Once Upon A Time Read online

  “Sweetie, it’s written all over your face,” he added, wrapping his arm around me and pulling me close.

  I rested my head on his shoulder and just stared, not concentrating on anything in particular as I tried to find solace from my friend.

  “It’s okay to fall for him, Pay,” he whispered, placing a soft kiss against my hair. “I understand how important your job is and how much it means to you. I understand Cam did a real number on your heart, enough for you to believe there’s no such thing as fairy tales and Prince Charming. But what’s life without a little risk?”

  I sighed deeply. My job meant the world to me but as I sat cuddling the one man I knew would never hurt me, I realized seeing, talking, arguing and laughing with Gabriel was beginning to mean far more than my job ever could.

  “I pushed him away, Quinn,” I whispered.

  “If he’s truly falling for you, it doesn't matter how hard or how far you push, he'll always come back for you. And that, right there, is the definition of Prince Charming.”

  There it was, the truth in all its glory and I didn't have a single argument against it.

  I woke sometime later in my bed, groggy and disorientated. I must have fallen asleep on Quinn sometime after the truth finally rang through my ears, and for the first time in a long time, I finally believed.

  Turning, I grabbed my cell from my bedside cabinet and checked the time. 3am. Ugh.

  Tomorrow was the start of the opening night preparations for Alpha. Deciding to forgo more sleep, I jumped out of bed and got dressed. I threw on some sweats, a hoodie and my chucks. I placed my hair into a messy bun and grabbed my notes and pen from my dresser, throwing them into my purse as I made my way out of my room.

  I needed my head in the game. I was going to show everyone just how good I was at my job in the hopes that, if I finally let Gabriel in, maybe Kate wouldn't fire me. Wishful thinking but it was a step forward at least.

  Reaching for the door knob, I startled as I heard the sound of someone clearing their throat. Turning, I furrowed my brows as I took in the person standing in my hallway, clad in only a pair of black boxers that did nothing to particularly hide what was underneath.

  “Good morning, Payton.”

  Luca’s British accent washed over me and I was confused as to why the hell he was in my apartment.

  “Uh. Did you break in?” I asked, my stupidity clearly the outcome of the lack of sleep.

  He chuckled quietly.

  “No, I've been here since I carried you to bed.”

  Um, what?

  “Sorry.” I paused, shaking my head. “I’m confused. Am I still asleep?”

  He rolled his eyes.

  “No, you’re definitely awake, tiger. I came back with Kylie and found you and Quinn asleep on the sofa. I woke Quinn but none of us had the heart to wake you so I carried you to bed… then Kylie.”

  That explained why he’s standing in my hallway in nothing but a pair of boxers but it didn’t explain why he’s awake at 3am.

  “One, ew. Two, I’ll break your legs if you hurt her… or she will. Don’t be fooled by her softness, she really is a black belt. And three, why are you awake?”

  “All duly noted, and do you need me to inform you of my bladder schedule or can I use your bathroom?” He smirked, turning on his heel and heading for the bathroom.

  Well, okay then. I didn't have time to linger and question his motives towards my best friend, I wasn't in a position to do that, not with the mess I found myself in with Gabriel. Sighing, I opened the door and exited my apartment building. Flagging down a cab, I made my way to the office to get started on a weekend filled with planning and coordinating.

  Hours soon ticked by as I made myself comfortable in my office chair. The entire building was empty apart from the security office, who kindly let me into the building at stupid o’clock. By the time 11am rolled by, everything was ready for Friday’s big opening of Alpha. My stomach grumbled as I fired off the last of the morning’s emails and I decided I could grab some lunch on the way to the printers.

  The minute I stood from my chair, my door was flung open and in walked Clarissa and Katrina, both wearing snarls on their faces.

  Ugh. I didn't have time for this.

  “Whatever it is, please make it quick, I need to head to the printers,” I said flippantly as I threw my purse on my shoulder.

  “Kate asked us to find out why you’re in the office on a weekend.” Katrina sighed as if it was some sort of big chore.

  “Erm.” I gazed over the cluttered mess of my desk. “Working?”

  Clarissa laughed darkly from my door, stepping forward with an evil glare.

  “Why would you need to work on a weekend? You’re nothing but a coffee fetcher.”

  I snarled, these two were getting on my last nerve.

  “Maybe, but I do have one of the biggest accounts Blue Stone PR has right now so that makes me an asset to the company.”

  Clarissa tilted her head slightly, glaring at me harder.

  “For now,” she replied before turning on her heels and walking out of my office, her sister following closely behind.

  What the hell was that supposed to mean? I didn't have time to question it as I glanced at my wristwatch. I needed to get to the printers. Before I could even leave my office, I was greeted by a delivery man.

  “Miss Miller?” he asked, holding an envelope.

  “Yes.” I smiled as he handed me his clipboard to sign for the package.

  Without thinking, I threw the envelope in my purse and followed the delivery man down to exit the building.

  I made it to the printers with five minutes to spare and was able to grab something to eat before heading back home. I was exhausted but everything was ready for the opening and I felt a sense of accomplishment, hoping it would be an amazing night.

  I got back to my apartment around 1pm to find Kylie on the sofa with Quinn as they watched some ridiculous rom-com movie.

  “Hey, where did you get off to this morning?” Kylie asked as I dumped my purse on the vanity.

  “I was in the office. Everything’s ready for Friday night.” I smiled.

  “That’s awesome, Pay!” Kylie shrieked. “Well done!”

  “Thank you, but now I could do with a jar of Nutella and some sleep.” I sighed, heading into the kitchen to retrieve my jar of goodness when I remembered Luca from this morning. “Speaking of sleep, I found a British stranger in our apartment this morning.”

  “Oh my god!” Quinn gasped, gaping at Kylie. “You said you sent him home!”

  “Ugh, don’t get your panties in a wad, Quinn. It’s not like I planned it!” Kylie smirked, shaking her head. “It just happened.”

  “Just happened my ass! You were drooling over him all night,” Quinn fired back.

  “How would you know, you were sucking face with your waiter!” Kylie teased, smacking Quinn on the chest.

  “Ooof!” Quinn cried. “Leave my hot ass waiter out of this.”

  “You’re just jealous because you want a bit of the British hottie.”

  “I’m not jealous!” Quinn crossed his arms over his chest. “Just merely pissed I missed out on seeing him in just a pair of boxers.” He turned to me. “Did you see him in just his boxers?”

  I smiled, leaning against the kitchen counter as I dived into my jar of chocolate spread.

  “Yup.” The sound of the P popped on my lips and Quinn took that moment to stand from the sofa and stomp towards the door.

  “I hate you both!” He shook his head, leaving the apartment.

  The room was silent for a moment, my finger hanging in mid-air as I wondered what the hell that was about. Laughter then filled the room from both me and Kylie.

  “What was that about?” I asked, taking a seat on the sofa next to Kylie.

  “It might have something to do with his waiter playing hard to get.” Kylie winked and I couldn't help laugh.

  “So, I had a run in with the gruesome twosome today,” I
finally said after a moment.

  Kylie’s head whipped around faster than I thought humanly possible.

  “What happened?” she asked, her brows furrowed.

  “Just the usual BS. Nothing interesting.” I shrugged.

  I decided to leave out the part that confused the hell out of me. Knowing those two, they were probably bluffing to ruffle my feathers.

  “Hmmm.” She pondered for a moment, sticking her finger into my jar.

  “Hey!” I slapped her hand away as she placed her finger into her mouth with a wink.

  “Girly weekend?”

  “If it involves romantic comedies, no way.”

  “Fine.” She huffed. “If you let me give you a mani-pedi, we can watch action movies.”

  I sighed, shaking my head.

  “If you must.”

  BY MONDAY MORNING, I hadn’t heard from Gabriel since the incident at my apartment. My emails, calls and text messages had all gone unanswered and I was yet again met with replies from his secretary. As much as I adored Rebecca, it was becoming tedious and infuriating. Most of the preparations were done but I still needed approvals, signatures, and decisions had to be made.

  It was 3pm before it got a little too much, and instead of doing the normal thing, call his office to have a civilized conversation, I called his cell instead. It rang twice before I got his voicemail.

  “You've reached Gabriel Black of Black Enterprises, please leave your name and number and I'll get back to you in due course.”

  What a surprise! He put me through to his voicemail. Clearing my throat, I started the word vomit that just kept on coming.

  “Mr. Black,” I began, “Since you've so kindly been avoiding all forms of communication with me, I decided to leave you a voicemail in the hope you find your backbone and get back to me. The opening is on Friday night and you hired Blue Stone PR to ensure the opening is a roaring success. I can’t do my job while your pride is in my way. Please get back to me at your earliest convenience, you egotistical son-of-a-bitch. Have a nice day.”

  “Whoa, that was a little dramatic.” Kylie chuckled from the doorway as I ended the call.

  I groaned and dropped my cell on my desk, placing my head in my hands. Kylie uncrossed her arms and stepped into my office, shutting the door behind her and taking a seat in the chair opposite my desk.

  “What’s going on, Pay?” she asked, placing her arms on the desk and leaning forward. “You were off all weekend too. It was like you were in a constant daydream.”

  She was right. After falling victim to her girlie weekend filled with manicures, pedicures and facials, not even my favorite movie could pull me out of my funk. My mind had been going over every word Gabriel had said to me.

  Prince Charming doesn’t exist. But I do.

  My heart raced at just the memory of how his lips wrapped around the words, ones I’d usually cringe at. I’d quickly realized that I missed him, that his constant stonewalling me wasn't infuriating me in a way that had my blood boiling; instead it was infuriation at myself because no matter how much I tried, he was always on my mind.

  I hated that he could do that to me.

  “It seems my Prince Charming, as you like to call him, has taken a vow of silence. He isn't talking to me,” I admitted, my hurt voice surprising even me.

  “What did you do?” She sighed, as if it was all my fault.

  “Sorry?” I sat back in my chair, a little hurt that my best friend would automatically assume it was me that had caused this.

  “Payton, the man can only take so much.” She groaned. “He told you something that you've been afraid of, didn't he?”

  Understatement of the year.

  He was falling for me and I couldn't deny the feeling in my chest, the tightening that happened when he’s in the room. It was my body trying to tell my head and my heart that I was falling for him too.

  “He’s falling for me,” I whispered, unable to look my best friend in the eye.

  “Why is that such a bad thing? I don’t understand, Pay.” Hurt dripped from her and I was confused as to why. I arched my brow and she shook her head. “Do you know how much I crave my fairy tale? Here you are, the workaholic, the woman who doesn't believe in love and romance and happily ever after, and your Prince Charming is staring you right in the face. They say a woman gets two loves in their lives. First, their daddy, because no matter how many princes walk into your life, your daddy will always be your king. Second is your true love. The one. I want that. You have it, so stop being so frightened of something that could ultimately make you happier than you ever imagined.”

  “I’m sorry.” The words were barely a whisper from my lips. “I’m completely out of my depth when it comes to him.”

  “I noticed.” She smirked. “It’s okay to be vulnerable, sweetie.”

  I rolled my eyes and shook my head.

  “The last time I did that, you had to pick up the pieces, remember?” She nodded her head slightly as I pushed back the memory of Cam and my heart being shattered. “He could break my heart, Kylie.”

  She sighed, standing from the chair, looking me right in the eyes.

  “And the sky could fall or I could be hit by a bus tomorrow. Pay, life carries risks, everything is a risk. For once, please, just stop worrying about the risks and grab your once upon a time.”

  “I thought it was happily ever after?”

  “Happily ever afters are when a story is complete. Honey, your story’s just beginning.”

  I sighed deeply. She had a point, there was no denying that. I sat back in my chair for a moment, wondering if this really could be the start of my own fairy tale. I cringed slightly. This wasn't a fairy tale, this was my life. Could I really get my once upon a time and happily ever after? I’d be risking my job, my home. I’d be risking everything in the hopes that Gabriel wouldn't break my heart. Even if I took the risk, would he still want me? I’d pushed him away so much since we met, I was surprised he hadn't run a mile.

  Was my once upon a time worth the risk?

  “Love is always worth the risk,” Kylie whispered. “So, on Friday, you’re going to strut into Alpha looking a million dollars, and you’re going to grab your man by the lapels of his suit and never let go.”

  I looked at my best friend confused for a moment. I wasn't confused about grabbing my man. Instead, I was confused because Alpha was strictly invitation only. I knew because I sent the invitations and as far as I knew, I didn't have one.

  “Kylie, I haven't been invited.”

  She smiled brightly, any brighter and I swear her smile would've blinded me.

  “What are you smiling at?” I asked, utterly confused and slightly worried.

  “The entire company has been invited to Alpha.” She smirked, pulling out a gold envelope that housed the black invitations I had designed. “We all got one this morning.”

  I furrowed my brows, wondering what she was talking about. I hadn’t received anything about Alpha.

  “Where did you get that?” I asked, perplexed.

  “We all got one. They arrived in the mail today,” she said, looking a little confused. “You didn't get one?”

  I shook my head, then it came to me. Turning in my chair, I pulled out my purse and fished out the package I received over the weekend.

  “What’s that?” Kylie asked, pointing to the package.

  It was a simple envelope that looked and felt nothing like the one Kylie had in her hands. Shrugging, I ripped open the envelope and tipped out the contents. Falling against my desk was my black and gold invitation to the opening of Alpha, followed by something I really wasn't expecting.

  A black and gold Am-Ex credit card.

  “What the hell?” I whispered, placing the packaging on the desk and holding up the card.

  If the colors of the card didn't give away who it belonged to, the name on the front did.

  “Mr. Gabriel W. Black,” I read, running my finger over the embossed letters.

  “Hol
y shit!” Kylie squealed. “Even I don’t have an Am-Ex! Damn.” She sighed. “Is there a note or anything?”

  I looked at the contents of the package, not seeing a note. Kylie grabbed the packaging it all came in and had a look through it, making an "a ha!"and fished something out. It was a note.

  “Whoa. That’s some expensive stationary and damn, that calligraphy is amazing!” she said in awe.

  “Will you just read the damn note, please?” I rolled my eyes.

  “Pull your panties out of your ass and listen.” Her eyes were wide as she scanned the note before handing it to me.

  “What?” I asked, taking the note from her hands and reading it out loud.

  Payton, you shall go to the ball. Have Kylie take you to Vera Wang… again. Yes, she told me about the incident. Vera has hand-picked you a dress. She owes me a considerable favor, and so she has designed something exclusively for you. I trust Kylie will help you in the shoe department. A princess deserves the world and you ARE a princess. Love, Prince G.

  With my eyes wide and my heart thundering against my chest, I placed the note on the table, unable to control my mouth to speak. I was, in fact, speechless.

  “Oh. My. God!!” Kylie bounced and jumped around my office like a woman on a mission. “He’s given you his credit card, he called you a princess! Wait, he called you a princess… Are you okay?”

  “I… I...” I groaned, unable to find my voice. “I don’t even know what to say to that. I mean, he’s just handed me a credit card and called me a princess. Two things he knows I don’t agree with. Why would he do that?”

  “Because he’s Prince G.” She smirked.

  I shook my head and pushed the offending objects away. “I can’t accept this. It’s too much.”

  “Honey, you’re going to go to that appointment at Vera Wang and you’re going to go to the opening night. You know as well as I do that you could turn up in a trash bag and he wouldn't care. The point is, Payton, he’s trying to push away your perceptions of fairy tales by pushing them on you. He’s a smart man, in my opinion.”

  “The man who makes my coffee without me having to tell him my order is a smart man, but that doesn't mean he’s going to hand me his credit card,” I countered, arching my brow.