Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 31853 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 159(@200wpm)___ 127(@250wpm)___ 106(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31853 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 159(@200wpm)___ 127(@250wpm)___ 106(@300wpm)
Present Time
“Are you sure about her, Igor?” The words, spoken in Greek, were underlined with skepticism.
“Yes, sir.”
Fingers tapped on the desk and the silence inside the study continued. It was furnished in somber tones of dark wood and black, as expected of someone the media liked to refer to as The Prince of Darkness. Superficially, it was a nod to Reid Chalkias’ love for throwing the wildest parties. However, there were also others who believed that it was equally apt, when one considered the long-standing rumors about Reid’s biological parents. Although both had been declared officially dead, many insisted that it was just a cover-up, that they still reigned in the criminal underworld and their only son was their heir apparent.
Either way, it made someone like this girl quite unsuitable for someone like him.
His gaze returned to her once more, and his emerald-green gaze took dispassionate note of her physical features. Wavy blonde hair, light brown eyes, and summer-kissed skin; a body that was neither slender nor curvy, and made only more remarkable by the hint of generous breasts hidden under her shapeless blouse – none of it made her either spectacularly pretty or ugly, and normally only the most attractive looking and outgoing women made it into his employ. Pretty girls made things easier with the kind of lifestyle he led as well as the kind of company he kept.
On the other hand—-
The prince’s gaze focused on the impressive diamond winking on the girl’s finger.
Pretty girls who applied for a job in his home were usually after him, and not all of them were willing to accept his rules about never dating staff. Of course, some of them persisted in being blind, thinking they could be the one to change him. They went to odd lengths simply to get his attention, and remembering the sheer absurdity of such thoughts made the prince’s lips curl – but the memories were also enough for him to come to a decision.
He glanced at Igor, and the older man, who had been with him since birth, nodded in understanding.
“Please tell us a bit about yourself, Ms. Cornwall.”
“I’m, umm, Fawn Cornwall, I’m 21 years old, and I grew up in small-town Massachusetts. I’m an only child, my dad died when I was young while my mom’s been head housekeeper for the mayor’s family since she was twenty-four. I also started working as a cleaner and babysitter for them when I was sixteen. I know everything when it comes to housekeeping, and I’ve also helped the mayor’s housewife when it comes to organizing parties.”
“Go on.”
“M-my resume—-”
“If I had wanted to just read your resume,” the prince said coolly, “I would have.” He waited for her to cry or snap at him, and if she had done either, he would have had her tossed out of the room on the spot.
But she did neither.
Instead, she only blinked at him. “I’m on my last year in university. I’m majoring in Accounting. I have no time for extracurricular activities because I need to pay for my own schooling.” There was no change in the inflection of her voice. It was as if she had only mentally shrugged off his furious tone, and then it was business as usual.
The prince was grudgingly impressed.
“Proceed.”
“I’m, umm, engaged.”
“How long?”
“Since my first year in college.”
The prince didn’t bother hiding his surprise. “That early?”
She said simply, “We know we’re meant to be together.”
“How touching.”
“Tell me about your fiancé. It’s Grant Bennett, isn’t it?”
She blurted out, “H-how did you know his name?”
“Did you truly expect I wouldn’t have done my research on people who wish to work for me?” Not waiting for her answer, he murmured, “About Grant Bennett...”
She slowly shook her head. “I don’t believe it’s appropriate that I speak of him, prince.”
And with that, she had passed the test, having proved that she could be loyal and trusted to keep other people’s secrets.
For now.
The prince nodded at Igor.
Igor said right away, “I’m delighted to let you know that you’ve been accepted for provisionary employment.”
“Oh, thank God.” The girl half-slumped in relief, saying, “I thought he wouldn’t want me because I wasn’t cool enough, and you know how most times cool kids think they can only stay cool by hanging out with cool people—-”
The prince slowly turned to Igor. Is this truly the best girl we can hire at this point?
Igor nodded. This is the best girl among the small sample group of females who are certain not to fall in love with you.
“And they don’t think about their individuality and—-”
Igor coughed.
The girl froze.
Then very faintly, she said, “I j-just babbled, didn’t I?”
“Yes, you did, but we can choose to forget it.” Igor’s tone was efficient. “Thank you for coming, Ms. Cornwall. You will be under evaluation on your first thirty days, after which we will assess your performance. You will be offered a permanent position in our staff if you pass.”