Claiming Cinderella

Another hour passed and we finally got out and dressed and made our way to my family estate where mother was on the patio having lunch.

When she saw me walk in with Ella, her expression faded from carefree smiles to ones of concern. She was on edge, and for the first time, I think she was intimidated. I wasn’t sure that was a good thing or not, but I knew Ella could handle anything she dished out. If she didn’t like us together because of who Ella was and all of the recent scandal, which she’d already informed me bothered her to no end, then she could deal with it. Ella was my life and my future, and that wasn’t going to change based on Patricia’s opinions.

“Well, Aiden sweetheart, it’s good to see you this morning, I’d thought you’d lost your way home.” She spoke to me, but her eyes never left Ella. Ella held on to my arm nice and firm, but she walked toward mother with her head up high and her posture as stiff as a board.

I wanted to tell her to relax, not to let mother see that she was stiff with nerves, but then, as if reading my mind, she let out a long-held breath and gave me a nudge.

“I’ve brought someone here to meet you,” I knew that Ella had seen my mother on a few occasions, but they had never been introduced formally and certainly not since I’d started seeing her.

“Ella Ford, it’s so good to meet you. I was wondering when Aiden was going to bring you around. I was beginning to think the tabloids would have to tell me everything I wanted to know about the two of you.” I gave Patricia a hard glare, but Ella took it in stride.

“I’m so sorry about that. I can only think that Nola hoped to gain something from spilling that tea.”

“I think you’re right,” I said, pulling out a seat for Ella across from my mother. I sat beside her and motioned to Oliver, who worked on our staff to bring more of what mother was having.

“It’s a good thing that we’re not weaker people who would let something like that bother them. Especially knowing the truth.” Ella’s words caused my mother to smile even though it was a direct dig at her.

“I like her,” said Patricia leaning in close to me and pouring Ella a cup of juice. “You’re a lot like your mother. She never put up with anyone’s bullshit either. A hell of a woman.”

“A hell of a mother.” Ella lifted the glass Patricia offered and drank as if toasting Layla’s memory.

I thought it was the perfect time to drop the bomb on my mother, and hoped that Ella had lightened her mood enough that she wouldn’t protest. “I’m going to be staying at the beach house for a while. I’d like to be a bit closer to Ella, and I’m hoping that things work out to where I will be selling it, maybe finding Ella and I a more permanent place together.”

Ella’s eyes lit with a smile. “You’re more than welcome to stay at my house, Aiden.”

“Oh, I plan on it, and vice versa of course.” I flashed her a wink, and my mother covered her mouth not wanting me to see her smile.

“What?” she lifted her shoulder. “Can’t a mother be happy for her son?”

“Oh course, it’s just I thought you’d protest the move. I will still be around, of course, to run operations with the company and of course to keep an eye on you.”

Zep and Halle took the opportunity to enter the room. My best friend had insisted on bringing her around to my mother’s dismay, but the two were doing the same thing she and Nola had with pretending to like one another. You could see it in her expression as Halle locked her arm with Zep’s and they approached the table.

“Are you taking this one with you?” My mother gestured to Zep and Ella and I both chuckled.

“Taking me where?” Zep took a handful of grapes from the table and tried to feed one to Halle who curled her lip and pushed his hand away.

“I’m going to live at the beach house. You’re welcome to come.”

“Actually, I’m getting an apartment across town. It’s going to be one of the new locations for Halle’s show. I’m the new love interest.” He straightened the collar of his t-shirt and slicked back his hair giving me a wink.”