Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 117920 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 590(@200wpm)___ 472(@250wpm)___ 393(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 117920 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 590(@200wpm)___ 472(@250wpm)___ 393(@300wpm)
“Which is?”
“I don’t think you’re fit for the job.”
I try not to flinch. “Then why am I here?”
Another quirk of his brow, his mouth firm for a moment. “Because of my daughters. They like you. And when it comes to them, it usually doesn’t matter how I think.”
“What makes you think I can’t handle it? You don’t even know me. You have no idea what I’m capable of.”
He looks me up and down, completely unimpressed, and yet I can feel every icy drag of his gaze over my skin. “I know that you’re uneducated. That you’re full of false confidence and silly bravado. And that you have no idea how to behave in front of a king.”
I straighten my shoulders, finding my backbone. “You’re right. I never went to university and sometimes it may seem like I have confidence when I shouldn’t. But let me get one thing straight. I respect that you’re doing this for your daughters and I respect your crown and title. But I won’t be talked down to like I’m some lesser being, the gum beneath your shoe. If you want me to treat you with respect, you have to offer that same respect to me. I don’t care who you are.”
My heart is pounding so loud in my ears at this point that I can barely realize what I just said. Holy shit, I think I totally just blew this whole job.
King Aksel’s hands unfold from behind his back and he moves in front of me, to sit on the edge of his desk. His long fingers wrap around the edge, tapping, his jaw muscles tense. Yet there’s no anger in his eyes, not that I can tell anyway. Just a cool curiosity.
“Did you talk to all your past employers this way?” he eventually asks.
“I would have if they were as rude as you.”
Both of his brows shoot up and I’m prepared for him to start shouting to his secret service and have me dragged off to the guillotines.
Instead, he gives me a tight smile. “I’ll be paying your salary. That doesn’t mean I have to like you.”
“And I’ll be earning that salary. That doesn’t mean I have to like you, either.”
“So then, Aurora, tell me why you still want this job since you’d be working for such a rude man as me? Surely there are other jobs that are easier and that pay well? I see that you used to work for CEOs of wineries and software companies. Why not go back to them?”
This is a good question. Why am I here? Why put up with this when it’s already put a bad taste in my mouth?
“Do you want the truth?” I ask him.
“Are you even capable of lying?”
Oh yes.
“Because, now I feel like I have something to prove.” I pause, aware that our gaze is locked together. “I’m sure you can imagine what that’s like. People telling you that you can’t do something, that you’re unfit for it, that you’re not ready for it. For me, it just makes me want to rise to the occasion and do everything I can to prove them wrong. Plus, I really like Clara and Freja.”
He looks away first and I feel like I’ve won some sort of victory, even though I’ve been anything but cold and indifferent.
“Why do I have the feeling you’re about to make my life harder, not easier,” he says, almost to himself.
“Does this mean I have the job?”
He taps his fingers along the desk and stares off into the distance, lost in thought. Then he nods. “Yes.” He glances at me. “But please don’t make me regret this. I’m doing this for them. I do everything I can for them. They will always come first, do you understand?”
I nod, feeling hope and excitement prickle through me. “I do.”
He exhales and then stands up. “There will be many forms to fill out. A background check done by police.” I try not to stiffen at that. “Health checks. Special insurance. You’ll have to sign confidentiality agreements, take an oath to uphold the royal house, take defensive driving lessons and escape tactics in the event of kidnapping.” He holds out his hand. “But for now, this should make it official.”
I breathe in deeply through my nose and give him a small smile as I place my hand in his. His grip is warm and very firm. I do my best to give a confident shake right back at him. “I accept.” I pause. “Your Majesty.”
He doesn’t smile at that but gives my hand a quick squeeze before dropping it. He walks back around the desk. “You start tomorrow, by the way.”
“Tomorrow!” I exclaim. “On a Saturday? I can’t start tomorrow.”
“Why not?” He looks annoyed again.
“Because this job interview was so last minute and I didn’t assume I’d get it. I still have to pack everything up in Paris and—”