happening inside since she hardly opened the door. It was like she was purposely hiding what she had been doing inside from him.

“Aren’t you even going to invite me inside?” He asked, slightly confused at how she was behaving. “I think we still have a few things to talk about.” He told her as he waited for her to widen the door opening and allow him entry.

However, instead of letting him in, she came out. “About that. I think we don’t have much to talk about.” She finally said, but she avoided looking at his face as she stared at her hands that were entwined together before her.

.....

“What do you mean, Serena?” Adam asked. He did not understand what was going on. Of course, they still had many things to discuss regarding the case.

Then, his concern suddenly shifted to something else, remembering if he had done something to offend her. Did he cross a line that he should never have? But he could not remember any.

As far as he knew, he had controlled whatever he felt for her. He did not want to ruin their working relationship. At that moment, Serena needed a counselor more than anything else. And a friend she could trust.

“I don’t think I will need your services, Adam.” She finally said as she finally tilted her face to look at him. “I appreciate all your help. And I will assure you that Nora compensates you for all your efforts.”

“I will even send an extra check to help with your pro bono cases. Consider it a bonus.” She said as if she was concluding a transaction and nothing else.

As if the few moments they shared that went beyond the attorney and client relationship were nothing. Was that it? Did she fire him? And then, she just told him to forget that she had ever existed in his life.

“I don’t understand. But the case is not yet over.” He stated as if that was a riddle he could not solve. “Have you found another representation?” He asked since that was the only logical explanation for it.

He would not mind since he knew there were larger firms with many resources that could better serve her needs. He believed it would be a good move since he was fighting against a giant.

However, he could still give her legal advice if she needed one. After all, her brother trusted him to take care of her case. As of now, David was in a tight situation. His friend needed him to guarantee that Serena was safe.

“No. I did not need one, but yes, I hired a new law firm.” She said, finally looking away. “Anyway, I decided to drop the case. I will be making my arrangement from this point onward.”

He was slightly confused by her answer as she opened her door and was about to enter it. “It was nice to meet you, Adam. I will leave the key to this apartment at the counter. Then I will be out of here before the night is over.” She said.

But before she could enter the room, he grabbed her wrist, pulling her back to him. “Wait. I need more than that. I need an explanation.” It did not make sense that she would drop her case.

Granted, they did not have a solid case, but still, he believed they had a firm one. Serena did not have to succumb to the pressure their opponents were throwing at them.

“Besides, I know I can win this case.” He said, not wanting her to quit just like that.

“I don’t doubt your abilities. I know you are a good lawyer. But I already decided not to pursue this case anymore.” She said as she avoided looking into his eyes as he gazed down at her.

“Then, explain to me why you abruptly changed your mind,” Adam asked her, his voice suddenly climbing an octave higher.

However, he noticed that another tenant was staring at them. “Come on. We can’t talk here in the hallway.” He pushed his body inside her apartment, gently dragging her with him, closing the door behind them.

He finally saw that she had packed most of her things in boxes. She was indeed leaving. He could not help but wonder if she had planned to say goodbye if he did not accidentally see her.

“There is nothing to explain. I am just tired of what is happening with my life. I am tired of fighting something I know I never have a chance of winning. And I don’t want to stay a minute longer in this place.” She enumerated her reasons.

However, somehow, he did not believe her. He could sense that it was not the reason. Maybe those were a factor, but it was not the one that had made her back out of this fight.

“I don’t think that is it. There is something you are not telling me.” He said as if letting her go was not that simple.

Honestly, he felt his need to stop her had nothing to do with the case anymore or his promise to her brother. It was more about him and her, how he had felt about her.

He believed it was also something they needed to discuss. It was their unfinished business that needed a resolution.