The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella) novel Chapter 1557

Arabella had barely taken a couple of bites of her salad when her phone began to buzz. It was a video call from her brother, David. Thankfully, the surrounding tables at the small café were empty, allowing her to answer with ease.

"Bella? Are you grabbing a bite? Let me get a peek at what you're munching on!"

With a flick of her wrist, Arabella turned the camera to showcase her meal, and David's feathers got ruffled instantly. "Romeo, what the heck are you feeding my baby sister? If I'd known you were so tight-fisted, I would've had her tag along with me for a proper meal! I mean, look at you, pinching pennies. My poor sis."

"It's a staff meal," Romeo corrected, a hint of defense in his voice.

"Oh, wow, treating my sister to a staff meal. How generous of you," David retorted with heavy sarcasm.

Arabella chuckled, "David, it's just that your fanbase is too overwhelming. Every diner in town was packed, and after searching forever, we finally had to settle for a quick bite at one of his subsidiary's cafeterias."

"Praising me, are you?"

Arabella was puzzled.

"You say I have lots of fans, isn't that just another way of saying I’m got charm?"

She was speechless.

"If I had known earlier, I would've invited you guys to join me backstage. Eating alone is such a drag."

Left alone, Romeo could hear the strains of "Work Hard, Play Hard" coming from the café's speakers. No doubt, it was a staff member's attempt to curry favor with him.

The café was buzzing with employees who had heard that the big boss was making an impromptu visit. Some had just left work only to rush back in hopes of catching a glimpse of the notoriously ruthless CEO.

Lena, a little-known employee, dreamed of marrying the handsome CEO. She had clocked out when she noticed a flurry of staff heading back inside. Upon inquiring, she discovered that the CEO, Romeo, was dining in their café!

She had been hooked on a novel she read on a smartphone app called "Messing with the Boss," which featured a scene where a nondescript female staff caught the CEO's attention in the company café, leading to a fairy-tale romance with the dashing CEO.

With her heart racing, Lena slipped through the crowd and, pretending to be composed, grabbed a tray of food, then sat at a table next to Romeo's. She began to eat as if it were the most natural thing in the world, despite the palpable tension around her.