Yours Completely (Billionaires and Brides 1)

“Don't lie to me, Ella,” Delores cut her off sharply. She took a deep breath through a pinched mouth, settling herself in her chair and spreading her hands over the desk. “Now, I have to give Madelyn what she wants. And despite my best efforts to convince her that you are not what you appear, she wants you.”

Ella's brain was having trouble keeping up with what was going on. Madelyn had asked for her. She was going to be the wedding liaison for the Connor wedding. The room felt hot and tiny.

“So, get out of that maid outfit and put on something decent.” Delores looked Ella over as if she were sure Ella would fail at the task. “You are to be at the beck and call of Madelyn Connor for the remainder of her stay here.”

“Of course.” Hope and fear surged through Ella in equal parts. It was all happening so fast that she wasn't really sure of what was going on, but she wasn't about to complain. This could be her real chance to make sure the wedding went off without a hitch. She could be sure that this wedding put Blue Lake Inn and Resort on the map.

“Maria will take over your cleaning responsibilities, as I can't have guests seeing you working with the Connors and then taking out the garbage,” Delores said. “But, I still expect you to maintain all your other duties.”

“Of course. I'll be sure everything is perfect,” Ella promised, her voice shaking.

“You had better.” Delores's eyes narrowed in threat. “And Ella, if you screw this up. I will destroy you. You think life was unfair or hard before? It'll have been a dream compared to what I'll do to you if I even hear the whisper of dissatisfaction from the Connors. I want them to love our family, and right now, that unfortunately means you. Do you understand?”

“Yes, ma'am.” Ella nodded. There was no way she was going to let anything mess this up. This was her chance to make the inn shine. It was everything she wanted.

“Good.” Delores picked up a fresh piece of paper and a pen. “Now get out of my sight.”

Ella didn't pause for a moment. She nearly ran to the door, excitement growing with every step. This was possibly the most terrifying and thrilling thing that could have happened. She walked on giddy steps, hurrying to her small room in the attic to change her clothes.

She couldn't wait to make sure that everything went well for the inn. She could make sure this wedding went off without a hitch and that everything was perfect. It was better than she could have hoped for. Yet, for all her excitement, the only person that she wanted to tell was Jace.

Chapter Seven

Ella knocked on the bridal suite door, hoping that her knock sounded more confident than she felt. The initial shock of excitement had quickly worn off as she changed. The dress pants she now wore didn't fit quite right and she was fairly certain that the blouse was so old that it was close to being back in style, but they were the only “nice” clothes that she owned. It had taken her nearly ten minutes of staring bleakly into her tiny closet wishing something new would show up before she had given up and put on what she had. Tomorrow, she would have to ask Allison if she could borrow something. Maybe one of Maria's daughters had something...

The door swung open and Madelyn beamed at her. The tears were long gone and her makeup replaced. She looked radiant and happy. Just as a bride should. Jace would be happy to know his future bride was no longer upset.

“Thank heaven you're here!” Madelyn exclaimed, reaching out and pulling her into the bridal suite.

Ella nearly didn't recognize the place. A couple hours ago, the place had been spotless. Now, it was coated in tissue paper and wedding accessories. Shoe boxes, scarves, shopping bags, and various other items were strewn everywhere. Sitting calmly in the center of the storm were two young women sipping champagne and chatting in the afternoon sunshine filtering through the window. They smiled politely as Ella nearly tripped over an empty shoe box.

“I need you to put on the dress,” Madelyn said.

Ella stared at her for a moment not really understanding the words that just came out of her mouth. “You need me to do what?”

“I need you to put on the dress,” Madelyn repeated. “Clarissa is too tall and it won't fit Gwen. I need you to put it on so that I can see the full effect. I need to mak

e sure that the veil and the shoes will work, and I can't do it without it on someone. We don't have a mannequin, so I need you.”

“I can get you a mannequin...”

“I want you.” Madelyn said. She shrugged in apology, then said, “I know it's not exactly normal, but... please?”

Ella almost protested. She shouldn't be putting on someone else's wedding dress. But, as she looked at Madelyn, she knew she didn't have much of a choice. This was Madelyn's wedding and she was paying a lot of good money to get whatever she wanted, and right now, she wanted Ella in her wedding dress.

“Of course. Whatever you need,” Ella agreed. What in the world had she gotten herself into?

Madelyn's grin lit up the room and Ella couldn't help but smile in return. The woman's enthusiasm and excitement was contagious and the further Ella walked into the suite, the more genuine the smile became.

The dress hung reverently on the closet door in the bedroom. Late afternoon sunshine poured through the windows, catching the lace and making it the dress shimmer and glow. Ella fingered the lace sleeves, heart in her throat. Her mother's dress had never looked so beautiful. A dress like this was meant to be worn or at least displayed, not tucked away in a hidden, dusty box.

Ella glanced shyly at Madelyn as she carefully took the dress from the hanger and prepared to put it on. She had never worn the dress before, even in play. It had felt too weird, especially when her father was still alive. After his death, she had been far too busy to indulge in playing dress-up.

“If you need any help, just holler,” Madelyn said as she prepared to close the bedroom door. “I'll be right outside to help with the buttons when you're changed.”

Ella nodded, not trusting her voice. The click of the door closing rattled in Ella's ears as she held the beloved dress in her hands. What was she doing?

Earning this wedding, she told herself as she stripped down to her underwear. Do whatever it takes.