Deal Of Ending The Outdated Tradition

After Anthony sealed the deal with David and Harris, he excused himself to get some rest, leaving the two friends deep in thought about the commitment they had just made. The weight of their decision was palpable, but they both felt that, despite the challenges, it was a step toward a brighter future. 'Your Dad might have been contemplating this deal for a while," Harris speculated, a mixture of emotions in his voice. He believed Anthony aimed to put an end to the outdated tradition that had long governed their families' legacies. Still, hearing it directly from Anthony, who had once staunchly upheld the rules, felt surreal. 'Yeah," David agreed, his tone a blend of understanding and uncertainty. "He's been showing a softer side lately, maybe because of his age. It's hard to say. But one thing is certain: we can't let this opportunity slip through our fingers." Harris nodded in agreement. 'Absolutely. We need to seize this chance. Together, we're going to shape our own future, my friend. No more being controlled. That's the way life should be." 'Indeed," David chimed in, his voice filled with determination. "What good is all this wealth if it keeps you from having the love of your life by your side? It's meaningless!" From then on, they have sworn to help each other succeed in their goal of getting away from the life controlled every course by their family. 'Will you consider dating Amanda again?" Harris asked. David's eyes lit for a second, realizing the name of the love of his life but it was replaced with sorrow. 'It's too late, Harris. She has a boyfriend now," David bowed his head as he said it. Harris knows how much David and Amanda are madly in love with each other but their relationship didn't last long when his mom found out about it. David was forced to break up Amanda for her own safety and to keep living a normal life that she deserves. 'I'm sorry about that buddy. How did you know she has a boyfriend now? When was the last time you saw her?" Harris inquired with genuine concern, his eyebrows furrowing. 'I've talked to her brother just recently and asked about Amanda," David responded, his voice tinged with a mix of sadness and frustration. "He said, 'Amanda has a boyfriend now and I should stop stalking her.'" 'Wait! Are you seriously stalking her, David?" Harris asked, incredulous, his eyes widening. 'For the past 2 years," David admitted with a heavy sigh, his shoulders slumping, "she's constantly on my mind so I stalk her whenever I can. Can you blame me, Harris?" 'Of course not," Harris reassured him, his tone empathetic. "I totally understand you, David." 'I refused to believe what her brother said was true," David continued, his voice quivering with regret. "I couldn't wrap my head around the truth that Amanda is with someone else and not me. I should have chosen to stay with her. I wouldn't be miserable like this if I did." His words were filled with remorse and longing. 'Don't say that David, you had a different situation back then. It was even more complicated than mine," Harris tapped David's shoulder to console him. Back then, David had started working as CEO of Azure Oasis Hotel when he met Amanda. It was love at first sight as he confessed to Harris but Amanda wasn't having it as she had known of David as a playboy. David did everything to pursue Amanda like any man madly in love and after a few months Amanda fell hard on David. Their relationship was strong but short-lived. 'Now, I understand why you chose Mallory and your daughter, Harriet. You made the right decision, Harris. You're brave for doing so." 'Thank you, David. I never regret any second of it. They are worth fighting for. But please, don't compare my situation to yours," he paused before asking a nagging question in his head. 'David, are you sure, Amanda's brother was telling the truth?" 'I don't see any reason he would lie, Harris. Pete and I were pretty close when I was still with Amanda so, I think he was telling the truth." Harris nodded, thinking of ways to help his best friend. 'I am here for you, buddy. You know that. You'll get through this. I guess we are best friends for a reason. We have the same problem dynamics." David scoffed. 'I know," he laughed at all the stress he's dealing with at the moment. "Harris, how did your mom and Nicole react about the whole photo leaked incident?" 'Worse than you can think of. But I've talked to them both several times and just earlier I visited mom. Nicole was there after she almost attacked Mallory." 'Nicole attacking Mallory? Could she do that?" David was shocked. Nicole doesn't seem hostile especially as a professional business woman but not when it comes to women who get close to Harris. 'Oh, David, if I didn't arrive she would have slapped Mallory. Can you believe it? She would step so low. Bullshit!" 'What did you do?" David asked. 'Of course, I had to defend Mallory. I stopped Nicole, but she dropped the bomb I was afraid of telling Mallory. I've already told you about it on the phone. Nicole was a pain in the ass," Harris said, shaking his head. 'Harris, your family is the worst." 'I know, David. And what's worse, Mom and Nicole are not done yet, so we better work on our deal with your Dad. I couldn't let Mallory and Harriet continue suffering from my mishaps. Now that the press are pestering Mallory she couldn't live a normal life, and I feel helpless." Harris made a deal with the press to get rid of all the photos and issues regarding him, Mallory and even their innocent daughter Harriet. Yet the issues didn't die after weeks. He isn't sure if his Mom and Nicole are behind it. As they continued talking, they both became so drunk, and David insisted that Harris should sleepover and go home the next day since it would be the weekend. Harris wanted to go home so he had their driver take them to Harris's mansion. Mallory was secretly waiting for Harris to come home yet it was already 12 midnight and there's no sign of him home. She knows Harris's car and she would notice the sound when it is coming. After a while of waiting in her room, she went downstairs, hoping she would get to talk to some of the house helpers. And thankfully one of them was still awake. 'Miss, Mallory, do you need anything?" Kathy asked, a woman in her 40s. 'No, I'm fine," Mallory said, waving a hand to decline. "Kathy, did you notice if Harris had arrived?" She asked hesitantly. 'I'm sorry, Miss Mallory, but I fell asleep. I just woke up and felt the need to drink. But before he left, I heard him talking about meeting someone." 'Did you get the name of who he is meeting?" Mallory inquired. 'Sorry, Miss, but I didn't. If you're worried, maybe we can ask the driver to find Mr. Thompson." 'Ah, no, no, no," Mallory said, waving her hand dismissively. She tried to appear she cared less about the situation but deep inside it's the opposite. 'You may take a rest now, Kathy." She nodded as Kathy went back to the maid quarter. She couldn't help but feel guilty for giving Harris a cold shoulder after what she learned from Nicole. 'Who is he meeting," she muttered. A few minutes passed by when she heard a car coming close. It was an unfamiliar car. A man came out of it after the driver, it was her boss, David Steele, the CEO of Azure Oasis chain of Hotel that Mallory worked with. 'What is David doing here?" Mallory knows he is Harris's best friend. A realization hit her. He might be the one meeting Harris as Kathy told her. In the next second, David and the driver were helping Harris get out of the passenger's seat. 'God, Harris," she whispered. 'He is drunk." It's her first time seeing Harris drunk after 5 years. The last time she saw him drunk was during the event in Royal Vista Hotel. Mallory's heart melted seeing Harris look so helpless. She thought he must be drunk because of how she treated him earlier, feeding more of her guilt. She hurried and opened the door to let them in.