Our Accidental Forever
Chapter 22: Arec’s Vulnerability

Chapter 22: Arec’s Vulnerability

Arec’s POV

I’ve never been one to doubt myself. Control has always been my strongest suit, my armor against the chaos of life. Every move, every decision, meticulously calculated to ensure the outcome I desire.

But as I sat alone in my office, staring at the pristine contract that now seemed nothing more than a mockery, I felt an unfamiliar sensation creeping into my chest, something raw, unsettling, and entirely foreign to me.

Rejection.

Ella had turned me down. Politely, but firmly. I replayed the conversation in my head, the way her eyes had widened in surprise when I first presented the idea, how her voice had trembled slightly as she found the words to refuse me. She was hesitant, almost apologetic, but resolute nonetheless.

I had been prepared for negotiation, even for resistance, but not for this. Not for the way she had looked at me, as if I had shattered some unspoken understanding between us.

I ran a hand through my hair, frustrated. This wasn’t supposed to be complicated. It was a simple business proposition, a mutually beneficial arrangement. Why couldn’t she see that? But deep down, I knew the answer. It wasn’t simple, not for her, and, if I was honest with myself, not for me either.

I stood up abruptly, unable to sit still any longer. The walls of my office felt like they were closing in on me, the air too thick, too stifling. I needed to clear my head, to find some way to regain my composure. But the more I tried to suppress it, the more the frustration bubbled up, threatening to spill over.

I left the office, not even bothering to grab my coat as I headed outside. The evening air was cool against my skin, a welcome contrast to the heat of my thoughts. I found myself wandering the streets, no particular destination in mind, just trying to escape the weight pressing down on me.

What was I doing? I wasn’t this person, the one who let emotions get in the way of logic. But here I was, spiraling over something that should have been straightforward. Over someone who had become much more than just an assistant in my life.

As I walked, I couldn’t help but think about the way Ella had looked at me that day, how her expression had shifted from shock to something deeper, more guarded. I’d seen glimpses of that side of her before, she was always so composed, so professional, but there were moments when her defenses slipped, revealing the vulnerability beneath. I had always admired that about her, the way she carried herself with such quiet strength, even when I knew she was dealing with her own struggles.

But now, I realized that I had been blind to the impact of my proposition. I had approached her with the same clinical detachment I applied to every business deal, expecting her to see the logic, to set aside her emotions just as I had done. I hadn’t considered how personal this would be for her, how it might dredge up memories she’d rather forget, wounds that hadn’t fully healed.

And then there was the other side of it, the part I hadn’t wanted to acknowledge until now, the part where this wasn’t just a business deal for me either.

I stopped at a small park, the sound of rustling leaves and distant city noise providing a strange sort of comfort. Sitting down on a bench, I let out a long breath, feeling the tension in my shoulders ease slightly.

I needed to rethink my approach, to find a way to show Ella that this wasn’t just about fulfilling my grandmother’s ultimatum or securing my position as CEO. It was about something more, something I hadn’t fully articulated even to myself.

The truth was, I trusted Ella in a way I didn’t trust anyone else. She was my equal, my confidante, the one person who had seen me at my best and my worst and hadn’t flinched. I respected her, admired her, and, in some ways, I depended on her. The thought of losing her, of pushing her away with my thoughtless proposition, was almost unbearable.

But how could I explain that to her? How could I make her understand that this wasn’t just a contract marriage for me, that it was something deeper, something that scared me because I wasn’t used to feeling this way?

I leaned back, closing my eyes as I tried to gather my thoughts. I needed to show her who I really was, not the polished, unflappable Arec Weston that everyone else saw, but the person underneath, the one who was struggling to keep everything together, who didn’t have all the answers, who was scared of what the future might hold if this plan didn’t work out.

But vulnerability wasn’t something that came easily to me. It wasn’t in my nature to open up, to let others see the cracks in my armor. I had spent years perfecting the image of the perfect Weston heir, the one who could handle anything that came his way.

And now, I was being asked to dismantle that image, to lay myself bare in front of someone who already had more power over me than she realized.

I stood up, determined. I couldn’t afford to waste any more time. If I was going to salvage this situation, I needed to do it now. I needed to find Ella and have an honest conversation with her, to show her that I wasn’t just asking for a favor or proposing a cold, calculated arrangement. This was something that mattered to me, and I needed her to see that.

The walk back to the office was quicker, my mind focused now on what I needed to do. When I arrived, the building was quieter, most of the staff having left for the day. But I knew Ella would still be there, she always stayed late, making sure everything was in order before she left.

I found her in her office, her back to me as she organized some files on her desk. The sight of her, so composed and diligent, made something tighten in my chest. She turned as she heard me approach, her expression unreadable.

"Arec," she said, her voice steady but with a hint of caution. "I didn’t expect to see you again tonight."

I took a deep breath, stepping closer but still keeping a respectful distance. "Ella, we need to talk."

She nodded, her eyes searching mine as if trying to gauge my intentions. "Okay."

I hesitated for a moment, trying to find the right words, the ones that would convey everything I was feeling without overwhelming her. "I know I put you in a difficult position earlier. I wasn’t thinking about how this would affect you, and for that, I’m sorry."

Ella’s expression softened slightly, but she remained guarded. "It’s okay, Arec. I understand that you’re under a lot of pressure."

"No, it’s not okay," I insisted, taking another step closer. "I didn’t approach this the right way. I made it sound like it was just a business deal, but it’s more than that. At least, it is for me."

Her brow furrowed, confusion flickering across her face. "What do you mean?"

I ran a hand through my hair, struggling to articulate the thoughts swirling in my mind. "I’ve always been in control, always had a plan for everything. But this... this is different. I’ve never been in a situation where I felt so out of my depth. I need you to understand that this isn’t just about my grandmother’s ultimatum or securing my position. It’s about... needing someone I can trust, someone I can rely on, and that person is you."

Ella blinked, clearly taken aback by my admission. "Arec, I... I don’t know what to say."

I took a deep breath, knowing I had to push forward, even if it meant exposing more of myself than I was comfortable with. "I’m not used to asking for help, and I know I’ve made it seem like this is just another transaction. But it’s not. I respect you too much to treat you like that. I’m asking you because I genuinely believe we could make this work, not just as a way to solve my problems, but because I trust you more than anyone else."

There was a long silence as Ella absorbed my words. I could see the conflict in her eyes, the way she was processing everything I had just laid out before her. For a moment, I wondered if I had said too much, if I had scared her off completely. But then she spoke, her voice quiet but steady.

"I appreciate your trust, Arec. I really do. But this is still a lot to take in. You’re asking me to step into something that could change both of our lives, and that’s not a decision I can make lightly."

"I know," I replied, my voice softening. "And I don’t expect you to make a decision right now. I just wanted you to know where I’m coming from, to understand that this isn’t just about convenience for me. It’s about something more."

Ella nodded slowly, her gaze thoughtful. "I’ll think about it. But I need time, Arec. This is a big decision, and I need to be sure it’s the right one for both of us."

"Take all the time you need," I said, relief washing over me. "I don’t want to pressure you. I just want you to know that, whatever you decide, I respect you and your decision."

She gave me a small, tentative smile, and for the first time that night, I felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, this could work out after all.