Page 25 of Once Upon a Prince

Chapter 15

Ella

It’s been said clothes can make a woman and as I walked out of my room Monday morning, I certainly felt that way. I had a renewed confidence and I knew I was standing a little taller. Ara had even commented when she saw me.

“Dang, girl. You look like a million bucks,” she said as she sipped her coffee.

“I should, the outfit almost cost that much.” I still felt a little weird taking the clothes, much less wearing them. I had decided to wear a pair of gray pants and a green blouse. I seriously thought about wearing the pantsuit that Dax had liked so much but thought better of it. It was going to be awkward enough seeing him without having the pantsuit as a reminder of the moment we had shared or the feelings it had invoked.

“You look incredible and that’s all that matters. Wear it with pride. I’m seriously jealous and know I might need to borrow some of them.”

“Please, you’ve been more than kind with your wardrobe, I’m more than happy to do the same for you.”

“Only when you’ve worn them enough. Now go, have a good day at work, I can’t wait to hear what people say about your new outfit.”

“Thanks. Wish me luck,” I said as I grabbed my purse and walked to the door.

“You won’t need it. Drinks tonight? I think Layla is free.”

“Yeah, let’s do it. Henry’s?” I asked, mentioning the local bar near Layla’s work we had been to a few times.

“I’ll check with Layla but yes. Seven?”

“That should work. See ya then,” I said as I walked out the door.

I felt different, more sure of myself, as I walked to the subway. I could feel people looking at me but it didn’t bother me as it once had as the looks seemed to be more approving than they thought I didn’t belong in their city. As I took the stairs and walked into my office building, I felt for the first time that I belonged and that I could and should make New York City my new home.

But it only took seeing Tanya standing in line to get coffee for my confidence to shatter. My shoulders slumped and my insecurities resurfaced as I remembered what she had said and how she had looked at me. It was quickly replaced with how Dax had looked and what Layla and Ara had said. It helped to remind me that what she did and thought didn’t matter.

I squared my shoulders and walked right up to her. “Good morning. How was your weekend?” I asked as I stood behind her.

She didn’t even look at me but stared straight ahead. I couldn’t help but smile, the woman was beyond ridiculous and seeing how she was made me feel more sorry for her than threatened by her. I stood behind her and looked right over her shoulder. She didn’t turn around but I saw her shoulders tense up as we waited in line.

“Hey, Ella. I thought I saw you there. I got a tea for you, here,” Casey said.

I had talked to Casey a few times as she was Trenton Bishop’s, the company’s lawyer, assistant. She was a little older than me and had been kind and helpful with any questions I had. I wasn’t sure how she knew I liked tea but as she shot a quick glance at Tanya, I understood what she was doing.

“Thanks so much,” I said as I walked out of line and took the tea.

She smiled at me as I took a sip and we walked to the elevator. There was no one around but she looked around us before saying. “Tanya is a bit full of herself. Don’t let her get to you.”

“I don’t,” I said.

“She likes to make things difficult, shall we say, for some of the assistants. She even made a few quit. I’m glad to see she didn’t do that to you.”

It didn’t surprise me that Tanya had made comments to other women, I was sure I wasn’t her first but I hadn’t known it was so obvious or so widespread. “Are you serious?”

“There could be a support group. I think there might be, they have drinks every other Tuesday,” Casey said as we got into the elevator and she laughed at my shocked expression. “I was kidding but yes, there have been a few of them for sure.”

“Why hasn’t anyone said anything?” I asked.

“What are you going to say? Who are you going to report her to? HR? She is HR. It makes things sticky and she knows it. I think there was a woman who spoke up but it was brushed aside or Tanya was able to convince them it wasn’t anything to worry about. Either way, nothing happened so no one said anything again.”

I wasn’t sure if it was knowing that Tanya had gotten away with her comments and intimidation or the new clothes, but I didn’t like what I was hearing and wanted to put a stop to it.

“Do you know the names of the other people? Do you think they would be willing to talk to me?”

“I can ask. I imagine they would love to share their stories and commiserate. Maybe actually start that support group. Let me see what I can do and get back to you. What are you thinking?” Casey asked the question slowly as if she thought I was plotting the demise of Tanya. I wasn’t exactly but something close to it.