The Royal Contract

Chapter 1187  Die-hard fan

He had been early at the office today to collect his things. It was his last day at work. And he wanted to pick up his few personal items and be on his way.

Then, he had to meet with his boss for his exit interview, hoping he could get a good recommendation for his next venture. After all, he would need all the help he could get with his new plans.

"It had been great to work with you. I learned a lot, not only in this profession. But you have been a great influence on my personal growth." He was not just saying that. It was all true.

If not for his bosses, Alex and Marcus, he would not have learned the value of life. How important it was to find his dream and priorities. Because of them, he realized the significance of maturity and responsibility.

"We only helped, Zach, but you did most of the hard labor. And honestly, your contribution in the short time you worked here is invaluable. We are saddened to let you go," Alex said as he closed his file.

He watched his boss move the file to the side, placing his hands on the table, entwining his fingers together as his eyes focused on him. It was like he was studying him.

"Thank you, Alex. That means so much to me. I hope that also means that you would give me a killer recommendation afterward." He jokingly said to his former boss. As of a minute ago, he was officially out of a job.

It had been a blast working for this man. But like an eagle, he had to spread his wings and learn to fly. If he wanted to be anything like this man, he had to start venturing on his own two feet.

"I can always create a position for you. We can always keep you and Ria together. You two make a great team." Zach heard his boss say, looking slightly hesitant to let him go. "Are you sure there is no way to persuade you to stay on?"

Alex was right about that. He and Ria had been a great team. But Ria already had her feet at the door. She was already climbing her way to her own success story. He did not want to rain on her parade.

As much as he did not want to leave Ria, he knew he had to work alone to find his path. Then, maybe at some point, they could meet halfway. But at the moment, they had to find their way without each other. At least professionally.

"That is a seductive offer. Under a different circumstance, I will grab the chance. But you must understand that this is not where I belong." Zach needed to be honest with him.

He had no intention of competing against his boss in the same industry. But he was hoping that they could work together in the future. The world was big enough for all of them. There was enough market for both of them.

"I will be honest. When you started here, I thought you were a lost cause. But you have proven me wrong." Alex said while shaking his head as if recalling the first time he saw him.

He remembered it was at the police station. Then, he also recalled how he presented himself to this man on his first day on the job. He was arrogant and irresponsible.

"I was still a piece of shit back then." He admitted. But he was not always like that. It just happened that he was not on his best behavior during those times. "But working for you had set me straight again."

Again, he was thankful to him and his partner, Marcus. And, of course. "I also owed my transformation to you, Alona." He knew she was listening at her desk, making his voice louder, so it would reach her ears more clearly.

She had been a great mentor when he first started working for Alex. She had shown him the ropes on how to impress his boss. If not for her, he might have quit on the first week on the job in the mailroom.

But she made him understand the value of hard work and working for a team. A valuable lesson that he would never forget in his entire lifetime. He guessed it was because Alex set a good example, and his entire workforce followed him.

"As I said, it is with a heavy heart that we are letting you go," Alex said, pushing a paper before him. "All you need is to sign that, and then you are free to go."

After signing the papers, he thanked Alex again and gradually walked out of his office with a heavy heart. He enjoyed working in this office with these talented and hardworking people. He would surely miss all of them.

"I hate saying goodbye. So, let us not do that." Alona stood at her table and walked toward him. "Now, if you need anything. Don't be a stranger." She said, acting like a big sister to him, more than a co-employee.

"I like that," Zach responded with a big smile, hugging her back. "I have to go. But expect my call soon." He told her as he walked out of that office.

However, he did not go straight to the elevator. Instead, he made a side trip. He strode toward the other hallway leading to the other end of the floor. Then, he stopped at the small room where it all started, his romantic interest in this fascinating woman.

"Knock, knock!" He said, knowing there was no door to her office. Then, the woman sitting at her tiny desk looked up with a cat-like grin on her lovely face.

He could tell that she was ecstatic. It was the day Alex would announce her promotion, her first step to the corporate ladder. Contrary to what others initially assumed, she got the job because of her hard work, not because he stepped down.

Although they initially stated that the best man or woman would win the position, they eventually changed it after they both performed well at their task. Alex and Marcus decided that they both deserved a promotion.

"Zach! How was it?" She asked as she stood from her desk to meet him halfway in her small cubicle of an office.

Although she was excited, he could feel in her hands when he took them that she was nervous. It was slightly trembling and sweaty, a definite sign that she was on her nerve ends.

"It was great. Alex still tried to stop me from leaving, but you know I have to." He already discussed this with Ria.

She understood that she was never second best to him. As a matter of fact, in his opinion, she had outdone him in many aspects of the job. And whatever she still lacked, she could easily manage to learn without a hitch.

Nevertheless, he supposed she had to learn to be more confident in her own skin and stop second-guessing her decisions. But he could not blame her after all that she had been through.

Still, he believed in her. He knew she would be just fine. She would eventually learn the ropes on how to handle her new position and excel in it. Besides, he would always be there to be her number-one supporter.

"Yeah. I know you will do great in whatever you plan to do." She said she was also his number one fan. "I am so proud of you for stepping out of your comfort zone and following your dream."

She placed her hand on both sides of his face as she stared at him, showing him through the glint in her eyes how much she believed in him. Suddenly, it reminded him how lucky he was to find a gem like her.

But he believed she was right. It would have been much easier to follow his father's legacy by pursuing a political career. But somehow, he had always known it was not the correct path for his future.

He learned through experience that he wanted something else. And this time, he was not afraid to work for it. He would not take the easy way to achieve success but take the hard road to a new career path.

"This is for us. I am doing this for our future. So, I hope you will never tire of believing in me." Zach took her into his arms, showing his overwhelming love for her.

"Never." One word that made his heart swell with happiness. But before they could say more, someone clearing her throat interrupted them.

"Ahem!" She repeated. This time, it was louder. "I am sorry to interrupt my precious love birds." From the tone of her voice, he could already determine who it was.

"Hi, Brenda." Ria greeted her first as she moved away from his embrace. "Do you need anything?" She asked her immediate superior.

He turned in time to see Brenda winking at Ria. He could only assume they had some private conversation he was not privy with. He did not mind since he could tell it was about him.

"Well, Alex is looking for you," Brenda said as she clapped her hands. "I think it is time. He wants you to go to the conference room." Brenda appeared very excited for his fiance. Well, he was too.

"Go break a leg," Zach said, encouraging her to enjoy this moment. After all, this was her big break.

"You are also requested to join us, you knucklehead." Brenda turned to him, addressing her statement at him.

Of course, he would not miss witnessing her achievement. As he said, he was her die-hard fan.