Chapter 35: Chapter 35

~ NYSSA

My eyes widened in shock. “I can’t. I don’t even know what you do here.”

She shrugged. “I trust that you will figure it out.”

For a split second, I thought she was fucking with me, that was until the phone rang and she put it on speaker, gesturing for me to take over.

It was then I realized that she was actually insane because there was no way in hell that she expected me to deal with her customers.

“Hello?” a voice crackled over the speakers. “Is someone there?”

Aria grabbed a notepad and scribbled something on it before sliding it over to me. I read the words, my mouth falling agape and my eyes narrowing in her direction.

“I’d very much like to keep this client,” she wrote. “Say something.”

I found myself speaking before I even knew what I was saying. “Hi, can you hear me?”

“It’s about time. I thought I called the wrong number.” The person on the other end grumbled. “Where is Miss. Henderson? I called to speak to her, not her assistant.”

Her spat the last word like it was an insult and I fought the urge to roll my eyes in annoyance.

When Aria smirked, I quickly realized why she asked me to take over.

It wasn’t that she couldn’t handle it herself, she wanted to test my patience. For whatever reason, I couldn’t tell, but I was done being a pawn in the Henderson’s games.

“She is actually right here,” I said, turning my attention to Aria. “I only answered for her. I’ll connect you to her right now.”

Silencing the receiver, I turned my attention to her.

She sat there in shock, clearly not expecting me to flip the tables back on her. Her mouth fell agape, her eyes shining with disbelief.

“I’m not your toy, and I’m not a puppet whose strings you can pull,” I told her. “I’m not a little girl eager to prove herself to you, and I’m not some fan girl dying for a chance to be in your world. If you want me to work for you, then you’ll pay me, and if you’re not, then leave me out of your fucking games.”

Before she could respond, I took my finger off the mute button and stormed out of the office, letting the door slam shut behind me.

I had no way of returning to the palace seeing as she was my ride, but that didn’t mean I was going to sit here and let her realize that.

I stormed out the front doors, careful not to break the glass door even in my anger.

The sun’s rays hit me full force and the smell of the busy street wafted up to my nose. It was a bit overwhelming at first, but after a few seconds, it became kind of comforting.

I wasn’t sure where I was going, but I let my legs lead me through the sea of people, my eyes scanning everywhere for a place I could sit.

There were so many buildings that I felt dizzy just by looking at them. Each building was different from the last. Some were modern, and some looked like something out of a medieval fantasy novel.

I was drawn to a little café a short walk away from the office.

The walls were brick red with vines crawling up the sides and hand painted flowers all over the walls and doors.

The smell of fresh pastries filled my nose and against my better judgment, I found myself drifting inside as if being pulled on an invisible rope.

The inside was even more colorful with flowers lining every windowsill, multicolored table covers and wooden chairs.

It was beautiful.

“I haven’t seen you around here before,” a soft voice drawled, causing me to turn so fast I nearly toppled over. “Careful now, we don’t want you to hurt yourself.”

The woman who spoke had salt and pepper hair that was tied up in a bun, and held back with a scarf. Her eyes held a certain sharpness that could only come from wisdom and age. Her apron was pink, with flowers and swirls painted all over it.

“Come sit at the counter,” she said softly. “I’ll get you some iced coffee.”

“I haven’t even ordered.”

She merely smiled. “It’s on the house.”

She turned away, not bothering to check if I was following.

I figured there was no harm in getting a free drink so I followed her, taking a seat on one of the wooden stools.

I watched her move around the counter with ease, pouring different things into a large plastic cup.

“Why is it empty?” I asked. “Your shop is beautiful. It should be full-”

“It usually is… when we’re open that is.”

A gasp left me. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t know you were closed.”

“I could tell,” she mused, mirth dancing around in her tone. “We open at nine so you’re only a few minutes off. It’s an honor to have a newbie as my first customer. Hopefully I get to see you around.”

I gave her a tight smile. “I don’t know about that. I’m not from around here.”

“Darling, everyone knows who you are. It’s not every day that the royal family gets a guest. Even if I didn’t know that, your tan told me everything. It barely gets hot here, and definitely not enough to give you skin that gorgeous.”

My cheeks flushed pink from her compliment. I lowered my head, trying to hide behind my hair, but she was not having it. She stepped in front of me, lowering until her eyes locked on mine.

“There’s no need to hide, I merely stated a fact.” She stood slowly, and this time, my eyes followed her. “How long are you here for?”

I wasn’t sure how to begin explaining the complicated situation surrounding my stay here so I opted for the simple answer. “A week plus.”

“Well then, let’s make it a great week.” She placed the drink in front of me. “Cheers.”

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