“They are functional, I didn’t see the video. Henry asked me to delete it. No one has access to the tape but me,” he reassures me. “I just want to make sure you are safe.”
“He’s your brother. Shouldn’t you be looking after him?”
“I don’t care who he is, if he does something inappropriate, I’ll make sure he pays for it.”
“Thank you for looking after me,” I say.
“Don’t mention it, and that goes for the future. If he disrespects you, you come to me, okay?” Then he rectifies his statement. “Well, if he’s being an asshole there’s not much I can do. He carries Merkel and Aldridge’s assholeness in his veins. That’s… Well, he can’t help himself.”
“Poor man. He never stood a chance, did he?”
He laughs. “I like you.”
“Same,” I state, feeling more relaxed.
Living far from my family isn’t ideal, but if this guy who is reserved and observant approves of me, maybe all the Aldridges will be as welcoming. Who cares about Henry?
Vance remains silent for the rest of the trip. When we arrive in Baker’s Creek, we stop at the Aldridge mansion first.
“Here, I promised your friends that I’ll bring you home,” he keeps the engine running. “I’ll just take your stuff to The Lodge.”
“Where am I staying?”
“The presidential suite, at least until next week.”
“Thank you,” I say and kiss him on the cheek.
Sophia
When I enter the house, I expect to see Leyla and Blaire. Vance mentioned they were waiting for me. Instead, I find Henry sitting on the couch staring at his laptop and holding the phone to his ear while speaking loudly.
“I understand your concerns, but we are moving forward. Ms. Aragon will be there tomorrow morning. She’ll be able to explain to you more.”
He exhales and listens attentively then, after several nods, he speaks, “Yes, I understand that this is an unprecedented situation. We’re not going to blame it on anyone. From this point on, I want you to also pay close attention to what happens around the company because that kind of behavior won’t be tolerated. If you get a complaint, I expect you to take care of the issue immediately and not to be depending on my brothers, myself, or Ms. Aragon to do your job. Do we understand each other?”
I shouldn’t say this, but he’s so hot when he’s giving orders and showing everyone he’s all-powerful.
He’s also infuriating, and sometimes I swear I can’t stand looking at him because his arrogance knows no limits. And yet, all I want in this precise moment is for him to take me into his arms because I missed him. It’s not hard to remember that it’s because of him that my dream of occupying an executive office is once again shattered.
I’m shoved into this hell hole to help him. Finding my anger and remembering my new purpose is easy. He’s going to regret pushing me this far. I will hold onto these for the next months. Maybe until I quit or find a good excuse to hire a hitman.
“Did you just threaten someone else?” I ask when he hangs up.
He rubs his temples with both hands and exhales. “Yes, I have been firing and threatening people all morning, Sophia. Do you have a problem with that?”
“You can fire me if you want to,” I offer.
He chuckles. “Sorry, I already exceeded my quota for the year. Plus, you’re stuck with me until I say so.”
I clear my throat and cross my arms. “Let us get a few things out of the way before we begin this new arrangement. I am here against my will. The only reason I agreed to move is because, as you mentioned, I need this job. Also, the factory requires me to be here. If my parents didn’t depend on me, I’d be quitting and marching to your competition to ask for a job.”
“Just a reminder Ms. Aragon, you have a non-compete clause in your contract and you can’t work in the hospitality industry for at least five years after you’re no longer part of the company.” He sounds like a drone, and I want to slap him a couple of times to see if he’s even human.
“Did you memorize my contract?”
He nods. “Since we’re getting these tedious processes out of the way, Pierce is preparing a new contract for you to sign. We didn’t increase your salary, instead, Aldry’s will be paying you as a consultant. We are providing housing and paying for your expenses for the next twenty-four months.”
“I’m only staying until you leave.”
“Exactly,” he agrees. “Which is why I am adding a six-month buffer in case we have to stay longer. Remember, this isn’t just about getting my part of the inheritance and fleeing the joint. We’re making sure that Baker’s Creek and Happy Springs become one hundred percent independent from the Aldridge family. We don’t want our children tied to the town out of obligation. If they come to visit it or decide to live in it, it’ll be because they love Baker’s Creek and they are proud of being an Aldridge.”
I crook an eyebrow because that doesn’t sound like him, “Blaire’s speech?”
“No, it’s a combination of everyone. We came up with a mission statement while we decided to fire more people at the factory,” he states.
And only Henry Aldridge will treat this as a business plan. No one should be surprised if he hires a group of consultants to reorganize the family structure.
“We’ve made a lot of progress,” he continues talking enthusiastically. “The young ones are committed to this new cause. Hayes and Blaire are staying for good. They are trying to sell us on the town. I told them about the corporate offices we’re opening in Portland, and they seemed to like your idea.”
“Are you staying after the stipulations are fulfilled?” I ask concerned.
“I’m giving myself two years to find the answer, Ms. Aragon. Do you have any other questions about the amendments or your new role in the company?”
Role in the company? Before I ask about that part, I want to make sure my parents are covered under this new arrangement.
“You haven’t mentioned anything about my parents,” I state.
His eyebrows pull close. The crease on his forehead increases. “The only reason your brother didn’t kill me is because I’m his boss. A heads up would’ve been nice. I can see you have nothing but good things to say about me.”
“Sarcasm doesn’t look good on you, Mr. Aldridge,” I say with a straight face. It’s hard not to laugh imagining how my dad must have looked at him. Maybe he even told him what an asshole he is…in a very educated way, of course.
“Well, that was an unpleasant surprise, and not because your parents aren’t delightful. I wouldn’t know since…they don’t like me,” he states. “Do you have any idea how hard it is going to be to change their minds?”
“As hard as it’s going to be for you to be…descent?” I respond. “Enough about my parents not bowing to the great Henry Aldridge. I need everything you promised you’ll provide for them in writing. Plus, my siblings are planning on visiting often, and I told them you’d be paying for the traveling expenses.”