Uncrowned Princess

19

Jenny's excited scream filled the room. "I can't believe it! You and Ethan are officially couple!"

"No!" Isabella's cheeks flushed, a rare genuine smile gracing her lips as she remembered the feel of Ethan's kiss. Unconsciously, her fingers brushed against her lips, "Not yet."

Jenny threw herself onto Isabella's bed, hugging her friend tightly. "We should do a double date!"

" To early for that, jen."

Their excited chatter was interrupted by a sharp knock at the door. Jenny bounded over to open it, revealing a visibly fuming Selena.

Selena stormed in, her eyes blazing. "You can't just lounge around while dumping your duties on others! I had to cover for you because you decided your beauty sleep was more important than work."

Isabella didn't even bother to look up, examining her nails with feigned interest.

Selena's frustration grew at the lack of response. "Don't act like you're above this!"

Slowly, Isabella stood, buttoning her pants with deliberate casualness. Her silence was more infuriating than any words could be.

Selena stepped closer, her voice rising. "I'm talking to you!"

Isabella turned, her hazel-green eyes meeting Selena's with an icy stare. When she spoke, her voice was low and cutting. "I don't care to listen to you, Selena. My orders come from Ethan or Ronald, not some wannabe manager."

A smirk played on Isabella's lips as she continued, "And... I don't act, sweetie. This is who I am. And let's get one thing straight – when I get back to my real life, you'll still be here, serving and cleaning up after guests. So don't confuse us. We're not equals, and we never will be."

With that, Isabella sauntered past Selena, pausing at the door to throw one last barb over her shoulder. "Oh, and Selena? Next time you want to barge in here and throw a tantrum, remember your place. It's not at my door."

Isabella walked out, leaving Selena frozen in stunned silence. The click of Isabella's heels echoed down the hallway, a rhythmic reminder of the gulf between them.

Selena turned to Jenny, who had been quietly watching the exchange. Jenny offered an apologetic shrug before grabbing her bag and hurrying out to work, leaving Selena alone with the sting of Isabella's words.

As Isabella strode away from her confrontation with Selena, Jenny hurried after her, grabbing her hand. "Isabella, wait! Why did you say those things? That was... harsh."

Isabella paused, noticing the disappointment in her friend's eyes. She glanced towards the staff rooms, then back at Jenny. "Jen, I didn't mean you with my words. But that woman... she deserved it."

Jenny shook her head, her voice soft but firm. "That was too much, Isabella. Selena was right; we are late for our shift."

Isabella raised an eyebrow, her voice taking on a gentler tone. "My dear Jenny, you need to stop seeing people's fake profiles. You have to look deeper."

She stepped closer, her voice lowering conspiratorially. "That woman has been trying desperately to do my job all week, acting like she's giving advice and flashing her perfect smile in front of Ethan."

Jenny bit her lip, hesitating before speaking. "Actually... she had feelings for him, but he refused her. Ethan was against dating and focused on work... until you came."

Isabella exhaled sharply, her eyes narrowing. "She still loves him."

"Is this jealousy because—" Jenny started, but Isabella cut her off.