The Royal Contract

Chapter 339 – Saying Goodbyes

"Dad, I am not going out with him." She said with a slightly raised voice. She could not take any more of his matchmaking. 

Her father arrived at her apartment that morning with a cheerful smile and good news. She was aware that his company was on the brink of bankruptcy. 

That was why he was so desperate to marry her off to the next highest bidder. Whoever was this man, he probably promised to save his company for her hand. 

"But you have to. After all, you are not getting any younger. Sooner or later, your beauty would fade, and your body would sag, then what? What will you do to earn money?" John moved closer to her on the couch and held her hands.

He had to find a way to convince her to go out with this powerful and wealthy man. This man was his last hope for his company. Time was running out for him.

Although, he did hear some unusual things about him. He disregarded them, believing that his enemies were only discrediting him. In his case, what mattered was his interest in his daughter.

"Dad, I wish to stay single for a while." She stated, looking down at their entwined hands.

Since she was a child, she always tried to find ways to please her father. She constantly sought his approval. She loved him so much, and she wanted him to love her too.

Now, she learned the hard way that his father only loved himself. He was incapable of loving anyone else, not even her, his daughter. He only needed her for his gain and nothing more.

"Don't be foolish. There is nothing wrong with going out and meeting new people. I assure you that once you meet Mr. Zander Blake, you will like him." John reassured her, still trying to persuade her that it was for her interest and future.

She had to go out with Zander, he thought. He needed his business. The only way to get that was through her. She was the key to his millions.

He saw how Zander desired his daughter. When he opened up the topic that his daughter was single, he saw the glint of interest in his eyes. If only he could convince his daughter to go out with him and eventually marry him.

"But…" She stopped her words, knowing that it was futile to argue with him. Once he had made up his mind, he would not stop until she followed his wishes.

However, this time, she had enough of his manipulations. She could not continue to do his bidding even if she ended up disappointing her father.

Suddenly, she longed to get away again, to find some refuge away from her father. The idea of arranging herself for marriage was once again becoming more promising than letting her father choose for her.

"You will go out with him tonight. That is final." Her father stated with a calm voice, but she knew what it meant. She had no choice in the matter but to obey her father.

Her father left her apartment with a satisfied smile, feeling victorious. He assumed that he still had control over his daughter. She would do what he asked her to do.

She paced her apartment, debating with herself if she should follow his father or completely ignore him. Was she ready to disobey his wishes? 

On the other side of the city, Troy was packing his things. He was the one ready to leave everything behind. He did not see the point of staying in this place when it only held sad memories.

His business was already doing well. He had assigned one of his trusted friends to manage it for him. He was ready to expand his business in another place. His new investors were already waiting for him.

A knock on the door alerted him of a visitor. He walked towards it to check it out, only to find one of the new friends he met during his stay in this building. "Jacky, do you need anything?"

"I heard that you are leaving. I wonder if…" But she stopped when she saw the boxes around his living room floor. "I guess it is true." She pointed to the room.

"I am just packing, but it is true. I plan to leave soon. I am transferring to another state. I have a good offer for a new business venture." He explained, telling her half of the story. "Do you want to come in?" He offered, opening the door wider for her.

"Sure. So, are you leaving without saying goodbye to us?" She did like Troy. He was funny and charismatic. He had been a good friend in the short time that they had known each other.

"Of course not. I am just busy with the transfer and fixing the things that I will be leaving behind. But I plan to invite you girls so that I can say goodbye. You are my friends, after all." Troy stated as he sat across from her on the sofa.

"We are going to miss you. Dani would surely miss her jogging buddy." Jacky felt a bit sad since she got used to having him around just down the hall. 

There were times that she did bother him on some occasions. Like a broken faucet or a stuck cabinet door or something else. He never once complained about her demanding attitude. He had become handy to be around.

"I doubt that. Dani hasn't been around lately." It had been a while since he last ran with her. He knew that she was staying more in her fiance's apartment.

He was happy for her, for finding the man that would make her happy. He was also glad that he realized earlier that she was not meant for him before he fell in love hard for her.

"I am sure that Dani will still miss your company. You are one of our best friends now." Jacky meant what she said. She did consider him as part of their small group.

"You mean that. You both consider me your best friend." He was slightly overwhelmed to know that he had gained friends, true friends. He did cherish the time he had spent with these two ladies.

"Of course. So, I expect to keep in touch. You have to tell us all about your new venture and maybe invite us to your new place once you get settled." Jacky insisted, slightly sad that he was leaving.

However, she was also happy that he looked different. As if the shadows under his eyes were gone. He looked like a burden was lifted on his shoulders.

She had tried to ask him before if he had a problem. But he kept dodging her questions, not able to share with her what was bothering him. But it seemed that he finally resolved the issues.

"Definitely. I like that." He agreed with her suggestions. He would love to remain friends with Jacky and Dani. They were a few of the people he could honestly call his friends.

"So, what do you want me to do?" She offered her services. She had nothing to do in her apartment anyway. She might as well help him pack.

She hated losing a friend, especially when they had already crept into her life.. She never liked saying goodbyes because it meant that she was about to be alone again.