The Arrangement | Book 2 | Completed

43

I'm nervous for this. I'm fucking terrified right now. I think the worst part is that I don't know what Candace is going to think about any of this. There's a chance that she won't even want for me to move back to Vancouver. That is my worst fear in all of this. There's also a chance Evan won't even accept this job. My dad is absolutely going to freak out when he hears about this. As I walk onto the stage, everyone falls silent. Great.

"Uh, hey everyone. Thank you so much for being here. Everyone having a good time? Is this something we should do more often?" I ask with a laugh, earning a loud roar of applause.

I hate public speaking. I hate it more than anything, which I never understand why. I should have made Frailey make this announcement. But with everything being my own idea, I have no choice but to do this.

"Good, good. So, I told you all I had a big announcement at the end of the night, and we will get to it, I promise. I wanted to touch on a few subjects first. To start, I would like to thank everyone who is here with me. I have my mom, dad, and my beautiful date with me. We also have Kyler Frailey here today, which is rare but always a pleasure." I announce proudly. Candace smiles up at me from her seat and I can see her blush from here.

"I would also like to thank each and every one of you. You are all the reason that we are able to be successful, and you guys keep this company going. You really do. Now, there have been a ton of rumors going around. I am happy to say that we as a company are coming out on top, and you are all getting a bonus this year." I announce, earning another loud roar of clapping.

"I have had quite a bit going on. Moving to Seattle was not my ideal plan. As you all know, Kyler was supossed to be in my spot. But, all things change. Life happens. He now has a beautiful baby girl, and I am honored to be able to call her my God Daughter. I miss home. I miss home very much. But, I wouldn't change the time I have spent with you all. I have built amazing relationships with each and every one of you." I see Melissa smile at my last sentence, and I give her a small smile in return.

"There is one person in particular that I would like to bring up here first. Evan Maksimov, will you please make your way up here?"

I watch and Clarissa urges him to come up on stage and nearly pushes him over here. He is fixing his tie before he steps onto the stage and looks as confident as ever. He's good at things like this. He likes being in the spotlight. He gives everyone a small wave and some chuckles can be heard in the crowd.

"As you all know, Evan has been my right-hand man for the last month or so. He has come a very long way to be here with us, and I am so happy that we were able to steal him from Russia and keep him all to ourselves." I joke. Everyone in the crowd laughs, including Evan. "I have taught him everything I know in this short amount of time, but he has also taught me what he has learned from other companies, and uses his skills to help benefit our business. He has taught me many things about business and life during his time here, and I'm proud to have met him and be able to call him a friend. He has gone above and beyond, and let's be honest...the ladies love him." I laugh, pulling Evan into my side for a hug. Clarissa is rolling her eyes, but even she is laughing at the truth in this statement. She can play it off all she wants, but her eyes start shining with admiration the second his name was called up here. They are good for one another. They're a perfect match.

"I've had a pretty cool boss to show me how to do...well, everything." He replies to me with a laugh.

"Well, here's my big news. I have plans on returning to my hometown, and would like to leave Evan in charge of our Seattle building. If that is something he is interested in, that is." He said, giving Evan a slap on the back.

"Oh my god. Yes...yes. Are you serious right now? Yes! I promise I won't let you down. Oh my god thank you so much." Evan stuttered, smiling the biggest smile I had ever seen. Everyone cheered. I saw Clarissa start to cry tears of relief as she hears the news. The two of them had been so miserable over their inevitable separation, but now there is hope. There is hope for all of us.