Fuck.
I get up, shielding her from his attack. “Don’t,” I say, holding up my hand as he barges toward us.
“I told you not to bring those girls to the palace anymore!” he rages. “How dare you!”
“I’m a grown man, and I can do what I want,” I reply, angry that the guards let him in even though I told them no one could disturb me—except Maya, of course. But apparently, they don’t listen to my authority when my father intrudes. Goddammit.
“This is my palace. You may be a prince, but I’m still your father,” he says, shoving his finger against my chest. “You should know better than to toy with random girls you picked off the street.”
“She’s not a random girl,” I spit back. “Don’t talk about her like that.”
He cocks his head slightly, peeking over my shoulder. His eyes narrow. “Her …”
“Don’t bring her into this,” I say with a stern voice. “She has nothing to do with this.”
“Then why is she sitting here naked on your bed, which is completely soaked?”
“It’s my fault that it’s wet. I fell into the bathtub and didn’t dry off. Don’t be angry with her, please.” I position myself between her and him so he can’t reach her.
“It’s my choice. I brought her here.”
“Isn’t she your designer?” he growls.
I’m biting the inside of my cheeks to restrain myself. “Yes. And she has every right to be here.”
“So now you’re screwing the workers too?” he scoffs, laughing. “Amir, you need to stop playing around. This is no time to hook up with foreign girls.”
“She isn’t just a foreign girl. She’s not just any girl to me, Father,” I say. “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you all along, I like her. A lot.”
“She is a foreigner. A commoner,” he hisses, laying his gaze on her again. “You … I should have you thrown in jail.”
“NO!” I growl back, pushing him away when he tries to get close.
She immediately bolts, still holding the sheets. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” she mutters, grabbing her clothes. “This was a mistake.”
“Maya, don’t go,” I say, walking up to her, completely ignoring my dad shouting at me from behind. “Stay, please.”
“I can’t,” she says, shaking her head, tears welling up in her eyes.
I know he hurt her. No, I hurt her. It’s because of me that she’s in this position. I seduced her. Pulled her into my bed. Stripped her naked. And now my father found us … It’s all my fault. My burden to carry.
“I’m sorry,” I say, sighing as I grab her hand. “Please, let me make it up—”
“I … I …” Her eyes shift back and forth between mine and my father’s, and then she pulls her hand away. “I’m sorry, Amir.”
And then she bolts through the doors, carrying all her stuff except the beautiful clothes she made for me.
* * *
Maya
Covered in tears and water, I clean myself up in the bathroom and put on my clothes before making a quick exit. I’m mortified of the people looking at me as if they’re seeing a ghost. I know I look ridiculous, but at this point, I just want to get out of here fast. Screw looking decent. Screw saying goodbye. I’m out of here, and I don’t ever wanna see this palace again.
As I make my way back to the hotel, the tears start to pour down my cheeks. I’m unable to keep them at bay, and I don’t know why. Part of me is still in shock, I guess. That’s what happens when the king finds you naked in bed with his son.
God, just thinking about it makes my whole face glow hot again.
I can’t believe I let him seduce me like that again. Am I really that easy? Or does my heart really have a weakness for him?
I swallow away the lump in my throat when I think of his handsome face, telling myself I have to put it away and never think about it again. It was a one-time thing. Okay, a two-time thing, but it’s never going to happen again. I’m never going to see him again.
I’m leaving, and that’s that.
What’s done is done. I can’t change the past, but at least I can stop myself from hurting further.
So when I finally get back to my room, I quickly pack my bags and book a flight back home. I know it’s only for the best. After all, if I don’t leave by choice, who knows what could happen. His father might have me thrown in jail. I don’t even wanna think about that option, so I’d better act fast and get out of here while I still can.
It doesn’t take me long to get to the airport. I left the workshop and everything else as it was. I didn’t bring anything other than what I came here with. I don’t even care about the payment right now; I just want to get out of here.