by Cidney West
It also made him question his grand plan to “lose” his position. Ella Brodie worked directly for the president, so she might very well tattle on him and well, that would be that. Free and clear with his inheritance intact. And that’s what he wanted. But he also liked the idea of seeing Ella again. And going through with this and honestly claiming his inheritance was the easiest way to ensure that he would.
Well, easiest wasn’t the best word for it. But it was the most obvious.
After a call from his father the following morning, Cedric realized he’d have to do more damage to get ousted anyway. Vannoy was obviously trying to go along with things and not rock the boat, which he knew was smart. It also meant he had to return to their office, which was a bummer and a strange relief at the same time.
Then, when he saw Ella across the room as he arrived and she smiled, all plans vanished from his mind and he headed her way when Maggie intercepted to ask some questions in private. When he looked back, Ella had already returned to her desk. But he did have the advantage of having her as his assistant and he wasn’t going to waste it.
A short time later, Ella delivered his lunch, but before she could escape Cedric cleared his throat.
“Um…?” He raised a hand as she swiveled around.
“Anything else?” she said.
A dozen things he could ask for came to mind, some of them things he might have been bold enough to ask a lot of other women he’d liked in the past. But Ella felt…different. And he didn’t want to risk repelling her.
“Well…I…” Cedric scanned his desk for anything that could be a reason to ask her to stay longer. The only thing that popped out was the stack of unread reports he’d shoved into a corner. “I have a question about the reports.”
“I can get Ms. Evans for you…” Ella waved in the general direction of Maggie’s office.
But Cedric waved it off. “You don’t need to bother her about this. I’m sure you can help me. You must know a good deal about what goes on around here.”
Ella hesitated, then stepped closer. “It depends on your question. But I can try. What do you want to know?”
Cedric glanced at the stack of folders, rubbing his hands together. “I was wondering…how…” His mind groped for words that made sense together. “How happy is everyone in their jobs here?”
Ella blinked. “I’m not sure I understand your question.”
“The reports…” Cedric ran his thumb up the stack. “The reports don’t really tell me how satisfied people are in their jobs. The statistics and facts…they don’t give the whole picture.” Where on earth was he getting this from?
He felt sure most people would have thought he was nuts after that. But Ella studied him a second, then looked back at a chair in front of the desk. “Do you mind…?” she asked.
“Of course not.” He held out a hand for her to sit down.
Ella scooched forward, placing her hands in her lap. “For the most part, I think people like working here. You already know many have been here for years.” Cedric nodded as if he did know. “And it’s relatively friendly for a work environment. I think that’s why everyone’s worried about the…the acquisition. They’re afraid that will change.” Her blue eyes softened as she said so, worry crossing her face.
Okay. Cedric had thrown some words together to ask what he considered a silly question to keep her around, and Ella had just delivered some valuable information. First, people liked things the way they already were. Second, Ella was worried what would happen to her job.
He wasn’t sure what just happened, but his brain started to buzz around the company and what might happen if Cedric left and someone else took control. Would they care what became of anyone at Vannoy? Including this lovely woman?
He felt bad having to admit probably not.
Ella gave a small smile, her cheeks darkening. “I doubt that helps you at all.”
“No–it does.” He glanced at the folders, thinking maybe he should read over them. “Thank you. I should let you get back to work.”
“This is my work.” Her eyes twinkled as she stood. “I’ll be at my desk if you need anything.” She took the doorknob, smiling again before closing the door behind her.
After a moment, Cedric realized he still had a goofy lopsided smile plastered on his face and he straightened up, clearing his throat. He pulled his lunch out and chomped on the sandwich, his eyes straying to the folders again. When in his life had he ever decided to dive into paperwork?
Never. That’s when. But he still found himself moving the sandwich aside and dragging the top folder closer.
Cedric had never focused that long on something he hated in his life. It was the reason his grades suffered in school and a big part of his strained relationship with his father. But at the end of the day, he could say he’d completed reading over the reports and he had a much better idea of the bigger picture than before. Now, he wanted to go home and maybe process what he’d learned.
Before the elevator doors closed, Ella hopped in, surprise crossing her face as their eyes met. She recovered quickly, pushing a lock of blonde hair from her eyes that framed her soft face perfectly.
Cedric glanced at the bag she carried. “Headed home?”
Ella peeked up at him through curled lashes. “Yes. You?”
He nodded. He wanted to tell her about the reports except she thought he’d already read them before today.
They reached the lobby and the elevator dinged and the doors slid apart. Ella left first but Cedric kept to her heels as they walked through the lobby toward the main doors. He held open one of the glass doors for her, then offered to give her a ride. Ella looked down the street both ways. He guessed she’d seen or heard about the motorcycle and he held up a hand. “I brought a car today.”
She still looked uncertain but after giving her time to mentally debate, she nodded. “Only if it’s not too much trouble.”
“Not at all. Wait here and I’ll pick you up.” He hustled off before she could protest–her mouth parted like she was about to–and drove his black Ferrari from the garage down the street to near where Ella waited. He was somewhat worried she’d take off in the meantime. But she was still there. He jumped out to open her door, amused as her eyes widened. “What did you think I drove? A minivan?”
Ella smiled shyly before she dipped inside and he shut her door, turning to hide a smile he couldn’t control.
He pulled back into traffic, the car’s engines revving like he was on the Monaco racetrack and not driving a few feet to a stop sign. Ella held her bag in her lap, her arms close to her sides as she gazed around the interior. “Ever been inside a car like this?” he asked.
Ella glanced over like he’d asked if she’d been inside a spaceship before. “Definitely not.”
Cedric grinned. “You’ll like it. Trust me.”
CHAPTER 7
Ella didn’t do things like this. She didn’t drive around in flashy cars with bright-eyed billionaires. Or with plain old perfect strangers, either. And that’s essentially what Cedric was to her. She didn’t know anything about him. But it was too late for second thoughts.
Aside from questioning her judgment, she had to admit this was the sexiest car she’d ever seen. And she didn’t throw that word around. Then, her eyes cut to Cedric and she involuntarily thought that he was the sexiest man she’d ever met. And it wasn’t just the car and the suit he’d worn that day. It was just something about him.
The power of the engine reverberated under her and it sent chills up her spine. Or she told herself that’s what it was.
“Do you think I’m cut out for this?” Cedric’s question forced her out of her own head, and she turned to look at him, which was probably not the best idea.
“Driving me home?”
He laughed. “No. This job. Handling the transition. Do you believe I’m right for it?”
Ella’s heart stopped. Was this some sort of trap? Did he ask to drive so he could corner her? Ella tried to s
wallow as her mouth dried up. And she couldn’t think of a real response. “I’m sure you are.”
Cedric stretched his fingers out on top of the steering wheel. “I’d like to know what you really think. I promise whatever you say won’t hurt my feelings or affect your job.”
Famous last words, Ella thought. She’d had conversations like this in the past with her stepsisters and it never ended well. So, she was hesitant to answer him too quickly. “I don’t know you well enough to judge. But I’m sure you wouldn’t be here if you weren’t capable.”
He arched an eyebrow skeptically. “You really think that?”
Ella hesitated again. “I don’t pretend to know anything about how to run a company like Knightley Media because I have no idea. I live a simple life and I have a simple job. I do know that Knightley is mainly known for its successful acquisitions. If it’s that important, I know they would only send someone who knew what to do.”
His eyebrow froze in an arch. Surely, Cedric already knew all of this. But his face clouded over, and for a moment, the charming man with the toothy smile vanished. After a pause, he said, “You obviously don’t know my father.”
“He must have confidence in you.” Ella couldn’t imagine they’d send him thinking he’d fail.
Cedric laughed bitterly. “Yeah…”
Ella wiggled in her seat. That response had betrayed a whole lot of complications, which Ella could fully understand. So, she didn’t press him, and they rode in silence until Cedric pulled into a spot near her apartment. He surveyed the neighborhood and Ella blushed. It wasn’t the worst area for sure, but it wasn’t fancy either.
“Thank you for the ride.” Ella paused as he jumped out to open her door. She got out of the low-riding vehicle as elegantly as she could manage and smoothed out her skirt. If Scarlett was already home and saw this…Ella would never hear the end of it.
Cedric smiled, but a warm smile instead of the charming wide smiles she’d seen so far. She liked how it softened his hazel eyes. Not that he looked harsh, but this still seemed more natural. “It looks cozy,” he said, jabbing a thumb behind him at the old house that had been converted into apartments.
She wondered if that was simply a diplomatic way to describe what must look like a shack to him. But to her, it did represent something of a haven, which she’d missed for years after her father died. It wasn’t perfect but it was better than what she’d had after he was gone.
As she looked back before going inside, she wondered from Cedric’s wistful expression if he was still searching for a haven. And she also had to admit that maybe he wasn’t entirely alone.
CHAPTER 8
Cedric had avoided the Knightley Media office as long as he could. When he did return the next day, he tried to squeeze in and out at a time when his father wouldn’t be there. He thought he’d succeeded and was on his way out when his father blocked the office door. “Dad…” Cedric forced a smile, hoping to look casual. “I thought I’d miss you.” Or hoped he would.
His father frowned as he unbuttoned his blazer. “How are things going at Vannoy?”
So, he was cutting to the chase. No polite small talk or curiosity about his well-being. Cedric shrugged. “I guess all right.” He waited, anticipating that his father had asked that as a segue to tell him he was doing a terrible job. Cedric had had days to wreck things, so surely Maggie Evans had talked to someone higher up and complained.
His father scratched the side of his face. “Well, that’s not a glowing progress report, but it’s better than I expected.”
Cedric arched an eyebrow. Somehow, he wasn’t comforted by the fact that saying things were all right was more than his father expected of him. He also wasn’t reassured by the lack of any additions to that comment. For instance, the board was removing him from his position because he was failing miserably, followed by his father’s usual disappointment…blah, blah, blah. But his father didn’t go on to anything like that.
Cedric’s shoulders dropped and he leaned against the desk. This was so simple, at least in his head. He’d purposely done everything wrong. Why weren’t the people at Vannoy complaining?
But then Ella flashed in his mind and a little bubble of joy grew inside him. This meant he could still see her, so it wasn’t so bad if he had to stick it out a little longer.
“What’s the matter?” his father asked, folding his arms. “Have you found a problem?”
Cedric shook his head. “No. They seem to be in great shape.”
“Seem?” His father’s brow furrowed, and he came closer. “Cedric…I need more than ‘seem’ to ensure everything works out. You need to make a go of this…for your own sake.”
Cedric pinched the bridge of his nose. “Does it really matter that much?”
“Considering your work history, I’d say yes, it does.” His father shut his eyes, breathing in through his nose. “Look, all I’m asking is that you assess the company right now. If things aren’t working out so well, we’ll figure something out. But you need to try, Cedric.”
Cedric kept his eyes on the charcoal gray carpet, his lips pressed tight. All he was asking…as if.
“Hey–” His father’s voice broke into his thoughts and he glanced up. His father raised his eyebrows, his gray eyes piercing through Cedric’s. “Please.”
Cedric sighed, rubbing his hands together. “As you wish.”
The lines around his father’s eyes creased up as his lips pinched together. After a moment, he relaxed. “Just try.” An assistant rapped on the door, informing his dad that someone important was on hold. His father sighed as if weary of everything and for once, Cedric wondered if his father didn’t love this job as much as he always thought. “We’ll discuss all of this in more detail later. And don’t forget about that cocktail party tomorrow night. I promised you’d be there.”
Cedric blinked. “What cocktail party?”
His father stopped just outside the door, twisting around. “Do you ever read your emails?”
Cedric glanced away. “Sometimes.”
That elicited another raspy sigh. “I’ll make sure the info is sent to you again. And read it this time.” With his assistant hovering in the background, that ended the discussion and his father disappeared down a hallway to take the phone call.
Cedric scratched the back of his head. This is what he got for coming back. Before his father could return, he rushed out. At least at Vannoy, everyone left him alone. Despite that, he headed straight for Ella’s desk as soon as he got there. As he passed other employees, instead of suspicious or fearful glances, he received bright smiles. Clearly, he was doing this all wrong.
“Yes?” Ella said before he even stopped walking.
He bent down, whispering. “Could we talk in my office for a second? I need your help with something.” The words “my office” coming out of his mouth sounded all wrong. But it was an office and technically it was his right now.
Ella’s cornflower blue eyes widened a moment and then she pushed away from her desk to stand. “Of course.”
They filed into his office and Cedric shut the door behind him, stopping in front of her. “I know you’re only my assistant temporarily, but I could really use your help right now.”
Ella half smiled. “I got that impression when you said so a minute ago. What do you need?”
“Right now, two things. First, I’m supposed to check my email.”
Ella nodded her head slowly, her eyes serious. “That’s usually what people do with email.”
“I know. But I hate it.” Especially when they were connected to his father.
“So, you want me to keep up with your emails?”
Relief flooded through him and she hadn’t even agreed to yet. “Yes. Would you?”
“That’s part of my job. I’ll just need your information.”
Cedric nodded, fumbling around mentally for his password.
“And the other thing?” Ella prompted.
“What other thing?”
&
nbsp; A small, almost invisible, twinkle lit up the back of her eyes. “You said you needed two things and that was only one.”
It took a second, but then it came back to him. “I could use your assistance at a cocktail party tomorrow night. I know it’s last minute, but I’d really appreciate it.”
Ella paused, longer than with the first request. “I…I don’t normally do things like that.”
“That’s fine. I’m happy to pay you. It could be a personal assistant gig.” He’d never bothered with things like that, but he’d pay her whatever she wanted.
She tugged on the blouse she wore. “I don’t own anything appropriate for that.”
Was that all? Cedric relaxed. That was an easy enough fix. “I’ll talk to Maggie and you can take the rest of the day off and go buy a dress…or whatever you want for it. And I’ll advance you part of your fee to buy it.”
Ella’s expression froze somewhere between disbelief and shock.
Cedric held out a hand. “Do we have an agreement?”
She took his hand, numbly shaking it. “I guess so.”
“Excellent.” Cedric grinned. This would definitely make things more bearable. “I’ll go talk to Maggie right now.”
As promised, Maggie immediately consented to his wishes and Ella had the day off, so it was a win-win in his book. Before she left, Cedric gave her enough cash to buy whatever she wanted with it and he sent her off in a daze. It meant he’d have to read the cocktail email, but he could live with it for now.
And it would give him a chance to figure out his password.
CHAPTER 9
Ella had never had that much money in her purse in her life. Probably not even in her bank account. Yet, Cedric had whipped it out and handed it over like it was nothing. And for him it probably was. But Ella guarded her purse with her life as she made her way home to collect her thoughts. For one, they didn’t have a formal agreement, so she was freaking out over the wad in her purse. A handshake in his office without witnesses would not protect her if he accused her of stealing. For another thing, she had no idea what to wear to a cocktail party. Especially one someone of Cedric’s status would attend.
