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Tyler
Seattle, Washington
“Mr. Carrington? Sir?”
I looked up from my notes, realizing five executives were staring at me in anticipation. I had no idea how long they were standing there or what I was even doing here.
No one on the outside knew that Chloe and I were no longer talking, but her absence these past few weeks had left an immense hole in this building.
Everyone felt it.
“Yes?” I asked.
“We’ve completed the final schedule for the bestsellers we’re sending on tour next quarter,” Miss Swan said. “Are we free to leave for the weekend?”
“Of course.” I forced a smile. “Enjoy your weekend.”
They filed out of the room, but Miss Swan stayed behind.
“May I help you with something?” I asked.
“Permission to speak off the record?”
“Not unless you want to join the other employees I’ve had to let go for discussing my personal life.”
“I think you should take some time off. I mean, you’re good at what you do—much to everyone’s surprise—given the whole royal, well, you know…” She didn’t finish her sentence. “You just look really depressed.”
Iamfucking depressed.
“Anyway,” she said. “In the grand scheme of things, I’m glad you became our CEO. Oh, and I know Chloe resigned for personal reasons, but can you give her this gift for me? Technically, it’s for you, too.”
“So, you’re asking me to fire you?”
“I’ll risk it.” She stepped forward, pulling a small grey gift bag from her purse. “It’s from everyone in our department.”
I stared at it.
“Have a great weekend, Mr. Carrington.” She left my office, and I waited until she slammed the door shut.
I pulled out a wrapped silk square and untied its light green ribbon.
It was a miniature-sized memory book with a picture of Chloe and me on the cover. This photo was long before our relationship was exposed, before anyone in the office knew.
Or, so I thought.
We were sitting on the blue sofa in my office, Chloe leaning against me and smiling, my arm wrapped around her shoulder, seconds away from tasting her lips.
The book's cover read, “The Prince and Princess of Rogue Publishing.”
I trailed my finger against Chloe’s cheeks and sighed.
The door to my office suddenly opened, and I braced for another executive.
No one from my staff stepped through the doorway, though.
It was Hazel.
