156 Chapter 156: Business Merger
Aria pov
Damien and I exchanged glances. I nodded slightly, letting him answer.
“It sends the message that partnerships–real partnerships built on mutual respect and shared vision–åre powerful.” His voice was firm. “That two strong leaders can work together without one dominating the other. That love and ambition aren’t mutually exclusive. And-” He glanced at me with a small smile. “That sometimes the best business decisions come from choosing to build something with someone you trust completely.”
The reporters ate it up. More flashes, more questions shouted over each other, but our PR team stepped in to close the conference.
“Thank you all for coming. Full merger details will be available in the press packet. Have a wonderful afternoon.”
As we left the stage, Damien’s hand found the small of my back, a gesture so natural I barely noticed until I saw a photographer capture it. That photo would be everywhere by tomorrow–the new power couple of Ravenwood’s business world.
And I didn’t mind one bit.
Later That Evening
The celebration was held in the executive penthouse suite of Blackwood Enterprises- now Blackwood–Monroe Corporation. The entire top floor had been transformed with catering, champagne, elegant decorations, and most importantly, all our key employees and supporters.
“To the merger!” Lucas raised his glass, grinning. He and Olivia had arrived together, her engagement ring catching the light. “May it be profitable, innovative, and everything you two workaholics deserve!”
Laughter rippled through the crowd as we all drank.
“To my best friend conquering the business world.” Olivia hugged me tight. “Again. I’m so proud of you.”
“Couldn’t have done it without you.” I squeezed her back. “You kept me sane through all the negotiations.”
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“That’s what best friends are for.” She pulled back with a smile. “Plus, someone had to make sure you actually ate during those marathon strategy sessions.”
I made my rounds, thanking board members who’d supported us, reassuring those who’d been skeptical, discussing plans with department heads who were excited about the merger’s possibilities.
But through it all, I was aware of Damien. Across the room, he was doing the same- networking, thanking, planning. But every so often, our eyes would meet, and the look he gave me made my skin flush.
“You two are disgustingly in love.” Lucas appeared beside me with fresh champagne. “It’s kind of beautiful, actually.”
“We’re professionals,” I protested weakly.
“Who eye–fuck each other across conference rooms.” He grinned at my expression. “Aria, I’ve been in business meetings with you two. The sexual tension is palpable. Half the board is scandalized, the other half is taking notes.”
“Lucas!” I laughed despite myself. “We’re behaving appropriately.”
“You’re behaving like two people who can barely keep their hands off each other but are trying really hard for propriety’s sake.” He sipped his champagne. “It’s actually kind of hot. If I didn’t know you both and wasn’t madly in love with Olivia, I’d be jealous of what you have.”
“What do we have?” I asked, genuinely curious.
“Partnership. Real partnership.” His expression turned serious. “You’re equals, Aria. In every sense. And watching you two work together–in business, in parenting, in life- it’s inspiring. You make each other better.”
“He makes me braver,” I admitted quietly. “Makes me believe I can do anything.”
“And you make him human.” Lucas smiled. “I remember the old Damien Blackwood. Cold, ruthless, impossible to read. But with you? He’s real. Vulnerable. Happy. You healed him.”
“We healed each other,” I corrected.
“Exactly.” He clinked his glass against mine. “That’s what real love does. Now go rescue your co–CEO from that boring conversation with accounting. He keeps looking over here like you’re his life raft.”
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I glanced over to see Damien trapped in conversation with Harold from accounting, who could talk about fiscal projections for hours. Damien’s smile was polite but his eyes were desperate.
“Duty calls.” I grinned at Lucas and made my way through the crowd.
“Harold, so sorry to interrupt.” I touched Damien’s arm lightly. “But I need to steal Mr. Blackwood for a moment. Board business.”
“Of course, of course!” Harold nodded enthusiastically. “We can continue this discussion tomorrow. I have charts!”
“Looking forward to it,” Damien lied smoothly, then steered me toward a quieter corner. “You’re my hero. Five more minutes of fiscal projections and I was going to fake a medical emergency.”
“You’re a CEO of a multi–billion dollar corporation,” I teased. “Fiscal projections are literally part of your job.”
“Our job,” he corrected, his hand still on my arm. “And yes, they’re important. But Aria, I’ve been watching you all evening and I-” He stopped, his expression turning serious. “I’m so proud of you. Of us. Of what we built today.”
“We’re pretty amazing,” I agreed, warmth blooming in my chest.
“We are.” He moved closer, his voice dropping. “And tonight, after this is over, after everyone goes home–I want to celebrate properly. Just you and me.”
Noah’s at Mrs. Dora,” I said, my voice slightly breathless. “Spending the night.”
“I know.” His eyes darkened with promise. “I arranged it.”
“You arranged it?” I raised an eyebrow.
—
The corner of his mouth lifted. “Her sister’s children came to visit this weekend. Noah met the little boy – Theo at the front gate a few weeks ago and they haven’t stopped talking about each other since. Mrs. Dora mentioned it, and I may have suggested a sleepover tonight was an excellent idea.”
I stared at him. “You planned this entire evening around a children’s friendship.”
“I planned this entire evening around finally being alone with my fiancée without a four year–old launching himself between us every time I try to kiss her properly.” His gaze dropped briefly to my mouth. “Noah gets a sleepover with his new best friend. Everyone wins.”
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“Damien”
“Ladies and gentlemen!” Jesse, our head of PR, called for attention across the room. “If we could all raise our glasses for a final toast?”
We turned to face the crowd, Damien’s hand finding mine and squeezing – though he didn’t release me, keeping me anchored against his side like he’d been doing all evening, a warm, constant, deliberate pressure.
“To Monroe Global and Blackwood Enterprises,” Jessica continued. “Two companies that, separately, were forces to be reckoned with. Together?” She smiled at us. “Together, you’re unstoppable. To Blackwood–Monroe Corporation, and to the brilliant leaders who made it possible!”
“To Blackwood–Monroe!” The crowd echoed, glasses raised.
Damien pulled me closer, lifting his glass. “To my partner in everything.”
The word everything hung in the air between us, loaded with promise. Not just business. Not just parenting. But life. Love. The future we were building together.
“Everything,” I echoed, my voice soft but certain.
We drank, and in that moment, surrounded by colleagues and friends, celebrating this massive achievement – I felt complete.
–
This was what I’d fought for. Not just the company merger or the CEO title or the public vindication. But this — standing beside someone who saw me as an equal, who challenged me and supported me, who chose me every single day.
“What are you thinking?” Damien asked quietly, his thumb rubbing slow circles on the back of my hand.
“That I’m happy.” I looked up at him. “Genuinely, completely happy. And a little scared because it feels too good to be true.”
“It’s real.” He kissed my forehead, not caring who saw. “All of it. The merger, our engagement, this life we’re building. It’s real, and it’s ours, and Aria” His voice cracked slightly. “I’m never taking it for granted. Never forgetting how lucky I am that you gave me another chance.”
“We gave each other another chance,” I corrected. “And Damien? I’m not scared anymore. Not of loving you, not of building this life together, not of any of it. I’m all in.” “All in,” he repeated, his smile brilliant. “God, I love you.”
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“I love you too.” The words came easily now, without hesitation or fear. “My partner in everything.”
As the party continued around us, we stood together in our quiet corner, hands clasped, looking out over the city that had been the backdrop to both our greatest heartbreak and our greatest joy.
“Same view as from the penthouse,” Damien observed. “But it looks different from
here.”
“Everything looks different now.” I leaned against him. “We’re different. Better.”
“Stronger,” he agreed. “Together.”
The party wound down gradually. Employees left with congratulations and promises to start the new era strong Monday morning. Board members departed, some enthusiastic, others still skeptical but willing to give the merger a chance.
Finally, it was just us and a few close friends. Olivia and Lucas, Jessica and her husband, a handful of senior staff who’d become friends over the years.
“We should go.” Olivia hugged me. “You two have had a huge day and you deserve to celebrate privately.”
“Without your clothes on,” Lucas added helpfully, earning an elbow from Olivia. “What? We’re all adults here.”
“Goodbye, Lucas.” Damien steered him toward the door with a grin. “Thank you for coming. Now leave.”
After everyone departed, Damien and I stood in the empty penthouse suite, champagne glasses in hand, the city glittering below.
“We did it,” I said again, still marveling.
“We did.” He set down his glass and turned to me, his expression shifting into something more intense – that particular look he’d been wearing all evening whenever he thought I wasn’t paying attention. I had been paying attention. I always paid attention when it came to him. “Aria, today was incredible. The merger, the announcement, all of it. But you want to know the best part?”
“What?” I set down my own glass, drawn by the heat in his eyes.
