Page 15 of Prince Charmless
“Are you one of those people who has to say everything that’s on their mind?” My assumption comes out sharper than I meant it to.
“Quite the opposite, actually. I’m highly trained innotsaying what’s on my mind.”
“Why am I different then?” And how come our conversations always end in bickering?
He raises a shoulder. “Why would I put in the effort to please you when I can just pay you off?”
“You don’t think being generally dickish to people has its consequences?” I try to sound confident in my choice of calling the Prince of St. Claire a dick to his face. Deep down, I’m terrified.
Taylor’s brow twitches, not in an angry way but more out of delight. I don’t know. I’m confused.
“Well, I don’t think being generally dickish toyouhas its consequences,” he says. “I’ve already given you my sincere apology. Why would I care about your feelings beyond that?”
The derisive words roll off his tongue like he genuinely believes there’s no reason to be a decent human being to me. If this were a cartoon, there’d be flames coming out of my ears. I feel terrible financial decision is a’brewing.
“What if I quit?”
He looks off to the side and then back to me. “Quit what?”
“The website. You’re looking for a consequence. There it is.”
Taylor rolls his eyes. “You’re not quitting, Melina,” he dismisses. He must not be used to people saying no. For some reason, this makes me want to quit even more.
“Says who? I can do whatever I want. It’s not like you’ve paid me yet. Also, I’d like it if you were to get out of my apartment. This has been an insulting experience, and it was a displeasure meeting you, Taylor...whatever your last name is, if you have one.”
He blinks. “Do you want, like, more money or something?”
“You waving money in my face isn’t going to work. I have money.” I mean, my salary isn’t in the six figures, but we get closer every year. I certainly have more than when I was growing up.
“You’d rather not take a paying job than lose in a meaningless argument?”
Yes. Yes, I would. And this might be the only smidgen of power I’ll have over him. It feels too goddamn good not to use it. I think I’m finally getting this whole ‘being spontaneous’ thing.
We stare at each other for a few baffling seconds until I realize I hate looking at his face.
“I’m serious. I’m throwing you out. That is what this is.”
Taylor ‘okays’ quietly and leaves with all the grace a man could have while being kicked out of an apartment.
I lean back against the door and determine if what just happened is real. I conclude that it is. I feel a little bad about ditching their project, but I need him out of my life. Although that’s not possible. They’re going to crown this guy king, and his face is going to be on my stamps. I can never escape.
I check my phone to see Rachel texted a couple of hours ago. She sent me a link to a gossipy article titled ‘Prince’s Mystery Date.’
Rachel:WTF IS GOING ON!!!!
Honestly Rach, I have no clue.
I immediately call her.
6
Taylor
While I was wary of his involvement, Julien has turned out to be a helpful business partner. He admittedly has useful entrepreneurial qualities that I don’t possess. Being part owner of a hockey team, he’s extremely connected. I’m also connected, but not like Julien. People do things for me because I tell them to, not because they like me. People do things for Julien because he’s genuinely charismatic and wants to form lasting friendships with everyone he meets. I don’t understand why. I’m able to fake being genial for an interview or someone important, but it’s exhausting to do over long periods of time. I need Julien because not only is he very wealthy, but his infectious likability also makes him pretty persuasive when focused.
When she died, a large sum of my mother’s inheritance was split between my brother and me. I’m pretty sure Tom’s half is just sitting in the bank. I don’t even think he’s invested it into anything. I told him it’s going to lose its value over time due to inflation, but trying to explain inflation to Tom was like trying to explain how video conference calls work to my grandmother. Both were extremely unsuccessful.
I was going to put her money into the organization I already run through the Crown, but something about that felt like the lazy option. I head the Royal Charity for Education because I asked my father if I could. It’d be nice knowing I could lead a project without the use of nepotism. Mom always pushed us to do things on our own, and I wanted to give her some type of legacy. I got the idea for the foundation when she specifically instructed me not to start a memorial charity in her own name.C’est narcissique,she said a couple of weeks after her terminal diagnosis. I was never one to follow my mother’s orders, and I’m not going to stop now just because she’s dead. Mom loved being around kids, so her foundation helps underprivileged children. How original.
