A Poor Dad Welcomed A Woman Who Just Moved In Upstairs, Never Knowing She Was A CEO Falling For Him
The Arrival and an Unexpected Invitation
Yardan Ellis shoved his shoulder into the stubborn front door of apartment 1B, balancing a half-torn paper grocery bag in his other hand. He was trying not to drop the box of cereal his six-year-old son insisted they couldn’t live without.
“Dad, it’s falling,” Felix called out from behind him. His little arms were full with a bag of oranges and a loaf of bread that looked like it had already lost the battle.
“I got it, buddy,” Yardan huffed, finally getting the door to swing open with a loud creak. “Welcome to Castle Ellis. Watch your step and don’t trip over the kingdom of unmatched socks.”
Felix giggled, dropping the groceries on the tiny kitchen table. Their apartment was small, dimly lit, and filled with the kind of mismatched furniture you only get from garage sales and good neighbors. Still, it was home.
“Hey Dad?” Felix asked, peeking out the front window. “Someone’s moving in upstairs.”
Yardan followed his son’s gaze to the dusty stairwell outside. A moving truck was parked at the curb, and a woman in a navy pantsuit was directing two movers.
The movers were clearly terrified of getting a single corner of her white couch scuffed. She didn’t look like anyone who belonged in this building.
Yardan’s brows lifted as she turned and took off her sunglasses. She was beautiful, with sharp cheekbones, deep brown eyes, and the kind of presence that made you stand up straighter just watching her.
She looked like she had stepped off the set of a perfume commercial and landed in the middle of their creaky, run-down complex.
“You think she brought candy?” Felix whispered.
Yardan laughed. “She looks more like the briefcase and coffee type.”
Still, when the movers nearly dropped her marble coffee table on the stairs, Yardan was already heading out the door. Felix was trailing behind him.
“Need a hand?” he asked, jogging up the steps.
The woman turned, surprised. Up close, she looked even more put together.
Her dark hair was tied back in a low bun. Even in the heat, she didn’t break a sweat.
“Oh, thank you. Yes, that was about to end in a lawsuit.”
Her voice was calm and smooth, but her eyes were scanning the damage.
Yardan grabbed the other end of the table and helped guide it into the upstairs apartment.
“I’m Yardan. I live downstairs with my son. Welcome to the world’s creakiest building.”
She gave a short laugh. “I’m Paloma. Paloma Merritt.”
Felix stepped forward, holding out a squashed orange like it was a trophy. “Do you want one?”
Paloma bent down, smiling. “Only if you promise not to tell anyone I almost crushed your dad with furniture.”
Yardan watched her laugh with his son, and something tugged at his chest.
Most people gave Felix a polite smile and moved on, but she crouched and talked to him like he mattered.
By the time they finished helping her get the last few boxes inside, the sun was starting to dip.
“Thanks again,” Paloma said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “I owe you dinner.”
Yardan raised a brow. “You cook?”
She hesitated. “I own a phone that calls restaurants.”
Felix laughed, and Yardan shook his head.
“You don’t owe me a thing, but if you ever need anything, we’re right downstairs. Just knock.”
