Chapter 130

Lily very infrequently showed up to Ever After Weddings in person anymore. When she made an appearance and announced a staff meeting one day, we all knew that something big was about to happen.

We piled into the employee lounge and gathered around the table with Lily sitting at the head. A folder lay on the table in front of her, her hands resting on top of it. She seemed solemn, almost anxious.

“Good day, everyone,” Lily began once everyone had settled. “I know that it’s been a while since we’ve spoken to each other in person, but I assure you that I couldn’t be prouder of the work that you have all been doing.”

I sat up a little straighter, and I noticed that Terri and several of our coworkers did as well.

“Now, I’m sure that you’ve been wondering when I will be returning to take control of Ever After Weddings,” Lily continued. “Well, I’m not.”

Murmurs broke out among my colleagues. Lily motioned for them to settle down.

“My husband and I have decided that we want to spend our time showing our new son the world. To do that, I will be handing over controlling share of the company to someone else, to someone who has shown as much dedication and care for Ever After Weddings as I have since I founded it.”

Lily turned to me and smiled.

“Crystal, how would you like to be controlling shareholder of Ever After Weddings?”

I gaped. Around me, a mixture of reactions erupted. Some people, including Terri, clapped and congratulated me, while many confused and even angry mumbles rumbled.

I swallowed against the knot that had suddenly appeared in my throat. Of course, I would love to become controlling shareholder of Ever After Weddings. To own my company again would be like a dream come true.

At the same time, I knew how several of my colleagues felt about me. If they would hardly work for as Head Wedding Planner, how would I get them to work for me as controlling shareholder?

Lily stared at me expectantly, waiting for an answer.

“I’d…love to, Lily,” I said, hoping that my trepidation did not show in my voice.

“Great! All that’s left to do is to fill out this annoying paperwork.”

She picked up her folder and walked toward the back door.

“Come,” she said. “Let’s go do this in my office. Everyone else is dismissed.”

I followed Lily, Jeffrey close behind me. Even with my guard’s enormous body in the way, I could feel at least a dozen eyes trailing me as I left for Lily’s office.

A few hours later, Lily’s office—now my office—was left bare except for the furniture. Being situated at the very back of the shop, the office wasn’t a large space, but it was still more than I had expected to have after I got out of prison. It felt oddly right, like everything that I had been doing since my release had been leading me to this moment.

I sat behind the desk, my laptop sitting in front of me, thinking. Taking over as controlling shareholder of the company would leave me with less time for anything else, like Andrew and his campaign. Then there was the fact that so much of the staff still didn’t trust me after the murder accusations…

I knew what I had to do, but my pride did not want to admit it.

Reluctantly, I stood up and walked to the front of the shop. As I had expected, Terri was sitting down with her binders, making phone calls to different venders to confirm orders and appointments.

I waved at her, trying to get her attention. She wrapped up her business with the vender she was talking with before hanging up and turning to me.

“What’s up, boss?” she teased me, a big grin on her face. At least someone was happy for my good fortune.

“Can I see you in Lil-my office?”

“Of course. Should I put away my binders or—”

“Don’t worry about that. This will be quick.”

Terri followed me through the employee lounge and back to my new office. I had her close the door, which she hesitantly obeyed.

“Okay, Crystal, you’re kind of making me nervous now,” she said as she sat down in the chair across the desk from me. “What’s going on?”

“Don’t worry, this is good news,” I replied. “At least, I hope you’ll see it as good news.”

Terri laughed slightly.

“That’s not making me any less nervous.”

“I know, I know. Let’s just cut to the chase. Terri, I want to promote you to Head Wedding Planner.”

Terri’s eyes grew to the size of saucers.

“Me? You want me to take over as Head Wedding Planner?”

I laughed.

“Of course! Who else would I trust with all that responsibility than my number two conspirator?”

“Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

“So, you’ll do it?”

“Yes, yes, yes!”

I laughed again.

“Understand, though, that I’ll still be handling Lisa and Bob’s wedding. I have a…personal connection to that, and I think it would be best for us to not change that this late in the game.”

“Certainly, a ‘personal’ connection.” Terri winked at me. “I understand you perfectly.”

Color rushed my cheeks, but I did not lose my composure.

“Well then, let’s go tell everyone.”

Terri paled.

“Do you think that they’ll be okay with it?”

I smiled reassuringly.

“I think that they’re going to be ecstatic.”

“So, how was work?” Andrew asked me that night over a dinner of pork chops.

A broad grin spread across my face.

“It was the best day I’ve had in a long time,” I replied as I set down my utensils.

Andrew quickly swallowed a mouthful of pork chops.

“Oh?” he asked. “And why is that?”

“We have a new controlling shareholder at Ever After Weddings.”

Andrew arched his brow at me.

“And that’s good news? I thought that Lily was your best friend.”

“She is. I guess that might have informed her decision a bit when she made me the new controlling shareholder.”

Andrew laughed and slapped the table with his palm, tossing down his utensils. He leapt out of his seat and pulled me up from mine. Spinning me in the air thrice, he brought me in for a tight hug and a kiss.

“Does that mean that you’re happy for me?” I asked, giggling as he set me back on my feet.

“Happy? I’m thrilled!”

He kissed me again, hard. I returned his passion, snaking my hands behind his head and neck to pull him closer.

“What brought this on?” he asked.

“Lily’s going to be traveling with her family, so I guess she’s not going to be able to give the company her full attention anymore.”

“So, she just finally came to her senses and realized what was going on all along.”

I smacked his arm lightly.

“Hey, that’s my best friend you’re talking about.”

“Sorry, sorry, but you know that it’s true.” He nuzzled the side of my neck. “You’ve been the real brains and muscle behind that operation for months now—as long as I’ve seen you working there, in fact.”

I blushed and kissed him on the cheek.

“You’re too kind, Andrew.”

He rolled his eyes.

“You need to learn to accept compliments.” He tucked a stray hair behind my ear. “So, how did your colleagues take the news?”

“At first, a lot of them didn’t take it so well, but I got them to change their tune by the end of the day.”

“And how’d you manage to do that?” A playful smirk danced across his face. “Did you bribe them all with raises?”

I chuckled.

“That would have been a great idea, but no. I made Terri Head Wedding Planner. That seemed to appease them.”

“Brilliant idea.”

“Thank you. It also kills two birds with one stone.”

Andrew furrowed his brow.

“How’s that?”

“Well,” I said, playing with the lapel of his suit, “not only do I get my more…unpleasant coworkers—”

“Employees,” Andrew corrected. “They’re your employees now.”

“Yes. Not only do I get my more unpleasant employees off my back, but I will also have a little more free time to campaign with you.”

Andrew’s arms tensed around me.

“Oh, really?” he asked.

I felt his neck muscles clench under my hands.

“Are you okay?”

“Fine,” he said through gritted teeth. “Just fine.”

“You don’t seem fine—”

“I said I’m fine!” He took a deep breath and released me. “I’m going out for some air.”

Andrew stepped around me and stormed out of the room.

“Andrew?” I called after him. He did not respond. “Andrew!”