There was no other seat empty. Everyone in the room glanced toward Val.
Did that mean she was supposed to stand as a punishment?
"Sir, but there's no other-"
"Sit in the one behind me," he cut her off tartly, his voice devoid of humor, like a strict father reprimanding a stubborn child.
That was his seat. Did he actually want Val to sit on his almighty lord throne?
"Sir, but it's yours..." Val protested, her voice soft but steady.
The rest of us sat there like silent potatoes, watching as though we didn't exist.
Mr. Prince walked over to our side, grabbed her wrist, and dragged her toward his seat. My chest tightened at the sight of his hand wrapping around her wrist-her injured right hand.
Ignoring her protests about the pain, he continued until they reached his chair.
"Sit right here. This will be your seat from now on," he instructed coldly.
Val hesitated before sitting down slowly, massaging her arm with a pained expression. She looked so defeated. I wanted to intervene, but the drama had already spiraled out of control.
My mind drifted back to earlier when he questioned me about my relationship with Val.
Was he naturally a sadist? Why was he always irritated when she was near me? Or could it be what I was thinking? No, it couldn't be. Could he actually be jealous? Impossible. There was no way Mr. Prince, of all people, would be attracted to Val. He'd never shown the slightest interest in her.
VAL'S POV
I sat in the CEO's chair, my back straight and my heart pounding. Everyone in the room was facing me, but I couldn't see them-he was standing right in front of me, intentionally blocking my view as he addressed the team.
Every time I tried to glance left to catch a glimpse of Dan, Mr. Prince shifted his body to block that side. The same happened when I looked to the right.
"Any questions?" he asked, his tone clipped.
I raised my hand, but he ignored me.
"Yes, Mrs. Kamsy?"
Mrs. Kamsy? My heart sank a little at the reminder of her marital status. I tried not to let my thoughts linger on the past.
"I need to use the restroom. I'm really pressed," Kamsy said.
"Do you need permission for that? We're not students," Jennifer interjected sarcastically.
"Why do you need to use the restroom in the middle of a meeting?" Mr. Prince asked.
"She's pregnant, sir. It's unintentional," the female staff chorused in her defense.
"And Miss Jennifer, get your things ready. I see you've been angling for a replacement," he snapped at Jennifer, shutting her down.
"Next question!"
"Sir, about the modeling practices..." Pete began hesitantly.
"I'll discuss that with the host," he replied curtly. "Next!"
I decided to speak up.
"Sir, I-"
"I see there are no more questions. Get back to work," he interrupted, ignoring me completely.
Kamsy smirked, and I could hear her soft laugh. The meeting ended, and everyone stood up as the boss left the room.
I remained seated, humiliated. Dan approached me, concern etched on his face.
"Are you okay?" he asked softly.
I nodded slowly, trying to keep my composure.
"Aren't you coming back to work?"
"My mental health is important to me," I said quietly. "If I go back, all they'll do is laugh and mock me. Kamsy will lead the charge."
I bent my head, hiding the tears threatening to spill. My arm throbbed painfully.
Dan sighed. "Alright. Please don't overthink it. I'll check on you later."
As if he had been waiting for Dan to leave, the boss walked back into the room.
I quickly wiped my tears and turned my face away.
"I don't pay you to sit here," he said sharply.
I ignored him.
"Are you ignoring me now?"
Silence.
He laughed bitterly, running his fingers through his hair. "Wow. This is a new one. An employee ignoring her boss. What kind of drama haven't I seen with this team?"
Then he grabbed my hand, pulling me to stand.
"It's hurting me... please... stop!" I cried out, unable to hold back the tears.
The pain in my right arm was unbearable. This time, I couldn't just wince-I sobbed.
He stopped abruptly, turning away and letting go. I collapsed back into the chair, cradling my swollen arm.
PRINCE'S POV
I froze, guilt washing over me. How could I have forgotten about her injury? What kind of idiot was I?
How would she ever believe this wasn't intentional? I'd been so needlessly angry with her, and I didn't even understand why.
All I knew was that I couldn't stand seeing her near Daniel. It made me irrational, and I hated how much she was occupying my thoughts.
I wanted to walk away, to let this go before it spiraled into something I couldn't control.
But as I reached the door, I hesitated, as if something was holding me back.
"Don't do it, Prince. Why would you apologize? You're a man," I heard my father's voice echo in my head.
"Women are meant to be submissive. Hurting them is normal if it keeps them in line. Never apologize. Walk away like a king."
I was seven when my father first told me that, after I accidentally pushed my mother and caused her to burn her hand in hot oil. I had cried and apologized then, but growing up, I saw my father hurt her again and again. She endured it because she believed it was her duty.
But I don't want to be like him.
I walked back to Valerie and knelt in front of her, so we were at eye level.
"I didn't realize it was your right hand," I said softly, almost pleading.
She ignored me.
"Let me see your arm."
She hesitated, then slowly held it out. Her arm was swollen and hot to the touch.
"I'll call a doctor."
"It's fine. The pain's eased a bit," she replied, frowning.
"Why didn't you say something earlier? Why come to work when it's not healed?"
"Blame me if it makes you feel better," she snapped.
"I'm sorry."
"Sorry doesn't fix anything."
Her sharp words stung, and my frustration boiled over.
"You should consider yourself lucky I even apologized."
"Why should I? Are you some sort of god?" she shot back, her eyes blazing with defiance.
Before I could stop myself, I cupped her face and leaned in to kiss her.
It didn't last long.
A sharp slap brought me back to my senses.
"Enough of your harassment! I'm not some toy for you to play with. I'm done letting people hurt me because of my weak heart. I'm done!" she yelled, tears streaming down her face.
Her words stung deeper than I expected, and my anger flared. How dare she?
I raised my hand instinctively, but she flinched, curling up to protect herself.
I froze.
She looked so much like my mother in that moment-broken, vulnerable.
Without another word, I turned and walked away.