Page 10 of Shâhzâdeh

“Changes within the corporation is all.” It was obvious the conversation wasn’t one they could have around an outsider and probably wasn’t something to be discussed over dinner. I was happy when the mood shifted as Frankie spoke up.

“Vannie, are you still up for broker of the year?” I could feel her excitement and I’d forgotten that she was still receiving messages on my behalf because she’d been my part-time assistant. She’d co-run her family’s handcrafted gifts business from afar and paid me for the use of the empty office by helping me out with inquiries.

“Yes.” I felt the focus of everyone shift to me and I could feel my face heating up.

“Why didn’t you say zhis was a celebration? I would’ve purchased a gift for you.” Xerxes seemed personally affronted to not know all of my business and I found his offense hilarious. Endearing but very much hilarious.

“A gift is not necessary. Especially since we don’t know if I won or not.”

“Being acknowledged for your excellence is a big deal. You have to celebrate each stage of your success. It is how you stay motivated to strive toward zhe bigger goals.” He was right and it wasn’t something I didn’t already personally believe, but it felt good to hear other people cheering me on instead of putting me down.

“I tried to tell her but she thinks I’m overreacting. She runs her own business almost single-handedly. The award was based on customer satisfactionandrevenue. As small as her firm is, she’s at the top in both areas.” Frankie was grinning with pride and I felt my eyes well up to see the joy she had for me.

I knew my face was bright red. I was proud of what I’d achieved but attention always felt wrong to me. Probably because any time the focus was on me I had felt put on display instead of praised. My success had been a double-edged sword of their being happy with the financial benefits but also being jealous of my accomplishments. The idea that I would ever be under the type of scrutiny I had been under before made me sick to my stomach.

“Thank you all for the congratulations, I know it’s a big deal. I just wanted to keep it quiet as a way not to jinx it.”

“And I told you that what is your destiny is for you. Nothing and no one can take you away from what is yours. You claim it, even if it doesn’t happen this year. You’ve already got the trophy on the shelf in the future. You’re good at what you do because you listen to people and ensure they are well taken care of. It’s not just about the money, you want people to be happy. That’s rare now with everyone just trying to make the biggest profit. Your genuine spirit makes you so invaluable.” Frankie was only repeating what she’d said to me so many times but it was still hard to receive it completely. I was thankful she hadn’t given up on me.

“So you only work with specific people? How do zhey become your clients?” Xerxes was eating with the passion of a man who thoroughly enjoyed his food. Despite his obvious enjoyment, he had impeccable table manners. I hadn’t seen a smear of sauce or a slice of steak that wasn’t fit for the cover of a foodie magazine.

“Referrals normally. I try not to take on someone who isn’t familiar to me.”

“She helped one of the local sports agents with their penthouse. He was so pleased that he sends all the local athletes her way. I keep telling her she should be ready to be a NBA wife but she thinks I’m teasing.” Her eyes were sparkling and I was wondering what in the world would make her bring that up.

“Because I wouldn’t want to be in the public eye that way.”

Xerxes scoffed next to me, causing my brows to furrow. “I believe zhat’s aiming too low. Why be the wife of someone whose career and income potential might only last a decade or less?”

“Didnae yoor uncle play pro ball?” Something in Liam’s voice was teasing Xerxes and I felt like I’d missed part of the conversation.

“He did so I know what I’m speaking of. You should not settle for anyzing less zhan being a princess,ziba.” Liam was grinning at Xerxes’ comment and even Francesca had a smile on her face. The sentiment was nice, but princesses held no power.

“Why not a queen?”

“Far too many restrictions and responsibilities. You would not enjoy having to sacrifice everyzing for the greater good. A bit of selfishness for someone who has such a giving heart is in order. As a princess, you could enjoy the connections wizout any of zhe rules. It is zhe best of boz worlds.”

“You must know a royal.”

A smile danced across his lips before his face went softly blank again. “A few.”

“Xerxes is most definitely a prince among men.” Liam cracked up at Frankie’s comment and I was once again feeling lost. It wasn’t like before where I felt like the butt of a joke, just that I had missing information but no one was making fun of me.

It was confirmed when Xerxes laughed as well and his arm found its way to the back of my chair. The move was protective and gave me another whiff of the scent he wore. Which was delicious.

“What is it that you smell like?”

His smile dropped and he turned to me. “I’m sorry?”

“Your scent—”

“Is zhis one of zhose all foreigners smells type of questions?”

My mouth dropped open and the other side of the table bust out laughing. Even baby Skye giggled and clapped her hands. “What?! No! I would never say that!”

Xerxes held up his free hand motioning for me to calm down while the other stayed across the back of my chair. “I am teasing I promise. It is amber, musk and frankincense blended with a few ozer notes.”

“You blended it yourself?”

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