The Royal Contract

He knew what she was asking him. But his circumstances were different from hers. He knew the world he was about to face again since he had been there before.

This time, he would not let the red tape, unethical acts, and unbalance of justice corrupt and distract him from his goal of helping as many people as needed.

"Because I know it would do good than bad," Adam answered her question. "Besides, I think David and Evan are two of the most honorable and decent people I know. So, I don't think I am in the wrong hands."

He truly believed that. It was one of the reasons he had agreed to accept the job he had left a few years ago. He could tell that it would be different this time.

"I think you are right." Serena agreed with him, probably believing that his brother and their friend would never operate a shady firm that worked on gray areas.

"By the way, I met a friend of yours. Ken." He remembered to tell her about the young man while changing the subject.

He wondered if she knew the boy. Or if the boy had managed to trick him. But in truth, it did not matter. He would have helped Ken even if he did not know Serena.

She smiled at the mention of the young boy's name. She looked like she knew that intelligent and resourceful young boy.

"Ken?" She initially asked as her nose scrunched up, appearing to be thinking. "Are you talking about a young, sweet boy who lived in the street?"

Well, young and sweet boy was not the adjectives he would use to describe the young man. But he guessed they were talking about the same person.

"Yeah, I think that is him." He responded affirmatively, confirming that it was him. And that Serena knew him.

"Why? What happened to him? Is he ok?" Suddenly concern etched on her beautiful face.

He could tell Serena cared about the young street kid that came to his office for help. Still, he could not picture how the two had crossed paths and become friends.

"I should not have left him in the street. But he was very stubborn, not wanting to accept my help." Serena mumbled before he could say anything.

She looked like she regretted not helping the boy. But how could she force the kid to do what he did not want? He met the kid. And he knew he was indeed quite tenacious and headstrong.

"How is he?" She rattled on before he could utter a word.

Sometimes, he wondered how women could conjure several questions and say all those words in one breath. But he guessed that was their superpowers.

"He is doing fine. There is no need to worry." He quickly assured her before she could fire another set of questions.

"Then, how did the two of you meet?" She continued to grill him. But he did not mind since he felt the wall between them had cracked.

He also liked staring at the relieved smile on her face. She looked like a breath of fresh air. He believed he could gaze at her all day and night and never got bored.

"He breezed into my office, demanding that I give him the time of day because he said you are friends." He remembered the first time he met Ken.

He had to admit. He was both irritated and impressed with the boy's audacity and cunningness. Ken knew what he was doing, handling the situation with so much maturity.

"That sounds Ken, alright." She seemed to be proud of the young boy. "He could be tenacious when he wanted to be."

He could not disagree with her, observing the same thing with the boy.

"But what did he want from you?" Serena asked, looking curious this time. The worry lines on her forehead disappeared, replaced with a crooked smile and a slight chuckle.

"He had a friend who had a run with the law. But with his help, we had it sorted out right away." He explained, not wanting her to think of the worse when it involved the authorities.

"Would you like to move to the garden?" Suddenly she offered since they had already finished their chores.

Slowly, she moved toward the exit, with him following closely behind. Suddenly, he wondered what had happened to the other man he had met with her. He had not seen him yet. But he was not complaining. He believed it was for the best.

"So, they are back on the street," Serena stated, seemingly relieved to hear that her young friend remained free.

She encouraged him to join her on a bench near the fountain as they watched the water flow freely to the pond below.

"They are, but I wish Ken would listen and accept help. The street is not the right place for him." He concluded, thinking of what was best for the boy.

He also believed Ken should be back in school, using his smart ass to good use instead of wasting it on the street, hassling to survive.

But convincing the child could be a tremendous challenge, but something he would like to tackle once he went home.

"Yeah, maybe you would have better luck in convincing him." Serena looked at him as if she had faith in him.

He doubted that, but he would still like to try. But about this woman at his side, would he be able to convince her to give them a chance?

"Maybe it would be best if we could do it together." He dared himself to say. He came here for a reason, and he was not about to back out now.

"We?" She suddenly turned away from him, seemingly unsure of herself. "I don't think I am ready to go back yet."

He could see her eyes debating with herself. He noticed the chaos going on inside of her. But how could he help her?

"Why?" He wanted to take him into his arms and reassure her that everything would be ok. "What is stopping you from coming back?"

"You..."