Our Accidental Forever
Chapter 24: Arec’s Persuasion

Chapter 24: Arec’s Persuasion

Ella’s POV:

I stared at my phone, Arec’s message glowing on the screen.

"Dinner tonight, my treat. I want to discuss the proposal one last time. There’s something you need to know."

My thumb hovered over the screen, hesitating to respond. A part of me wanted to ignore the message altogether, to avoid the conversation I knew was coming.

But another part of me, a quieter, more curious part, wanted to hear him out. Maybe it was because of the way he had been acting lately, less like my boss and more like someone genuinely struggling with something heavy.

I finally typed out a quick reply, agreeing to meet him at a small, intimate restaurant we, one that served incredible Italian food and had a cozy, unpretentious vibe. I tried to push away the nerves that were beginning to churn in my stomach as I got ready. This wasn’t a date, I reminded myself. It was just dinner. Just a conversation.

But when I walked into the restaurant and saw Arec waiting at a corner table, a flicker of something I didn’t want to acknowledge sparked inside me.

He looked different tonight, more relaxed, but also more serious. His usual sharp, tailored suit had been replaced by a simple black sweater and dark jeans. His hair was slightly tousled, as if he had run his hands through it one too many times.

When he saw me, he stood up, offering a small, almost tentative smile. "Ella, thanks for coming."

I nodded, trying to ignore the way my heart sped up at the sound of his voice. "I figured it was better to talk this out than to keep avoiding it."

He gestured for me to sit, and I slid into the seat opposite him. The table was small, the space between us barely more than a foot. Too close, I thought, suddenly hyper-aware of his presence. But I didn’t pull back.

After the waiter took our orders and left, Arec leaned forward slightly, his gaze meeting mine with an intensity that made my breath hitch. "Ella, I know you’re hesitant about this whole thing. And I understand why. But I wanted to talk to you tonight because... I think there’s more to this than just a business deal."

I blinked, surprised by his candidness. "You’re the one who framed it as a business deal, Arec. You made it sound like a simple transaction, no emotions involved."

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, looking almost...vulnerable. "I know, and that’s partly because I didn’t want to scare you off. But the truth is, this isn’t just about my grandmother’s ultimatum. It’s about what happens if I don’t follow through."

"What do you mean?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

He took a deep breath, as if steeling himself. "If I don’t marry someone within this month, my grandmother will make sure I lose my position at the company. Everything I’ve worked for, everything I’ve built, could be taken away from me."

I stared at him, trying to process what he was saying. "But... you’re the only heir, the Westons has. How could she just take that away?"

"She controls a majority of the shares," he explained, his voice tight. "And if she decides I’m not fit to lead, she can push me out. I’d lose everything."

The weight of his words settled over me, making me see the situation in a different light. This wasn’t just about him wanting to marry me to fulfill some family obligation.

It was about survival, about protecting everything he had worked for. I could see the strain in his eyes, the tension in his posture. He wasn’t just asking for my help; he was pleading for it.

"But why me, Arec?" I asked, my voice softer now, the edge of my earlier frustration blunted by the vulnerability he was showing. "You could ask anyone. Why did you choose me?"

He met my gaze, his eyes searching mine. "Because I trust you, Ella. You’re the only person I could see doing this with. You’re strong, independent, and I know you, I know you won’t let this turn into something messy. Plus... I’m comfortable around you."

My heart skipped a beat at his confession, a mix of emotions swirling inside me. "But what about Joanne?" I asked, needing to understand. "She’s been a part of your life for so long. Why not ask her?"

He hesitated, then shook his head. "Joanne is a good friend, but that’s all she is. And she’s not what I need right now. I need someone I can trust implicitly, someone who won’t complicate things with ulterior motives or emotional baggage."

I couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh. "And you think I’m the perfect candidate? The one without emotional baggage?"

He reached across the table, his hand brushing against mine, sending a jolt through me. "I know you’ve been hurt, Ella. I know you’ve been through hell with your ex. But I’m not him. I’m not going to use you and then toss you aside. This could be a way for both of us to get what we need. You’d have financial security, autonomy, and a way to move forward. And I’d have the support I need to keep my position."

His words hung in the air between us, the weight of them pressing down on me. I looked at him, really looked at him, and saw the man behind the confident, controlled facade he usually wore. He was desperate, yes, but he was also sincere. There was a rawness to him that I hadn’t seen before, a side of him that made me want to reach out and offer comfort.

But this was my life he was asking me to upend. My future. Could I really do this? Could I really enter into a marriage, even a fake one, with Arec?

"I don’t know, Arec," I said, my voice wavering. "This is all so much. I don’t want to make a decision I’ll regret."

He didn’t pull back, his hand still resting near mine. "I understand that, and I don’t want to pressure you. But I want you to know that this isn’t just about me. This is about both of us. We could help each other. I’m not asking for a lifetime commitment, just a couple of years. And then, if you want out, we’ll end it. No strings attached."

I bit my lip, the enormity of what he was asking sinking in. This wasn’t just a job offer or a promotion. This was my life, my emotions, my future. But as much as I wanted to walk away, to tell him I couldn’t do it, there was a part of me that was intrigued. A part of me that wondered what it would be like to live in Arec’s world, even for just a little while.

"And what if this fake marriage becomes something more complicating?" I asked quietly, the fear in my voice unmist.

He looked at me, his expression serious, almost tender. "Then we’ll deal with it together. I won’t hurt you, Ella. I promise you that."

His words were so sincere, so earnest, that they made my heart ache. I wanted to believe him, wanted to trust that this wouldn’t end in disaster. But could I really take that risk?

I pulled my hand away, needing space to think. "I need time, Arec. I can’t make this decision tonight."

He nodded, his eyes softening. "Take all the time you need. I’m not going anywhere."

We finished the rest of the meal in silence, the tension between us easing into something more comfortable, more understanding. As we walked out of the restaurant, Arec fell into step beside me, his presence calming in a way I hadn’t expected.

When we reached my car, he turned to me, his expression unreadable. "Ella, whatever you decide, just know that I value you. This isn’t just a transaction for me. It’s... something more."

I nodded, my throat tight with emotion. "I’ll think about it, Arec. I promise."

He gave me a small, almost wistful smile. "That’s all I can ask for."