The Royal Contract

She still did not understand why Mike was there. Did his presence in this gathering confirm Gerald's participation in these legal activities?

After all, they were best friends who did many things together.

"Mike," Haley immediately called his name once Michael was out of earshot and no one could eavesdrop on their conversation. "What is going on here?" She inquired, hoping to get all the answers she needed.

"Haley, I need you to stop asking questions. It is not the time for that." Mike spoke to her in barely a whisper, straining her ears to hear him clearly, especially with the music blowing on the speakers.

She gathered Mike had no time for a Q&A, as he seemed in a hurry. And she also noticed that he was slightly out of sorts, clearly agitated.

However, how could she trust him when he and Gerald had, without a doubt, lied to her? How were he and Gerald different from her father and all these criminals?

"I need you to listen to me," Mike said, still talking in a low tone.

But as much as she would like to listen and believe him, she had her inhibitions. She wanted answers. She needed something to convince her that he was worth taking a risk.

But, of course, she still would like to give him the benefit of the doubt. After all, Mike helped her in her time of need. He saved her. But then again, it could be all an act to fool her.

But why?

That was what she wanted to find out.

"No, I am not listening to you until I have some answers." She whispered back.

Of course, she did not want her father or one of his associates to hear their conversation. She could not have them reporting her situation back to her father.

Still, she was not cooperating until Mike clarified some things for her. She did not want to be the only one in the dark about her situation.

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"Haley, I know what you are thinking, but there is a good explanation for all this." Mike smiled, appearing like they were having a friendly conversation. "I need you to pretend to laugh as if I just said a funny joke."

He suddenly instructed her. For some reason, she obeyed, but when she followed the direction of his eyes, she saw his reason.

Her father and his associates seemed to be watching them. It was like he was studying them.

"I think your father is onto me. I think he suspected that I am working with Gerald against them." Mike finally told her a bit of what was going on. It did not answer all her questions. But it did give her some clues.

"What are you saying?" She wanted the whole story, not just pieces and fragments.

But she took his advice and smiled, pretending to laugh at his joke. Then, they returned to a casual conversation, not wanting the attention on them.

"As I said, this is a complicated situation, and I have no time to tell you the entire story," Mike repeated what he had said earlier. "But I am thinking of sneaking you out of here."

That was an idea that had quickly gained her interest. She became more attentive, hopeful Mike was trustworthy and that he had a good plan that could take her out of there.

But first, she had one question she needed clarification on. This time, she would not do anything until she had her answers.

"I like that, but I need you to confirm that Gerald is still alive." She did not know if she would believe him, but maybe hearing it from him would convince her that it was true.

But she guessed she could only believe what she could see with her eyes. Until then, it was all speculation, and she would have to wait for more concrete proof, like seeing Gerald walking and breathing.

She could see his slight hesitation to answer her, but eventually, he must have figured it would not hurt to tell her a bit of the truth.

"Yes, Gerald is alive. And he is working on rescuing you from this place. And putting a stop to this organization once and for all." Mike finally admitted to her.

"I need you to be ready. I am just trying to find a good time to split without anybody noticing." Mike told her, making her heart beat faster out of excitement and fear.

"So, what is the plan?" She guessed, a little hopeful that she could finally get out of this place, out of her father's clutches.

"I will get you when the time is right. Just sit tight." Mike said before he finally shut his mouth, seeing that her father had strode toward them.

She wanted to ask more questions but opted to keep her mouth shut. For now, her heart believed her friend's every word. But her mind still had some doubts.

"I see the two of you seem to be having fun." Alfred, her father, commented as he joined them. "I miss seeing you smile, my princess. You should do it more often."

She wished she could believe her father that she was still her little princess. And that he had her best interest at heart. But unfortunately, the truth was the complete opposite.

Her father only tolerated her existence because he needed her. He was his puppet to use to get what he had always wanted.

Power.

"You have a sweet and lovely daughter, Alfred. It is not hard to get smitten with her." Mike responded with a charming smile. "But we knew each other for a while. And we are just catching up." He continued, explaining to the older man their short relationship.

"I thought you might have a deeper connection, but at any rate, you are right. Haley had always been a loving daughter." Her father moved closer, putting his arms around her shoulder as he pulled her to his body.

Then, she felt his lips on the top of her head. It was something he used to do to show his affection. But now, it felt fake.

Truthfully, his action made her stomach churn. She almost wanted to puke. But, of course, she had to maintain civility if she did not want her father to think that something was strange with her.

"I am also beautiful and very much pregnant if you have not noticed." She sarcastically interjected when the two men talked about her as if she was not there.

"Where is your fiancee? Where is Michael?" Her father asked as his eyes scanned the room.

She could not care about the whereabouts of that man. He could rot in hell, but she would not bother to look for him.

"I don't know, and I don't care," Haley responded, not interested to find out.

"I think he said something about dealing with some business associates," Mike informed one of his bosses. "He asked me to babysit our princess here."

She hated hearing them discuss her life. She was not a damsel in distress who could not think, decide, and care for herself. She did not need a babysitter.

But she had to keep her mouth shut before she said something she would regret later on. She just smiled and pretended like the dumb bimbo they wanted her to be.

"Is that so?" Alfred appeared to be thinking while his eyes narrowed at her friend.

She wondered if her father suspected something. Did he discover their plan to escape? She hoped not. She knew she had to get out of there.

"I guess you are in good hands, my dear. Mike here is one of my most trusted men. He would make sure that you are always safe." Alfred assured her before letting her go.

"I have some friends calling me. Enjoy the night, my dear. Soon, you will be marrying Michael. You will become one of the most powerful women in this city." Her father claimed, appearing to be proud of himself and his accomplishment.

"Mike, I am leaving my daughter under your care." After a few more words between the two, her father walked away, mingling with his other friends.

"How are we getting out of here?" She could tell she sounded desperate. Just hearing the word marriage was giving her the chills.

She did not want to end up married to that man, and her baby used it in their interest. Besides, she was also anxious to see Gerald and personally see that he was alive.

She wished also to hear the truth from his mouth. She wanted him to deny all these allegations against him. She still could not believe that a man like him could do the things they said he did.

Gerald was a good man who only wanted to help, especially those who could not defend themselves. He was no criminal who killed other people or brought drugs to the streets of this city.

"I am still trying to figure that out. But stay vigilant." She could tell that Mike was sincere with his plans. But could he find a way?

"You said Gerald is coming to rescue me. Where is he?" She wanted to know.

She had to know.

"He is coming. That is all you need to know for now. But first, I need you to walk to the bar and order some juice. I will join you shortly." Mike left his instruction. "I will just make a quick check."

She could feel her entire body bursting with energy at the thought of breaking free from this place to be with the man she loved.

They were right. Gerald was alive.

Regarding what they were accusing him of, she guessed that was something she had to deal with once they would soon be back in each other's arms.

That was with the assumption nothing would go wrong.