All the Wrong Places

by Jerilee Kaye

  “So, what happened?”

  Jin drew a frustrated breath and added, “I’m listening to my heart now.”

  “Your heart?” his father echoed. “Didn’t you tell me before that you didn’t have a heart? I warned you about this. I told you to think about it a hundred times at least. I told you that you should wait a while, we weren’t in a hurry to beat the McKenzies. In fact, you were the one that wanted that. I’m happy right where we are. We run a solid business that’s still a hundred percent owned by our family. You were the one who insisted on expanding. Arthur Bernard got to your head, while his daughter was trying to get to your bed!

  “I’ve always trusted you. I know that you always know what you were doing. You told me that Vanessa won’t get to your heart—you don’t have one! So, I should just sit and relax because you had everything under control.”

  Jin remembered every word he told his father that day. Pierre wanted him to decline Arthur Bernard’s offer. His father told him he didn’t want to use his son as a bargaining chip. But Jin said it didn’t matter. He would not marry for love anyway, he might as well marry for business. At least, Vanessa was an heiress who wanted him, and not his money. Back then, he had been so certain. His decision made sense.

  “Arthur Bernard is on the phone with me almost every day,” Pierre barked. “He was looking for you, demanding answers. Vanessa was distraught and embarrassed. But she’s willing to give you a chance.”

  Jin shook his head. “Dad, I can’t!”

  “Jin Starck, you will not ruin this family’s reputation!” Pierre’s bellowing voice echoed through the walls. “You gave your word… in spite of your better judgement. You didn’t heed my advice. Now, you’ve lost your chance to back out! Arthur is still an influential man. We may be bigger than them, but part of our strength is our spotless reputation and our business connections.

  “We also have a lot of competition, ready to grab the chance to take us down. If Arthur teams up with these people, not only will you kiss your dreams of being number one goodbye, but Starck Corp. will be at the bottom under your reign. Is that the type of legacy you want to leave behind?”

  Jin didn’t answer. Pierre drank his whiskey straight up, then he sighed in frustration.

  “Arthur is threatening to get us voted out of Round Ten if you do not marry Vanessa,” his father informed him. “We have twenty-five percent stake in our seat at Round Ten. The McKenzies have thirty. The Bernards have five. But Arthur is very good friends with the others who make up the remaining forty. If he convinces them to kick us out of the Round, we lose our privileges.”

  “I can find a way. I’m smart and you’ve trained me well. I know this business like the back of my hand. Arthur Bernard can go fuck himself if he wants. I can get us through this! We don’t need Round Ten to make our business fly. I can still run this business without them,” Jin insisted.

  Round Ten is the very exclusive organization of ‘The Leading Hotel Groups in the World.’ It was created decades ago to establish rules and control in business and to ensure that each member of the group adheres to standards and quality set forth by the group. It has its own certifications and grading, which are considered one of the most trusted global ratings in the world today.

  Being part of that organization had given them certain privileges and status in the industry. Being kicked out of the group would surely hurt their company, but it would not take them out of the business. However, they may lose their certifications and certain significant ratings.

  It would require at least sixty percent vote to kick one company out. For Arthur Bernard, it means convincing the McKenzies and only a few others to take Starck Corp. out.

  “My great-grandfather is one of the founding members of Round Ten,” Pierre reminded Jin. “That alone is enough reason for us to stay in the group. Round Ten was his legacy. You will not dishonor it by getting us kicked out of the group!”

  Jin closed his eyes for a moment. Then he sighed and said, “Arthur will need the McKenzies’ help to get us kicked out. Otherwise, he has nothing on us.”

  “And Richard McKenzie will vote,” Pierre said with certainty. “We’re so close to overtaking them. That’s all he needed to take us out and secure that they remain the market leader for the years to come.”

  “Then I’m just gonna have to make sure Arthur doesn’t get any more votes than that,” Jin said through gritted teeth. “I will do anything to get us out of this. But I will not marry a woman I’m not in love with.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry! I think that thought could have been useful two months ago, when Arthur Bernard first approached you with the ridiculous thought of merging our families!” his father said sarcastically.

  “There is always another way, Dad.”

  “Okay! You made this mess, you fix this! And you do not drag my great-grandfather’s name and company to the mud, do you understand?”

  Jin nodded. “Yes, Dad. I give you my word.”

  “Don’t! Because right now, I don’t know how much your word is worth!” Pierre growled. “Now, get out of here.”

  Jin walked towards the door. He knew better than argue with his father at this point. But that didn’t mean he was admitting defeat.

  He had made up his mind about what he was going to do. When he found Julianne Sanders again, he was full of anger towards her. A part of him wanted her to suffer for the lies she had told him and for leaving him shredded into a million pieces. She made him a heartless monster and he wanted her to suffer the consequences.

  But now…

  Now, he wasn’t sure anymore. The only thing he was sure of was that marrying Vanessa Bernard would be the biggest mistake of his life.

  “By the way,” Pierre called out as Jin was about to exit the room.

  Jin turned to look at his father.

  “What happened between you and McAllister?”

  Jin sighed. He was exhausted with the thoughts of how to get out of his situation. Patrick McAllister was the least of his worries. So, he took Alexandre’s advice and said, “It was just a petty fight. He was too drunk.”

  “You knew how to handle that. We have even hired the best security services to prevent brawls and bar fights inside our hotel premises.” Pierre muttered. “How in hell did Patrick McAllister get beaten up at White Rock—by you, no less? You’re a trained fighter, Jin. You could have easily incapacitated him for life.”

  “Patrick McAllister had too much to drink. He was harassing one of the guests. I couldn’t let that pass.”

  “So, you took matters into your own hand?”

  Jin let out a frustrated sigh. Because he didn’t want to argue or say any more, he just nodded.

  “The Jin Starck I know would contain the situation, call the security or the police. He would handle it gracefully, without bloodshed or damage to our property or reputation. He knew better than get on the bad side of somebody like Patrick McAllister.”

  Jin bit his lip to keep from answering back. He would not defend himself from his father. He cannot… would not say anything more. He needed to protect Julianne.

  “You’ve changed so much in the last two weeks, I don’t seem to know you anymore.” Disappointment was evident in his father’s voice, but Jin wouldn’t yield.

  Then the next few days will be even worse.

  But he knew that his father’s wrath was just the tip of the iceberg. There’s a bigger fight that he needed to prepare for. That one would involve Adrienne, Justin and Justin’s entire clan.

  So help me, God!

  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 b
roke 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 revo
ked 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.