by Blue Saffire
Mix Up
Cinder
I rush as fast as the gravel path and my heels will allow. It was so foolish of me to lose track of time. I truly got caught up in the magic of the night.
When Princeton stood before me on the dance floor something inside me shifted. I felt beautiful and powerful. Everyone’s eyes were on me, but his stare did something to me.
It was in that moment that I made the decision to be someone else this evening. I wanted to forget Cinder. Forget the responsibilities that have dropped into my lap in the last year. For once, I didn’t want to feel like I was trying to stay afloat.
“Wait, damn it. You’re going to hurt yourself in those shoes.”
He calls from behind me. I don’t stop. I push my way into the ballroom and dart through the crowd.
“Shit,” I mutter, half out of breath.
I have to retrieve my phone. Megan, my assistant took it when I arrived and gave me a ticket. She pushed me to join the party, promising she had it all under control.
I change directions and rush for the check in area. I pull out the ticket and thrust it out with a shaky hand. If I miss my ride I don’t know how I’ll get off this island.
Every car had to be approved. I called ahead to get the two Ubers clearance for my staff. The same drivers agreed to return for them since they already had clearance. I look around for Megan. She’s in charge of security and clearance.
I groan, knowing she has gone home. Bianca refused to pay her the overtime. I’m sure to spite me when she thought I’d be running the event this evening.
Honestly, everyone that was meant to get off and on this island had approval weeks ago. She had no need to stick around after 11:30 p.m. Security has their list. I would have been here to oversee the rest of the event.
I’ll have to walk the bridge in these shoes if I miss my ride. The attendant hands over my phone in the custom bags the Whitmans wanted all of their guests to leave with. I clench it to my chest and turn for the doors.
“Wait,” Princeton calls from behind me as he pushes through the crowd, patting his pockets.
I don’t stop. Rushing out of the castle, I find the Wraith parked out front. I breathe a sigh of relief and pull the door open to slip inside. I fall back against the front seat and put my head back, only to jump when an unexpected voice greets my ears from the backseat.
“Well, hello, dear. Are we giving you a ride home?”
I turn to find Mrs. Blake sitting in the back of the car. I look toward the driver and realize it’s not mine from earlier. I groan and cover my face with my hands.
“I’m so sorry. I thought this was my car.”
“No worries, my dear. I’m sure Princeton wouldn’t mind giving you a ride home.”
“No, I have a ride. I think,” I murmur.
“You mean the Wraith with the worried looking driver that just left?”
“Seriously?”
“Yes, seriously. I have a splitting headache. I’ve been out here for some time. I figured Princeton would show up when he was ready. The no phone policy has turned into a pain,” she says.
“I do apologize. I’ll find a ride.”
I turn to open the door and step out. Princeton appears with a smile on his lips. I bite my lip, feeling my cheeks heat.
“So, you run away from me to jump in my car?” he says and lifts a brow.
“I thought it was my car in my rush,” I reply.
He has removed his mask, revealing his handsome face. Those eyes are even more piercing without it. He places his hand on my waist.
“Where’s your car? I’ll walk you to it.”
“Your mother says it left.” I do my best not to pout.
“Princeton, dear, help the girl into the car. I have a headache. You can drop me at the apartment in the city and then see that she gets to her home,” his mother says from inside the car.
“You heard my mother. We’ll take her home and then I’ll get you to bed,” he says in that sexy deep voice of his. It seems like everything he has said tonight has had a double entendre.
“You don’t have to do that. I’ll be fine.”
He places his fingers beneath my chin, lifting my head so I have to look up at him. “I will get you home safely. Get inside, princess.”
I shiver at the way he says the last word. I go to protest just as my stepmother and stepsisters come out of the castle calling Princeton’s name. I bite back my response and slip into the backseat of the car. I don’t want them to see me here.
I know it will only cause me more trouble if they know that not only have I come to the event, but I’ve been with Princeton all night. Once I’m inside, his mother reaches for my hand and squeezes it in hers.
I look over to her and she gives me a warm smile. Reminding me of her words from earlier in the office, I’m curious about this woman. Her kindness toward me gives me pause.
“No, I’ve told you that you will not handle my event. If you can’t accommodate my request, I’ll take my needs elsewhere,” Princeton says outside of the car, grabbing my attention.
“I assure you we can handle your needs,” Rosa purrs.
“I doubt that. Goodnight,” Princeton says before climbing into the front seat.
The door closes and I slump down in my seat as Glenda narrows her eyes and stares into the window. Mrs. Blake pats my hand, causing me to turn to her. She gives me that smile again.
“The windows are tinted.”
“Oh,” I reply and straighten feeling like a dummy.
The rest of the ride is silent, allowing me to get lost in my head. I should find a cab once at his mother’s home. Something tells me that Princeton would like to continue this night. The spell has been broken. It’s time for me to go back to my real life.
My stepmother and stepsisters proved as a reminder of that. Princeton Blake is no ordinary man. I’d be foolish to allow myself to get sweep up in him. I know the Blake event file well. His party is for him to find a bride.
The guestlist of potential brides is a mile long. I’m nowhere near the pedigree for his perfect match. I shake away all the dreams and ideas I had while we talked in the gardens by the fountain.
“It was so very nice to see you again, my dear,” his mother says as the car comes to a stop.
I furrow my brows. “Wait. How did you know it was me?”
“You, my dear, are undeniably your mother’s child. You carry her grace and beauty. I would know you in a crowd of a million others because you would shine the brightest. Have a good night, sweetheart,” she says giving me a knowing grin.
I sit stunned. I have several questions, but I don’t get to ask them as she climbs from the car, leaving me speechless. I break from my shock once they disappear in the posh high-rise we’ve stopped in front of.
“Tell Mr. Blake I said thank you for the ride back into the city. I’ll get home from here,” I say quickly.
I try to reach for the door to open it. The driver gets out and comes around to open the door and helps me from the back seat. I murmur my thanks as I take in my surroundings and try to catch my bearings.
Once I figure out where I am, I head for the subway. I roll my eyes at my hurting feet but I keep moving until there’s distance between me and Princeton Blake. I don’t get far before my feet scream for me to find a cab. Remembering the expensive looking crown on my head as a couple walks by eyeing me, I stop to flag myself a ride on the next block before I get myself mugged.
“Boy, what a night,” I say as I climb into the back of a cab.
Princeton
“How is your head, Mother?” I ask as we enter the apartment my parents keep in the city.
“I’ve faired better. Don’t you worry about me. Go, make sure that girl gets home.”
I narrow my eyes on my mother. Once again noting her odd behavior when it comes to the little dove waiting downstairs for me. This time I choose not to ignore it.
“Mother, what are you up to?”
“Whatev
er do you mean?”
I fold my arms over my chest and rock back on my heels. I’m no fool. I know my mother well.
“Who is she? What’s this interest with her?”
“With who, dear? I’m getting on in age. Not as swift as I used to be. You’ll have to clue me in a bit more.”
“Really, Mother? You’re as sharp as a tack. Furthermore, you were very insistent on using Beauty for Ashes for the event.
“Considering that the event isn’t going to be in New York at all and Beauty for Ashes has an office in Europe, yet you were adamant about using the New York office. I still find that to be odd.”
“Not to mention that meeting this morning was absurd. I know you. You wouldn’t allow such behavior or sit through such bullshit unless you had a reason,” I say.
“You watch your mouth.”
“Mother,” I growl.
She sighs, turning with a huff. I’m not here for the dramatics. I want answers. I’m missing something important here and I don’t like the feeling of not knowing what.
“Have you asked the girl for her name as of yet?”
“No. Well, yes, but she refused. You know the whole masquerade thing. She wanted to play along… why?”
“I think you should go downstairs and ask her for her name. It will all become clear to you when you have that answer.”
“Mother. You know I hate riddles. Why don’t you just tell me,” I demand.
“Because I’m going to bed. You’re a grown man as you so often like to remind me. You can handle this. Goodnight, Love. My head is starting to truly ache something awful.”
I know there’s no point bothering to agree with her. I decide that I’ll go to the source for the information I want. However, that doesn’t stop me from watching my mother for a beat. She has a smile on her lips that send a chill down my spine.
“Goodnight. Mother. Feel better.”
With that I turn, placing my guard up. This woman is up to something. I’m sure of it.
My mind is occupied with my mother’s odd behavior as I make my way down to the car. When I reach the vehicle and go to climb inside I notice right away—she’s gone. I want to tear my hair from the roots.
Something on the backseat catches my attention. I reach into the back for it. It’s one of the bags the cellphones were placed in. Reaching inside I pull out the device inside.
Tapping at the screen, the logo for Beauty for Ashes lights up before me. I grin. She may have gotten away tonight, but not forever. I have a mystery to solve.
“Who are you?”
Chapter 6
If It Fits
Cinder
I’ve been a frazzled mess all morning. I can’t find my phone. My entire life is in that thing. I’ve been trying to remember the last time I saw it.
Okay, I’ve been trying to pray away the last place I remember seeing it. If I’m right, that means I need to contact the Blakes to see if one of them found my phone in their car.
Yeah, I know which one would have been most likely to find it and I’m not ready to admit to that. I shove my hand in my hair. I have tons of work to get to and I need to stop agonizing over this situation.
“Ms. Ellis, there’s a Mr. Blake here to see you.” Megan’s voice comes through the intercom.
I groan and palm my face. Of course, he’s here. This is officially going to be the day from hell. I jump up realizing I need to get him out of here before those witches show up for work.
They will all drag their asses in late because of the party last night. Well, later than usual. It’s sickening. The rest of the staff has come to work on time, even if some of us are existing off of coffee or sheer will. Not to mention, we had a two-hour delay in our clock-in time because of such a big event.
“I’ll be right out,” I say to Megan.
I rush to the mirror to check my hair and face. When I realize what I’m doing, I freeze. I shouldn’t be primping for a client.
Smoothing my hands down the front of my suit jacket, I turn and head out to the front desk. The man is more gorgeous this morning than the last two times I saw him. I don’t know how that’s even possible.
Instead of the parted, combed to the side style from yesterday, he has a blowout. It works so well with his strong features. His suit and tie complement his body and bring out his eyes.
“Good morning, Mr. Blake. How can I help you?” I say, and thank God my voice comes out even.
“Ms. Ellis, is it?”
“Yes.”
He narrows his eyes at me. “I do believe we can move to first names—”
He cuts off waiting for me to offer my first name. I don’t know why, but I hesitate to offer it. Just as I go to tell him, the elevator opens and to my horror my stepfamily steps out.
“Princeton!” Bianca cheers. “So good to see you this morning. We can have a conference room all set up so we can discuss your event.”
“Mr. Blake. We’re not friends. Address me properly,” he clips out.
Megan has to stifle a laugh. I turn a sharp look on her and her eyes are twinkling with mirth. I know she just heard him tell me to call him by his first name. My staff hates my stepfamily as much as I do.
Heck, I would laugh too if I wasn’t gearing for the shit show about to happen. Here we are on today’s episode of things like this only happen to Cinder.
“Excuse me, forgive my rudeness,” my stepmother says and fidgets in indignation.
“I’m not here to see you. I’ve come to return this phone to Ms. Ellis.”
“Phone?” Glenda says.
“Yes, she left it after the ball last night.”
“Cindy wasn’t at the ball last night,” Rosa says dumbly.
Princeton snaps his head in my direction. His eyes light up, but a look of confusion also takes root. The questions in his eyes draw me in.
“Cindy,” he repeats.
“Yes, Cindy wasn’t at the ball last night. She couldn’t have left the phone with you,” Bianca says, failing terribly at hiding the venom in her voice.
Cindy. I hate that fucking name. My name is Cinder Ellis. For years my father shorted it to Cindy, which I didn’t mind from him. It was a sweet endearment.
These three hurl it like a weapon. Especially after finding out how much I hate it. It’s even on most of my documents.
My mother said she named me Cinder because even as a new born, I was quiet but full of this energy that was just under the surface waiting to combust at any moment.
I always loved the way she explained my name to me as a little girl. Cindy is a fucking insult to my mother’s memory. It always pisses me off, but I’ve learned to ignore it. Today, however, I want to lunge at the witch. She knows how much I hate it.
Princeton takes my phone from his pocket and holds it up in front of me. He has a smile on his lips as he looks down at me. That panty-melting smile almost calms some of my anger.
“Is this not your phone, Cindy?”
Before I can correct him on my name or answer him about the phone Glenda saunters over to pluck the phone from his hands. She plasters on a fake smile and bats her lashes up at him.
“Oh my God! This is my phone. I was so upset. I thought I lost it.
“That phone check business was so annoying. I couldn’t even call my stepsister to see if she was okay. I felt so bad that she fell ill and couldn’t come to the ball last night,” she says and puts on a fake pout.
My face has to say all the shit I’m thinking. First, Glenda and I aren’t even the same damn complexion. I’m dark to medium brown, a chocolate sister, and she’s light brown, caramel colored.
Princeton would have to be blind to confuse us. Not to mention her tacky blonde weave. That dry thing could never be mistaken for my dark curly waves, not even when I straighten it.
I go to speak, but Princeton holds up his hand. I jerk my head back and frown, but I clamp my mouth shut. Something in his eyes tells me to let him handle this one.
“So, you’re telling me
that you’re the one I kissed last night?” he says and lifts a brow.
I school my face quickly as all eyes shoot to me. We never kissed. I stopped him the one time he tried.
“Yes, that was me,” Glenda says and moves closer to him, shooting me an evil glare over her shoulder.
“That blue gown you wore was stunning,” Princeton says with a wolfish smile. “Funny, under the ballroom lighting your hair wasn’t blonde.”
“Oh, it was a wig. I wanted to do something different for the party,” Glenda lies.
“Hm. Did you enjoy our time on the balcony as much as I did?”
“Yes, I truly did. Especially the kiss.”
I want to burst into laughter. This witch is such a liar and idiot. She’s feeding right into his hands.
I fold my arms over my chest as I fume. Bianca looks at me with a smug grin on her lips. Rosa, the idiot she is, looks completely confused. Bianca has to pinch her when she goes to say something.
I can’t believe these three.
“Here, unlock your phone. I want to give you my number. I had such a great time with you last night. We have to go to dinner,” he says smoothly.
“Oh, um… I,” Glenda fumbles as she takes the phone. I can see her face blanch as she fails to open it the first two times. “I thought this phone was a loss. So, we stopped to get me a new one. That’s why we were late this morning.”
“You should still be able to unlock this one, right?” Princeton says.
Glenda’s entire face is covered in a blush. Dummy didn’t think this one through. No surprise there.
“I… I can just place your number in my new phone,” she stammers out, pulling her cell from her purse.
“No, I want to make sure I give this phone to its rightful owner. I’m still pissed at the way you left me last night. When I spank the ass of the owner of this phone, I want to make sure it’s the right ass I’m spanking.”
My mouth drops open. Glenda crosses her legs the same way I cross mine. The lust that fills her eyes is clear. With new determination, she tries to unlock my phone. Several tries and nothing.
I’m still staring at Princeton in shock. His eyes are on me as well as he shoots me heated promises. I don’t know if I want to run or jump in his arms and beg for him to make good on his words.