Love and Chaos Series
His Forbidden Mate Chapter 23

Weeks

later,

I came back to the parlour working here as a partner and supervising, just as I agreed with Edward. It was a mutual understanding to keep the partnership a secret. The reason was that the time I spent away from the parlour taught me I had much to give. I wasn't nothing without the parlour and if the place could stand on its own without me, I'd happily move on. The prince agreed to the proposal, and we had related on the affairs of the parlour but only in our private meeting chamber.

I disclosed my reinstatement as a partner to only Jane on the first day of my return and she was happier than I had ever seen. She told me the parlour needed my touch, but I told her I'd take a step back and watch from the side. She told me she had no problems with that plan as long as I was here. I've done the side observations for the past three weeks and it's been great so far.

I moved from the counter at the chambers to the mild room where the new victims usually stayed and then I noticed Cynthia, a worker at the parlour from a far off, having a conversation with a victim I could tell was new, without her mask on. She was a pretty maiden, petite, blonde hair, with blue eyes and a flirty smile. She had charms and knew how to use them to her advantage.

The VIP section at the bar, which included the pleasure lounges, room and podium, permitted workers to have masks off. The customers there were those dimmed worthy of trust as they had spent over six months at the desire parlour. Our aim had always been to keep the identity of the workers hidden so they can live normal lives outside of the parlour. We have done that so far with the mask. I didn't know if it was a new rule or if she forgot, but mistakes were deadly and could bring more harm to her and everyone else than she could imagine.

For the last six years since the parlour has existed, I've never had a worker take off his or her mask before. Our job was already a delicate one filled with risks. We couldn't add the luxury of exposing ourselves to just anyone who wandered into our parlour. It seemed Cynthia desperately wanted the attention of this victim. She ignored the rules everyone had followed religiously for years.

I waited for her in the dressing room where we could have a calm and formal talk. She entered not so long after to pick up her mask.

"How did you not remember it the first time?" I asked with a curious tone as I stared at her while leaning against the wall in the corner of the dressing room.

She turned around to me, her eyes not showing any form of remorse for her action. "I was in a haste," she said dismissively while staring at herself in the mirror and twirling her curly blonde hair.

"No amount of hastening should make you forget about protecting yourself first," I told her, pushing myself off the wall and taking a step forward.

She threw her head back and exhaled annoyingly. "Fine, I get it. Don't forget the mask. I won't do it again."

I had high doubts about that. I had doubted this was her first time leaving the dressing room without her mask on, and I did not know what exactly she hoped to achieve. She was either naïve or stupid, or both. Cynthia had been assaulted for stealing and left for dead, but Jane rescued and brought her to me two years ago. As usual, we took care of her until she could speak and walk, and we offered her the chance to stay or leave. She chose to leave, and she did. Three days later, she returned and asked if the choice to stay was still available. I was sceptical, but Jane talked me into agreeing, stating she'd die in the street if we didn't take her. I accepted and told Jane she would stay in charge of her and so it had been ever since. I noticed that, unlike the other girls, Cynthia had a rebellious trait and did things at her own pace instead of when others did it. Taking things at one's pace was good, but when it slows everyone else down, it becomes a problem. I believed these were all things I could work with and I have done that these past two years, but I couldn't take lightly the thought of her putting everyone at risk with her recklessness.

"You need to learn to listen and take corrections when you're wrong. The fact that you've got this attitude response shows you see no error in your act. You could destroy everything this parlour stands for with your carelessness and that won't be fair to everyone else. You either take corrections when it's given, or you leave. Understood?"

"You're not the boss of this parlour anymore. The prince is. I do not have to listen to a word you have to say. I answer to him and not you!" she spat out, taking herself out of the room.

I could not believe her disrespect for me and disregard for the safety of herself and the workers of the parlour.

I followed her out. "I'm not done talking to you," I spoke up, and she halted but didn't turn to me.

I felt a flare build up within me because while she couldn't see what her carelessness could cause, I could and I had seen it. She might not respect me, but I expected her to respect others here and on her journey so far.

"You are rude and disrespectful and ignorant of what this parlour had done for you. The prince might own this place, but I build it up from the ground to where it is now."

"Then you lost it because of your carelessness and now work under the prince, just like every one of us. If you were so smart, that wouldn't have happened. You wouldn't have lost what you called your life. So keep your damn suggestions to yourself, omega." She sneered at me.

Red flashed in my vision and I almost reached forward to take her by the hair when I heard from behind.

"I don't think that's how you speak to someone who brought you in and took care of you when you were left for dead now is it?" Edward asked from behind and I turned to replace him leaning against the wall, not so far away. He had overheard our heated argument and I wonder how long he stood there and how much he head.

The anger in me subsided, but didn't go away.

Cynthia's eyes widened, realising that Edward had heard her nasty and tactless words. "My prince, I am sorry. I didn't notice you were there." She lowered her head in respect and I foamed in annoyance.

She respected him but failed to show even a little to me. I don't care if I was a cleaner at the parlour. I deserve respect just as much as the prince.

But I guess after what he put me through before my workers many weeks ago, everyone gets to have their shot at me now.

"Why? Would that have compelled you to show your mistress a little more respect?" his brow rose, and he took a step forward.

"I'm sorry, my prince," she said, with her head still bowed.

"Leave. Your mistress will decide your fate." she nodded and scrambled away quickly.

We stood alone in the hallway and the anger I felt still lingered. As if he knew he said nothing, I could feel his intense gaze on me. He stepped in just in time to save us from a nasty fight, but also overheard the demeaning words of Cynthia to me. "I didn't need your help," I spoke through gritted teeth.

"I know," he sighed, his voice showing he wasn't ready for a fight. "I saw you were going to handle it your own way. I also know this is my fault"

I turned to stare at him. "You want to help? Then leave. Go back to the capital where your life is and never come back."