The Royal Contract

Chapter 592: No one would be the wiser

She felt slightly guilty for surprising him. It was not her intention. She only stood on the side as not to disturb him or eavesdrop on his conversation.

“Not long,” Dani assured him, moving from his side to the front of the table.

Gerald quickly stood from his seat to offer her one. “Will you join me for lunch?” Pulling a chair for her beside him.

He quickly set aside his musing as he attended to her. He would not mind eating another meal if she joined him. He could not let an opportunity like this pass by.

However, his mind still would not stop thinking if she had seen him dining with his friend, Mike. But if she had just arrived a few minutes ago, she might not have seen him.

“Actually, I am here to invite you to join us.” She pointed at the table not far away from where she stood. “I am having lunch with my husband and a friend when I notice that you are alone.”

She tried to explain why she had come over to his table. She appreciated his offer. But it was her turn this time to do a good deed.

.....

She assumed that he had not eaten anything yet. But the slight smudge of watermark on a recently cleaned table indicated that he must be done having his lunch.

“Oh!” He remarked, turning his head in the direction of his hand. He quickly acknowledged her husband, not wanting to appear anything but friendly.

As much as he wanted to avoid the couple as he originally planned. He contemplated if it was a better idea to join them instead.

As the saying went, keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Were they friends or enemies? That remained to be seen after his careful assessment of the situation.

He could certainly use this opportunity to get near the couple. He could exploit this growing friendship to his advantage. If he wanted things done better, he should do it himself. That was what his father always told him.

“But if you are finished, I don’t want to keep you from your busy schedule.” She felt slightly awkward, seeing that she might be interrupting his busy schedule. “I am sure you have more important things to do than join us for lunch.”

Judging from his table, he must have an early lunch date with a client. Now, he must be in a hurry from the call she observed earlier. It felt like she just interrupted him from an important matter.

“No, not at all.” Gerald quickly replied to her. “I will love to join you and your companion.” He added, finally deciding what course to take.

He loved to take on the challenge of spending time with them. It would be interesting to see what would happen during the meal. He would like to know what he would learn from the couple during their conversations.

“Then, we are delighted to welcome you to our table,” Dani responded with a friendly smile, glad that he accepted her invitation.

She gestured for him to follow her, but he excused himself for a second to make another phone call. He promised to join them in a minute or two.

Dani returned to her table with a smile at her husband. She was happy that she could return the favor he had shown her. Then, an idea also occurred to her as she neared their table.

“I just convinced him to join us,” Dani told Alex, who assisted Dani back on her seat. “I really want you to meet him. He is my boss and good friend.” She directed her attention to Haley.

She would like to introduce her friend, Haley, to her other friend and boss, Gerald. She was not playing matchmaker. It was not her initial intention, but who knew, maybe they were indeed a match.

Both of them were single and available as far as she knew. Haley was not in a relationship, and so thus Gerald. They could both use an introduction.

“If he is a potential client or donor. Then I might be interested.” Haley jokingly responded, knowing that she was not looking for anything else in the meantime.

But, she could not offend her friend and her husband by declining to meet their friend. It would be rude and uncharacteristic of her. She had always been a friendly person.

“He could be a potential donor since he loved to do some pro bono cases with me,” Dani explained to her friend.

She had seen how many people he had tried to help with his cases. Winning them one by one, without waiting for anything return. To her, he was a magnificent lawyer.

Gerald had truly inspired her to continue with her mission. To change the justice system and help the oppressed people who did not have a voice in the rules of the law.

“I am sure that anyone who will hear your pitch will never hesitate to donate to your cause.” He told her, assuring her that meeting Gerald would be fruitful for her foundation.

He was already donating to some other organizations, helping the different sectors of society. Still, he would never hesitate to give more to those who would badly need them.

“Here he comes,” Dani warned the two who were still discussing the man in the suit on his way to their table.

Gerald stopped in front of them and greeted the group. Dani automatically introduced her husband, but they already knew each other from previous encounters.

Then, she introduced her friend, Haley, to her boss, Gerald. They shook hands, and Gerald helped Haley back to her seat like a true gentleman.

Now, Gerald sat across from Alex, sitting beside Haley on the table. He did not mind since he was here to observe Alex. But, he could use Haley as a cover for this little get-together.

“Haley is involved in many charitable foundations. Maybe you might be familiar with some of it. At the moment, we are talking about a new project.” Dani told Gerald, letting him in the topic of conversation.

She believed that the more people who would want to get involved in the project, the better. It would provide more support and funding for the beneficiaries.

“You know me, Dani. I try as much as I can to help in any way possible. If you need my help in this. You can count on me.” Gerald offered, appearing genuinely interested in the subject matter.

He had hidden his real identity through his career and many charitable works. Who would think that he, a reputable lawyer who defended the masses and helped them in their needs, would be a criminal? No one.

Everybody praised his name in broad daylight for his accomplishment but cursed him at night for his illegal activities behind the shadows of the night.

“Really?” Haley could not contain her excitement that another one had just pledged his support to her cause.

She could not believe her luck today to have three prominent figures interested in helping her. She immediately shook the hand of the man who was sitting by her side, thankful for his help.

“Anything to help. If not for these people, I will be nothing.” He did speak the truth.

He knew his underground businesses flourished because of most of the people he was helping. Some of them were involved in most crimes happening on the street.

Gerald observed the man sitting across from him, remaining a bit silent. He wished to see his reaction to his presence. He wanted them to be friends and had no wish to poke the bear.

He did not want any of them to suspect anything suspicious about him. So, in this case, no one would be the wiser.