CARLY
“You don’t have to bring her meal every day or cook for her, Mr. Thorn. Her Royal Highness can take care of herself now. She now learned how coffeemaker and toaster work.
“I knew how to use them since before,” I defended myself when she started to exaggerate things.
“She even made us sandwiches today without burning my new pan.”
“Just let him in.” I rolled my eyes as I put my cup and saucer into the dishwasher.
“Look? She learned that too. I wish I have pushed her sooner to go out on a date if she could learn this fast in the kitchen. I wonder if she learned something else…”
I cleared my throat.
“In the bedroom…” she trailed off. “I mean, bed making.”
“Her Royal Highness is a smart woman, Ms. Baseem.”
“I have no doubt, Seth.” She left us and shut the door behind her.
“Ma’am, you seem with Mr. Langston quite often.”
I arched a brow. “And is there a problem with that?”
“No, ma’am. I want to make sure he’s treating you all right. Does he know who you are?”
I grabbed my bag from the couch and headed toward the door. “You know the answer to that.”
“Is that a good idea?” He followed me to the elevator, locking the door behind him.
“Tell me, Seth.”
“If you’ve grown to like him, we both know it’s not a good decision to keep who you are from Mr. Langston. First, he should treat you properly. Second, he must learn the protocol of having a relationship with a royal.”
I glared at him as I punched the L button harshly. He knew I wasn’t happy keeping secrets, but talking about my family made me angry early in the morning.
“We’re only dating for a few weeks. Let’s not get too excited about introducing him to my world. The last time I checked, my relationship outside the royal didn’t end well.”
“I saw how Mr. Langston looked at you and how you look at him.”
“No.” I rolled my eyes. “And why is everyone is expert nowadays? And suddenly interested in Langston and me.”
At the office, I focused on work. I ignored the look on Rome’s face every time our gazes locked, even if it was hard to. I even refused to join him over lunch.
I decided to join the rest of the employees at the cafeteria.
I found an empty table and enjoyed my lunch until I realized how everyone looked at me and started murmuring.
“He can’t be serious. She’s not even that pretty,” murmured that woman with a boob job.
“Sorry, girl. But I think she’s banging him to keep the assistant job. She wasn’t supposed to be hired. I mean, she lacked the experience. Either she has a good backer, or she made her way through the bed. Know what I mean?” said the black woman.
“How do you even know that? And who wouldn’t bang our boss anyway? I would gladly spread my legs for him.” The fake blonde with fake lashes giggled. “Even for free, just for one night.”
“You’re disgusting.” The boob-job woman cringed.
“Well, she must be so good at her job if she lasts this long,” the black woman said, and they all laughed.
“Ignore them.” The thirty-ish curvy woman joined me.
“I’ve heard worse.” I sipped my sofa noisier. “And I could care any less,” I said out loud before I rose to my feet.
They all went silent. I’d had enough people who bullied me, and they were not even the worse.
“You.” I pointed at the blonde. “You.” to the black woman, and then to the boob job girl, she thought she was better than me. “And you can talk rubbish behind my back or right into my face. I don’t give a bloody damn, but never at your boss’ boss’ boss. Got me? Because what you spend for your boob, for your hair dye, cheap lashes, and your nails depend on him.” I fixed my skirt. Yeah, I wore a skirt today. “And I can afford to live a pretty life without an assistant job or sleeping with my boss. Now, if you are done with your lunch, get up, and work your asses. You’re not paid to spread lies and gossip. Don’t worry. I will make sure what I heard earlier will not reach his office.”
“Storm!”
My pounding heart skidded to a dead stop. Silence penetrated the cafeteria.
There he was, standing patiently, waiting at the door in all his glorified, handsome smile. He even waved at everyone as if he was running for a higher government position. Well, in my opinion, he could have won in a landslide.
“Coming, sir.”
“Forgive her manner. She’s a little bit overprotective of me. But she’s right on one thing, though. You can talk behind my back, but make sure it’s the truth.”
I shut my mouth close as I followed him to his office. He then shut the door behind me and pressed me against it before he slammed his mouth into mine in a fierce and savage kiss. He bit my bottom lip until I squirmed, and he let it go.
I was catching my breath when he broke the kiss. “What was that for?”
“I don’t give a fuck if you are my assistant, and the whole world knows that I’m dating you.”
My heart nearly stopped. My brain froze. I swallowed hard and shook it off before my brain began to work again.
“Maybe I do. I just defended you from those feeling saint goody-two-shoe bitches, and now you are telling me you want them to know?”
“So? I bought a dying company and am transferring you to one of SH Global’s subsidiaries as the new CEO.”
“You’re kidding.” My anger rose. “Stop controlling me.”
“Storm-”
“You told me our relationship would not come between our jobs.”
“Yes, until I fell for you.”
I thought I froze. Stunned, I just stared at him with an open mouth.
“I couldn’t just pretend that we’re not together when we are. I couldn’t hold my feelings anymore. I want to hold you, kiss you, and it’s killing me that our jobs are coming our way. We are supposed to be happy. Not just on weekends. That is not a relationship I want, Storm.”
I almost felt dizzy from holding my breath for too long. “I can’t.”
“I’m not that guy who gave up on you. Trust what we feel. Give a little trust in our relationship. This is not some kind of a weekend fling. Believe me, I tried. It just won’t work for me anymore.” He held my hand. “It wasn’t a part of my plan, I know. I’m scared too, but it’s all out of my control.”
I looked away and blew a deep breath before I met his gaze again. “I feel the same. Let me think about your offer.”
“And if you don’t accept it? Where does our relationship stand?”
“Are you gonna fire me?”
He narrowed at me. “No. I know you want this job.”
“At first, I needed this job. Then I started to enjoy working with you. But if you are willing to offer me a better job because you want our relationship to work, then I’m considering it. But give me a few days to think about it first.”
“Thank you.” He pressed her lips into my forehead before he kissed me on my lips for a few moments.
“I haven’t checked your offer, actually. So that’s it, huh? A CEO job?”
“You still work for me.”
I rolled my eyes. “Whatever floats your boat, boss.”
“Go ahead. Cade is waiting for you. Good luck.”
“I’m not going to a battle, Langston. But thanks.” This time, I was the one who kissed him.
***
“Hi, Auntie. Thanks for inserting me into your pretty hectic schedule.” We kissed on the cheeks.
“Anything for my niece, Your Royal Highness.” We settled on the furry couch.
“Please, auntie. I’m just Carly.”
“It’s faux, my dear.” She must have noticed the reaction on my face before I sat down.
“It’s alright.” I smiled politely.
“So, how was it working with Rome Langston?”
I shifted in my seat, and it didn’t miss her eagle-eye scrutiny.
“I see.” She reached out for my hand. “I saw it the very first time I saw you and Mr. Langston dancing. And the feeling is mutual, my princess. But are you taking the big step of telling him who you are? Trust me. It isn’t easy to keep a huge secret about your life from someone you hold dear. Take it from my experience.”
“What do you want me to do, auntie?”
“Tell him now before your brother will.”
I pulled my hands. My eyes went wide. “What do you mean?”
“Seth didn’t tell you?”
“Tell me what?”
“Your brother arrived early this morning. And he’s paying you a visit.”
“Oh, no. I need to tell Rome before it’s too late.” I was already on my feet, grabbing my bag.
So, this was what all about-the questions and concerns earlier. He could have just told me without being too cryptic.
She nodded, showing me her support. “You can do it, Princess.”
I repeatedly nodded, swallowing hard.
Thirty minutes later, I was still stuck in the traffic.
Great. The universe hated me.
“Can’t this get anymore slower?”
“Sorry, Miss Storm.” Cade gave me an apologetic look.
“I hate traffic. Maybe we can walk?” I suggested, even if it sounded stupid.
“In that outfit?”
I looked down at my white blouse and blood-red leather pencil skirt, grimacing. My dress was appropriate, but my shoes would kill me before I reached a block. I sighed and sagged against the seat.
I dialed Rome, but he didn’t answer. I called his office-nobody picked up.
Where is he?
CARLY: Rome, before I accept your offer, I need to tell you something very important. OMW. See you.
I sent my message.
Thankfully, the traffic started moving.
Once I arrived, I used his private elevator since he gave me access.
I was catching my breath as I rushed to my desk and threw my bag onto my chair. Then I froze for a moment. The first thing I saw was Zee standing outside Rome’s office. Then two guards in black suits. The physical feature seemed familiar.
It’s too late.
“Zee?”
He dropped his gaze, pushing the door open for me.
No, no, no. This is not happening right now.
“Langston!” I sprinted inside his office only my body froze momentarily as if I had just turned into ice under the sun, rapidly melting.
But what was worse than seeing a familiar figure standing next to Rome?