PRINCE’S POV
Not that I care anyway, but it does hurt my ego. I’ve always been the man women make moves on, throwing themselves into my arms.
And now, for the first time, I decided to set my ego aside and make a move—and I end up being treated like a joke. Maybe I’m not as good as her ex.
I decided to ignore them. My secretary took my suitcase, opened the door to my office, arranged the folders, adjusted the air conditioning, and left.
I loosened my tie and sat down, opening my laptop. Yet, my mind couldn’t let go of the scene with Val and Dan. It kept replaying, over and over.
The secretary finished setting up the office, gave a polite bow, and left. I shut down my laptop, removed my glasses, and leaned back in my chair.
Determined to distract myself, I decided to video call one of my Brazilian models for the upcoming fashion show.
But even as we talked, my mind kept wandering. I could see her lips moving, but I couldn’t hear a word she was saying.
“I’m sorry, Jillian, can I call you back?” I finally interrupted, unable to focus. Annoyed, I shut my laptop and stormed out of the office.
As I passed by, I overheard Dan talking to Val.
“Can you at least kiss my finger so it’ll heal faster?” he teased.
She slapped his head playfully, and they both laughed.
“Mr. Dan, we need to talk. Now!” I barked, my frustration spilling over.
VAL’S POV
This is serious. Dan’s in trouble. I warned him about his loud laughter—it always draws attention.
Now he’s caught the boss’s eye. I can only imagine how the boss will roast him in his office with those sharp words of his.
As Dan walked into the boss’s office, Kamsy snapped, “Finally, some quiet.”
“Hopefully, there’ll be some real change around here,” Jennifer added smugly. “Some lunatics need to be sent home.”
“You two are just as noisy. Can you calm down, please?” Sarah, another colleague, muttered with an annoyed hiss.
“Are you talking to me? Wait until I regain my rightful position in this company,” Jennifer snapped back.
“Rightful position? What a joke,” Pete chimed in. “Your daddy being rich doesn’t mean you’re on the same level as him. You might hang around regular rich boys, but you’ll always be at the bottom of the ladder compared to the girls he mingles with.”
“Who is this male gossiper?” Jennifer fired back, glaring at Pete.
“Can you all keep quiet!” Fred’s booming voice silenced the room for a moment.
“Snitches everywhere,” Kamsy muttered, rolling her eyes.
I stayed silent, worried, and eventually sank into my seat. A few minutes later, Dan emerged from the office. I glanced at him, my eyes silently asking the question my lips wouldn’t dare.
He smiled at me—a signal that nothing serious had happened. I let out a sigh of relief.
Just then, the secretary approached me.
“Ms. Val, the boss wants to see you.”
I froze for a moment. What now? Please, not another threat to fire me. After spending weeks at home recovering, I’d begun to care less about the boss.
I used to have a huge crush on him, but things changed after that incident—and then the kiss. It had completely messed with my thoughts. I’d been trying so hard to move on.
He’s not my type.
An arrogant man with dangerously good looks—that’s a recipe for disaster. I’ve finally managed to push him out of my head, knowing it won’t end well if I don’t.
Crushes happen, right? But this can’t be love.
I walked into his office, finding him staring at his computer.
“You sent for me, Boss?” I asked, forcing myself to stay composed. Flashes of the kiss from the other day crept into my mind, but I fought hard to keep my emotions in check.
He removed his glasses and looked up, his piercing blue eyes locking onto mine.
“I thought you were a diligent worker when I first tested your potential. Turns out I was wrong. Why is there so much noise? Is this a kindergarten playground?”
Wow. I didn’t expect anything less from him.
“I’m sorry, Boss. It’s—”
“I don’t want to hear excuses,” he cut me off.
I immediately fell silent and looked down. Suddenly, he winced in pain.
Confused, I glanced up and saw his hand bleeding. It had happened so quickly. My instinct was to help, but I wasn’t sure if he’d let me.
“What are you staring at?” he snapped. “Aren’t you the company nurse, running around attending to everyone?” His tone dripped with sarcasm, clearly aimed at my earlier interaction with Dan.
I sighed and walked over to him.
“Get the first aid kit from the bathroom,” he instructed.
I nodded and rushed out, returning moments later with the kit. Carefully, I started dressing the wound.
“Sorry,” I murmured softly after each application.
I couldn’t help but wonder if he’d hurt himself out of anger toward me. One thing was clear, though: I was in very big trouble.