Chapter 50: 50 - Happy Endings

Several months later, I received a letter from Owen, expressing how deeply sorry he was for hurting me. There was no guile in his words, and I believed him. He seemed genuinely repentant. I guess a prison sentence will do that to someone.

Alex, Sky, and Luca came to work for me at Lyndon Enterprises since I resigned from Lush Productions. I left just in time because once the news got out about the corruption, the entire company shut down.

The Lush family was arrested, and they were all awaiting trial. It gave me a small sense of satisfaction to know justice was served.

The most important news of all? I forgave them, and I forgave Owen. That didn’t mean I forgot or that we reconciled. But I’d healed and let go of the bitterness, hurt, and anger that had stolen my peace. That had made all the difference.

This day was important. I was to receive public recognition for my progressive contributions to Lyndon Enterprises, and Nolan would formally announce his decision to promote me to CEO. So, I’d dressed in a pantsuit and put my hair up in a conservative bun, applying natural-toned makeup.

When I arrived at Lyndon Enterprises, a huge crowd had gathered in front of a podium that was set up outside. My father, Nolan, stood behind the podium, with Alex, Luca, Sky, Nadine, and my girls in the front row. They smiled and waved as Nolan invited me up onto the stage.

“Please welcome Fay Lyndon, my daughter and our regional vice president of Lyndon Enterprises.” Did I forget to mention I’d changed my name? Oops. “She has single-handedly made monumental steps toward innovation in the industry, as well as expanded our reach internationally through business deals and acquisitions. Now it is my great pleasure to announce that I am making her the CEO of Lyndon Enterprises.”

The crowd erupted into polite applause, except for my friends, who cheered loudly and rose to their feet.

“This should come as no surprise,” Nolan continued, “because she did many wonderful things at Lush Productions, and I’m sure that her exit from that company partially contributed to its downfall. Now, for the celebration. There will be drinks and refreshments in the banquet hall for our shareholders.”

The crowd dispersed, wandering inside, and Nolan turned to me. “I’m so very proud of you, Fay. You may not be able to see it yet, but you are a success story.”

“Thanks, Dad,” I said. “I do see it.” And I did.

Over the last few months, I’d integrated into the Lyndon family well, and I had come to view Nolan as a real father to me.

He patted me on the shoulder. “Shall we eat?”

“Should I be worried you cooked this meal?” I teased.

Nolan laughed. “No. Thankfully, I had it catered.”

I wiped my brow dramatically. “Phew.”

Nolan’s eyes twinkled as he said, “Don’t sound so relieved. I’ll assault your taste buds at dinner tonight.”

“As long as you don’t poison me like you did when you attempted mussels, we’re good.” I motioned to the door. “Should we head inside?”

“Good idea. This is your party, after all. It wouldn’t look good if you didn’t show up. Plus, I’m sure the shareholders are dying to congratulate you.”

“More like dying to influence me,” I muttered. One of them, Stan, had been pushing his ideas on me for weeks. So far, I’d successfully evaded agreeing to them, but I didn’t expect that to last.

“Well, that happens to anyone in a high position of authority.” Nolan said. “It’s just something you’ll have to get used to.”

It hadn’t happened at Lush Productions, but then, I wasn’t respected there like I am at Lyndon Enterprises. “Alright,” I said.

We entered the banquet hall, where Nadine rushed to hug me. “I’m so proud of you, girl!” she squealed. “I knew you were going to do great things.”

Emily and Rachel walked up next. “Congratulations!” Emily said.

“Yeah. Congrats!” Rachel repeated.

Just then, Luca approached us. “Mind if I borrow Fay for a minute?” he asked, placing a hand on the small of my back.

The girls shared a conspiratorial look before Nadine said, “She’s all yours.” Then she pushed me in his direction.

“Thanks, ladies,” he said with a winning smile, and I followed him to a quiet corner of the room.

“You’re amazing, Fay,” he whispered. “You’ve fought your way to the top, where you belong. And I don’t mind being beneath you.” He winked.

“You’re not beneath me,” I said. “You helped me get to where I am.”

“You know that’s not what I meant.”

“Oh.” My cheeks reddened. “Well, then.”

“Hey, I got you something to commemorate this achievement.” Luca pulled out a long black velvet box with a bow, handing it to me. “Go on. Open it.”

Tugging lightly on the bow, I peeked in the box. Then I gasped. “It’s beautiful!”

Inside the box was a long golden necklace with a giant, teardrop-shaped diamond pendant.

“This is to remind you that you’re worth more to me than diamonds, but diamonds don’t hurt either,” Luca said.

“I love it!” I exclaimed.

“Turn around,” he ordered, using a twirling motion with his finger, and I obliged. Picking up the necklace, he clasped it behind my neck, his warm fingers brushing my skin and sending a shiver through me.

I glanced down. “It’s wonderful, but isn’t it a bit excessive for this outfit and this setting?” Turning my head, I met his gaze.

“Nothing is too extravagant for my girl,” Luca assured me, his eyes blazing. Then his gaze dropped to my lips.

“If you kiss me now, you’ll mess up my lipstick,” I warned.

“I don’t care,” he growled, grabbing my face and bringing it to his. His kiss started off full of the fire that blazed in his eyes, but then it turned tender. “I love you, Fay.”

“I love you, too. Thank you for the gift.”

“Don’t ever thank me for spoiling you. It’s only right.” He cupped my face with his palms and leaned down to kiss my forehead. “You mean everything to me.”

I blushed, but then I was called up to get my food first because, as Nolan said, I was the cause of the celebration. I took my plate full of some meat and pasta I couldn’t identify—but smelled delicious—and sat down at the table of honor. Alex, Sky, and Luca also shared the table with me.

“Congratulations, Fay,” Alex said. “You deserve this.”

“You really do,” Sky said. “I can’t think of anyone better.” She gazed at me with longing and admiration.

“Since we’re all here,” Alex started, “we should discuss something.”

“You want to do this now?” Luca asked, surprised.

“Do what?” I shifted in my seat, unsure what was going on.

“When else will we all be here at once, besides when we’re working?” Alex ignored my question. “And you know that’s not the time or place for that conversation.”

“Fine,” Luca grumbled, “but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

I was becoming increasingly nervous. “What is this about?”

“Well, Alex began, “it’s been several months since we agreed that you would date all of us until you decided who you liked best. Now we’re asking you to choose.”

I supposed that was fair, but my mind blanked from being put on the spot like this. “Uhh,” I said, eloquent as ever.

I knew it wouldn’t be Sky. As much as I liked her as a person, I’d never gotten over what she’d done in my former life. It was too hard to get past the images of her with Owen when I’d first discovered their cheating. I flashed back to my twenty-ninth birthday—hard to believe that was now a year from now—to when I’d followed Owen to the hotel, thinking to catch him planning a surprise for me. Instead, I’d caught him and Sky in the throes of passion.

Alex… While I knew I loved him, was it enough? He was fun and easy to hang out with, but he was also my stepbrother. Even if we weren’t related by blood, it was still weird. Was my affection for him enough to override that? And what about the judgemental looks I would receive because of it?

Then there was Luca. He drove me crazy, but he had stolen my heart and made it his. His intensity always made me blush, and he had saved my life twice now. And saved me from Max’s attempted sexual assault. The man was more than in love with me; he was enamored. And I was as much the object of his adoration as he was the object of mine.

The more I thought about it, the more sure I was that there was no contest. So, I opened my mouth to deliver my decision. “As much as I like the three of you, if you’re going to force me to choose, it has to be Luca. Sky, you’re a kind, funny, loyal woman, and I believe there is someone out there for you, but it’s not me.”

Her face fell but not by much, as if she’d expected this. “I understand,” she said softly.

“Alex, I wish I could say it was you. I really do. And I hope this won’t change our friendship. But it has to be Luca. Please understand and forgive me.” I offered an apologetic smile.

“I figured as much,” he murmured. “It’s better this way. No use drawing it out.” His sad smile tugged at my heart. “It won’t change our friendship, Fay. It was always going to be him.”

I turned to Luca. “Thank you for always being there for me. You are my rock. I can’t imagine this life without you.”

His arm fully healed, Luca pulled me into a hug, pressing his lips to my temple. “Nor I without you. I am a better man when you’re with me. You saved me, Fay.”

I laughed, my voice thick with unshed tears. “I thought it was you who did all the saving.”

Luca only smiled. “You thought wrong. Without you, I’d still be living a life of crime.”

“You would have made it out without me. You’re a good man,” I assured him. He shook his head as if he didn’t agree. But we had time to work on his self-image.

When Nolan called everyone to attention and began another speech, I wasn’t listening. My heart was too full, surrounded by the people I cared about. I was no longer alone, and now I was sure that, together, we would make it through.