C H A P T E R 4 0 : T H E B L A T A N T S T A T E M E N T
E L L A S T A N F O R D
Despite Piers’s wish for the two of them to stay longer, they both packed the next day, claiming that they had to work on Monday morning. Piers drove them to their hotel and would then drive them again to the airport. Albeit Javier telling him that they could simply ask a driver of one of their hotels in Italy, Piers insisted to drive them anyway.
They were greeted with curiosity and surprise at the hotel. Ella was slightly embarrassed by the stares she received as her clothes were disheveled here and there but she held her head high—convincing herself that she was at least dressed. Javier inquiries about their rooms and the manager appeared, bowing, and politely assured him with an obsequious smile that he had indeed held their rooms, imagining that they would be returning since Mi
Ella POV “W-what?” Accidentally choked by the ice tea, Ella ended up coughing quite violently. Her hand reached for the napkin and she wiped her mouth. “I am sorry.” Piers patted her back, trying to help but unsure whether he should get her something to drink or soothe her. “I should not have said it like that.” Ella soon calmed herself. She leaned back against the back of her chair, her eyes were narrowed as her gaze fixated on Piers. It was not every day that someone said something like this to her, let alone her boss’s brother. Furthermore, she was pretty sure Piers got the gist that there was something going on between her and Javier especially since Javier had once mentioned her as his lover thus she could not quite comprehend why on earth Piers was telling her this now. They had not even known each other that long. “Please do explain yourself,” she responded, her voice turned formal and business-like.
Ella hung up the phone, then pulled her Disney T-shirt over her head and take off her pajama pants, keeping her panties on. Right now, wanting to get into trouble with Javier won out over the regret she would feel in a few hours. She hurriedly brushed her teeth and hair and grabbed her slick black raincoat from her closet. She shoved her feet into a pair of silver, comfortable pumps and dropped her keys into her coat pocket on the way out the door. The second her eyes landed on him, she sucked out of breath. There he stood next to his black Jaguar parked heading the wrong way next to the curb. Darkness surrounded him, and a cool breeze from the wind blew, tossing several strands of her hair in front of her face. “Miss Stanford.” “Sir.” He opened the passenger door. “Nice coat.” She stepped in front of him and looked through the darkness into his face. The same breeze that
C H A P T E R 4 3 : T H E M O R N I N G A F T E R E L L A S T A N F O R D When the morning came, it came with a reality check. Feeling the warmth of the sun on her face, Ella woke up with a sigh and looked her surrounding. Clearly she was not in her room, her bedroom did not have a balcony nor a tall, ceiling to floor, window. And one hand two inches below her left breast reminded her of what had occurred last night. Her eyes shifted to the clock on the nightstand. It was eight in the morning. Carefully she slid her body out of his embrace, making sure she did not accidentally wake him up, then started to get dressed. Since obviously she had come with only a coat, panties, and silver pumps, she took a liberty to grab one T-shirt out of his drawer before she tip toed herself all the way across his bedroom towards the door. She gave him one last look over her shoulder, watching hi
Javier POV She stood perfectly still at first but then her hands were around his head, pressing him on, eager, demanding, expressing an urgency that was wild for satisfaction. All the erotic thoughts he had had about Ella for the last two weeks raged through his mind. He remembered her rounded behind tempting him whenever she walked in and out of his office — as it had always reminded him of how she had looked like when she had been naked in his bedroom and walked to the bathroom, and he ran his hands over it, wanting to squeeze the fullness of her cheeks. But the fabric of her skirt was stiff, not soft and giving. He hauled it up and pushed it away from her panties. Nothing to get in the way and he reveled in the lovely bare curves, cupping them, lifting them to fit her more closely to the rampant hardness stirred by her readiness to come his way. Her way, too. No doubt about that. She wriggled against him. S
Ella POV Javier cooked them a really nice steak, and accompanied with a glass of wine, Ella could say that it was one of the best dinners she had ever had in her life. “This is nice,” commented Ella as she took another sip of her wine. “Having you here is nice.” Javier leaned forward and clinked his glass to hers then took a drink. “You know, I woke up that morning alone and I have never felt so lonely in my life.” He tilted his head as he placed the crystal glass carefully on the table. “Why did you leave?” Ella took a deep breath and decided to tell him the truth. “Because we agreed that when the Monday morning came, things would go back to normal.” “But what is normal, really?” he asked, lifting his brows and daring her to reply. He finished off his wine then started to clear out the table. &nb
C H A P T E R 4 6 : W H E N H E G O T H U R T , H E W E N T R O U G H E L L A S T A N F O R D The brush of something warm across Ella’s shoulder brought her out of a sound sleep. Her lids fluttered open and she turned to stare into a pair of brilliant blue eyes a few inches from her face. Smile lines appeared in the corners as he lightly bit her shoulder. “Good morning,” he said against her skin. She closed her eyes again, smiling. She could not believe that this was actually real. Since that dinner which led to another session in his bedroom, she gave up fighting a lost battle. There was no point of trying to deny the connection between them. As she stretched her body on the mattress, she asked, “What time is it?” “A little before noon.” “What?!” Ella immediately sat up, the dark grey sheet slid to her waist. “It is la
C H A P T E R 4 7 : W H E N T H E Y A R E A P A R T E L L A S T A N F O R D He had hardly looked at her for the next two days. Instead of coming to her office and gave her a direct order, he sent his requests by email. This afternoon, she entered his office to bring the files he had asked her for, he kept his eyes on the screen as he said, “Put it on the desk. Next time just ask Maria to do it.” Maria Gonzales was her replacement and she was giving her proper training starting this week. Monday and Tuesday were fine. But since that day she had refused to have a late breakfast with him, he had been ignoring her and having Maria around made everything feel more real. It made her realize that she only had another month left before she would leave the Summers Entertainment for good. Everyone in the office did not find anything odd going on between
C H A P T E R 4 8 : S U R P R I S E D R O P I N E L L A S T A N F O R D Another week passed by like the previous week. There was little to no communication from Javier. What was more frustrating was during a team dinner on Thursday, he had completely ignored her although she had been sitting right next to him. He had talked with everyone, even Maria, but so little to her. If she remembered correctly, he had only asked her whether she would like another drink and that was it. On the other hand, Ella had taken it like a champ and did not shed a single tear. In return, she acted as if he did not exist. Every now and then during the event, she could feel his eyes on her but she brushed it off and pretended that she was not affected by it. Instead, she conversed with Thomas, one of the marketing team leaders. Apparently, Thomas really liked hiking and he even invited her to
“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