Page 11 of Fake Dating Mr. Prince

I swallowed my rage. Letting my anger escape would only prove her right—that I wasn’t capable of running a business. She’d turn my emotions on me in some way.

Elaine hadn’t created something frivolous. She’d built a mini wedding dress empire that had expanded, and she now ran multiple stores. Even though she’d shown me I was worth nothing to her, I’d watched her in her business dealings over the years. I’d learned from her. I knew how to run a business, and she knew how to remain cool and collected. She’d been the perfect role model in that regard.

Asking her for money was my last resort. I didn’t want to admit I’d gone to various lending institutions to ask for a loan, but no one would take a chance on me. I didn’t have enough collateral.

If the perfect location hadn’t come up for rent, it wouldn't be such a big deal, but I knew soon enough someone would see the potential of the space, and I’d be out of luck. It was theonlyreason I’d put myself through this humiliation.

My stomach twisted again.

“Thank you for your time, Elaine.” I turned and walked out. Swiftly, my feet took me to the back room, where I spent most of my time. I pushed through the door, the force making it bounce off the wall behind it.

“What the hell?” Burda called out from the back, her voice sharp and agitated.

I wiped the tears that flowed down my cheeks and gave the small older woman a watery smile. Burda had to be in her eighties, and still, she came to work every day. That was another reason I wanted my own business. Burda stayed due to her allegiance to my mother, who’d initially hired her, and to me. If I had my own shop, Burda could finally retire.

“Hey,” I said and sniffled.

“Oh, baby.” Her words were softer now that she realized it was me banging through the door. She held out her arms. Burda had been more like a mother to me all these years than Elaine. Her gruffness put most people off, but she was soft and sweet to those she loved.

A few minutes later, I slipped from her arms and grabbed a tissue. Burda sat down in a nearby chair at my workstation. “Why did I put myself through that? I knew she’d just say no.”

Burda’s gray eyes stared at me. She held back the I-told-you-so that was itching to leave her mouth. She loved me and knew how hurt I was right now, and knowing her, she didn’t want to add to my pain. She’d warned me not to go to my stepmother. That it would only cause me heartache.

Still standing, I began to pace in the small back room. It was one of the few spaces my stepmother had not redecorated. Five strides brought me to the end of one side of the room. When Burda didn’t respond, I continued. “I did it because I thought she’d see I was serious. That she’d realize my plans were amazing and that my idea was perfect.” I hated that I still sought the approval of a woman who so clearly hated me. “I don’t know what to do next.”

CHAPTER FOUR

Ashlyn

I’d just finished mythird lap in the tiny back room when a throat cleared by the still-open door.Ugh, why didn’t I shut it?

Stella appeared in the doorway, leaning against the frame. Her worried eyes tracked my movements. “Can I come in?”

“Sure.”

Her eyebrows drew together and a crease formed in the middle of her forehead. “Ash, I’m sorry.”