“Stop!” Blaire, who is outside the factory next to the others says. “I’m happy for you, but you two are sickening.”
“I never complain about your PDA,” I protest, fixing my dress.
“Your man does, and it’s time for payback,” she says unapologetically. “I express my regrets if this inconveniences you, but he owes me.”
“No more complaints, PDA’s, or stuff. I didn’t put on this monkey suit to watch you behave like children,” Beacon complains and opens the door.
We all look at him because he’s usually more laid back.
“Well, I want to go back home and change into my regular clothes. This is torture, I thought you loved me, Blaire.”
“I do, kid, but we want to look the part.”
“You raided Henry’s closet,” I comment as we walk toward the main hallway. “You clean up well.”
“I might keep it for other occasions.”
“Or I can get you a few suits like that, that’ll fit you better,” I suggest.
“You can do that?”
“Only because you’re one of my favorites,” I promise and then turn my attention to Henry who is at the top of the staircase facing the employees gathered by the lobby.
Henry explains that every change we’ve been implementing for the past few weeks are part of his five-year plan to ensure this company transcends into the future. He apologizes for what they had to go through while his father was sick and during the initial transition. However, they are under a new management that is committed to their employees.
“We want Aldry’s to be a well-known powerhouse in the candy industry. We’re in the business of making people’s lives sweeter—that includes our personnel. I come from a long line of businesspeople, and we pride ourselves on creating the best products, delivering the best services, and becoming the number one brand name in every household in the world. I don’t say these words lightly, and I believe that to become the best, we need the best leadership. This is why I asked Ms. Sophia Aragon to become the CEO of the company. We believe in her vision for this company and entrust the future of Aldry’s to her.”
I’m frozen and have goosebumps running up and down my arms. I’m about to cry because…did I hear him right? When he looks at me, his face is the same as usual, and I realize that he’s always looked at me with respect and pride. He extends his hand, as if calling me to stand right next to him.
When I do, he grabs it, squeezing it, and says, “Thank you for accepting our offer, Ms. Aragon.”
All eyes are on me, expectant. What am I supposed to say when I’m trying to understand what just happened? This was a project, not… Is he seriously giving me the position. C. E. O. The announcement feels surreal.
“Speech!” Beacon requests.
“He’s the one with the speeches, so don’t expect me to top that,” I say, clearing my throat. Everyone watches me, attentive. “All I want to do is assure you that I’m committed to this company. I’ll devote all my energy to making this company the best in the business. My office doors are always open for you. Let’s start this new stage with our minds and hearts open.”
As everyone walks to their places, I head to what would be my office, still confused about what just happened.
Once the Aldridges, Leyla, and Blaire are inside, Vance shuts the door. This time it is Pierce who takes over, setting some documents on top of the desk. “We’re offering you a twenty-four-month contract. You’re being paid as a contractor and not an employee since you are working for Merkel at some capacity. Once we take ownership of the factory, we’ll modify our agreement. For now, you work for us.”
“CEO?” I ask baffled. “They didn’t have a CEO?”
“Or a good marketing team, but we won’t talk about the past,” Henry says.
“We have other ideas on how the landscape of this company is going to look once we can operate without William’s shadow. As you are well aware, we’re restrained by the stipulations he set,” Hayes is the one who speaks. “When Henry explained to us why you’d be the best candidate to take over the company, we agreed unanimously.”
“Thank you. I’m blown away by this. I promise I won’t let you down.”
“You deserve it,” Henry assures me. “I was just waiting to find the right position for you.”
I want to hate him and kiss him all at the same time. We stare at each other and smile like two fools madly in love.
“Well, we’re leaving before these two jump each other's bones,” one of his brothers says. I honestly don’t recognize who or care.
“What is it?” Henry asks concerned.
“This is unexpected,” I confess. “I seriously thought that when you said I’ll be leading Aldry’s it meant as your assistant and piling more work onto my already full load.”
“It’s much more. I want you to focus your attention here, but I still need your time until you train one of your assistants to work directly with me,” he mentions, and I try not to panic.
“What?” I shake my head. “None of them are for you, mister. I’ll find someone suitable. You are going to fire them within a day, and I can’t afford that.”
He smiles. “You’re the boss.”
I walk to where he stands, place my hands on his hard chest and stretch my neck, kissing his chin. “Thank you for believing in me.”
“Trust me, I’ll never fail you, Soph.”
“What if our relationship doesn’t work out?”
“It will, but if the famous Aldridge curse manages to break us up, this is still your company. Don’t leave it just because you don’t love me anymore. Promise me. My brothers and Blaire trust you.”
“I promise.”
The pledge that I won’t leave feels wrong. It’s as if I’m accepting that we have an expiration date even when he’s trying not to believe that this might be his future. Maybe we’re both in denial, pretending that this can be real when, in the end, this might implode and create the most excruciating pain in the world for both of us. Or I might appear hopeful, but I’m still jaded by my past.
His eyes sweep across my face, his gaze darkening. “Whenever I fuck up, remember this: You’re my miracle, and there is love. This love is ours. Our love. Nothing can destroy it.”
“You’ve never been like this,” I say as I hook my hands behind his neck. “It terrifies me.”
“Baby, I’m fucking scared too, but if I live with the fear I’m bound to miss the best part of my life. You.”
He lowers his mouth to mine, the tip of his tongue parting my lips with his. He controls the urge and takes it slow, pulling me closer to him and deepening the kiss. It’s possessive, demanding, and yet, there’s no urgency. He erases the doubts, the fears, our demons, and gives me hope.
Maybe this is real, and he can be mine.
Henry
The houses I bought for Sophia and her parents are new, and the landscaping isn’t finished. That’s the responsibility of the new owner according to the purchase contract. I offered to pay Easton more so he’d sub-contract the project, however Sophia’s Dad said he’d love to do it himself. It’d be therapeutic for him and his wife.