24. Ariana

CHAPTER 24

ARIANA

" P ass me that trowel," Ariana says, sweat glistening on her forehead. Her smile, however, never falters.

I hand it over and watch as she expertly digs into the soil, planting a vibrant array of flowers. The sight is a stark contrast to the gray ruins that surround us. "You know," I say, leaning on the shovel, "you're pretty good at this. Ever thought about a career in landscaping?"

She laughs, a sound that feels like sunshine breaking through clouds. "Hardly. But I used to help my mother in our garden. Guess it stuck."

I nod, taking in her determination and the ease with which she moves. "Well, you're making this park look better than it ever has."

Her eyes meet mine briefly before she returns to her work. "Thanks. It means a lot to me, doing something good for the community."

"That’s why we’re here," I reply, though my thoughts linger on how much she's done for me personally.

For the next few hours, we work side by side with a group of my employees, clearing debris and setting up new playground equipment. The sun climbs higher, casting long shadows as children begin to gather at the park’s edge, watching us with wide eyes and eager anticipation.

“Do you think they’ll like it?” Ariana asks softly.

I glance at the kids, then back at her. “They’ll love it.”

As if on cue, a reporter approaches us, camera crew in tow. “Mr. Valen,” she calls out, “can we get a statement about the park restoration?”

Ariana steps back slightly, giving me space. I pull her back beside me. “We did this together,” I say firmly.

The reporter smiles and nods, directing her questions to both of us. “How do you feel about giving back to the community in such a tangible way?”

Ariana speaks first. “It’s... it’s wonderful to see something positive come from our efforts.” Her voice wavers slightly but gains strength as she continues. “Especially knowing how much this park means to the local kids.”

I add my own thoughts. “Armstrong has seen better days, but projects like this remind us that rebuilding isn’t just about structures—it’s about people.”

With the interview wrapped up and the last of the swings secured into place, Ariana and I step back to admire our handiwork. The children can barely contain their excitement as we finally give them the go-ahead.

They rush forward with joyous screams, filling the air with laughter as they climb the new jungle gym and race down slides.

“Look at them,” Ariana murmurs beside me. “They’re so happy.”

“Yeah,” I say quietly. “And they deserve it.”

She turns to face me fully, her expression thoughtful. “So do we.”

Her words hang between us for a moment before I lean down and kiss her softly on the lips.

As we pull apart, a burst of laughter from nearby children fills our ears—a sound more precious than any promise spoken aloud.

For once in my life, surrounded by joy and renewal, I feel like everything might just be okay.

Ariana nudges me with her elbow and whispers, "That's Mayor Colton, he's in charge of this district. But I've never seen him here before."

I glance at the approaching figure. He’s a stout man, dressed in an immaculate suit that contrasts sharply with the dilapidated surroundings of Armstrong. His smile is wide but doesn’t reach his eyes.

"Mr. Valen, a pleasure to meet you," he says, extending a hand. "I’m Mayor Colton."

I grip his hand firmly, noting the sweat on his brow. "Mayor," I reply curtly.

He glances at the children playing, then back at me. "This is quite the project you’ve undertaken here. Truly commendable. I've always said corporations are our most valuable resource on Armstrong."

"Glad you think so," I say, my tone flat. Ariana stands beside me, her presence a quiet reminder of why we’re doing this.

Colton clears his throat. "I wanted to discuss a potential endorsement for my re-election campaign. Your support would mean a great deal."

I raise an eyebrow. "Why did it take so long for someone to create a safe space for these kids? Seems like this park should have been a priority."

His smile falters slightly. "Well, funding and resources have been tight since the war ended..."

"Funny," I cut in, "seems like there’s always money for election campaigns and new office renovations."

Colton shifts uncomfortably. "What exactly are you looking for? A tax break? Special land access?"

"Do right by your community," I say, my voice low but firm. "We’ll see about that endorsement then."

Ariana’s eyes widen slightly as she looks up at me, impressed. She steps forward, her voice steady but tinged with curiosity. "Mayor Colton, what plans do you have to ensure places like this park get the attention they need?"

He fumbles for words before regaining his composure. "We’re looking into several initiatives to allocate more resources to community projects..."

"Looking into?" I echo, crossing my arms over my chest.

Colton swallows hard. "Yes, Mr. Valen. I assure you, we’re committed to making significant changes."

"We’ll hold you to that," I reply, letting the weight of my words hang in the air.

The mayor nods hastily and excuses himself, promising to follow up with detailed plans.

As he walks away, Ariana turns to me, gratitude and admiration in her eyes. "Thank you for standing up for us... for this community."

I give her a small nod. "Someone has to."

Her hand finds mine briefly before she pulls away with a shy smile. The warmth of her touch lingers as we watch the children play in the park—a small victory in a world still healing from its scars.

Back at the estate, Ariana and I settle into the grand library. The scent of old books mingles with the faint aroma of freshly brewed tea. Ariana paces, her brow furrowed in thought.

"We need to host a party," she says, finally breaking the silence. "But not like your usual gatherings. This one should be for local politicians and public works employees."

I lean back in my chair, watching her with a mix of admiration and curiosity. "What’s your angle?"

She stops pacing and faces me. "We present action plans that the community desperately needs. Get testimonials from families affected by the war, studies from local scientists—make it impossible for them to ignore."

I nod slowly, considering her words. "That could work. And you’re thinking this will get them on board with funding?"

"Exactly," she replies, eyes bright with determination. "And I was thinking we should propose a special grant for scientists studying air quality in neighborhoods. It hasn’t been the same since the bombings."

Her suggestion catches me off guard, but I’m impressed. "You’ve been holding out on me, Ariana. That’s a brilliant idea."

She blushes slightly but doesn’t break eye contact. "I just want to make a real difference."

"We both do," I say, standing up and walking over to her. I place my hands on her shoulders, feeling the warmth of her skin through the fabric of her dress. "Let’s get started on this plan."

We spend the next few hours drafting proposals and contacting local scientists. Ariana’s energy is infectious; she’s a whirlwind of ideas and organization.

"We should include Dr. Marlowe’s study on air particulates," she says, tapping away at her tablet.

"Good call," I reply, scribbling notes on a holographic pad. "And what about testimonials? Any families in mind?"

She pauses, chewing on her lip thoughtfully. "The Hernandez family comes to mind. They’ve been struggling with respiratory issues ever since their neighborhood got hit."

"Perfect," I say, jotting down their name. "I’ll have someone reach out to them."

As we work side by side, I can’t help but admire how seamlessly we’ve become a team. Her ideas are not only practical but compassionate—a balance I often struggle to achieve.

We continue planning late into the night, the atmosphere between us charged with a mix of determination and unspoken emotions. By the time we wrap up, we have a comprehensive plan ready for presentation.

As we gather our materials, Ariana turns to me one last time. "Do you think they’ll listen?"

I meet her gaze, my resolve unwavering. "They won’t have a choice."

Ariana smiles, her eyes sparkling with satisfaction, but then she glances around the study, her expression turning thoughtful. "What about the estate?" she asks, looking back at me.

I raise an eyebrow. "What about it?"

She waves a hand around, encompassing the grandeur of the room. "I mean, it feels like more can be done right here as well. This place is beautiful, but it could be... more purposeful."

Her words make me pause. I've always seen the estate as a fortress, a symbol of my success and protection. But purposeful? That's new. I fold my arms across my chest.

"You've got a point," I admit slowly. "What kind of change are you thinking?"

She takes a step closer, her enthusiasm infectious. "We could use part of the gardens to trial sustainable food farming. See what works best here and can feed the most people."

I stare at her for a moment, processing the idea. It's brilliant—simple yet impactful. And it aligns perfectly with my desire to be a pillar of this community.

"That’s actually a damn good idea," I say, nodding appreciatively.

Her face lights up with joy, and it's like watching the sunrise after a long night. "Really? You think so?"

"I do," I confirm, feeling a rare warmth spread through me. "We could start by sectioning off an area of the gardens and bringing in some experts on sustainable agriculture."

"Yes!" she exclaims, practically bouncing on her toes. "We can involve local scientists and even have workshops for residents."

I can’t help but smile at her excitement.

"We should also document everything," she suggests, tapping away at her tablet. "Create a model that other parts of Armstrong can replicate."

I nod in agreement. "And we can partner with local schools to get students involved. Education is key."

Her eyes meet mine again, and there’s a spark there—a connection that feels deeper than words.

As we finalize our plans, I realize how grateful I am for this journey we’re sharing. She’s brought a sense of purpose into my life that goes beyond wealth or power.

"Ready to get started?" I ask.

"Absolutely," she replies with a radiant smile.

And just like that, we set out on this new path together—one where our combined efforts might just make Armstrong a better place for everyone who calls it home.