Trust

I stared at Damien for a minute or two, processing his words. The clock ticking on the wall was the only sound in the room.

"What did you say?" I finally choked out.

"Blakewood has been making enquiries about this company, Miss Vale," Damien Cross repeated.

I lowered my gaze to the documents and refused to allow this man to see how his announcement had affected me.

"Fine, let him make enquiries," I replied calmly, promising myself that Roman Blakewood would not destroy my future, and he certainly wouldn't break me down again.

My father remained silent, watching me carefully as if he were studying my reaction.

"Aurelia is a private company, not a public attraction," he stated firmly.

"You know, I can see why your father trusts you with the takeover of this company, Miss Vale." Damien did not take his eyes off me.

My father nodded proudly. "I know Ellena would not let her mother down in the end. I think I can leave you to it from here, Ellena. Let you get to know each other a little better?"

I saw my father smile before he left the room. Sophia followed him.

The click of the door closing behind them left a knot of anxiety in my stomach, and I swallowed hard, trying to contain myself.

Damien's eyes lingered on me before he glanced down at his proposal.

"So, speaking of trust, I wonder if you have reached a decision about our partnership?"

I was taken aback by his confidence that I would even consider it.

"I have things to see before making such a decision," I told him.

"Care to enlighten me?" He raised an eyebrow.

I kept my composure. "I need a revised proposal with accurate figures and complete financial disclosures, not one with deliberate rubbish to test me, Mr Cross."

Damien Cross laughed softly. "You do not let things go so easily, do you?"

"No, Mr Cross. Not when it involves millions of people and my dead mother's legacy."

That wiped the smile off his arrogant face at the mention of my mother. Maybe he saw that this was not just an ordinary business negotiation for me.

"Fair enough, then, Miss Vale. I will have the revised information sent over by the end of the day."

He gathered his things and stood up to leave.

"Thank you for your time, Mr Cross," I said politely.

"See you soon, Miss Chairwoman."

That title still seemed so strange, not because I didn't deserve it, but because I was still getting used to being back where I belonged.

I breathed a sigh of relief after Damien Cross left. I had not even realised I had been holding my breath.

Before I knew it, hours had already passed, and I had worked through three reports, two financial forecasts, and, not to forget, a stack of correspondence that would have made others question their career choices. It was draining, yes, but being around people who didn't make me question my worth was really satisfying.

I had spent five years by his side, convinced that supporting Roman meant standing beside him and celebrating his victories. I had lost count of the nights I stayed awake.

I examined figures, identified weaknesses in contracts, and organised meetings to strengthen his company. When he struggled, I found the solution. He was clueless. When investors had hesitated in the past, I had used my own knowledge and connections to help him secure opportunities.

It was laughable now; all I had wanted was for the man I loved to do well, to accomplish his dreams. I didn't need any praise, no name on a building or grand gestures.

How stupid and blind I had been.

Somewhere along the lines, Roman had become selfish, greedy and thought the grass was greener on the other side.

“Let him see how well he can do without me,” I smirked to myself.

I looked at my phone, the screen blank. I had not looked at it all day. Switching it on, I noticed a few notifications come up from an unknown number.

“Actions have repurcussions.”

“Watch yourself, Bitch.”

I deleted the messages and turned my phone face down as a knock on the door interrupted me from my thoughts.

“Time for lunch with your old man?” My father poked his head around the door, looking hopeful. I smiled up at him and nodded without a second thought.

I had not realised the time.

We went down town to a small cafe that served a nice fry up and coffees. My father used to meet my mother in this exact cafe on her work breaks, I remebered coming here with her omce or twice. She loved to support the small buinesses.

“I hope that I am doing her proud, Dad.” I let out a sigh as I pushed my empty plate to the middle of the table.

“Oh, Ellena. Of course you are.” He assured me, patting my back and smiling.

I smiled back and thought about how things would be if she had never passed away.

“So, what are your thoughts on Damien Cross?” My father changed the subject and my stomach dropped.

“He is Roman’s biggest rival.” I looked at my father and bit my lower lip.

“That wasn't what I asked you, Ellena.” My father leaned back in his chair, studying me over his coffee cup. “I asked what you thought of him.”

I sighed, glancing towards the café window. People hurried past, completely unaware of the mess my life had become.

“Honestly? I think he's arrogant, far too confident for his own good, and used to getting what he wants.”

My father chuckled. “Sounds like you've already made up your mind.”

“Have you met the man, Dad? He walked into my office with an insulting proposal, deliberately included rubbish figures to test me, and then laughed when I called him out.”

“And yet, you didn't throw him out.”

“Don't start.”

“I'm simply pointing out that you seem rather interested in a man you claim to dislike.”

“I am interested in his business proposal. There's a difference.”

“Of course there is.”

I shook my head, reaching for my glass of water. I had spent years watching my father make that expression whenever he thought he knew something I didn't. It was irritating, especially when he was usually right.

But there was nothing between Damien Cross and me. There couldn't be. I had only recently escaped a marriage that had nearly destroyed me. The last thing I needed was another man complicating my life.

“Do you trust him?” I asked.

My father lowered his cup. “Damien?”

“Unless you know another man who hands out questionable proposals and calls people Miss Chairwoman.”

He laughed.

“I wouldn't say trust is the right word, sweetheart. Damien is ambitious and knows what he wants. But he also understands that business is built on more than figures and contracts.”

“That sounds suspiciously like an endorsement.”

“It's an observation. I allowed him into your office because I wanted you to assess his proposal yourself. Aurelia is going to be yours to lead, Ellena. You need to recognise a good opportunity when it presents itself, even when it comes from someone you don't particularly like.”

He was right, and I hated that he was right.

For five years, my life had revolved around Roman's decisions, ambitions, and future. I had convinced myself that being a good wife meant supporting him without question, even when it meant sacrificing my own dreams.

I wasn't making that mistake again.

“If Damien wants to work with Aurelia, he'll have to prove himself,” I said firmly. “I'm not agreeing to anything simply because you know him or because he's offering us a profitable deal.”

My father reached across the table and squeezed my hand.

“I wouldn't expect you to. I know how much you loved your mother and how much it means to protect what she helped build. But you don't have to prove yourself to me, Ellena. You've already done that.”

My throat tightened.

“I just don't want to let you down.”

“You couldn't let me down if you tried.”

I laughed softly, blinking away the sting in my eyes.

“That's a rather bold statement.”

“I'm your father. I'm allowed to be biased.”

For the first time that day, I felt the tension in my shoulders ease.

We finished our coffees before leaving the café. My father insisted on paying, despite my protests, and I allowed him to have his way.

As we walked towards the car, I thought about my mother. She had always supported small businesses and believed they deserved the same respect as large corporations.

Would she be proud of the woman I was becoming, or disappointed that I had wasted five years on a man who never truly deserved me?

I pushed the thought away. I couldn't change the past, but I could decide what happened next.

And I intended to make every second count.

By the time we returned to Aurelia, my father had several calls to deal with, leaving me to return to my office.

My assistant knocked shortly afterwards and placed a thick envelope beside my laptop.

“Miss Vale, these have just arrived for you.”

I recognised the name immediately.

Damien Cross.

“He certainly doesn't waste time,” I muttered.

“Would you like me to arrange a meeting with Mr Cross?”

“Not yet. I'll review everything first.”

Once she left, I opened the envelope and examined the revised proposal. Damien had updated the financial forecasts, provided detailed disclosures, and clarified the terms of the partnership.

He had listened to me.

That shouldn't have surprised me, but it did. Roman had spent years making me feel as though my opinions were an inconvenience. I had grown accustomed to being dismissed or told I was worrying unnecessarily.

Damien, however, had taken my criticism and returned with something better.

It didn't mean I trusted him, and it certainly didn't mean I liked him. But I could respect a man willing to correct his mistakes.

I picked up my pen and began making notes in the margins. If Damien wanted a partnership with Aurelia, it would be conducted on my terms.

My phone vibrated on the desk.

An unfamiliar number appeared on the screen, and my stomach tightened. After the anonymous messages I'd received earlier, I had no desire to deal with another threat.

Then another message appeared.

You think this is over? You are wrong!