by Jerilee Kaye
Adrienne scanned her brain for a moment, while trying to keep her face steady. Then she remembered. Starck Hoteliers owns more than fifty five-star hotels, spanning three different continents. No wonder, Jin Starck looked so young and yet he seemed to know what he was doing, and had full decision-making powers.
Shit! I looked like a fool!
“I’m sorry, Mr. Starck…”
“Jin,” he said calmly. “You can call me Jin, Adrienne.”
She nodded. “Jin,” she said. “I’m sorry. I should have had that information beforehand.” Instead of making up excuses, she decided to own up to her mistake.
He grinned. “It’s okay. I get that reaction a lot,” he said. “I guess I look like I still belong in school rather than in the boardroom, making decisions on my parents’ behalf.”
Adrienne smiled. “I must admit I did wonder how old you were.”
“Twenty-three. And I’m managing one fourth of our hotels. I also look after ABW…” He stared at her for a moment. “On my mother’s behalf.”
Adrienne was impressed. Most twenty-three year olds barely have finished college. And Jin Starck managed a chain of hotels all over the globe.
“Your mother?” she echoed.
Jin nodded. “Yes. AB stands for Ariana Blanc. It was her concept. But sometimes she couldn’t attend to it. So I help out. She’s a very busy woman.”
“I think you have a busy family.” She smiled.
He nodded. “Yes. My mother doesn’t work much on the business though. She works more on her passion. You might know her.”
She looked up at him curiously.
“She goes by the name Amanda Seville.”
Again, Adrienne scanned her brain. Then she blinked back. “Amanda Seville as in…the writer?”
Jin’s smile spread across his face. “Yes.”
Adrienne was surprised. She read many of Amanda Seville’s novels and she was one of her favorite historical romance writers. She couldn’t believe she actually had dinner with her son.
“Wow,” she whispered.
“I know. She makes me proud. Not only because she’s a talented writer. But also because she’s the best mother anyone could ever ask for.”
Hearing him say that pinched Adrienne’s heart. How she wished she could say the same about her own mother.
“So now, you know more about me personally, and since we’re done with our negotiations and not even halfway through dinner, perhaps you can tell me more about yourself, Adrienne. Where are you from?”
“Boston,” she replied.
“What do your parents do, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“My parents are both doctors. My father is a neuro-surgeon. My mother is an OB-GYN. My sister studies medicine, too.”
Jin looked at her for a while and then he smiled, “So I guess, you’re the odd one out.” Again, the light, teasing tone he used made it difficult for Adrienne to feel insulted by what he said. She actually smiled at his attempt to tease her.
“You can say that. But I have a passion for writing. I love working for Blush and I love what I do now.”
“Didn’t they pressure you to go into medicine too?”
“Story of my life,” she murmured.
“Well, at least you aren’t working at all.” She raised a brow at him. He added, “Because if you love what you do, it’s not work at all. It’s all fun and games every day.”
“Do you like what you do?”
He nodded. “Oui, mademoiselle. I was born and raised to manage our family business.”
Adrienne was surprised by how easy Jin was to talk to. She didn’t feel like she was having a business meeting at all. More than half the time, they weren’t talking about business. They spoke about their families. Of course, she didn’t tell him how broken her relationship was with her mother. That part used to be Jill’s and Yuan’s territory, and now it belonged to Justin. She only answered his questions where she grew up in, which college she went to and then stuff she did at Blush.
Contrary to Justin’s belief, Jin didn’t ogle at her at all. He seemed actually funny and easygoing. Nothing in his actions or lines made her feel like he flirted with her. But of course, she didn’t consider herself an expert in that department.
By the end of dinner, although she insisted on paying for the bill, Jin didn’t allow her to do it.
“It’s my hotel, Adrienne,” he said, chuckling. “You can consider this as part of my advance payment for advertising with you.”
He walked her to the front of the hotel. “Do you have a ride?”
She almost told him that she didn’t when she saw a familiar figure stepping out of a familiar Ferrari. Her heart leapt out of her chest. She involuntarily smiled.
Jin noticed her face as she watched Justin approach them.
“Well, I guess I don’t have to worry about you getting home safely,” Jin said. She turned to him. “I’ll send you an email confirmation first thing in the morning. Please send me your final proposal and contract.”
He extended his hand to her and she shook it. “Nice to meet you, Jin.”
“Likewise, Adrienne.”
He gave her a final nod and went off before Justin could reach them.
Justin’s eyes narrowed as he watched Jin Starck disappear into the elevators.
Adrienne turned to him. “So… the world seems really small,” he said a little tartly.
Adrienne laughed. “I know, right? He’s advertising in our magazine.”
“Hmmm…” Justin said. “For what? Playstation?”
Adrienne laughed again. “I know. He didn’t look like the type. But he’s actually advertising for a spa.”
“Shouldn’t he still be in school?” he asked.
“He said he’s only twenty-three. But I guess if you operate a family-owned chain of hotels, you start young.”
Justin took her hand in his, and Adrienne almost panicked. But Justin only gripped her hand in his tightly. He pulled her gently towards his car.
“It’s a few meters walk, Adrienne,” he said. “And right now, I’m beyond caring.”
She sighed and quickly followed him to his car. When they got in, he pulled her to him and crushed his lips to hers. He took her breath away, like he wanted to remind her who she belonged to. And God, how could she ever forget that?
When he pulled away, she smiled at him. “Are you mad?”
He shook his head gently. “No. But sometimes it kills me that I can’t punch the life out of any guy who shows interest in you.”
Adrienne smiled at him apologetically. “Jin Starck is not interested in me. He didn’t even flirt with me. And I’m not usually interested in boys younger than I am.” She stared at him, trying to give him some reassurance. Then she took a deep breath and asked, “How long can you wait?”
He took a deep breath and kissed her lips again. Then he breathed, “As long as it takes.”
He pulled away from her and then he started the engine. Before he drove off, he asked, “What did you say his name was again?”
“Jin Starck. Apparently, they own Starck Hoteliers. And oh my God, his mother is Amanda Seville! She’s like… my favorite writer of all time!”
Justin stared at her for a long moment. And then he turned towards the road. His face turned sober and he gripped the steering wheel tightly, before driving off.
“Justin, are you okay?”
He didn’t look at her. Instead, he continued staring ahead. With a hard look on his face, he murmured, “Peachy.”
13. Broken
Etymology: Middle English breken, from Old English brecan; akin to Old High German brehhan, which means to break
Over the week, Adrienne finalized the contract with ABW. True to his word, Jin sent the signed contract to her within one hour of her sending it to him.
Jada sounded pleased. She was even surprised that Adrienne managed to get the contract without a discount.
“I just offered a page feature, that’s all.”
<
br /> “Wow! You must be charming!” Jada said. Adrienne didn’t know whether she meant it or she was just being sarcastic.
She told the news to Jill as well.
“What did he look like?” Jill asked. “I read in a blog that the heir of Starck Hoteliers is an absolute stunner!”
Adrienne narrowed her eyes at her best friend. “What blog is this?”
Jill bit her lip and shyly admitted, “The one that…blogs about steaming hot bachelors with…bright futures ahead of them.”
Adrienne raised a brow. “You mean with huge bank accounts and unlimited credit card limits?”
Jill giggled. “It isn’t bad to dream about one of those kinds once in a while, you know.”
She raised a brow at Jill. “Is Justin Adams on that list?”
Jill grinned. “Topnotcher!” She went over to her desk and typed something on her keyboard. Then Jill gasped. After a while, a naughty grin spread across her face. “Well, hello, competition!”
Jill turned her monitor towards Adrienne and she saw a picture of Jin Starck staring back at her. He had a boyish smile on his face and his eyes were a bluer shade of green.
“You have his number?” Jill asked.
She frowned at her friend. “Confidentiality agreements in my contract preclude me from giving you any of our clients’ contact numbers, Jill. No matter how much you beg me, you won’t get it.”
Jill pouted. “You’re such a bore!”
Just then, her eyes drifted to something behind Adrienne and she fell quiet. Adrienne turned and saw Justin walking in the halls. He looked in their direction, and his mouth slightly curved.
Jill gasped. “Did he just smile at me?”
Adrienne turned to her friend guiltily. She shrugged.
“One of these days, I am totally going to start a conversation with him! I may not get to have him, but it’s good enough just to talk to him. Even just a little chit-chat. Do you think that will work?”
Adrienne shrugged and turned away from her. Guilt ate her insides and slowly bore a hole through her.
She walked back to her office. She thought she’d give Troy a call. He didn’t answer her last text message. She really needed to talk to him. And fast! The sooner she breaks up with him, the sooner she can get her mind straight about admitting to her friends what she’s been up to these last few months!
She hated lying to Jill and Yuan, especially with something big about her life. And this is not just big. She: Losing her virginity to the City’s so-called rakehell on a one-night stand and then later falling in love with him! This is bigger than big!
She didn’t know if they could forgive her if they found out. Hell! They wouldn’t even forgive her if they found out that he lived across her apartment and she didn’t tell them.
When she tried Troy’s number, she only got a voicemail. He must be out of coverage or his phone may be off.
She went to see Garry for the layout of the article she wrote. She was surprised to see Justin there.
She didn’t greet him. She pretended that she didn’t notice he was there at all. She told Garry everything she needed for him to do. She tried to muster all her confidence. She felt so nervous and excited at Justin’s presence. He sat on a couch, wearing those pitch black shades of his, but she had no doubt that he was staring at her.
Her knees shook a little when she turned on her heel and left the room. She saw Jill and some of the girls chatting in the corridor. She stopped by to join them. After a few minutes, Justin passed by them. They all fell silent. When she looked up, he had an eyebrow up and he gazed in their direction.
When he was gone, the girls sighed.
“My God! He looked at us!” Meena, the girl from Circulation, said.
“He is just bloody hot!” another girl said.
“He doesn’t even have to be the heir of Adams Industries. I’d take him any day even if he was poor!”
Adrienne smiled when she went back to her office. The other girls were drooling over him when she knew his eyes were on her. Sometimes, she still thought she’d just been dreaming. And she just hasn’t woken up yet.
After fifteen minutes, she received a text message from him.
Justin: You’re a fox! Let’s go out tonight? Let’s break this rule of yours a little and go somewhere. I promise, minimum risk of being named.
Adrienne heaved a frustrated sigh. Justin said that he can wait, but she knows that his patience just may run out one of these days. And she also became aware that no matter how hard they tried to hide, one of these days, Jill and Yuan just might run into them in the streets, or in her apartment and she would be in deep shit, big time!
That evening, she got ready for her date with Justin. She wore a pair of white skin-tight pants, and cropped black sleeveless top. She tied her hair in a pony, and she put on light makeup.
She smiled at her reflection. Each day that passed by, she saw more in herself what Justin has been saying to her at least once a day. She’s a fox. She felt more confident.
She grew up always being overshadowed by a prettier and smarter older sister. But she didn’t care about that anymore. She had started to appreciate herself and how amazing she could be, once she let go of her inhibitions.
The doorbell rang.
He came early. Fifteen minutes. Normally, he’s exactly on time, which she loved, because he doesn’t pressure her to hurry up and he’s not making her wait either.
She got her tiny purse and headed for the door.
When she opened it, she was shocked to see Troy and Kimberly standing in front of her.
“Shit!” she muttered.
“What’s that, sweetie?” Troy asked.
She stared at him. She remembered that he didn’t curse at all. “I said ‘Shit! Holy shit!’”
An eyebrow shot up. He was about to say something, when Kimberly cut in. “Expecting somebody else?”
God! Was she right!
“No. I just didn’t expect to see you,” she said. “Come in. I was just on my way out. I was supposed to dine in this place I will feature in our next issue.”
They went inside her apartment. Immediately, they looked around, as if examining it for safety violations.
“Nice place,” Kimberly said and Adrienne almost clapped at the fact that she threw a compliment her way.
Kimberly lost weight. She was wearing a skirt that goes all the way to her knees and a long-sleeved blouse. Her blond hair looked blonder. Adrienne had to admit that she looked prettier than the last time they saw each other. But still, so prim, so proper. So angelic.
“What are you wearing?” Troy asked staring at her from head to feet.
“Yes, I’m fine too, Troy. It’s so nice to see you!” She smiled sarcastically. “Yes, you can sit down for a moment and I will go get something to drink.” She motioned for them to sit on the sofa.
She took deep breaths as she took out two cans of Pepsi from her fridge.
“Bad news, Kimmy. I don’t have diet,” she said.
“You never needed to diet,” Troy said.
Good! He can say something nice to me for once.
“It’s okay. I never needed diet, either,” Kimberly said. “Sorry, to drop in without warning. You were heading out to do that…” she trailed off. “That work you do.”
Adrienne nodded. “I will write a feature for this place on Sixth Avenue.”
“Exciting job!” Kimberly beamed too enthusiastically. But she knew her better. Kimberly never had much affection for her. She always tried to put her down to lift herself up. And Adrienne got so accustomed to it. There was no use in trying. No use in fighting.
“What about you guys, what are you doing here? This is so unexpected.”
“Well, we have a medical conference here for a week. We decided to surprise you,” Troy said.
And I was shocked!
“So thoughtful of you!” she said instead, smiling. She caught a glimpse of the time on her wall clock. Exactly eight. Justin has synchronize
d his watch with hers, which she thought was quite sweet, but that’s not the point here. She knew that he would knock at her door any second.
“Shit!” she murmured.
Troy stared at her, raising a brow again.
She smiled. “Let me just go to the lobby to check whether my boss left me the passes I was supposed to get tonight. Be back in a sec.”
She dashed for the door, not giving them a chance to argue, praying that Troy would not follow her.
When she opened the door, Justin was just about to ring her doorbell. She pushed him gently and closed the door behind her.
“Quick! Inside your apartment,” she hissed.
He quickly fished his keys without asking and then they went inside.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
She screamed in frustration. “Kimberly! And Troy! In my apartment!”
Justin didn’t say anything.
“My God! What did I do today to deserve this ordeal?” she asked desperately.
“Troy… the current and official boyfriend?” Justin asked quietly.
“Troy, the ghost of a boyfriend, and Kimberly, the ghost of a sister, yes!”
Justin took a deep breath. Then he said, “All right. Go out there. I’ll just call some of my friends tonight then.”
She stared at him. She couldn’t make out any expression on his face.
“I don’t want to go out there, Justin. I really don’t.”
“She’s your sister. You can’t do anything about that. The boyfriend… you could ditch anytime…actually, should have ditched a long time ago…but still, for now, you have to go through with this.” He oddly tried to encourage her.
“Are you sure it’s okay with you?” she asked.
He smiled. “Positive. If you can’t endure it, give me a call. I’ll think of something.”
She smiled and reached up to kiss him on the lips. “I’d probably do that, just to see what you could come up with.”
He laughed.
She headed for the door. “You look great, by the way,” he told her.
She looked down at herself. “It’s a waste now, isn’t it? I didn’t dress up for them.”
He went closer to her and pulled her waist. “Just make sure you mean that.”
