The Royal Contract

He could hardly concentrate on what he was doing anyway. Since he had discovered what could be the truth, his mind would not stop bothering him if he should pursue getting tested for their DNA.

If it would turn out positive, then what Ethan said was true. Ethan was indeed his father. But he did not want to get any sample from Ethan. It would be admitting that he partially believed in his story.

“I am just going downstairs,” Gerald finally told her secretary, unable to stop the urge to get to the bottom of the truth.

He walked to the elevators and waited until he arrived at her floor. As he walked towards her office, he noticed two women went to the adjacent room, leaving Jacky’s table unoccupied.

He decided to use this opportunity to get Dani alone in her office without her friend snooping around in their conversation. He had noticed that Jacky was like a bodyguard, always protecting her friend from unwanted guests. He could see that Jacky had her hands preoccupied with her visitor too.

As he stood outside her office, he noticed how hardworking she was. Was it a common trait they inherited from their same father if Ethan was his father?

.....

He could not keep standing by her door and watching her work. Jacky might come back soon, and he had to accomplish what he had come here to do.

“Ahem!” A mild knock on her door made her look up from her work, forcing her to look at him. “I hope I am not disturbing you.” She looked busy, but he believed she could not decline the boss of her time.

She immediately closed the folder she was working on and leaned on her chair, gesturing for him to come in and take a seat. It was all he had been waiting for as he moved further inside.

“I am a bit busy, but I always have time for you. So, what can I do for you, Gerald.” She asked him, but all he could do at the moment was stare at her face as he walked closer to her desk.

His eyes studied the contour of her face, the shape of her nose, and the color of her eyes. It was as if his mind was comparing all her features against his. Looking for a pattern or similarities that would indicate they were blood-related. So far, he did find a few.

But those few were so distinct that he was starting to believe Ethan. But still, he needed confirmation through the use of science. Without it, he would remain in doubt.

“I was going to follow up on the case I assigned to you. Although you seem to be on top of things, I still want to offer my services if you need a second mind.” It was an excuse. Because from what he had observed, she was handling the case the way he would have managed it.

Was that another one of their similarities? Was that enough to say that she was his sister?

He suddenly flinched, remembering how he felt about her, loving and wanting her. Was it the blood, wanting to be with her sister driving him to get near her and not lust? He hoped so if she was his flesh and blood.

“You know that I am always open to any help I can get, especially coming from you.” Her enthusiastic response to her offer indicated that she might have no idea of what Ethan had revealed to him.

If she knew, she might not be as receptive to him, would she? He wondered what her reaction would be if she had learned of this news. Would she accept him as her brother?

“Good. Do you have any questions that you need help with at the moment?” He had to prolong their conversation until he figured out how to get a DNA sample from her. It was the only way.

He moved on his seat, shifting from one position to another as he scanned the room for anything he could use. Hair if he could spot her brush, but that would be in her bag in the corner of the room.

Blood, but that would require her to bleed. That was not another option. Bodily fluids, such as saliva and sweat, were his best bet, but how to collect them.

“At the moment, I am busy with my other cases, but if I have one, I will go directly to you.” She answered him, indicating the files piled up on her desk.

He could sense that she was implying that she was busy and would rather be alone but was too nice to show him the door. But he still had to get a sample from her.

“By the way, I heard that Nick’s case was closed. It is sad what happened to him, but I hope it has somehow brought you some closure.” He could tell that it was a sensitive topic but a good subject for conversation, using it to prolong his stay in her office.

“Yes, I am partially glad, at least that particular part of my life was over. But I still wished he had served his punishment and not died just like that.” She reiterated her belief that everyone deserved a second chance.

It was one of the things he believed they did not share. Maybe it was something Dani picked up from Ethan, but in his case, he grew up with a man who taught him to put matters in his hands.

Again, he could not help but think if he had grown up raised by Ethan, would he be different. Would his principles be as pure as Daniella’s?

But the sad fact, with a clenched fist on his side, his mind reminded him that the man who claimed he was his father abandoned and left him in the care of a man who hated Ethan.

Now, he was confused about whether to continue what his father had made him promise on his mother’s grave. Or just believed Ethan and went from there. Go with the flow.