Chapter 53

"Well, look who finally joined the party!" I heard a familiar shrill voice and turned to Anastasia with my most polite smile.

"I'm so glad you've come Lady Archangel" I noticed how she glanced between myself and Connor with a smile that was much too wide. Connor coughed uncomfortably.

"Cousin. I've told you I'll bring you anything you need and there's no need to come by" he didn't even make eye contact with her.

"And Miss all the fun?" Anastasia snaked an arm through mine, "you two left the office looking rather tired, were you up to something?"

"Anastasia…" Connor warned.

I couldn't even fake embarrassment. I was drained.

"Mr Archangel was telling me he intends to raise my rent" I blandly said and Connor threw me a surprised look, fear washing over his facial features as he began to deny.

"I- I would never"-

"Connor that is not the way to a ladies heart!" Anastasia shouted loudly and slapped his arm. The resounding sound caught the attention of the room.

"Well now, Lady Archangel. I've actually been waiting to show you our new collection" I quickly directed her away from Connor whose face looked absolutely exhausted.

"Oh? I'll have to reprimand Connor another time then".

I found myself babysitting her for the rest of the afternoon. But she wasn't the last of my visitors. Crystal joined in with Lady Sarah and Lady Jones, all of which were hoping to get the best deals on my products. I didn't have much time to dwell on Jules after that. Instead, I was fascinated by the profits we were bringing in. We had shot passed my usual monthly sales. It was simply on another level.

"Is it true the dowager showed interest in this dress?" One of my elderly customers asked, and I nodded afirmitively.

"That's right. She specifically liked this colour, but if you don't mind me saying I simply think a dusty pink may suit you better in this design" I may have overstepped my line there since her face looked conflicted so I had to elaborate, "You have a very soft complexion so it woud emphasise that" I explained and thankfully she smiled.

"I do get told that often" She sounded happy about it and scratched her name on the order list.

We were definitely going to need to hire more seamstress'.

For the opening day, we decided to close up early, taking into account how drained everyone would be. I was ecspecially pleased it wasn't for naught. This opening day had exceeded my expectations. It helped that my staff didn't seem as tired I might have expected.

"You've outdone yourself, cousin" Randall stood beside me as I said goodbye to our leaving customers, "It seems your hard work has paid off but has that ambition been quenched?"

I watched the customers leaving, all looking quite happy with themselves.

"I'm not sure about that, but I'll be taking a break for a while" .

"Well after all this I may join you on this break" Connor interupted and I smiled at his words. He looked in need of a good rest.

Randall glanced between us and then wiggled his brows.

"Seems like you two want to spend time together? I'm not one to keep apart love birds" He teased.

"Its not like that..." He had rushed off before he could hear my words and Connor replaced him at my side. "Sorry about my cousin".

"It's alright. I'm no stranger to meddlesome cousins" he joked and I chuckled. I was on a strange high after the success of this party and I wanted to celebrate.

"I have a bottle of wine worth more than this entire building in my office. Want to get drunk together? Of course with everyone else, but I'm only sharing that bottle with you" I raised my brows with a smirk and he laughed.

"If that prince were to catch wind of this he would surely kill us both".

I shivered at his words. The stress that came with the thought of Jules attacking me all too suddenly. How could I get so carefree? I don't have the luxury of getting drunk...

"You're right" I was about to turn to leave, but his finger brushed my hand as if to stop me.

"Just- Just a single glass then" His ears were red and he was looking at the ground between us.

"Alright then!" I exclaimed with a skip to his side. The store was basically empty and Sienna locked the door with a look of relief just as I yelled, "Bring out the drinks!"

Nobody said anything for a bit, all giving me dead eyes that said 'seriously... now?'.

"Maybe it's too early for that? How about later?" Connor rubbed the back of his neck with a stifled laugh. There was a round of agreements.

"Thank god you're here" One of my seamstress' said to Connor and I sulked, feeling rather bullied.

"I've hired the most boring people to exist" I muttered resentfully as I entered my office, leaning down to pull out the elixir and grabbing two wine glasses from my shelf.

"Shouldn't you be proud they value their work above fun?" Connor hummed, he gingerly plucked the elixir from my finger and removed the cork. He placed it under his nose and gave me a smile that could be considered flirty.

"Of course I am, but I need to keep them happy" I couldn't help but notice he stood where Jules had stood as he gazed out the window. My thoughts instantly drifted to the dark prince.

It must have been hard to grow up as a half blood vampire amid the most racist people known to the world. Had it been lonely? There was no doubt.

I hated how part of me seemed to justify his actions that made no sense. The darkness he had, that left me an emotional wreckage and confused. Maybe he thought I could actually help him? But how could I? I was just a-

"What's on your mind?" Connor's voice broke off my thoughts.

I hadn't even realise I was already drinking until I stared into his deep green eyes, staring at me in a way that conveyed more than I hoped to read into. He leaned towards me, closer than I realised was normal for us.