Page 22 of Fake Dating Mr. Prince

Was she insane? “I’m sorry, what did you say?”

“Do you want the money to run your business or not?”

“You know I do.”

“Then find a way into his office and get me what I asked for.”

If only she knew getting into his office wasn’t the problem.

“That’s stealing, Elaine. I can’t.” Sadness permeated my body, making my limbs heavy. I’d rather her not show me any attention if this was all I could expect from her for the rest of my life. She only made herself available to me when she needed something.

“You can, and you will,” she sneered.

“I don’t need your moneythatbadly.” There was no way I’d do this for her. Given enough time, I would find a way to start my lingerie line without her. I didn’t need her to be successful. I could do it myself, couldn’t I?

“If you don’t, then be aware that I will destroy your little business before it’s even begun. I will make sure that no one buys from you, that the fabric you need doesn’t ship, and that the connections to further you in this industry dry up.”

My breath quickened and my vision grew fuzzy around the edges. Would Elaine really do that to me?

Of course she would.

I rubbed my temples, trying to consciously stop the debilitating panic filling my body and strangling my vocal chords.

“Once again, I’ll take your silence as a yes. Don’t make me wait long for it, Ashlyn.” Then she swept out of my workspace.

How dare she assume I’d help her?

Although in hindsight, why wouldn’t she? I always did what she asked, perhaps in an attempt to win her love, but even this was a new low for her.

I worried my lip and willed my heartbeat to slow down. My stepmother might not be as big as Prince Industries, but she knew plenty of people in the industry. What if she really could do what she threatened? My dream, my purpose for living, would be over.

***

IPUSHED MY CART SLOWLYdown the hall. Closer and closer, I moved towardhisoffice. My sneakers shuffled against the rug beneath my feet, the complete opposite to the pounding of my heart. I was terrified to go into that office and face him, even more so after Elaine’s threats.

When they handed us our assignments tonight, I tried to get another floor but couldn’t push too hard and have them ask questions. Instead I grabbed my supplies, and started working on the opposite side of the floor from Dean’s office.

I finished the other spaces assigned to me and made my way closer to his, praying he wouldn't be anywhere nearby.

My cart rolled past his office, just far enough beyond the door so I could peek my head inside. The light was on, but no one was there. Not to be fooled a second time, I left my cart in the hall and tiptoed to the door I now knew to be his personal bathroom.

I leaned in close to the door and flattened my ear against it, hoping he couldn't hear me if he was in there. I listened, straining to detect a sound from inside. When I heard nothing, my shoulders dropped in relief.

“What are you doing?” I heard an incredulous female voice from behind me.

I screamed, threw my hand against my chest, and whirled around only to see my floormate standing in the open doorway. Her eyes grew wide. “Uh, this is the bathroom,” I answered.

“Okay.” She narrowed her eyes and tilted her head to get a better look at me.

“I wanted to be sure no one was in there before I went in.”

Her face screwed up in a disbelieving, she-must-be-crazy kind of look. “You know you can just knock, right?”

“Yup. I’ll, uh, try that next time.” My galloping heart was beginning to slow down enough that I realized she might be here for a reason. “Did you need anything?”

“Oh, yeah. I ran out of window cleaner. Do you have extra?”

“Oh yeah. Sure, take whatever you need. Just leave enough for me to finish up here.” I waved at my cart, hoping she would quickly grab it and leave.