LAH'

und of knocking on my door. "Come

htly. "Your Highness, the king request

y way to the chamber, curiou

able, his expression serious. Beside him stood a tall man

sit. "This is Commander Raynor. He's in charge

ng to mask my unease. "Thank

mander

y cameras, but we found tire tracks leading away from the scene. As for the men in suits

nger?" I asked, my voic

ynor said cautiously. "But we

across the table, setting

e, Kelilah. I won't let

own, I couldn't shake off the feeling that this was jus

noise jolted me awake. My heart raced as I strained t

from father as I moved toward the door. Opening it cautious

ion," I muttered,

turn to bed, a shadow

I backed away slowly, clu

as, was bold enough to fi

close to my bed side, tappi

de my window," I whispe

allway, and I heard voices shouting commands. I st

at my door. "Your Highness, it'

ked the door, my palms still s

ing the grounds thoroughly. You're safe, in here. I'l

to calm my nerves. As Raynor left, I couldn't

going to stop easily. And I needed to f

escape the morning chaos. My routin

grabbing my bag only to re

shoes and hastily jamming my feet into them as I

maids called as I misjudged a corner

d back to balance, Loveth's amused voice floated over from the dining

o be hell," I replied,

y looking for you yesterday!" Loveth re

it

n though Loveth had informed me yes

one crisis at a time; righ

ptionist, noted with a raised

d me," I mumbled, tryin

d, the look on her face hovering between sympathy and

ly. Great. Just th

was probably salivating over a fresh o

sk, I ducked into the bathr

ing me with mild horror-I looked l

strolled out of a stall, smirking as

down my hair with quick, jittery movements

" I sn

your face will look like when the boss finally fires you." She stru

ade enough of a racket for the boss to not

to his office and knocked. Silence. I knocked

ng a breath, I

ter?" His voice was col

ped as I realized he hadn't ac

?" he shot back, his e

h him; his mind was made up. "

ed, dismissing me li

ning myself to a wait. A long one. It was his favorite pu

just so he could extend it. I wouldn't give hi

eaking to me. That meant my today's work will ha

ng ba

eternity, a voice brok

a young guy, one of the newer faces

es he ever not?" I replied, l

by the way." He extended his hand, and

h," I r

ongoing feud with Cindy and the boss." He laughed, making a joke

n disbelief. "So, I'm t

lied hastily. "I

ed, waving off his ha

I treated people as they treated me. If they thought I was di

ch sometime?" he asked, an aw

m in the middle of a crisis, right?

ry. Maybe a

f disappointment in his eyes. I could've made up an e

Besides, the only reason he was asking me to lunch was because h

und." He nodded awkwar

rying to hold in his chuckle as he walked towards him, causing me to roll my eyes at them

ome in" sounded fro

lastered on a polit

a glass in hand, watching me with that

just today!" Realizing my error, I softened

ou to work, not to concoct excuses. But it seems that's all you kno

peated, biting do

his glass. "This is your last warning, Kelilah. N

s,

, he snappy, h

ffice, biting back my frustra

r you," he shouted as

or as I left. Several employees quickly turned away

ol

sed Cindy, who couldn'

l learn your les

work with a huff, hoping to los

looked up to see Tyra. I guess she was one of th

he said in an effo

hed lo

. A big on

ep working with Tyra, then I would have told him what

tack of folders, pretending intense concentration. I felt his gaze burning into me as he walked

y's work and grabbed my bag, the office almost empty

giving her a sympathetic s

rap up already," she mu

's going anytime soon. Maybe you can giv

work with him. I will have to wait.

and with one last glance