Share

Epilogue

Author: Krista Lakes
last update Last Updated: 2022-05-16 13:24:39

One year later...

Everything was ready. Or as ready as it was going to be.

It felt different being on this end of the preparations.

“Okay, the caterer is set up and on time, here's your bouquet, the DJ is already set, the photographer is just finishing up the boys shots, and the only thing that seems to be an issue is your lack of smile,” Mia said, peering over her clipboard at the bride.

Ella forced a weak smile. “Better?”

Mia, Ella's new assistant, shook her head. “No. Seriously, I have this under control. I have since day one. That's why you hired me.”

“I know.” Ella sighed and smoothed her hair again. It was hair-sprayed so well that a hurricane wouldn't undo it, yet she kept feeling like it was going to tumble all around her. “I'm just nervous. It wasn't like this for the other weddings.”

“The other weddings weren't your wedding,” Mia reminded her with a gentle smile. “Now, put on a smile, go have a drink of champagne with your bridesmaids, and let me handle everything. That's wh
Locked Chapter
Continue to read this book on the APP

Related chapters

  • Yours Completely   Chapter One: Ella

    EllaElla curled her fingers into a ball, holding them tight in front of her in a way that she hoped looked demure and repentant. Her fingernails dug into her palms. She tried her best to remain calm as the woman in front of her continued the nasty tirade.“The guests are reporting that the rooms are unsatisfactory.” Delores's hand came down hard on the big oak desk, shaking the smiling pictures of Delores and her biological daughter with various celebrities. Her green eyes blazed at Ella as if the failings of the entire inn and resort were all Ella's fault. “They say that the air conditioning isn't working correctly and no one is doing anything about it.”“I'll have maintenance look into the air conditioning,” Ella replied slowly, once she was sure she was supposed to reply at all. She kept her tone calm and respectful. Delores was her stepmother and her boss, after all. “We need new ones. These should have been replaced last year.”“New ones?” Delores squawked, holding a hand to her

    Last Updated : 2022-05-16
  • Yours Completely   Chapter Two: Ella

    EllaElla hurried out of the stuffy office. She grabbed the door, finding that it had once again swung open on it’s own again. Not much, just a couple of inches. The latch needed to be reset. Ella put it on her mental list of things to fix. Once outside and down the hallway, Ella took in a deep, relaxing breath.Hopefully, Delores would be busy with schmoozing her wealthy patrons for the next few hours and wouldn't find ways to make Ella's life more of a living hell.Not that even a billionaire and his sister would be able to stop her, Ella thought bitterly. She shook her head as she walked quickly past the main entrance with the marble entryway that Delores had insisted on and the inn was still paying for. She nearly ran into a man in a black suit with a thin black tie. Ella assumed he was part of the billionaire's security team and simply apologized and kept walking.As soon as Ella turned twenty-two, her father's will stipulated that the inn would go to Ella as long as she had work

    Last Updated : 2022-05-16
  • Yours Completely   Chapter Three: Ella

    Ella“I’m sorry, please-” the man moved slightly and she nearly lost her nerve. He was gorgeous. Perhaps the most beautiful man she’d ever seen. He had defined cheekbones, dark flowing hair, and blue-green eyes that reminded her of the ocean on a calm day. And that was just his face.“You can't be in here, sir,” she amended, remembering that he was probably one of the billionaire's guests and that she should at least be a little polite. He was wearing a very nice, pale blue dress shirt and slacks that probably cost more than she saved in a year.“Please, don't make me leave.” The man's beautiful eyes darted toward the open barn door and he crouched a little lower behind the stall. “I just need five minutes.”“For what?” The words came out sharper than she intended, especially if he was one of the billionaire wedding guests. She couldn't take her frustration with Delores out on them, so she crossed her arms, hoping that the man didn't have some sort of strange horse fetish.The man blu

    Last Updated : 2022-05-16
  • Yours Completely   Chapter Four: Ella

    EllaA soft giggle from the dark on the path outside the barn caught her attention. Jace and Ella froze, their lips so close Ella could feel his breath. The soft sound of high-heels on rock steps brought her down from the happy high she was on. The giggles grew louder along with a “let’s check that barn again.”Speak of the devil.They stopped, a breath away from what promised to be an amazing kiss.The magic spell that wove them together evaporated like mist on the wind. Suddenly, they were just two strangers standing a little too close.“They're back,” Jace said, his shoulders creeping up and his eyes darkening. He released her, but kept his hands on her waist as he stepped back, moving closer to the shadowed corner of the stall. “I wish they would just leave me alone.”His voice was calm and even, but Ella could sense the desperation seeping into his words. She didn't know how she knew it- from the outside he looked perfectly calm and collected, yet somehow she knew.“You really do

    Last Updated : 2022-05-16
  • Yours Completely   Chapter Five: Ella

    EllaShe hurried back over to the Captain’s stall, holding onto the big white horse like a lifeline to sanity. Jace was the Jason getting married the day after tomorrow. No wonder he was so perfect. He was someone else’s.Ella shook her head, trying to keep her heart beat steady and her stomach from flinging its contents all over the barn. He must think her a complete idiot. He hadn't tried to kiss her, he was just catching her from falling. She was the one doing all the kissing. She was a terrible person. She was no better than those vicious trollops hunting for him outside. He was supposed to be getting married!“You okay?” Jace asked after a moment. She was frozen, the brush paused in mid-air. She looked over and her heart sunk just a little bit more. His eyes were still far too blue for her to look at, especially now that she knew they weren't meant for her. He was probably just being nice to her for letting him stay in the barn and hide from the overzealous party guests.“Yeah, I

    Last Updated : 2022-05-16
  • Yours Completely   Chapter Six: Ella

    EllaJace was the only thing on Ella’s mind.She didn't want him to be, but like a splinter that she couldn't quite remove, he was in her thoughts. All night, her imagination had revolved around him. She could smell the soft woodsy scent of his skin, the way the light reflected blue and green at the same time in his eyes, and the soft curve of his lips as he bent to kiss her.Except he had never actually bent to kiss her. That was all in her mind. It had to be. The man was supposed to be getting married tomorrow. Yet, as much as she tried to push him out of her head, he just stayed firmly put.With a determined breath, Ella focused on her day's work. The odds of running into him were low and if she just avoided the barn, she would get everything prepped for this wedding and life would go back to the way it was. Just, hopefully with more customers.The lobby was full of people that Ella had never met, yet she recognized most of them. A-list actors, sports personas, and at least three m

    Last Updated : 2022-05-16
  • Yours Completely   Chapter Seven: Ella

    Ella“What happened?” Ella whispered, her hand going to her mouth as she stepped forward to inspect the rags. The dress was completely ruined. Even if it hadn’t been ripped in over a dozen places, there were black stains that would never come out of the once cream-colored fabric.“They lost my dress on the runway. The plane ran over it.” The woman's voice was surprisingly steady, as if she still didn't quite believe it herself. She let out a half-hearted chuckle. “So much for the billionaire service, right?”Ella admired the woman's attempt at humor, even as the chuckle twisted into a sob.“They tried to tell me that it wasn't a big deal, but...” She picked up a corner of the blackened dress and a piece of lace fluttered to the ground. Her hand shook and for a moment Ella was afraid that the woman was going to completely break down. Ella certainly knew that she would collapse in this situation.Ella quickly put her hand on the woman's shoulder and turned her away from the dress. “We'l

    Last Updated : 2022-05-16
  • Yours Completely   Chapter Eight: Jace

    JaceJace walked along the lake shore with quick, long strides. He was used to walking fast. In the business world, there was always someone to catch up to and someone to outrun. Life was a competition and only the strong and the fast survived.He sighed. He needed to find a way to stop thinking like that. Madelyn was always telling him that he was becoming more and more like his father. He hated that. His father was a workaholic with no time for his wife or family. A brilliant businessman, but not a good parent and a terrible husband. Jace wanted to be better than his father. It was part of why he was going all out for Madelyn's wedding. The fact that he was putting in so much effort annoyed his father to no end.He paused on the path, glancing around at the carefully manicured lawn and trees surrounding the lake. He hoped he hadn't missed it. He was looking for the small gazebo, the one Ella had mentioned last night. She had said the path was near the main gazebo, but so far he hadn

    Last Updated : 2022-05-16

Latest chapter

  • Yours Completely   Epilogue

    One year later...Everything was ready. Or as ready as it was going to be.It felt different being on this end of the preparations.“Okay, the caterer is set up and on time, here's your bouquet, the DJ is already set, the photographer is just finishing up the boys shots, and the only thing that seems to be an issue is your lack of smile,” Mia said, peering over her clipboard at the bride.Ella forced a weak smile. “Better?”Mia, Ella's new assistant, shook her head. “No. Seriously, I have this under control. I have since day one. That's why you hired me.”“I know.” Ella sighed and smoothed her hair again. It was hair-sprayed so well that a hurricane wouldn't undo it, yet she kept feeling like it was going to tumble all around her. “I'm just nervous. It wasn't like this for the other weddings.”“The other weddings weren't your wedding,” Mia reminded her with a gentle smile. “Now, put on a smile, go have a drink of champagne with your bridesmaids, and let me handle everything. That's wh

  • Yours Completely   Chapter Thirty-Six: Ella

    Ella“Well, I see you have met my son.” Charles's voice broke into their private moment.“Hi, Dad.” Jace didn't let her go, he just pulled back enough to glare at his father. “Maybe we could chat later.”Charles chuckled. “Don't mind me.” He leaned up against the limo, crossed his arms and grinned at them.Ella and Jace looked at one another. It felt strange to have an audience.“What can I do for you, Dad?” Jace asked. He kept his arms protectively around Ella as if he were afraid she would disappear on him.He didn't need to worry about that. Ella was never leaving him.“I told you, don't mind me.” He grinned, obviously enjoying their discomfort in the most paternal way possible. “I'm just happy to see you with someone I approve of.”Jace rolled his eyes.“I'm glad you approve of me,” Ella said diplomatically. “But, would you mind doing it from inside the limo. Or the inn. Or just not where we can see you. I'd like to kiss him some more and it feels weird with his father watching.”

  • Yours Completely   Chapter Thirty-Five: Jace & Ella

    JaceJace stared at the log-on screen to his laptop for the third time. Outside, the clouds hummed past the streamlined jet, but inside, he was stuck. He'd opened and shut his computer at least three times. Each time he tried to get work done, Ella's face would pop into his head and he'd lose his concentration.His phone burned as if on fire. He'd already read the messages four times, in between each open and closing of his laptop. Something about it bothered him. It wasn't right. The words sounded enough like Ella, but she would have told him in person. She never would have missed saying goodbye.This wasn't how things were supposed to happen. This wasn't how the story was supposed to play out and Jace knew it.He was wrong to have left without looking for her further. He should know better than to follow in his father's bitter footsteps.Jace needed to see her. He needed a real goodbye, and if she really did want to push him away, then... well, he could deal with it. But he needed t

  • Yours Completely   Chapter Thirty-Four: Ella

    EllaElla pounded on the cellar door. Her hands ached from the repeated blows on the door that clearly wasn't moving. She'd tried screaming, but she knew that no one would hear her. Just last week, one of the kitchen staff had been stuck in here for hours before someone came to look for her.Except no one was coming to look for Ella. The only person who would notice she was missing was probably on a plane back to his real life already.She couldn't believe Delores would do this to her.A sob choked Ella's throat and made it hard to breathe. Her knees buckled as she checked her watch and knew he was gone. She had wanted to say goodbye. She had wanted to see him one more time, to tell him how she felt and that she couldn't wait to see him again.But now she couldn't.She tried banging on a different wall, but the sturdy ancient cellar walls absorbed everything. She was trapped and had no way to tell Jace goodbye. No way to tell him that he was all she thought about all night.Despite sp

  • Yours Completely   Chapter Thirty-Three: Jace

    Jace“Sir, it's time to go.”Jace sighed and glanced around the empty hotel lobby. He checked his watch, even though he knew it was long past when Ella should have arrived. Especially after all those text messages. Yet, still, he had hoped she would show up. The time was only two minutes and fifteen seconds different than the last time he had checked.This isn't going to work out.I can't lie to you anymore. I have someone else.You aren't special.You were going to find out eventually, so I'll just spare you now. I don't want this.I'm not coming tomorrow.You need to leave.The text messages still burned on his phone. There were more, but just looking at them made him want to cry. They seared into his soul. He had missed the first two he was so busy working. He'd immediately messaged her back, begging her to let him come see her. She'd said no, that it would only hurt them both.This weekend was magical. But magic isn't real. I don't want to hurt you. Please, just leave me alone. Go

  • Yours Completely   Chapter Thirty-Two: Ella

    EllaThe hotel hallways were deserted as she walked back to her room. Her phone had a message from Jace. He'd sent it an hour ago and it wasn't anything crazy, just a hello with a smiling icon. Still, it made her pulse race. He followed it up with a message about breakfast before his flight left.Her fingers paused over the keypad, trying to find the best words to say what she felt. She bit her lip, waiting for inspiration to strike. She wanted to type more than just “yes!” because that felt too simple. She wanted to make his heart race as much as hers did.“What do you think you're doing?”Delores stepped out of her office and directly into Ella's path. She nearly dropped the phone in surprise.“Going to bed.” Ella turned off the screen without responding back to Jace. The last thing she wanted was for Delores to see her texting the man who'd scorned her's son.“It's no longer your day off.”Ella sighed. One encounter with Delores today was more than enough. “I don't want to do this

  • Yours Completely   Chapter Thirty-One: Ella

    EllaIt was close to midnight, and Ella couldn’t sleep. Her mind was racing from the day. Jace. The helicopter. What happened next. She couldn’t sit still, let alone lay in bed and try and sleep.So, she went to the lobby bar and took over for the bartender. The bartender was more than happy to get off a couple hours early and get out of cleaning up, especially since there was only two customers left.Everything was quiet after the hustle and bustle of the wedding the day before. Ella was glad. Wiping down the bar and putting everything into place was soothing. She wished she could clean and organize her thoughts as easily, but Jace had her completely tangled up.The tax man, still wearing the same dark suit and thin tie- or one exactly like it- stood up and left the perfect amount of cash with a ten percent tip neatly on the counter. Ella groaned as she remembered she hadn't given his card to Delores yet. The fact that he was still here troubled her. What kind of trouble was Delores

  • Yours Completely   Chapter Thirty: Ella

    EllaThe helicopter landed just as smoothly as it did the time before. Ella didn't even make a noise this time. This time she even managed to smile. Granted, it didn't touch her eyes and the falseness of it hurt her jaw, but she did smile. There was hope for her helicopter flying days yet.Jace held her hand as they stepped out of the helicopter and hurried away from the noise of the blades. It was amazing to Ella just how noisy the machine was. As soon as they were clear of the landing zone, the helicopter took off again to return to the hanger, leaving them on the edge of the inn's property.“I'm afraid I have to go to work,” Jace informed her as soon as the helicopter was gone.“It's okay,” Ella quickly told him before he could say that he was sorry. She understood that he was a busy businessman and that he hadn't planned on taking today off at all. Despite his fine words that he was the boss, she could only imagine how many of his CEO strings he had to pull just to get the time of

  • Yours Completely   Chapter Twenty-Nine: Ella

    EllaElla paused before getting back on the helicopter. Knowing what was coming, she wasn't sure how much she wanted to get back on the flying death machine. It wasn't like she had much of a choice though. It was a several hour long car ride back to the inn from here and she didn't have a car. Ella had no doubt that Jace would get her one, but she didn't want to go without him.A warm hand slid into hers, sending her strength. “Don't worry. It gets easier each time,” Jace promised her.She nodded. He helped her into the luxurious helicopter and sat down beside her. His phone buzzed.“I'm just getting on the helicopter,” he informed the person on the other side. “I'll take care of it once I'm in front of my computer. I can't do anything until I see the numbers.”“Sounds fun,” Ella remarked once he hung up. “Something wrong?”“The problem with running a conglomerate business is that there's always something going wrong somewhere.” Jace shook his head. “It's my job to put out the fires a

DMCA.com Protection Status