Page 53 of Arden and the Girl Downstairs

“I did it for all of you. Arden, you are one of the most selfless people I know. I’m incredibly proud of the man you are. Yeah, you went through some shit earlier this year, and I apologise for tricking you. But I know you, and I like to think I made the right decision. Especially now that I get to see you and Ella together. You both look happy.”

“We are, and you did. But Ralph, you’re fired.”

“W-what?” It’s his turn to stutter in confusion.

“You may be fantastic at security, but I think you’d be better suited to running Blakely Industries on my behalf. Once I graduate, we can re-work it all. At the moment, though, I’d really like to finish school and spend some time with my wife. Who knows, we might actually have a real wedding. I’d still like to be aware of what’s going on with the business, but I trust you to make the right choices.”

“You want . . .me. . . to run your company?”

“Yes, I do. You’ve been doing it for this long. Do you think Shamus will be okay to take over as head of security?”

“Yes, he’s more than qualified, but I’d like to stay in Canary Bay with Julia until she finishes school and moves to New Hope. I can work from there and still do my usual duties. I don’t feel comfortable having someone else there for her.”

“Thank you. You can also continue to stay at the house in New Hope when she moves back in if you’d like. Your room will always be yours.” I mean every word.

“About that . . .” He waits for me to meet his eyes. “I’ve kind of been seeing Martha.”

“You what? For how long? How did I not know this?” So many questions.

“Uhhh, about six years. We kept it from you guys so that it didn’t come between our jobs. We both love you and Julia and would never do anything to cause any discomfort for you both, so we just kept it quiet.”

“Wow, I didnotsee that coming. So, I guess you’ll want to move into Martha’s room at the house?”

“Yeah, if that’s okay with you?”

“Of course it is. I just wish you had told me sooner. I’m glad you have each other.”

“I think you are only saying that since you now have a special someone in your life. But thank you.”

“Well, it’s settled. You’ll go back to Canary Bay, continue to do what you’ve been doing, and we’ll make the changes we need to when necessary. I have a favour to ask though.”

I wasn’t planning on bringing this up now, but it seems like the time is right.

“Sure, what is it?”

“Can we find a shop space for a shoe shop? I want to start a business with Ella, and we both know I love designing shoes and she loves unicorn slippers, so why not start some weird combination of both? She’s insistent on working, and I’d prefer her to be working somewhere that we can all chip in and help. I figure Yasmin and Ally will be keen, and we’ll be able to convince the boys to help. What do you think?”

I’m nervous. I started thinking about this last week and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. I want to spend as much time with Ella as I can, but I also want her to flourish in what she wants to do. We’re both doing the same degree, so it would be great for course credit. And when the time is right, I may be able to convince her to help with Blakely Enterprises. Rhys and Yasmin are doing their law degrees so that they can join my business, and Ally hasn’t fully decided what she wants to do, but we’ll always make a place for her. She’d make a kick-ass HR person. Even I fear her.

“I think it’s a great idea. Next week, I will look at spaces. I’m excited to see what you all can do on your own.”

“Thanks, Ralph. For everything.”

“You’re welcome.”

Ella

“I’m paying for dinner,” I blurt out to the room, waiting for Arden’s reaction.

This won’t go down well, but I want to see how it plays out.

The reaction from everyone isn’t quite as big as the reaction they gave when Arden walked in wearing jeans, but this is a close second.

His dad smirks at me from across the table, giving me a little more confidence to put my foot down. Daddy Warbucks got me alone in the kitchen for a few moments last night, and he explicitly said that I was the only girl for Arden. He loves how I challenge his son, and he also knows that my intentions are pure. I’d be with Arden even if he didn’t have money.

Ralph just shakes his head at me while the rest of the table is stunned into silence.

We’re surrounded by Arden’s friends and family—I guess they’re mine now too, but that’s something that will take some time for me to get used to. Besides Chad, you could say I’ve been on my own for at least the last four years. It scares me that I am now surrounded by all these people that care for me, when for so many years I had to fend for myself.

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