All the Wrong Places

Chapter 21

Julianne stood at the footsteps of the ballroom of Mayfair Court. At the last minute, Justin asked her to step in for him and Adrienne to represent Adams Industries in the prestigious Round Ten event. This was a yearly event organized by the top ten hotel groups around the world. It was as exclusive as the companies organizing it.

Julianne didn’t want to go. She had been dreading this since yesterday when Justin begged her to step in for them. But Jeffrey broke his arm in his martial arts class. He had to stay in the hospital to determine whether he needed surgery, and both Justin and Adrienne wanted to stay with him. Julianne pretty much didn’t have a choice.

She had better things to do. She was getting ready to move out of the Adams Mansion. And tomorrow, she would spend the weekend at her new apartment. She planned to paint and do whatever repairs and decorations needed to be done in the house. She wanted it to be perfect when Jared finally came home. She wanted her son to love it as much as she did.

Since this event was organized by the top ten hotel companies in the globe, she had a hundred percent chance of running into the person she was avoiding the most… the person who had been occupying her every waking thought in the last week.

Jin Starck had asked her to wait for him. She didn’t know for what, and why. But even against her will and better judgement, she knew that’s what she was doing. She was waiting for him.

The decision for her to attend the party was so rushed, she hadn’t even had enough time to buy her own dress. Adrienne had to lend her another of her gowns again.

The one she was wearing tonight was a black ball gown with strapless top and shimmery crystals all over the bodice and the waists. When the lights shine on her, the bodice would sparkle.

Before she left, Jared told her she looked like a princess. She wasn’t sure that was a good thing because now, heads started turning towards her as soon as she entered the ballroom.

She wished she had called Gian to at least escort her. She wondered why she thought she could do this alone.

She was greeted by an usherette at the entrance of the ballroom.

“Can I take your name and your company name?”

“Julianne Sanders,” she replied. “For Adams Industries.”

The lady was kind enough to escort her to her table. She was seated with two older couple who came from Moonline Resorts.

One of the older ladies, Missis Chapman was quite chatty. She was happily dominating the conversation in the table and all Julianne had to do was nod and concur. She was also quite a gossip, and though Julianne wasn’t interested in other people’s business, she was glad to be knowing people’s names through Missis Chapman.

“You know Rafael McKenzie broke up with Alexandra Bocelli?” Missis Chapman asked the group.

Julianne scanned her brain for the name. The only McKenzie she knew about were the ones who owned McKenzie Hotel Group.

“Yes. It’s all over the news,” Missis Barton, the other older lady replied. “That was a very high profile romance. Everybody thought it was a perfect match.”

Missis Chapman gave them a knowing smile. “It turned out he’s got somebody else on the side. Alexandra was devastated.”

“Who was the girl?”

“They’re trying to keep this hush-hush for now. But my sources say her name was something-something Wright.”

Something-something Wright!

Julianne fought the urge to laugh.

“Oh no!” Missis Barton’s eyes widened. “I hope she’s not connected to Winston Wright.”

“Wasn’t he jailed for ten counts of fraud?”

“Yes. And he’s a hopeless womanizer. Rumor has it, he has a love child with actress Anabelle Smyth.”

The two women looked at each other with wide, bewildered eyes. “Oh. My source said that Rafael’s other woman was enchantingly beautiful. She could be Winston Wright’s love child.”

Julianne listened to their conversation and felt sorry for the people they were gossiping about. She wondered if people like Missis Chapman and Missis Barton talked about her like this when news of her pregnancy and broken engagement with Patrick McAllister erupted on the social circle.

Just then, the two ladies stopped talking. They were staring past her. Julianne slowly turned around and found a tall, handsome man standing behind her.

“It’s okay ladies,” River Jefferson said to the two women. “There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a love child. The parents’ sin need not be the children’s. And I’ve had the honor of meeting Jasmine Wright. She is Rafael’s childhood friend, not his other woman. But I would definitely not blame him if he becomes smitten with her. She’s an exquisite woman.”

Julianne had to bite her lower lip to keep from laughing. She slowly stood up from her seat to face River.

“Miss Sanders,” he said, finally looking at her. “We meet again.”

“Mister Jefferson, the pleasure is all mine,” she said.

“May I have the honor of dancing with you?”

Thank God!

“Yes, you may,” she said.

“Julianne Sanders?” Missis Chapman echoed. “Weren’t you once engaged to Patrick McAllister?”

Oh shit!

“I’m sure that was in a different lifetime,” she said, putting a fake smile on her face. “Please excuse us.”

Once they were on the dance floor, they both couldn’t help laughing.

“Now, she’s off talking about me. Well, it’s only fair her attention is shifted to give poor Miss Wright a break, whoever she is.”

“These people judge others as if their own lives were perfect,” River hissed. “I know Rafael. I’m sure Miss Wright’s family history does not even matter to him.”

“Oh, so you know them?”

River shrugged. “I need to know these people. They are good for business.”

“Did the McKenzies invite you here?”

River nodded. “Yes. And you’re representing Adams Industries?”

“Yeah. Justin and Adrienne couldn’t make it. Jeffrey had an injury in his martial arts class.”

“I’m sure he’s gonna be fine. I lost count of how many bones I broke just learning how to fight.”

“I know. I took some lessons as a kid too. And soon, I need to enroll Jared. I’m worried, but it’s necessary.”

Just then, her attention was caught by a couple walking towards the dancefloor.

She recognized Vanessa Bernard in a red backless gown. She was wearing a diamond necklace that looked very heavy, and matching diamond earrings that looked like they were pulling her earlobes down. Like her, she was shimmering too. But not because of the crystals on her gown, but because of the expensive jewelry she was wearing.

She was pulling Jin Starck towards the dancefloor. He was looking dashing in a black suit and a black tie. He looked dark and devilish, but ever so handsome.

Julianne felt a twist in the pit of her stomach.

Wait for me your ass, Jin Starck!

She was reeling with anger and she struggled to control it in front of River.

How dare him!?

He asked her to wait for him and now she sees him here? With his supposed fiancée? Does he really take her for a fool?

“I think she couldn’t wear enough diamonds, huh,” River said, following her gaze.

Julianne shifted her focus back to River and tried to put her emotions under control.

“I would feel naked standing next to her,” she joked.

“You’re not wearing any jewelry at all, but you know that you look a hundred times more dazzling than her,” River said. “Nice gown. You look even more enthralling on it.”

“You flatter me, Mister Jefferson,” she managed to smile. “But thank you.”

“I guess she’s trying to upstage herself,” River said. “And the word ‘overkill’ is obviously foreign to her.”

Julianne laughed. “River Jefferson, I cannot believe you are turning out as judgmental as the old hags over there.”

“You wear too much bling, you open yourself up to other people’s opinions. And besides, I’m not saying it’s bad. I’m just saying that it’s…”

“An overkill.”

River smiled. “Yes. Okay, so everybody in the room now knows she’s rich.”

“She is an heiress.”

“So are you,” River reminded her.

Julianne shook her head. “Not anymore. Remember, my father revoked my birthright? The reason why I’m wearing any fancy jewelry tonight is because I lost all mine when he kicked me out of his house. And you know what, there are more important things in life than jewelry. Like my son’s future.”

“Well said.” River smiled. “Your son is very lucky to have you. And I know he loves you very much. Jared and I are not really different. When I was growing up, my mother was all I had too. And that was more than enough.”

What River said touched Julianne in a way she wasn’t expecting. Tears loomed in her eyes and she fanned her hand in front of her face to keep them from rolling down her cheeks.

“I’m sorry, did I say something wrong?”

Julianne shook her head. “No, I’m fine. I just hope you’re right. Someday, I hope Jared understands the decisions I’ve made for him.”

“He will,” River assured her.

After the song, River told her that he had to meet briefly with some business associates.

“I’ll find you later. You might need another rescuing from those rumor mongrels you had been unfortunately seated with.”

Julianne laughed. “That’s why I’m gonna get some air in the balcony first. I would rather be alone than sit and listen to them murder another poor soul’s reputation.”

The balcony overlooking the hotel garden was dimly lit, particularly on that cloudy night. There were only a few stars in the sky and the moon had been covered by clouds. The sky reflected much of what Julianne was feeling—dark and gloomy.

Away from the noise and the party, Julianne was able to compose her thoughts. Her chest felt heavy. When she saw Vanessa Bernard with Jin Starck, she realized that she had kept her promise to him. She had been waiting.

Damn, you are a fool!

A tear rolled down her cheek and she couldn’t believe that she was crying over him once again. Maybe he didn’t want to be with Vanessa, but he was bound to her. He made it his business to marry her to take his company to the top. How could she possibly compete with that?

Suddenly, she felt a presence behind her. Her heart pounded in her ribcage as she smelled the familiar scent of his aftershave. Then she felt his arm snake around her waist and his nose breathing in at the base of her neck.

“Arabella,” he whispered against her skin.

She felt her knees start to buckle as electricity started shooting up to her veins. She bit her lip as she struggled for control.

I cannot fall for this anymore!

“Jin… stop,” she whispered as she pulled away from him.

She turned around to look up at him, trying her best to appear stoic, or cold at best.

“I wasn’t here with Vanessa,” he started to explain.

“It doesn’t look like that to me.”

“She asked me to dance in front of her father and some of our colleagues. I couldn’t say no,” he said.

“It’s okay. You don’t have to explain,” she said, turning away from him and glancing at the garden in front of them. “Do I look like I care?” she lied.

He fell silent for a second. Then he said, “Okay, maybe you don’t care. But I still want you to know that I didn’t come here with her. And I’m most certainly not going to leave with her. That dance would be the closest she would get to me, and I wouldn’t have even allowed that if she hadn’t asked me to dance so publicly, in front of the members of Round Ten.”

She raised a brow at him. “Why are you telling me all this?”

“Because I asked you to wait for me, remember? I want you to know that I was holding you to that promise. I was going to come for you after the party.”

“What do you want, Jin?”

“You know what I want, Arabella,” he replied. He took a step towards her. Then he pulled her to him and leaned forward to kiss the base of her neck. “You. I want you.”

He took her lips in his and gave her a hot, searing kiss. He wound his arms around her waist as he invaded her soul with his tongue. She stopped fighting for a moment and kissed him back. When it was over, he leaned his forehead against hers and whispered, “You’re mine, Arabella.”

She shook her head, taking in a deep breath. “Only for that kiss.”

“Your body responds to me like a moth to a flame, my love. Why do you keep fighting this?”

“Because this isn’t right. This is so complicated.”

He gave her a gentle smile and said, “I know it is. But I need you to have faith in me.”

“Why should I trust you? You have a reputation of a heartless monster… you have no regard for other people’s feelings. All that mattered to you was getting to the top of your game…”

“Enough, Arabella!” he said in a cold, stern voice. “You do not know what I’ve been through. You cannot judge me based on what you hear others say about me. It’s not fair.”

“Why? Didn’t you make your own assumptions about me when you found me again? You assumed I was a cheater, a narcissist. That I get high on men’s attention.”

Jin shook his head. “I was mad at you! I was distraught when you left me.”

“And you aren’t mad at me now? For leaving you? For lying to you?”

He shook his head. “It doesn’t matter anymore. I want you. You want me. That’s all I care about now.”

He tried to pull her towards him again but she gave him a slight push.

“It matters to me, Jin,” she murmured. “You’re committed to another woman. And you do not know me. You want my body. But in your mind, you’ve already judged me. What we had… wasn’t meant to last. We have no future together.”

He sighed and she sensed his frustration. She could tell that he wanted to say something but chose not to. And when he looked at her again, his voice was more controlled.

“Adrienne told me you were moving out,” he said, changing the subject.

“Yes,” she replied.

“Why?”

“I need to.”

“Well, excuse me. But this isn’t just about you, is it?” Jin asked, slightly raising his voice.

“I know. And nothing will change. I’m still going to give Jared the best life possible.”

“He’s comfortable where he is now,” Jin argued. “And you’re safest with Justin and Adrienne.”

“But that’s not the life I want for my son. I cannot be forever in the charity of other people. I want to teach my son to stand up on his own two feet.”

“Then why don’t you go back to your parents’ mansion?” Jin asked. “Work for your father and Gian. You deserve to be part of your family’s company as much as your brother.”

Julianne shook her head. How could she tell him the truth about her relationship with her father, and how her father loathed the sight and thought of her and Jared?

“I’m happy with my job at Adams Industries,” she replied coolly. “Working for my father was out of the question.”

“You’re happy with your job but not with the house? Did you fight with anybody in the Adams Mansion?”

“No.”

“Then why did you have to move out and drag Jared away from the life that he loved?”

She sighed. “It’s the best for everyone.”

“And you decided that… how?”

She stared up at him sternly. “Look, Jin. I don’t need you to argue with me about this. I’m exhausted just discussing this with Justin, Adrienne and Gian! Everybody I know thought I couldn’t make it on my own! They believed I wasn’t strong enough, or good enough to be raising a kid on my own!

“I mean… was it too much to ask for my own kitchen? Where I can cook, because damn! I love cooking and baking! Can I not have my own garden where I can grow flowers myself, and not have somebody else growing it for me?

“Is it too much to raise my kid to be independent?” She took an exasperated breath. “I’m tired of people thinking I won’t pull this off. That I always needed to have Justin or Gian taking care of me and Jared. I can do it myself! I’m exhausted just trying to prove this to the people around me.”

“It’s not about your capability to take care of yourself or Jared. That’s not what this is about,” Jin muttered. “This is about your safety. This is about Jared’s safety.”

“The neighborhood I chose is safe. Police station is just a block away. It’s family friendly.”

“But you’re still safest in the Adams Mansion. Or your parents’ house! Where there are guards and CCTVs.”

“Which is too much some times. I want my kid to experience a normal life.”

“Jared is far from being normal, you know that. And it’s best for him to stay where he could have the best protection!”

Julianne drew her brows together. “Excuse me, Jin Starck! I decide what’s best for my son! Not you! And while we are on this subject, may I ask why you gave Jared a cellphone?”

Jin paused for a moment. Then in a calmer voice he replied, “Because I want him to be able to call me anytime he needed to.”

“Why would he need to call you?”

Jin shrugged. “Jared is very smart. You’re busy most of the time. I wanted him to feel that he could count on a lot of people in his life. Including me.”

“He knows a lot of people around him loved him. He doesn’t need a new cellphone for that. I’m going to return that to you,” she said firmly.

“Don’t!” Jin’s voice was sober and the expression on his face was cold and serious. “Jared should be able to call me anytime he wanted,” he said. “Don’t take that away from him.”

She was about to say something when they were interrupted by someone behind them. It was one of the usherettes.

“Mister Starck,” she said. “It’s time for the ceremonial toast. Your presence is requested inside.”

Jin took a deep breath. She could tell that he was annoyed with her decision to move out of Justin’s house, as well as her demand to return the cellphone he gave to Jared. She raised a challenging brow at him.

He had no say in her life. They were in love once, when they were younger. After that, they shared moments of passion and a few kisses. But he was still promised to another woman and she had made it clear that they had no future together. They may have a son, but he had no idea nor interest in that. He never asked about Jared’s father. He didn’t even know he was the first man she shared herself with.

No. Jin Starck cannot tell her what to do with her life and how she would raise her son.

“I need to go inside,” he said. “Wait for me. I’ll drive you home.”

“No,” she said firmly. “I’m leaving now. I have a very early start tomorrow. Justin arranged a car to wait for me.”

“We’ll talk tomorrow then,” he said.

She bit her lip. Tomorrow she’d be in her new house for the entire weekend. There was no way Jin would see her until Monday.

Jin walked back into the ballroom. She turned around to face the garden again.

Things were getting more and more complicated for both of them. He wanted her. He had been very vocal about that. She wanted him too. There was no point denying that now.

But he was committed to marry somebody else, who the whole world, including his family, approved of. She, on the other hand, was disinherited by her own family. He needed an heiress who could give him a business advantage. She had nothing to offer him. Just herself… and the son he had no idea was his.

She had a plan. Get a job. Get a new house. Save up for Jared’s future. It was as simple as that.

Why did Jin Starck have to make it so complicated?