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“I’m just going to the movies,” I say in a wry tone.
“Well, you look beautiful, sweetheart,” my mom says.
“We just want you to have fun,” my father adds. “You work hard and deserve it.” They're right – I do work hard, and I do need a bit of relaxation. But actually, I’m going to get fired, and they don’t know that.
“Thanks, but I’ve got to go before I’m late,” I say, not meeting their eyes.
“Go and have fun,” my mom urges as she ushers me out the door. I nod before waving goodbye and climbing into a taxi. Then, I close the door behind me, feeling a mixture of emotions on the inside. I hate deceiving my parents, but I have to tonight.
“Where to?” the driver barks.
“To the palace,” I reply without hesitation.
With a jerk, the taxi driver speeds away from the curb. I close my eyes and listen to the sound of my thumping heart as I anxiously wait for the ride to be over. After all, the good part is that I’ll lay eyes on the handsome prince again. The bad part is that unfortunately, Prince Eric already hates my guts.
CHAPTER8
Kitty
My heart races with every step I take toward Prince Eric's private chambers. My feet drag with every step. There’s his door. Oh God, I should turn back and run right now. I want to so badly, but I can't. How can I face the Prince of Chromia? This is going to be awful, I know it.
Buck up Kitty! Getting fired can’t be so bad, the voice in my head cheers me on.It happens all the time.
Somehow, that doesn’t make me feel better. I take a deep breath and step right up to his door before knocking gently. I listen closely, but I don't hear a sound. Oh no, am I a fool? What if the invitation was all a part of my imagination? Should I barge in? But that would be a horrible repeat of this morning, right?
I fumble through my purse and pull out the crumpled piece of paper. I unfold it and read it again. I couldn't have imagined it because the invitation is right here in front of my eyes. I stuff the note back into my purse and knock again, this time harder. I press my ear against the door as I listen for the slightest bit of movement. From the other side, I hear a low rumble.
“Come in,” a deep voice sounds. Oh god, it’s really happening. My heart feels like it's about to jump out of my chest, and I swallow hard as I wrap my hand around the doorknob. I turn it slightly and push the door open. Light jazz plays in the background as I make my way into the suite, and of course, the space is just as beautiful as I left it this morning when I ran out. Then, I lay eyes onhimand the air evaporates from my lungs because Eric is breathtakingly gorgeous.
This man is a gladiator. A black t-shirt emphasizes the width of his chest, which tapers into a vee. Loose jeans hang from his hips just so, and his coal-colored hair is brushed off from a high forehead, which only emphasizes the piercing blue of his eyes. Suddenly, I feel very silly in my plain dress. I’d feel silly inanyoutfit because I’m obviously nothing but a mouse next to this god of a man.
But Eric strides toward me, his tall, dark frame literally making me tremble. Our eyes are glued together, and I can't believe this handsome man is staring atme; I feel completely warm and yet cold at the same time. How is that even possible? This feels like a dream, and I need to snap out of it.
“So,” he says, finally stopping about three feet from me. I’m puny before him, and try to stop myself from trembling like a leaf.
“So,” I repeat after him.
Those blue eyes gleam with amusement.
“You’re Kitty, hmm? The one who came into my suite unannounced this morning.”
“I did knock!” I protest, my cheeks already flushing. “I swear! But the music was playing and you were sleeping heavily—”
He cuts me off with a chop of his hand.
“So long have you been working at the palace? This morning was my first time seeing you around,” he drawls lazily.
I swallow.
“I’m still kind of new. I started three months ago,” I mumble, looking down at my feet.
“Well, I want to apologize for my bear-like demeanor this morning. I hope I didn’t scare you off,” he says.
I look up surprised.
“Oh no, it’s nothing,” I say quickly. “Don’t even worry about it.”
Eric looks thoughtful and gestures for me to take a seat on a nearby couch. I sit primly, crossing my legs and trying to look dignified.
