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The Royal Contract-Chapter 1310: The secret
It had been a long morning, but she still had numerous things to do. She was not complaining because she liked being busy. Still, she felt exhausted.
She was on her way to the manager's office to show him the latest plans for the last leg of the project. She had been working on it last night and all morning.
She wanted his approval before she proceeded with the rest of the plans. However, she had to stop when she heard someone greet her. The voice sounded familiar.
"Jacky?" She could already tell even before she saw her face. "Jacky!" Surprisingly greeting her friend, who she did not expect to see on this isolated island.
She opened her arms to welcome her friend into a friendly hug, kissing her on both cheeks before partially letting her go.
"Haley, I am so happy to bump into you. I have been looking for you." Her friend expressed enthusiastically, but she also noticed the urgency in her voice.
She also remembered hearing something about her brother. She could not help but wonder what that was all about.
But, of course, if Jacky was here, her husband was not far behind. She turned to look at her friend's back and behind her, wondering where her brother was.
"Where is Marcus?" She finally inquired when she could not find signs of her brother nearby.
She believed her brother would never let his wife out of sight, especially in her condition. Therefore, she was surprised to see her sister-in-law was alone in this crowd. ƒreewebɳovel.com
Still, she was more surprised that Jacky knew where she was. Nobody was supposed to know her location. Besides, she was using a fake name. So, how did she find her?
"He is currently in a meeting," Jacky answered as she moved closer to her side. "Is there a private place where we can talk?" She lowered her voice as if she did not want the passersby to hear.
Haley could not deny that she was curious. She had many questions that required answers. But she guessed doing it in front of the guests was not ideal. Stay updated through novelbuddy.com
"I see." She thought her brother had changed. But what could she expect? Her brother was a workaholic, just like their father and her. "Come with me."
She grabbed Jacky's arm and guided her through the thin crowd across the lobby. She knew a quiet place where they could talk, where nobody would interrupt them.
They made their way to a narrow hallway closed to the public. Then, they turned to another corner until they reached a door. Inside was her private working area, where she sometimes did her designs.
"You truly made a magnificent work on this place. It is enchanting." Jacky complimented her work as they entered the room. Her friend went straight to the window to marvel at the view.
She would be honest. She had never worked this hard her entire life on a project. But she could only say that this was the perfect assignment.
Despite the resort's location, the owner never gave her a limit to the resources she needed. She had free reign on the designs she wished to follow.
Most of all, she seemed to have all the time in the world to be creative and productive. Lastly, she had great motivation as she touched her growing belly.
"I think the location is already magnificent in the first place. I only added to its value." She was not being modest, but nature spoke for herself. She could not take all the credit.
She could design the best buildings and facilities, but without the backing of their surroundings, it would not come out as great as this treasure in the middle of nowhere.
"Well, yeah! I agree to that." Jacky consented as she continued to watch the people strolling along the beachside. "But still, you have to admit. What you have done to the place was incredibly awesome."
She guessed she could not keep denying that this was her pet project. She had always dreamt of designing a place like this.
She had many magnanimous projects before, but most of it was in the middle of a buzzing city. She had never handled a project like this.
"I guess." She eventually conceded, knowing she would never win against Jacky's determination. "But, would you like something to drink?"
She could ring her assistant to get them refreshments while they talked. She could certainly use one, feeling the dryness of her throat.
When she agreed, she quickly called Trixie, ordering her favorite and adding light snacks. She could tell that a pregnant woman was always hungry. She knew she was.
"So, why is Marcus here? What business is he attending to?" She could not help but snoop around her brother's activities.
Especially when he and his wife suddenly appeared at the place where she was hiding. She did not believe much in coincidences. More often than not, they were not accidental but planned encounters.
"Alex and Dani are buying the resort. Soon, you will be working for them." Jacky informed her, which shocked her. She did not expect that.
She never even heard that the resort was up for sale. Therefore, the news was completely unexpected. Suddenly, a new set of questions rushed into her head.
"That is good news." She could not find a problem with that. Alex and Dani were her close friends. She knew she could also trust them with her life.
However, Jacky had not answered most of her questions. She was only adding up to them. But she was glad that her friend had given her a heads-up.
"Yeah, but there is more." Jacky ate the pie with the local's ingredients, slightly making her struggle in her speech.
She hastily grabbed the cold fresh drink and relieved her full mouth by pushing the food down her esophagus.
She guessed a pregnant woman could not stop eating as she earlier predicted. Just like her friend, she, too, was always hungry.
"I could tell you have many questions about why I am here." Jacky finally placed her fork down, looking more serious than earlier.
She nodded in acknowledgment, not bothering to respond since she did not want to break her friend's momentum. She believed it was better to listen first before asking questions.
"Mike told us about your location. But before you get mad at him and think that he betrayed you. He didn't." Jacky spoke fast, not giving her a chance to form a conclusion.
Then, she looked directly into her eyes while holding onto her arms. "Mike also told us about your situation and condition."
That explained why her friend did not comment on her almost visible bump. She already knew that she was pregnant. And, of course, she must also realize that it was Gerald.
"Did something happen to him? Is there a problem?" Suddenly fear grew inside her, engulfing her like wildfire.
Was she in danger?
Was her father coming here to get her?
That was the only logical explanation she could think of. She believed Mike would have come himself if nothing was wrong with him and not sent her brother and his wife to get her.
"I don't want you to worry. Mike is fine, but he is busy at the moment. He likes to involve your brother in your situation to add to your protection." Jacky explained to her, clarifying Mike's absence.
Come to think of it, Haley noticed that she had not heard from him since yesterday. Usually, he called her every morning or late at night.
"Ok. That made sense." Haley understood that she had put a lot of pressure on Mike when he helped her. She sometimes felt guilty for burdening him with her problems.
However, Haley believed she should be thankful that Mike thought of her brother. She firmly believed if there was someone she could trust other than Mike, it was him.
Although she did not want to burden her brother with her problem because of Jacky's delicate condition, she guessed it was too late.
"But you said you wanted to talk to me before my brother did? What is that about?" She asked, wondering what that was all about.
Was there something wrong she should know about that her brother did not want to tell her? She would expect that from her brother since he had always been overprotective of her.
"Haley!" She heard her name from across the room, by the door, before Jacky could answer.
She had no problem recognizing the voice as her brother's. She quickly looked up to see her brother walking toward them.
His face registered a warning, directing his sight at his wife. She could only assume it had something to do with her question.
"Marcus!" But despite everything going through her head, only one thing rushed to her mind.
She stood up and met her brother halfway. Then, she wrapped her arms around him, hugging her brother tightly, just like the million times she had done before.
She always came to her brother for help. And he never failed to provide her assistance. He had been her protector all her life, and now he came again to her rescue.
"Haley, I am so glad you are safe." He whispered into her ears as he hugged her back.
She could feel his love enveloping her, just like when they were young and as long as she could remember. She knew she could always count on him.
Then, they walked together toward Jacky, who waited and watched what transpired between them. But she could see a look on her face that made her wonder.
"What is going on?" She could tell there was more to their visit than just wanting to see her and ensuring she was safe.
What was the secret they were not telling her?