Chapter 51
GETTING SHORT
ELOISE
After debriefing with Duncan, I knew something grew within me.
It wasn’t the game. It wasn’t banter that became easier by the day.
It was something genuine. We could be vulnerable.
But the vulnerability and heart-to-hearts made the reality of my work as his staff member and the credibility we had to maintain for that professional relationship difficult to stomach.
The difference between our nights in my room and days spent on the road working grew starker.
This realization hit harder as I filed by Duncan on the plane, noting his pensive expression. He rubbed his temples and looked down.
I asked, “Would you like a tea?”
“A tea?” Duncan looked bothered.
He didn’t turn from his phone—the thing that had occupied him all morning.
“Yes, Duncan. Or a coffee?”
He waved me off like I was a mere servant. Perturbed, I crossed my arms and dug my feet into the plane aisle carpet. Sensing my derision, he looked up.
“Are you done?” I asked, annoyed.
“Can we not get into it here, Miss Mills?”
“I’m sorry, but all I did was—”
He softened. “I’m having a rough morning. I am sorry for getting short, but I don’t want to be bothered right now.”
“Bothered?” I asked, annoyed. “Sorry, I’ll be a good little maid and ignore you, then. You can stew in your bad mood.”
He pulled me into the seat by him and kept his voice low, “Ella, I adore you, but you just called me Duncan.”
I turned beat red. I did, didn’t I? But that was his name. And in my bed the night before, he had been just Duncan or whatever insult I lurched at him to his sheer pleasure. The man loved to be denigrated. Right now, though, I’d overstepped and was reminded of my place. I understood, but hated it.
“I’m sorry,” I fought tears. “I’ll just—”
I stood, brushing past.
“Miss Mills—”
I ignored his call, pretending the jet noise made it hard to hear his pleas.
I pulled myself into the lav and locked the door. I rolled up my dress, pulled down my panties, and sat down. Before me, spotting reminded me that this day could get worse. Fuck! I wasn’t supposed to start my period for another week. Annoyed, I peed and headed back to my purse to find tampons.
“Ella—”
Duncan reached for me at the worst time.
I pulled his hand from my wrist, “It is Miss Mills, Your Royal Highness.”
I brushed away, grabbed my purse, and returned to the toilet where I did the best I could. I had miserable cramps all morning that I chocked up to stress and this wasn’t making it better. I dabbed tears and left the toilet to find Duncan waiting.
“Do you want to get us in trouble?” I asked, voice low. “For someone—”
“Can we just… not fight?” He looked exhausted. “I talked to you like a member of staff and I’m sorry.”
I crossed my arms. “Well, Duncan I am a member of staff.”
“Ella, please,” his face was sad. “Today, is hard… for reasons… and… I don’t want to fight. What is going on? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“You don’t look fine.”
“No, you’re right. I’m bloated and short with you,” I answered.
He cocked his head. “What? Why?”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m not going to talk about this with you.”
“What?”
Was he dumb or just trying to embarrass me?
“Duncan, I am not getting into it. It’s embarrassing and gross. Just know we’re not... there’s no…”
He shook his head. “If you don’t tell me—”
“My period got here early,” I whispered, mortified but wanting this to be over.
“Oh,” he ran his hand through his hair nervously. “Is that… does that bother you?”
“I feel like shit and I’m having terrible cramps.”
“I mean just… talking about it? You can just say, ‘Damn it, Duncan, I’m on my period’ and I would give you whatever you asked for. Don’t be embarrassed.”
His reaction greatly surprised me.
“Oh, okay.”
“I’m not a mouth breathing fifteen year-old, Eloise. Look, I’m sorry because you look uncomfortable, but that doesn’t mean I am bothered by it for the sake of it being a thing.”
I nodded. “Thanks.”
“Do you need anything?”
I shook my head. “No. I’m… I’m fine, thanks.”
His phone buzzed and he sighed. “Give me a sec, okay?”