Chapter 92

Ethan and I were working on the charity ball preparations in his office throughout the entire weekend and most of the next week.

Although Ethan offered me an office and a promotion, I declined both. I didn’t need a fancy title in his company, I didn’t need a top floor office and a view of the entire city. I loved Ethan, I loved his company, but I did not want to work there any longer than I had to.

“I’m okay with just sharing your office with you, if you don’t mind,” I replied as he handed me the keycard to the office and offered to give me a platinum plate with my name on it to put on my desk.

Ethan looked at me quizzically and shrugged, “If that’s what you want. I thought you wanted to work here with me, though. I thought you wanted to be part of the company.”

I smiled at him reassuringly, sensing a bit of insecurity as I rejected his offer.

“I love working for the company, I love spending every day with you,” I rubbed his shoulder and kissed his cheek, “But I still want to pursue baking. After the election for Alpha Chairman has come and passed and once we bring Andrew to his knees, I want to be your pastry chef Luna.”

Ethan grinned, somewhat amused, “Thank you for letting me know.”

“I love spending my time with you anyways, that’s why I work so hard. I only want to spend time in your office because that’s where you are.”

“You aren’t trying to climb the corporate ladder and take over my entire pack and enterprise?” Ethan teased and nudged my shoulder with his own.

I winked at him, “Maybe that was my plan at first, but now I’d like to just plan a fun party and spend some time with my husband.”

Ethan chuckled at me and led me out of the empty office. It was such a nice gesture, it warmed my heart, but ultimately it was not what I wanted for myself.

Shortly after, we started our work on the ball preparations.

The first thing we did was set up the foundation of the charity - the ones who would benefit from the ball the most. I suggested the children at the orphanage, wishing for them to be spoiled and taken care of. Especially considering the way my mother was treated in a similar situation.

They deserved the best, Mrs. Hudson could only stretch her funds so far.

Ethan agreed, and at the end of the work day we set off to visit the orphanage and see if they would even be interested in having the ball be in their honor.

I didn’t want to do anything that Mrs. Hudson wouldn’t approve of.

We made it to the big, brick building and Mrs. Hudson was filing paperwork in the lobby with Baron standing in front of her. When the front doors opened, she jumped slightly, but calmed herself once she saw it was us.

Baron seemed to be speaking to her, but she brushed him off in order to greet us.

“Ethan! Ava!” She grinned. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

Ethan looked to me to answer. I smiled and approached the desk.

“On behalf of the Blue Moon Group,” I started, adding an excited flourish to my words, “We would like to throw a charity ball in honor of the wonderful boys and girls of this childrens’ home!”

Mrs. Hudson looked taken aback.

“A charity ball?” She breathed, “For us?”

I nodded enthusiastically. Baron watched on with a straight face. I assumed it had to do with the last time I talked to him and the way Ethan treated him. We hadn’t exactly spoken to him since, not even to really apologize.

I felt a little guilty about that, but I was too excited to introduce the concept for the ball to worry too much.

“The goal is to raise money and funds for the home for clothes, toys, books, and education for all the children under the roof,” Ethan stepped in, diplomatically, “We want to financially support you as much as we can. Especially given all that you have done for us.”

Ethan raised his eyebrows with meaning. After he woke up, I filled him in on everything that happened after he was shot. I told him how Mrs. Hudson saved him essentially. How she sewed him back together and kept us hidden.

Ethan owed her everything, those were his words. A ball was the least we could do.

“That sounds wonderful!” Mrs. Hudson clapped her hands and moved from behind the front desk. “I truly appreciate you doing this for the children. Any amount of money would benefit the children immensely.”

I got over-excited and enveloped Mrs. Hudson in a warm hug.

“We want to extend an invitation for you and the kids to attend as well.” I breathed into her shoulder as we embraced. She smelled like mothballs and cinnamon. It was sort of nice.

“We would love to!” Mrs. Hudson pulled away, holding me at arm’s length with a smile. “I’m sure I can scrape together some fabric and things to make the children some new outfits!”

“We can-” I looked to Ethan. I wanted to tell her that we would buy them all new outfits, but maybe we could surprise her with it later. I held onto that information and simply nodded my head in agreement, “That would be really nice.”

Baron interjected between us, taking the pause between words as his moment to enter the conversation again.

“I still would like to talk to you about that camping retreat I found for a few of the kids,” Baron leaned against the desk with his back and looked at Mrs. Hudson solely. He hadn’t looked at Ethan and I at all since we entered. Not in the eyes anyways.

“Baron,” Mrs. Hudson chided, “We will talk about that again later. I don’t know if it’s a great idea to take only a few of the children rather than the large group. It doesn’t make sense, and there will be talk of favoritism.”

Baron shook his head and pushed off the desk. He took long strides across the main room, towards the front door. I stopped him before he could get too far.

“Baron!” I smiled, though he just looked back at me with a straight face.

“Ava, nice to see you,” His voice was monotone. He did not seem pleased to see me at all.

Ethan took a step closer to me, puffing out his chest in a defensive manner.

“Since we are throwing this charity event and the kids are going to be there,” I tried my best to seem encouraging and warm. “We - Ethan and I - would love it if you would attend. The children love you and you were such a great friend to me it would really just mean a lot to have you present.”

Baron looked at me. His cold face warmed, though only slightly, until he looked at Ethan again. His gaze went cold and he shrugged me off.

“No, thanks.” He sneered and walked out of the building.