C H A P T E R 3 2 - A F L A S H O F M E M O R Y
E L L A S T A N F O R D
At first, Javier seemed to be surprised at her odd request however his shock turned to curiosity shortly after. Yet his self restraint held him from asking her the reason behind her adjuration.
“I think it was in your luggage from the hospital. They had to remove all of your pieces of jewelry while you were under intensive care and put them in a sealed plastic bag.” He pushed his chair back and stood. “Let me get it for you.”
Ella nodded and offered him a smile. “Thank you.”
It did not take him longer than five minutes to get the luggage and grabbed the engagement ring in his palm. But most of the time, at least one full minute was spent staring at the ring. The ring had once belonged to his mother however she had promised him, a long time ago, that
C H A P T E R 3 3 : T H A T D A Y A N D T H A T G O R G E O U S R E D D R E S S E L L A S T A N F O R D While Javier was putting his coat on, Ella helped Damon carry the dishes and placed them on the sink. Her best friend of ten years gave her a pointed look and said, "You." He nudged his arm with her elbow as he continued, "I do not need your help here, Darling, go and put on something pretty." He glanced at Javier who was tidying himself up by the coat hanger and added, "Maybe we can even hit the club. You could meet some handsome people the city could offer." Javier gave no reaction at all. Clearly, he was not as childish as Damon wanted him to be. "Okay. I will be read in a minute," answered Ella as she walked towards h
C H A P T E R 3 4 : S H O P P I N G A N D W A L K I N G D O W N M E M O R Y L A N E E L L A S T A N F O R D “Do you think Javier is a good guy?” Ella suddenly blurted out the question. Even though her heart had told her numerous times that he was good and she had seen him being super patient with her, there was a part of her that felt that he was hiding something from her. That was the only thing that caused her not to be able to trust him completely. Damon's eyes once again widened in surprise. “Of course, he is! I would not let you date him, let alone get engaged to him if he is not.” Upon realizing that he had come too strong, her best friend backed away and explained further, “Look. I know you did not remember this and I believe Javier could not even tell you this since he has no idea about it but we dressed you up real good at his last birthday party.”
C H A P T E R 3 5 - I M P R O M P T U L U N C H D A T E E L L A S T A N F O R D The next morning was just like her usual morning spent at her flat. These days, Javier had gotten up early and by the time she was walking out of her bedroom, he was already on his way to the front door. He planted a kiss on her forehead, wished her a good day, then left for work. He seemed to be busy too as he did not come back until much later in the evening and by the time he had gotten home, she already had her dinner with her mother or Damon and Tanner. They usually exchanged a brief conversation before going to sleep. She was in her bedroom and he was on the couch. Today Ella had woken up slightly later than usual. Right after her eyes were opened, she jumped off her bed,
J A V I E R S U M M E R S Two days later, sitting behind his desk at the Summers Entertainment headquarters, Javier kept telling himself for the last two hours that it might be enough that Ella wanted him. Even though his inbox was full of emails from various departments, demanding his attention, he ignored it all and stared blankly ahead. His desire fisted in his gut as he recalled her taste and her touch. Every cell in his being had screamed for him to lead her back to the bedroom or bring her over to the couch, to tumble with her, and feed the hunger that had held them both in its grip. Damon’s arrival two days ago had come in the nick of time, because he had been dangerously close to doing just that, and had he done so, it would have been a mistake. Because he wanted more from her than for her to feel desire for him. He wanted her to trust him which was why he had been waking up earlier than usual and dashed off to the office because he knew, one more look at her in her nightgo
C H A P T E R 3 7 : T H E C H I M E A N D L O S T M E M O R Y E L L A S T A N F O R D
C H A P T E R 3 8 : M E M O R Y A N D T R A G E D Y E L L A S T A N F O R D In all honesty, it made him nervous. This Ella was unpredictable. Not that the old Ella was predictable but at least he was rest assured that she loved him. This Ella however acted like a complete stranger and the look she kept giving him showed how little she actually trusted him. “What is it?” he dared himself to ask. “Tell me about that day.” She took a deep, calming breath then locked her eyes with his as she sat on the couch next to him. “Tell me what happened on the day I had an accident. And please, keep your promise in mind while you are at it.” “It was my fault,” he started with a gloom note. “Growing up, you seemed to hate your father and blame him for everything so I decided to
C H A P T E R 3 9 : T H E S T O R M W I L L P A S SJ A V I E R S U M M E R SBoth Javier and Ella had gotten out of the flat with a smile on their faces. He had opened the car door for her and help her to get inside. She had gotten in, biting her cheek to refrain herself from smiling again. He had been so sweet and caring and everything a girl would dream of in a man. Even though she had avoided Damon’s question the other day, not confirming whether she liked Javier or not, she knew that there was something about him that pulled her in.He brought her to a really nice Korean barbecue place and had taught her how to grill the meat. She tried kimchi (a traditional side dish of salted and fermented vegetables, such as napa cabbage and Korean radish, made with a widely varying selection of seasonings, including gochugaru, spring o
C H A P T E R 4 0 : T E M P T A T I O N A S I T S F I N E S TE L L A S T A N F O R DIt turned out that not remembering any of your coworkers was one of the issues that Ella had to face on her first day back to work. Somehow it reminded her of her childhood, when she had moved schools every few months because her mother would have packed her bags and driven to a new town, new neighborhood. Back then, she had had to learn everyone's name and tried to remember for at least the next few months before her mother would have taken her on the road again.For the first two days, Clarabelle had been there with her and helping her back to her work. It had appeared that not many people were aware of her memory loss because every now and then someone would ask her about things that Ella had no recollection of. It seemed th
“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