Julianne couldn’t wait to go to her new home. She planned to leave just before sunrise. She had a lot of things planned for the day. She had a long shopping list for her new home.
She planned to get new decors and new carpets for her living room and masters’ bedroom. She wanted to paint parts of the house. Jared couldn’t stop talking about a Rubik’s cube themed bedroom, to match the Rubik’s cube fridge that Jin had given him. The boy had also been so obsessed with solving a Rubik’s cube puzzle since then. Julianne researched some photos on the internet and she came up with a simple Rubik’s cube inspired room.
Adrienne had offered to lend her one of the family’s SUVs. She wanted to come and help her but with Jeffrey being injured, both she and Justin were almost tied up to their son’s bedpost. Julianne didn’t mind. She could do this on her own. She loved decorating houses anyway. Not so long ago, she dreamt of having her own interior furnishing designing company.
The House of Arabella will remain as it was—a dream.
She took a few minutes to check up on Jared before she headed down the house. It was not even six o’clock yet. The mansion still seemed to be sleeping.
She ran into Viktor by the front door. “Good morning, Miss Ian,” he greeted her warmly.
“Good morning, Viktor,” she greeted him chirpily. “I’m not gonna wake up Adrienne or Justin. Just tell them I’m off to my new apartment for the weekend.”
“I will do so, Miss Ian. Take care of yourself.”
“Thank you.”
As soon as she went out of the house to head into the garage, she saw a Maserati Levante parked by the driveway. The driver’s door opened and her heart pounded in her chest as she saw Jin Starck step down from the SUV and approach her. He was wearing a pair of rugged jeans and a gray hooded jacket.
“Good morning,” he greeted her.
“It’s six in the morning,” she said. “What are you doing here?”
“Waiting for you. You told me you have an early start, so I made sure I would catch you before you go,” he replied.
“Why?”
“I told you last night, we needed to talk, remember?”
“I’m busy,” she muttered. “I need to do something for the whole weekend.”
Without warning, he took the bag she was carrying away from her.
“Hey!” she protested. “What are you doing?”
“I’m going with you,” he replied.
“No!”
“Why not? Is it an ‘invitation only’ event?”
“No. But I planned to do this by myself. And I don’t need you to talk me out of it or convince me to stay here!”
“Who said I was going to do that?”
“You were against me moving out last night!”
He nodded. “Yes. But I changed my mind today. If you want to have your own place, your own kitchen and garden, okay, I’ll support you on that,” he said. “And I’m coming so I can help.”
“What?” She was shocked. “What the hell are you smoking?”
“Come on, Arabella.” He took her hand and pulled her towards his car. “You can argue with me on the way. There’s nothing like the sound of your voice to keep me awake and on my toes,” he said in a teasing tone.
“Jin Starck!” she protested, pulling her hand away from his.
“Shout my name a little louder, love, and Adrienne or Justin just might come here to join our conversation,” he said, raising a brow at her. “I really don’t mind. I am, after all, getting tired of sneaking around behind my sister’s back…”
“Shut up!” she scolded him angrily. “I was supposed to borrow Adrienne’s car. She will definitely ask why the car was still here.”
Jin shrugged. “You can just say you changed your mind, you know. It’s easier to get a cab.”
“There are CCTVs on the gate, they can tell we left together.”
“Easy for me to tell them I was on my way out too, and heading to White Rock. Hyde is on the way. I could have dropped you off.”
“That’s… hold on. How did you even know I was going to Hyde?”
He shrugged. “Adrienne told me last night, that they were looking forward to spending this weekend with all of the kids. I asked where you are this weekend and she told me she was babysitting Jared for you, because you had to go to your house in Hyde to decorate.”
“I’m really surprised your sister has not yet caught on your weird curiosity about my whereabouts.”
“Adrienne is very trusting. And she’s used to me not being interested in other people’s lives, it probably didn’t click in her unsuspecting mind.” He took her hand once again and pulled her towards his car. He opened the passenger door for her and she quickly got in before anybody could see. He put her bag on the backseat and then he climbed up the driver’s seat.
As he drove away from the Adams Mansion, Julianne asked, “Why won’t you just leave me alone?”
He looked over at her for a moment. Then he took her soft hand in his and brought her fingers to his lips. “Because I can’t. Just as simple as that.”
“You’re not even trying,” she accused.
He laughed and kissed her fingers again. “Guilty as charged,” he said. “Now, you need to give me directions on how to get to your new place.”
Julianne finally conceded and started giving him directions. Thirty minutes later, Jin was parking on the reserved slot in front of the brownstone apartment that she was renting.
He rounded the car quickly, and opened the door for her. He took her hand in his and guided her to go down the car.
“Is this it?”
She nodded. “Please. You get no opinion on this, okay? I’ve already paid the deposit and three months in advance. I cannot back out now and I fell in love with this place the moment I set foot on it. I know you’re Jin Starck and you’re used to posh stuff and you own at least a dozen luxury hotels, but this is what my salary could afford at the moment…”
Before she knew it, she was thoroughly being kissed. Right there in front of her new house.
When he pulled away from her, she blinked back in surprise, like her mind suddenly turned blank.
He gave her a smug smile, pleased with her reaction to his kisses. She narrowed her eyes at him and gave him a jab on the stomach.
“Owww!”
“Conceited!” she murmured. “Anyway, as I was saying... I don’t want to hear any negative word or any criticism about my new house. Okay?”
“Ma’am, yes, ma’am,” he promised. He held his hand out towards the house. “After you.”
They ascended the steps and she opened the door to her house.
Like what Janis promised, the whole house had been cleaned the day before. Julianne could still smell the disinfectant they used on the floors.
“How many bedrooms is this?” Jin asked behind her.
“Three.”
“Two floors?”
“Yes.”
Jin settled her bag on the floor. He went to the center of the living room, looking around, further inspecting the house. And Julianne wondered what was going on in his mind.
I love this house. He cannot change my opinion of it.
Jin went on inspecting the staircase, the fireplace and the counter.
“What?” Julianne asked when he turned to her.
“It’s good. They used good material,” he remarked.
“Thank you,” she said. “Now, I’m just gonna need to decorate it a little bit to make it suit my taste.”
“This is all plain. You need an accent wall,” he suggested while looking at the walls. “Maybe brown, to match your wooden flooring. And you could get a few decors and accents to add more color.”
“Are you offering me your expertise on interior design?”
He shrugged. “Only if you wanna accept it. I know you have a degree in design. But in case you are interested to know, I have a PhD in Architectural and Interior Design.”
“Oh, I didn’t know that, Doctor Starck,” she teased.
He wrinkled his nose for a second, as if he resented the title.
No doubt, Jin Starck was very smart. And Julianne was pretty sure Architecture and Interior Design weren’t the only disciplines he studied, in addition to all the languages he could speak fluently.
Julianne took her cellphone from her pocket and started typing the stuff she would need to buy, from curtains, to vases, carpets and frames. She would need to repaint one of the walls, probably the side where the fireplace was. And then Jared’s room needed to be painted in different colors matching the Rubik’s cube.
Thank you very much, Jin!
Instead of hiring a painter, she thought she would do it herself. She had the weekend and could ask Justin for an extra day off on Monday. It wouldn’t be hard. She can finish all this.
Jin walked towards the backdoor and went to her backyard. She knew the backyard would take some work. She can do that later. For now, she can buy some outdoor furniture, a grilling system, and some outdoor decors. She added those to her list.
“You can add some potted flowers here,” Jin said. “One wall, you can create a hanging garden.”
“That is a great idea!”
“Now, aren’t you glad I tagged along?” he asked in a smug tone.
She rolled her eyes and continued typing on her phone for additional items she would need to buy.
“It’s only seven,” he said. “We can have breakfast first and then we can go to the hardware shop.”
She shot a brow up at him. “You’re coming?”
“Of course,” he replied. “Why else am I here?”
“Jin… you don’t have to.”
“I want to,” he said. “I told you I would support you on this. That includes me helping you decorate your house.”
“I’m planning to do this myself. I won’t hire extra help. Are you sure you know how to get your hands dirty?”
He laughed. “Oh, ma belle. There’s so much you need to know about me. I’m not all brains, you know. I just might surprise you.” He took her hand in his and pulled her towards the front door.
She had to admit, it would be faster and easier if there was enough muscle around to help her do the heavy lifting. She was planning to ask Gian to help, but he was out of the country for some business.
“I can’t pay for your services, Mister Starck,” she told him.
He grinned at her and then he leaned forward and kissed her gently on the lips.
“There,” he whispered. “You’ve already given me a deposit.”
“Deposit?” she echoed. “You mean there would be more kisses to come?”
He chuckled, “Didn’t I tell you before? I would never stop kissing you.”
She sighed, “Jin…”
He gave her a smack, effectively silencing her. “Can we forget our issues for a while? Even for just this weekend. You’re making a home for yourself, and I want to help you as much as I can. I don’t want to argue about us all weekend.”
She realized he was right. One of the reasons she wanted to get her own place was because she wanted freedom, without anybody seeing her or judging her. This is her house now. And she can kiss whoever she wanted and no one should give a damn.
She sighed and then she nodded.
He kissed her again. Then he leaned his forehead against hers and breathed, “You’re mine, ma belle.”
She pulled away from him and said, “Only for this stolen moment.”
He gave her a wistful smile and then he nodded. “Okay. Let’s make the most out of this, then.”
***
After having breakfast at a nearby twenty-four hour café, Jin and Julianne headed towards the hardware and furniture mall in the city.
She picked out a carpet for the living room, throw pillows and throw blankets, and curtains in combination of red and white. She also picked out lamps and matching dark red coffee table and book shelves. For the backyard, she chose a metal outdoor chair and table set.
She found a section with hand-blown glass vases and trays. They come in a swirl of different colors. She picked out the ones in red and orange hues.
“You would make a better design than that,” Jin said behind her.
She smiled widely. “I think I would. But unfortunately, that’s not the career I currently have.”
“Why didn’t you ask your father to invest in your idea? I’m sure he should have seen your potential. I don’t understand why he didn’t finance your dream.”
She felt a twist in her chest again at the mention of her father.
“My father had an entirely different dream for me. That was the only one he was willing to invest in.”
“What dream was that?”
She shrugged. “One that would gain his business a more distinct advantage, increase the family wealth.”
“I understand that,” he said.
“I’m sure you would,” she murmured.
He, himself, is marrying a woman to gain a certain advantage for his family’s business.
He fell silent for a moment. When she looked at him, he had a sullen expression on his face.
He wouldn’t find that offensive, would he? It is true, anyway. He will marry for business advantage. Then why did he look so annoyed?
“Your father must have been very pleased when you started dating Patrick McAllister,” he said in an even tone.
Julianne turned around and picked out another vase. She didn’t answer him.
She remembered what River told her before. That she must correct every wrong notion Jin had of her. But she didn’t care.
What good would it do? Absolutely nothing. We have no future together.
They were both quiet for a moment, while she went around to look for more decors.
Then he told her he was going to get some tools while she decided which color she would use on the living room, and on Jared’s bedroom.
“Julianne?” she heard a voice say behind her.
She turned around and saw a guy, almost the same age as her, standing behind her. He looked familiar.
“Julianne Sanders?” he repeated.
She raised a brow at him, trying her best to recognize him.
“Aaron. Aaron Addleton. We were on the debate team together in high school.”
Now, she remembered him.
“Sorry,” she said. “I didn’t recognize you.”
She wouldn’t. In high school, he was skinny. Now, he packed a few pounds and toned a lot of his muscles. He looked different from the nerdy debate team captain she knew.
“How have you been?” he asked.
“I’m good,” she replied. “How about you?”
“Oh, I just came back to town. I was based in Italy for a while,”
“Really? What do you do?”
“I make software programs,” he replied.
“That’s different from debating,” she said. “You must be doing good.”
“Yep. I’m putting up a new branch right here.”
“That’s great.”
“How about you? Are you running your company with your brother?”
She cleared her throat and then she replied, “No. That’s all Gian’s. I’m working for Adams Industries.”
“For Justin Adams, your cousin?”
She nodded.
“Fancy meeting you in a hardware store. Do you live around here?”
“Soon. I’m decorating,” she replied.
“Well, I just moved around here too. Maybe we’ll be neighbors.”
“Oh, imagine that,” she said.
“Are you… married?” Aaron asked.
She shook her head.
“Are you… seeing anyone?” he asked quite boldly.
Before she could answer, she heard a cough behind her. She didn’t have to turn around to see who it was. Then she felt a possessive arm around her shoulder.
Aaron stared back at her and then at Jin. “Oh, shoot. I’m sorry, man.”
“Aaron, this is Jin. Jin, this is Aaron. Aaron and I were debate teammates in high school,” Julianne introduced the two men.
Aaron held out his hand to Jin. “Aaron Addleton.”
Jin shook it, saying, “Jin Starck.”
Aaron blinked back at him. Obviously, his name rang a bell.
Oh, God!
“As in the Jin Starck of Starck Corp.?” Aaron asked.
Jin just gave him a slight shrug.
“Oh, wow!” Suddenly Aaron looked star struck. “It’s… it’s nice to meet you. You were one of our biggest clients in Italy. You purchased one of the enterprise programs I wrote. You got it for your F&B department.”
“Really? You created Acuma?” Jin asked without blinking, as if the information had been automatically available in his brain.
Aaron smiled proudly. “Yes. Yes, I did.”
“That’s a good software. Fast. User-friendly. You must market it on a wider audience.”
“That’s the plan. That’s why I’m branching out here.” There was pride in Aaron’s voice.
“Well, good luck. I’m sure you’ll do well,” Jin said.
“I hope so too. Anyway, I’ll be on my way.” Aaron turned to Julianne. “Nice seeing you again, Julianne.” He turned to Jin. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mister Starck.”
“You too, Mister Addleton.”
Julianne smiled at Aaron before he went off, then she turned and glowered at Jin.
“What?” he asked innocently.
“What was that about?”
“What was what about?” he blinked back at her.
“You know what I mean, Jin Starck!”
Jin shrugged. “Well, he was asking if you were seeing anyone.”
“And?”
He pulled her to him gently. Then he whispered, “And you are. This is our stolen moment, ma belle. You’re mine, remember?” Then he leaned forward and gave her a kiss on the lips.
“Well, he was a bit bold,” she remarked after the kiss.
“He was going to ask you out if you said you weren’t seeing anyone.”
“And I was going to say no.”
“Really?” Julianne didn’t miss the delight in Jin’s voice.
She nodded. “I have bigger battles to fight. Dating is not on my list right now. I’m busy with work and saving up for Jared’s future. Any free time I get, I want to spend with Jared.”
He smiled. “Well, I don’t think Aaron Addleton would be bothering you anymore.”
“Yeah. Because he sounded more interested in you now,” she teased.
He chuckled. “You should thank me then.”
She smiled at him and then she tiptoed and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you.”
Then she turned and walked ahead of him to hide her violent blush. He was right. This was a stolen moment. And maybe there would be nothing wrong if she allowed herself to enjoy it. Follow her heart, allow herself to feel appreciated. It had been a while since she felt this way.
Jin caught up with her. He took her hand in his and kissed her fingers.
“I just hope we don’t run into anybody we know,” she said wearily.
“I highly doubt that,” Jin said. “Justin and any of your cousins are too busy to go to a hardware shop. They have people doing these errands for them. So, relax. And besides, it’s me they will beat up when they find out about us. And I’ll take those punches in exchange for your kisses any day, love.”
She didn’t answer. Jin had no idea of the type of beating Justin, Gian and Jordan would be planning for him the moment they found out that he was the guy who stole her future away from her.
“Have you chosen your colors?” he asked.
She nodded. “Brown on the accent wall. On Jared’s room, it would be red, blue, yellow and green. He’s obsessed with a Rubik’s cube, thanks to you.”
Jin laughed. “You’re welcome.”
“Jin, are you sure you’re going to help me paint? Don’t you have better things to attend to? You have at least a dozen hotels to run.”
“Six dozen, actually,” he corrected her.
“You have more than seventy hotel properties?” she blinked back in surprise.
“We wouldn’t be one of the top hotel properties in the world if we don’t have at least fifty,” he explained. “And it’s okay. They’re running on solid routine. And I have a very efficient assistant. They can do without me for a few days.”
“Days?” she echoed, “You mean, you intend to sleepover?”
He smiled at her mischievously. “Now, that’s where the fun starts, right?”
She gave him a jab on the stomach again.
“Owww!” he yelped. “I’m just kidding.”
“You weren’t!”
“I am. I promise, I’ll be the perfect gentleman. I won’t do anything...” he paused and then he added, “That you wouldn’t want me to do.”
Her heart pounded in her chest, and she felt the thrill shooting up from every vein in her body. Three days alone with Jin Starck?
Well, that’s the problem.
There’s a whole lot of things I wanted him to do!