Lisanna Moore's P. O. V

My eyes are trained on the slowly fading light of my laptop screen. The file I was previously reading just words on a page which I am unable to register.

"Do you mind repeating what you said?"

"Yes, I do." I can tell my words aren't at all appreciated even if I am half joking. The other half? Currently dying over the fact that I've spilt my guts out and my secret is out there in the open.

"I can't believe it." Rose mutters to herself, sat on the chair opposite my desk as she leaves her half eaten salad on my desk. My own lunch lays untouched, too nerve consumed to eat anything, which is a sign that something is wrong since I never say no to food.

"Neither can I." Luckily, I've managed a few days of solitude. Solitude isn't even the correct word, considering I managed to live the past few days in the office and then straight back home. My excuse bordered on the fact that I need to revise certain plans and come up with others, which will help the Prince in the long run. I've also kept in mind the threats the King sent me, which still makes a shiver run down my spine every time I think about it. Hopefully, I'll be able to hit two birds with one stone. I'll have a solid set of plans which will make Mr. Sinclair look amazing in the eyes of the public and it won't rub the King the wrong way either.

Of course, all of that is just an excuse, so I don't have to go to the castle. Each time something has tried to pop up, I've brushed it aside and sent Rose in my place. Luckily, nothing tipped anyone off because there weren't any important meetings of the sort and it would help the woman in gaining experience which she needs to build up on. At least that's what Rose was telling me every time I sent her to the estate. Unfortunately, Rose is too sharp for her own good and soon enough realised that I'm avoiding a certain someone.

I nearly cringed into myself there and then and now here we are. Days later and here I find myself sat at my office desks, relaying all my woes to a close friend of mine who is incredibly gob smacked at the turn of events. I would be too if someone told me they locked lips with the freaking Prince. I mean, what's next on the ladder. The King?

A shiver runs down my spine at the mere thought of someone having to do that. I feel bad for the Queen, although she herself seems a bit of a loose screw.

"You snogged the Prince." Rose doesn't look like she's gotten past the first bit of information, processing everything bit by bit much like I have been for the duration of my time away from the estate.

"I have to say, the Prince did look a little on edge when he kept seeing me walking in through his study door instead of his one and only lover."

"I'm not Mr. Sinclair's lover." I huff out, crossing my arms underneath my chest and taking a defensive stance to which Rose lets out a loud laugh.

"Yeah, you're just kissing buddies." I go to roll my eyes. Not believing how childish the woman can be, but slight movement from the door has me sitting up straight and eyes narrowing.

"Eavesdropping, Stella?" I hope my voice doesn't portray the shakiness that I'm feeling inside of me. My nerves screaming at the fact that Stella heard everything just now. I can't even lie to myself and pretend she didn't hear anything because I know for a fact that's not the case.

"Canoodling with your clients, Lisanna?" Chewing down on my cheek, I try my best to school my facial expression and instead quip back at her. "I thought you were the one known for that?"

I hate stooping down to such a level. The entire ordeal leaving a bad taste in my mouth and making me regret my words as soon as they're out. I really do need to get a grasp on my tongue.

Rose clears her throat at the lapse of silence. Turning her body towards Stella and asking the older person if there was a reason she's in my office because we all know Stella and I don't interact unless we absolutely have to.

Stella eyes me for a few further moments before turning her attention to a curious Rose. "Mrs. Cunningham is about to be up on both of your asses. She told me to inform the both of you that you should be in the Prince's office within the hour."

My lunch feels like it's about to crawl its way back up my throat. My stomach twists in on itself and I have to resist the urge to run to the nearest restroom, knowing the awful feeling will pass in just a few moments.

"Sure thing. We'll leave in fifteen minutes." I'm grateful to Rose for jumping in midway, finishing up the conversation as Stella leaves. All of which gives me a few minutes to myself in order to stop myself from freaking out. Rose gives me a nod, which lets me know to take my time.

The both of us finish our lunch in relative silence. My mind going a mile a minute with different thoughts while my friend and coworker tries her hardest to cover up the smirk. She's not doing a very good job of it and I make sure to let her know with a glare or two. Unfortunately for me, we're back on the road and at the estate in a total of forty minutes. It feels as if my impending doom lies on the other side of the door.

Oh, dear God.

"Just take a deep breath. What's he going to do? Bring up the fact that you both kissed, right in front of everyone? I don't think so." Well, neither do I, but it looks like anything is possible when it comes to Mr. Sinclair.

Entering the office took me courage I didn't know I had. My plan was to keep my eyes focused on his chest. Replying only when questioned directly and then making a run for it as soon as I could. Rarely do things go as planned, and this seems to be one such moment in time.

As soon as I step foot into the office with Rose tailing behind me, I lock eyes with a pair of green ones which have been haunting my dreams for the past few days and not in a bad way either. I try to appear nonchalant and snap my eyes away immediately as I offer a greeting to Mr. Sinclair and Samantha, who I nearly skip over completely.

Dark colours seem to be a common theme in the way everyone's dressed today, but Mr. Sinclair takes the cake of best dressed by far. I nearly kick myself on my nearly faded bruised shin so as to not give him a once over, but it's too late and I've already taken him in. A navy blue button up with the sleeves rolled up and first few buttons undone, tie thrown who knows where but giving a chance for his chest to peek through. Mr. Sinclair maintains the same position as he's usually in; leaned back against the heavy desk with his legs crossed at his ankles. Today, however, his hair isn't the usual combed back look but instead, the curls lay in a haphazard manner around his face. The man looks increasingly younger with the hairstyle while his hand rubs at his sharp jawline.

A swift jab at my side has me hissing in pain, but I manage to remain silent. Sending Rose a thankful look rather than the glares I've been sending her way all day.

I cannot make a fool of myself more so than I already have in front of this man. He's my client, for heaven's sake.

"You finally decided to join us, Ms. Moore." I try my best to not let a sheepish smile make its way onto my face, but I nod my head in a grim manner at Samantha. A little taken aback that she's the one to speak up on it rather than the man giving me the death stare at the moment.

"Yes. Sorry about the brief absence. I had a previous client who wanted help with a few things related to a prior case and while I was caught up in that, I thought it best to utilise that time in setting a few other schedules which could help Mr. Sinclair." This time, I turn to the man and send him a professional smile. Little white lies scattered here and there throughout my words, but most of it was the truth. I did have a previous client approach me and Mrs. Cumingham forced me to take up his case since it wasn't a long one.

I've not been here for five bloody days, including the weekend, so I don't know why they're so out to get me. It's not like I cut myself off from them completely. The numerous back-and-forth emails can attest to that.

"You actually had quite a few great ideas. I was just discussing them with Mr. Sinclair. In particular, that charity event where all the ambassadors and politicians will be showing up to. It will be a recording event to top it off, which I'm sure will appeal to the public if the talk of the town shows up."

I nod my head vehemently at her words, making brief eye contact with the Prince in all the haste which has me blushing a slight red. I hope it's not noticeable or I will throw myself from the nearest window.

Rifling through the large binder in my hand, I flip through the papers and over to where a neon page marker sticks out before handing it over to Samantha, who eyes it keenly. "I actually got the idea from a few rumours which have sprung up. People are already speculating Mr. Sinclair might make an appearance, so why not give them what they want? It'll also tie into the visit to the hospital."

My insight into the ordeal is encouragement enough as we all delve deep into planning the nitty-gritty details. Mr. Sinclair takes a backseat on the rounds of discussion we're having compared to the usual treatment of him throwing every single idea to the side until he finds a flawless plan of action.

I'm so swept in jotting down all the tips and notes that are being thrown at me every second, I barely even realise Samantha is ushering Rose out of the door. By the time I glance up with wide, worried eyes to an equally alarmed Rose, the door is shutting right in front of me and I'm left gulping my last breath.

I pretend to go back to taking my notes, although now my mind is blank except for the fact that Mr. Sinclair is only a few feet away from me, unnervingly quiet and calculating.

Slowly packing away my things so as to be inconspicuous as possible, I take my time standing up and pretend to be invested in setting my bag properly on my arm.

"Mr. Sinclair-"

"Thaddeus."

I nearly stop short but manage to keep up my facade as I deftly nod my head. "I will email the organizer's and everyone else involved. Once I have the itinerary mailed to me, we can meet up once again and tweak things here and there, so it's suited to your schedule and liking. Once that is done, all we have to do is prepare for a speech and what not."

"Why are you avoiding me?" The almost humorous tone in his voice catches me off guard, coupled with what he's actually said, causes me to snap my head up and over to seek him out immediately.

"I wouldn't dare of it, Mr. Sinclair. I was actually busy with making plans and sorting out a previous client of mine. You might not believe me but-"

"I don't." Blunt and straight to the point I see.

I maintain eye contact and don't break my stance, not letting the man get a chance at trying to intimidate me as he steps towards me till we're only inches away from each other. I can almost touch his chest if I raise my palm and stretch out my fingers towards his torso that stretches out the cotton material.

"I'm not quite sure what to say, but I will apologise for my actions. It was very unprofessional of me and a mistake on my behalf. If you would like to make a complaint to my boss, then I will not stop you. I am sorry I stepped out of line and it won't happen again." I'm literally shaking at this point. My hands tremor slightly and a tightness rises up in my chest.

"I never said I didn't enjoy it."

Jaw dropping and eyes popping wide, I gulp and let out a shaky laugh. "Why would I make a complaint? I kissed you back. It would be hypocritical wouldn't it?" At this point I'm a confused mess and I know no matter what I try to say won't make sense and will be futile.

"Here I was hopping that would happen again. Pity."

The man doesn't even give me a chance to breathe as he pulls his ringing phone out of his pocket and answers it in the next second.

I take that as my cue that the conversation has ended and slowly make my way out of the room with thousands of questions plaguing me.

This has made everything ten times more complicated and twisted. Unfortunately for me, even with my job on the line, I'm not all too disturbed by it.

——————-

AN: Hi there! How do you think it's going so far? If you have any input for me, please do let me know!

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