Yours Completely (Billionaires and Brides 1)

With happy thoughts filling his mind and face, he focused on the promises of his little sister and best friend, knowing that there were going to be two happy endings this evening.

Chapter Fourteen

“Make this place a success, baby girl. If anyone can do it, it's you.”

Ella's father's words echoed across her mind as she looked out at the reception and watched the celebrities mingle and smile for the cameras.

The wedding was a complete success. People would be talking about the beauty and perfection of the ceremony for years to come. Nothing had gone wrong. No one tripped, nothing was lit on fire, and absolutely no ambulances had been called.

“I'm doing it, Dad,” Ella said softly. She smiled, feeling proud of her work for the first time in months. Her plans for the inn were finally in motion. Everything she had worked so hard for the past few years was finally within her grasp. She was going to make her father proud.

So far, the reception was going exactly to plan. The largest meal they had ever served at the inn had gone off without a hitch. Only three plates were returned to the kitchen, and considering the palates of the guests, Ella was sure it was some sort of record. Actually, she had left the chef sobbing tears of joy as the meal completed and only compliments came in.

The speeches were over and the dancing was due to start at any moment. Ella felt the knot at the base of her neck slowly starting to relax. Her part of the wedding was over. The rest of the evening was up to the wedding director and the guests. She had made sure everything was beautiful and ready, which it was, and now there was nothing else for her to do but sit back and enjoy the party.

She wasn't even in charge of cleaning up. As she watched a guest spill pate on one of the pristine table clothes, she was almost giddy that it wasn't her problem. Not tonight. As Madelyn's official Wedding Liaison, Delores had to give the job of cleaning up to someone else. It just wouldn't be seemly otherwise. For once, Delores's need to appear perfect in public worked in Ella's favor rather than against.

Soft music floated through the air from a string quartet. The big glass reception hall doors were open to the carefully landscaped courtyard, allowing the warm night breeze to mingle with the cool air from the hotel. Small white lights twinkled in the trees as the sun slowly set over the lake.

“You look absolutely amazing,” a female voice said from behind her. Ella froze for a moment before slowly turning to face her stepsister. Allison had never been outright cruel to her, but she was Delores's daughter. Anything was possible.

“Thank you,” Ella replied slowly. She took in her stepsister's beaded green gown, noticing how it brought out the green in her eyes. It was softer and prettier than her mother's green. “You look amazing as well.”

“Thanks.” Allison grinned. “I don't want to intrude upon your night, but I did have some good news for you.”

“Good news?” The flutter of worry still bounced around inside Ella's chest. Allison was usually just the pawn of her stepmother, not the actual force of evil, yet Ella didn't trust her completely. Delores had done too good a job of making sure they were separate but never equal for Ella to ever fully trust anything Allison did.

“You have the day off tomorrow,” Allison announced. She grinned even wider. “I told mother that the bride insisted upon it. A little white lie, but you deserve it.”

“Seriously?” A day off was a dream come true. Days off were things that Ella only ever dreamed of.

“Seriously,” Allison assured her. There was no guile or dishonesty in her voice. “You pulled this off beautifully. Far better than I would have, to be honest. You worked your butt off for this. We've already seen a double in reservations. You deserve a little reward for that.”

“Double is good,” Ella agreed, hope for the future filling her. Double meant the inn would stay open. Double meant that bills were going to be paid. She really was doing it. Dad would be proud.

“Anyway, I just wanted to tell you not to come to work tomorrow.” Allison smiled at someone across the room and waved before focusing on Ella again. “And, that dress is spectacular.”

“Thank you...” Ella said, but Allison walked off before she finished the words.

A day off. She'd have to of course check that with Delores. Not that Allison had ever purposefully done anything to Ella, but taking a day off without permission would have her scrubbing floorboards with a toothbrush for a week.

Still, the idea of a day off was enough to jump for joy. Ella grinned, smoothing the front of her borrowed gown. She had never worn anything quite so beautiful, or expensive, but Madelyn had insisted.

“If you're going to be at my reception, you need to look the part,” Madelyn had said. “Also, I expect you to have fun.”

A satin, strapless blue dress now hugged her curves and then flared out at the feet. A pale blue lace overlay created texture and drama, falling like fairy wings before pooling at her feet. It was a dress for a princess. Somehow, it even managed to shimmer slightly, catching the light and making her look like something out of a fairy tale.

She had curled and pinned her hair up onto her head, going for a simple yet sophisticated look. Since she didn't have any jewelry that wasn't worth less than five dollars, she had opted to go without anything, hoping that the beauty of the dress would distract anyone from noticing her bare throat, ears, and wrists.

Ella kept expecting someone to come up and ask her to leave, possibly even calling the police to find out where she had stolen the dress from. Yet, so far, she had received only polite smiles and friendly glances. No one had called her out as the simple maid that she was.

The scent of citronella and lavender from the various tiki torches lining the courtyard tickled her nose as the breeze shifted slightly. The bugs, thankfully, were staying far away. The stars were just starting to come out, glittering and dancing in the sky to the music. Ella smiled as the music changed and the bride and groom left their table to go to the dance floor. It was time for the first dance. Everything was soft and magical, just as a wedding should be.

“Champagne?” offered a waiter. He obviously didn't recognize her as staff, so she just accepted before he continued on to other guests. She smiled, standing off to the side of the room, watching the spotlight find the happy couple as the music started.

Ella had never seen anyone look quite so happy as Madelyn. As she spun, the view was replaced by that of Jason, the same happy smile plastered on his face as Madelyn. Their eyes saw only each other and loved every single thing they saw. That was what love looked like. That was what all the fairy tales and happy endings were supposed to be about.

“And they all lived happily ever after,” a voice said behind her, speaking her thoughts.