Chapter 34: Reward

Cara's POV

I scan my eyes to all our guest. Some of them are stunned and in awe particularly our employees that recognized me.

Blake gently guide me down the stage.

"We don't want you to face plant on the floor Amore." Blake murmured.

No way I am not  that clumsy.

"You're right neck braces doesn't match my outfit." I joked.

Once that we safely goes down the stage. We are like magnets. All the surrounding people gravitates to us.

I expect that the CEO's are all snobbish like how they are portray in books and movies but, no they are all courteous. Their partners and wife are just standing by their side. They are uninterested with our conversations.

Indifference is better than being rude. So I'll take it.

I'm glad to say that the party's running smoothly until I got face to face with Angel.

We made eye contact and I know that she'll get mad because I hide my real identity. When she was on the act to leave I run towards Angel and grab her hand.

I slowly guide her to one of the quiet side of the ballroom so that we can talk properly.

I realease Angel's hand and she cross her arms on her chest.

"So. Should I call you Mrs. Bradford now?" Angel snidely ask.

"No Angel. I am still Cara."

"Why should I believe you? Oh wait will I get fired since I am disrespecting you now?" Angel's clearly mad and I understand her.

I shake my head.

I force her to uncoil her arms and hold her hands. I look at Angel's eyes and sincerely said "Angel. I am sorry if I did not tell you. I felt it was still not the proper time to reveal myself to you because we have so many things to fix. I hope that you will forgive me. You're the only one that treats me like a decent person even if I am just a lowly cleaner."

While waiting anxiously for Angel's reply she suddenly laugh.

Why is she laughing?

"I am sorry Cara I can't. I really can't."

Angel giggled.

"What?" I am so confused right now.

"I am just joking. Carter already told me about your real identity."

I was slack jawed. That fucking Carter.

"So you mean-"

"Yes I am not mad. Well at first yes but then I understand where you're coming from." Angel grin at me.

"Furthermore," I feel someone slink his arm around my shoulder. I look and it was Blake.

"Mr. Bradford called me in his office 7 months ago so even before Carter told me I already know your real identity."

I elbow Blake's stomach which did not affect him at all. He just kiss the crown of my neck.

I look up and glare at Blake.

Blake just shrugged his shoulders and said "I need to keep you safe Amore and I know how important Angel is to you."

"I got scared for nothing! For that no under the table business for you until I say so!" I exclaim.

Blake did not understand at first what I meant but when he got it his eyes widen. Before he can protest I raise my pointer finger "I don't wanna hear it or else I'll extend it until our anniversary. Don't test me Blake." I said sternly.

Blake act to zip his mouth and gave me a close mouthed smile.

I glance at Angel and she was gaping at the scene in front of her.

"I am sorry for being too forward Mr. Bardford but did you just cockblock yourself or I did not understand your conversation?"

"Yes he did." I answer instead of Blake. I grab Angel's hand and we leave Blake still staring wide eyed at me.

Angel went back to her seat once the host anounced the dinner was served.

Blake sat beside me. I was curious why we are not sharing our table with other guest but when the servers starts to serve our food I understood.

Different dishes covered our table. They are all my favorite. For godsakes there's even a massive chocolate fountain on our table! Why do we need our own?

Blake placed the taco on my plate then I told him that he should start eating and I'll serve myself.

Chocolate fountain + Blake is a bad combination. If all of the food can be soaked with chocolate Blake will definitely do it. At one point I even stop him because he wants to dip his chicken. What the hell?

While we are eating the host started to entertain the guest. He starts some games and the prices are cash, luxury bags and watches and the grand prize was a 2 months paid vacation for a lucky employee with 2 first class round trip ticket anywhere in the world.

Wow. I want the grand prize.

It seems like Blake knows what I am thinking when he said "Amore we can go on vacation anywhere, anytime and how long do you want."

I smiled sheepishly at him "I forgot that I own the owner."

Blake grin and said "Huh. I'd never put it that way but it does make sense. Don't tell James."

I snorts "James was in the same position as you. Ella owns his ass completely even if your sister's oblivious to it. If Ella says Jump James will definitely ask 'how high love?'"

Blake nodded and laugh."We're totally fucking whipped."

"Totally." I agreed.

The grand prize was given to an old Janitor. I think he was in his mid 50's already. In my book he should not be working at that age. He should be relaxing already.

He's a very nice man. Always courteous, coincindentally he's one of the cleaners the employees disrespected because he was a little bit slow.

In a snap decision I stand up from my seat and saunter towards the stage.

Blake walk beside me and help me went up the stage.

I hold out my hand to the host and he immediately gave the mic to me.

Blake wrapped his arm around my waist.

Why so possessive? As if anyone will kidnap me. They'll need 3 people just to lift my ass.

I smile at everybody and said "Hello, I am Cara Bradford. I did not greet you at the beginning of the festivities and I apologize for that."

I look at Mr. Ward and wink at him. He look baffled and scared. I observe that he wear an old black slack and slightly loose long sleeved shirt. His shoes clearly doesn't fit right also because it was too big for him.

I faced my curious audience again.

"I personally know Mr. Ward and he is an exceptional employee. He's working for our company for 25 years and I decided that he deserves another reward."

To my surprise Blake gave me a check for $500,000. I look at Blake and winked at me.

Did he anticipate my move?

I look at Mr. Ward. I told him to step forward. I gave him the check and he looks at it not knowing what it is. Mr. Ward immediately teared up

"My husband and I decided to give you $500,000 reward. Consider this as our thanks for the many years that you serve in our company." I said to him softly.

I hug Mr. Ward still in shock. Our guest and employees gave a standing ovation and claps loudly. "You can retire now. You desrve it. Your benefits and severance pay will be given to your account tomorrow." I whisper to his ear.

"Thank you. Thank you Missus and Mister Bradford. I can't believe this is happening. God bless you!" Mr. Ward cried.

"You desrve it." I said and hugged him again. Blake shook Mr. Ward's hand and gave him a side hug.

We went back to our room when the DJ started to liven the crowd.

I am tired already and I am really not a party person if you know what I mean.

I change out of my gown and slump beside Blake on the bed.

"Hey Blake."

"Hmm?"

"How did you know that I'll give Mr. Ward a cash prize?" I ask.

Blake look at me and said "Because the game was rigged. I made sure that Mr. Ward wins the grand prize and I know his situation."

"Oh. You know him?"

"Yeah. He was working for my parents first and I always saw him whenever I visit my dad. He's very nice."

"It's so nice of you to give him half a million for his retirement." I praised.

"Half a million? No. I gave him $5,000,000 Amore. Did you not read the check properly?"

I sat up immediately and look down at Blake wide eyed.

"$5,000,000?! Shit! Can I also retire right now?" I ask stunned.

Blake grin and shakes his head.

He pulls me down on his chest and wraps his arms around me.

"Seriously Blake I want to retire now. Fuck with that kind of money I can live comfortably for the rest of my life." I said dreamily.

"Amore our net worth right now is $50Billion. 5 million is just like a coin."

"What the hell Blake! Who need that kind of money! So does that mean your wealthier than James?" I ask curiously.

"Pssh. James worth triple. That smug bastard. Oh well It will be Ella's in a few years."

''We really should divorce the both of you at the same time once they got married." I said sleepily.

Blake chuckles to my response brought me to dreamland.

A/N I thought I published this chapter the other day but I didn't. Sorry😅