C H A P T E R 2 0 : B E C A U S E W H E N Y O U L O V E S O M E O N E
E L L A S T A N F O R D
“I think you should lie down, Ella,” suggested Tanner with a concerned look on his face.
Feeling that it might be best rather than being here and mulling over the fact that she had lost some important part of her life, she nodded then walked towards the bedroom. She closed the door behind her then approached the bed. She sat on the edge of it at first as her hand touched the fabric. Ella closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She was hoping that the doctor and Javier had been right, that coming back here would bring some of her memories back, and yet thus far, all she could remember was useless things such as where she had bought some of her furniture.
Slowly she broug
C H A P T E R 2 1 : J A V I E R S U M M E R S Javier stared blankly ahead. Even though his body was in his office, his mind traveled elsewhere, preferably in a small flat downtown where Ella was located at the moment. Even though he did not fully agree with what Damon and Tanner had suggested — mainly because he did not think he could leave her be especially when she seemed to be in need of his help, he felt that he should give it a try. Even if it pained him, even if it broke his heart to be apart from her.The look on her face showed how little she remembered him and he was afraid if he was giving her some space, she would forget him altogether. How would someone remember when there was no reminder at all? How would she remember him if he was not even around? Going to the office this afternoon had been difficult enough. He wished he could stay with her, at least until this evening when he
C H A P T E R 2 2 : T R U T H I S R A R E L Y S I M P L EJ A V I E R S U M M E R SJavier waited as his sister was gaping at him with a shocked look on her face. She continued to stare for the next two full minutes before a small frown started to appear on her forehead and she was finally able to form a sentence. "What do you mean you helped him?" Once she managed to say that one question, more questions kept coming out from her mouth, giving Javier no chance to answer. "So you have been lying to us the whole time. How could you do this? You knew how desperate we were all trying to find Draven. We even thought he was lost for good. If you have known where he was the whole goddamn time, why did you not tell us?!" Then she blinked, her eyes were narrowing infinitesimally. "O
Since getting out of the shower, Ella had sniffed the cologne at the cabinet in the bathroom, hoping that would pique her memory. She knew the scent because it seemed popular with many men, but that was it. Nothing else crossed her mind. Then she rummaged through her chest of drawers for a pair of cotton gym shorts and a t-shirt when her hand froze as she touched a pair of man’s boxer shorts. It was a regular dark blue boxer with a black colored elastic band. And that got her thinking about the other side of being in a relationship with someone, especially at the engagement stage. Sex. The same panicky sensations from two days ago — when she had screamed at Javier upon knowing his status in her life— threatened to bubble out of her, but she clamped down on her jaw and forced it away. She could not lose it again. It was not her. She had to soothe her mind, breathe deeply, think rationally, and take it all one step at a time. Having a mental breakdown would not help her in any way.
Ella stared at the door for several seconds after he had left then laid her body down on top of the mattress, staring at the ceiling. She was not sure what had just happened. It was unreasonable of her to ask him to kiss her. She did not know him. Whatever he had claimed to be, she had no recollection of it. Until now, a few minutes later, she was not even sure what had caused her to even said those two simple words, what had driven her to ask him the most embarrassing request she had ever said in her life. Gosh, just thinking about it made her face redden. She wanted to bury her face in the pillow but then she remembered that the pillow smelled like him. Her body wanted him and she was having a hard time trying to control her urges. Her logical mind cautioned her, telling her multiple times that she did not know this man and she should not be acting or feeling like this. Yet whenever he was near her, there was this pulsating, undeniable, hard-to-resist force that pulled her towards
C H A P T E R 2 5 : P R E S E R V E R E N C E I S A L W A Y S T H E K E Y J A V I E R S U M M E R S Surprisingly enough, Javier roared with laughter. “Trust me, Miss Stanford. My money was definitely not a plus where you were concerned.” “I am glad you find this amusing.” Ella chewed on her lower lip for a moment as she thought of his words carefully. “To be honest with you, I have been trying to think of reasons why I dated you and even agreed in marrying you despite you being my boss, and I could not find any logical explanation. Then I searched you online and found out about your wealth and success. I knew my childhood has not been easy so the only reason I could come up with was that I was tired of living in modesty and wanted to live comfortably.” She quickly grabbed the glass of wine and nearly emptying its content as she waited anxiously on how he would react.
C H A P T E R 2 6 : T E M P T A T I O N A N D P R O M I S EJ A V I E R S U M M E R SJavier watched her looking up then tilting her head to one side. There was confusion on her face before it was replaced with horror. She gasped, dropping her fork on the plate in a loud noise. The poor utensils bounced from the plate to the dining table. “I am sorry,” she muttered, shaking her head and biting her lips. “Did I just call you with the wrong name?”“No. No.” He put his hand on her shoulder and rubbed her arm up and down in a soothing motion. “You just called me by the nickname that you gave me. No one else calls me that.” He paused for a moment then spoke again, “Did you perhaps—” Dropping his hand to his lap, he closed his eyes and shook his head. When he finally reopene
C H A P T E R 2 7 : H E R M E M O R Y A N D T H E T H U N D E R S T O R M E L L A S T A N F O R D “What?” Ella asked, doing her best to shake off the sensual haze that still held her in its grip. She tried to concentrate on breathing normally again which was not an easy task considering her body was feeling all tight and tingly and her mind seemed to have turned to jelly. A frown slashed across his face. “You had a smear on your face and now it is gone,” he repeated, his voice still sounded hoarse. Ella’s fingers went to her mouth, still warm and wet from his kiss, and she could feel the blush crawl up her cheeks. She felt really embarrassed that a part of her wanted to duck beneath the table and hide while another part of her wanted to climb on his lap and have him kiss her again. In the end she did neither and decided that both reactions were absurd. Javier was her fia
C H A P T E R 2 8 : T H E B A D T I M E T O H I D E T H E T R U T HE L L A S T A N F O R D“I never think that you are,” he replied cautiously.Yet she did not seem to hear him as she continued, “Nor do I care to be sheltered or covered in bubble wraps like some fragile things.” Now her head tilted upwards and she looked at him. Her eyes had turned hard.“I am not sure I am following you,” he said, frowning with confusion.“I am talking about the fact that you just lied to me and how you casually answering all of my questions with generic answers!” she nearly yelled, her face flushing to a tomato red. “Is this what our relationship has been based on? L
“Did you perhaps get some pieces of your memory back?” asked Ella, sounding hopeful. She’d once been in Clarabelle’s position and she knew how frustrating it was not knowing the past, to have a few years stolen from her memory. Although in the end, Ella managed to gain her memories back. Clarabelle cleared her throat for no particular reason other than to delay answering her sister in law question for several seconds. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat. There was no easy way to say this and she knew that keeping this act for so long wouldn’t benefit anyone either yet it was really hard to tell the truth. No one would understand. “Look, Clara,” Ella held my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. Ella’s eyes were understanding and Clarabelle was suddenly filled with immense guilt. “It’s okay. You don’t have to say anything. We’re just so happy you’re alright. Don’t force yourself to remember, it’ll come eventually. I know this from experience.” Ella’s smile was what broke Clarabelle’s
“Oh, don’t be so sure, Brother,” teased Clara with a wink. She turned to Ella and Damon who were on her left. “You know Ella, and you remember Damon, right?” “Yeah, sure.” Maxon nodded at Damon. “Hey, man.” But when his eyes moved to Ella, he gave her an awkward smile. “Ella.” He wasn’t usually this awkward around females especially one married to his brother. Hell, he wasn’t awkward with Ava, Thornton’s wife — maybe only for a few months after his brother told the family about Ava riding their neighbor Josh on the kitchen counter. Truth be told, the fact that he was slightly awkward with Ella was all his sister’s doing. Before Javier realized his feelings for Ella, Clarabelle had tried to set up a blind date between Ella and Maxon. Furthermore, Max had once said that Ella was hot to Clarabelle, and knowing his sister, she had indeed told Ella. Max didn’t have any feelings or crush on Ella, but still, it would take him a little while to not feel awkward. He wasn’t good around people
“Oh, don’t be so sure, Brother,” teased Clara with a wink. She turned to Ella and Damon who were on her left. “You know Ella, and you remember Damon, right?” “Yeah, sure.” Maxon nodded at Damon. “Hey, man.” But when his eyes moved to Ella, he gave her an awkward smile. “Ella.” He wasn’t usually this awkward around females especially one married to his brother. Hell, he wasn’t awkward with Ava, Thornton’s wife — maybe only for a few months after his brother told the family about Ava riding their neighbor Josh on the kitchen counter. Truth be told, the fact that he was slightly awkward with Ella was all his sister’s doing. Before Javier realized his feelings for Ella, Clarabelle had tried to set up a blind date between Ella and Maxon. Furthermore, Max had once said that Ella was hot to Clarabelle, and knowing his sister, she had indeed told Ella. Max didn’t have any feelings or crush on Ella, but still, it would take him a little while to not feel awkward. He wasn’t good around people
“And you’re married,” reminded Ella, shaking her head. “True. But I’m not blind.” “How’re you, um,” he scratched the back of his neck uncomfortably, then cleared his throat before adding a soft and barely a whisper, “Princess.” With three sets of eyes watching him in curiosity mixed with surprise, Macon Summers had a faint blush on his high cheekbones. He cleared his throat one more time and focused his eyes on his little sister. “Sister?” Clarabelle let out a small giggle. “Sorry, guys, I made him call me that because he was the only one who only visited me once since I got admitted in this hospital.” There was a glint of mischief in her green eyes. After all, one of the reasons little sisters were born was to annoy their brothers. It was a birthright as much as it was an assignment. Maxon heaved an exasperated sigh. “I’ve apologized a dozen times, Clara.” He made his way to the empty spot on the right side of her bed. “I’m not going to make the same mistake of asking ‘what else
“Did you perhaps get some pieces of your memory back?” asked Ella, sounding hopeful. She’d once been in Clarabelle’s position and she knew how frustrating it was not knowing the past, to have a few years stolen from her memory. Although in the end, Ella managed to gain her memories back. Clarabelle cleared her throat for no particular reason other than to delay answering her sister in law question for several seconds. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat. There was no easy way to say this and she knew that keeping this act for so long wouldn’t benefit anyone either yet it was really hard to tell the truth. No one would understand. “Look, Clara,” Ella held my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. Ella’s eyes were understanding and Clarabelle was suddenly filled with immense guilt. “It’s okay. You don’t have to say anything. We’re just so happy you’re alright. Don’t force yourself to remember, it’ll come eventually. I know this from experience.” Ella’s smile was what broke Clarabelle’s l
Dear Gentle Readers, Life has been hectic for this author and he apologizes for making everyone wait on updates. This author also apologizes for the broken chapters with duplicates content. He has informed the editor previously. Since it’s not fixed, this author will double update 2 chapters into 1 on the next one before adjusting the one you have paid. Daily updates will start again in May, so pls be patient. Thank you all sm for your support and love. It has never gone unnoticed. Much love,Yours truly,P.S. this author will only be updating this story for May, Lone Wolf will have to wait until June. It’s very hard to find time these days, unfortunately.
“What about the cake?” Ella eagerly asked as she grabbed an album filled with photos of wedding cakes that she’d asked from the bakery who’d made her wedding cake. “Which one do you want? And how many tiers do you want it to be?” Clarabelle moved the magazine aside so Ella could place the album on her lap. She began checking each cake and reading the label placed next to each photo. “Earl grey sounds lovely,” said Ella, pointing out a cake on the right side of the page. “Or maybe chocolate fudge. That sounds lovely too. We can perhaps have it with white frosting or pale blue to match your dress.” “Darlings.” Damon dramatically sighed. “This is an easy question. You should stick to the most delicious cake in existence. Coffee and cognac. Keep it elegant, keep it tasty.” He stuck his forefinger and thumb together then kissed them like a chef. “No, thank you. I think I’ll stick to my favorite cake. Red velvet,” said Clara with a frown. “I’ve tasted coffee and cognac during Ella’s wed
“Remember that it’s all about you, Darling,” said Damon with an exaggerating wave of his hand that made both Clara and Ella giggle. “You are the center of everything that day. Everything else should be a blur but you should be the only thing that’s crystal clear in everyone’s mind.” Clara shook her head, covering her face with both hands. “Gosh, you’re being way too much.” “It wouldn’t be Dee if he isn’t being too much,” commented Ella with a grin, teasing her best friend. She moved her gaze back to Clara and smiled. “But I have to say that he’s right, Clara. You should be the center of the event. So have you decided on your wedding theme yet?” “You guys are killing me,” said Clarabelle with a loud sigh. She brought her hands down and stared at the wedding magazines on her lap. Even though every girl had a vision of their wedding and how they wanted it to be, Clara had forgotten all about hers when she’d started her company. She’d thought of her company as her baby and that she was
Hélène d’aureville had turned Draven Summers into a softie and he didn’t like it. Not even one bit. “Yes, I am fine, Mum.” He glanced at the door and frowned. Suddenly he felt annoyed that his sister’s boyfriend had not come out of there and it had been more than twenty minutes. “Let me knock on the door.” With determination, he approached the door, and then without even knocking on the door or giving any warning, he swung that door open. “Sister!” Draven greeted the two lovebirds loud enough for the neighboring rooms to hear. “Mum and Dad are here to see you. And of course, your fiancé.” He opened the door wider and held it so both of their parents could walk inside. Much to Draven’s dismay, his sister and her lover weren’t making out. They were at a polite distance. She was on the bed while he was sitting on the chair next to her bed. The atmosphere was different too, it was not as hot and bothered as it had been about half an hour ago. It seemed that they had been having a convers