Stay Forever

The man in charge has spoken

Ledger's p.o.v

I step out and stick my hand out, so Hannah can grab it and step out of the limo. As soon as she touches me, I feel alive and suddenly calm. I hate big events like this, so I need to feel calm, and for some strange reason, her being here with me is helping me. Her little hand feels so good in mine. Once she is out and standing next to me, I grab it tighter and link our fingers together. She looks up at me with wide eyes and I grip her hand tighter. My whole family and Darcy get out and I don't miss the way Darcy looks at our joined hands. "Ledgie, don't you think you, Maddox and I should walk inside together. What if they have questions for us? They will be taking pictures of us." she nearly screams. "Darcy, calm down. We are all in the same circle, the paparazzi can take pictures or ask questions if they want." Mom tells her. "Come on dear" Papa tells Hannah, so I walk ahead with him, with Hannah in the middle of us. We all walk in together, people ask questions. Papa mostly answers them all. Even if I am the CEO, he is always the man in charge and everyone wants to hear from him anyways. "Who is this lovely lady? Is she your date Ledger? We have never seen you bring a date here, ever." I hear all of these questions, but don't answer them. They can keep guessing and I don't want to put Hannah on the spot. This is probably already too much for her, although she is taking it quite well if I do say so myself. She is a natural.

We get inside and I lead her to our table. "Want something to drink?" I ask her and she nods. "Sure" she says softly. She is looking around, taking it all in. I chuckle. The rest of the family come to the table to sit along with Darcy's parents. Once mom sits next to Hannah, I make my way to the bar to get our drinks. When I return, everyone is sitting down and mom is on one side of Hannah, so I sit on the other side. "Ledger, Congratulation! How is it being the new CEO?" Darcy's mother, Marcy, asks me. "It's fine." I say. I haven't seen her in some time. She has changed a lot. "Who is this woman?" she asks. "Isabel's dead best friend's daughter", dad answers before anyone else can. "Oh" she says and everyone gets into a comfortable conversation. "So Isabel, Jason and I are planning a week-long vacation with the kids, I was hoping you could make it this time around." Dane, Darcy's dad tells mom. "Oh, no I am sorry. I will be busy" she answers. "I haven't even said when we are planning it for." he laughs. "I am always busy Dane. I apologize in advance, count me out." she says. "What will you be busy with?" dad asks mom. I can tell he is getting upset. The veins on his neck are starting to pop out. "I will be busy with Hannah, Jason." Mom tells dad. "Isabel, this girl is not your daughter." dad says. "She will be Jason. Hannah and Ledger are getting married. I am sorry Dane, I am busy. Enjoy your little vacation." she says angrily. "I can't go either" I say. "Me either" Maddox says. "What, Ledgie" Darcy pouts and it is the ugliest thing in the world. How did I ever allow this to happen before is beyond me. "I already asked you to stop calling me that Darcy. My name is Ledger." I tell her. I can tell that Hannah is uncomfortable. "Oh, I didn't know that Ledger was engaged," Dane says and looks at dad who shakes his head. "They are not engaged. Ledger will marry someone who deserves him and is at his level. We can talk about this later." dad says. I notice grandpa just looking around the table. He stands up. "Hannah. I would like to apologize. It seems like my family has lost their minds. Please come with me. I want you to meet some of my business associates." Papa tells her. "Come now Isabel, you too." Papa says and sticks his arms out for both woman to hold onto him. They walk away, leaving everyone at the table stunned. Papa is who he is and always does whatever he wants. One thing I have learned from him though, is that it's better to observe everything and take action after. Just like he did tonight. He let everyone talk and then just got up and excused himself. No-one will dare question the old man either.

"Ledger, you can not marry that poor girl. Do you know what people will say about our family?" dad says. "Dad, times have changed. There is nothing wrong with Hannah." Maddox says. "I'm sorry Maddie, but your father is right. Do you know what shame she will bring to your family." Dane says. I decide to try grandpa's methods and just observe right now. I listen to them all go on and on about what a horrible wife Hannah will make, but not because of who she is, but because she is poor. Like if it's her fault that she grew up in foster care with no parents. "You are the oldest and the CEO Ledger, you have to marry someone at the same level as you. An heiress, like Darcy." her mother says, and I almost roll my eyes. "That poor girl can marry Maddie if anything." she adds. Waving her hand around like if Hannah and Maddox are a joke. "Yeah Ledgie, Hannah can marry me. I wouldn't mind getting my hands on that sweet piece of a.." "Maddox" I slam my fist on the table and he just smirks and shrugs. They have pushed my buttons and I pissed off now, so I tell them all exactly what I told Darcy before. "What I decide to do in my private life is no-one's business, but mine. If I marry Hannah it is because I want to." I tell them and get up and go looking for her. I need her to help me calm down like she did earlier. All I hear Maddox say as I walk away is "Looks like the man in charge has spoken."

I find grandpa in a conversation with some very influential men. "Ledger," he says, and taps me on the shoulder. I don't miss the way he gives me Hannah's hand to hold. "Congratulations son. Your grandfather just introduced us to your lovely lady. You are a very lucky man. A woman who works and goes to school, not just looking for a handout. Not a gold digger and very beautiful. She is telling us about her studies and is very smart. Plus, she knows how to work social media" Mr. Alvaro Alvarex says all of these things, going on and on about Hannh. I nod. I clearly missed a lot. "She is great." I say. "Hannah, I am actually looking for someone to work our social media at the firm." he says and oh god. He can't be offering her a job after knowing her for what, 5 minutes. "You are better than everyone we have interviewed for the position. What do you say? Will you come work for my company?" he asks her. Yup, he sure is. He got swept up in everything Hannah, too. She really is amazing. I just really hope she says no. This man doesn't give me a good vibe at all. "Oh thank you for the offer, but I am completely booked up." she tells him. Basic and simple answer. Typical me answer. Polite, to the point and saying no. I love it. Except I am not polite when I say no. She is a sweetheart though. "Already trying to recruit our dear Hannah Alvaro" Papa says and the man laughs. "Can't blame a man for trying." he says, and I want to punch him in the mouth. I know exactly what he means. Luckily, Hannah turned around and is now busy talking to mom. I love how much happier mom has been ever since Hannah came along and it has barely been a couple of days since we found her. Imagine the longer she is in our lives. I squeeze her hand and she turns to me. "Want to dance?" I ask her. I am not a dancer. Everyone in my family knows this and this must be why mom and grandpa are looking at me funny right now, but I need to stop talking about business. I also need to make sure she is okay and see where her mind is at right now with all of this.