All The Wrong Places epilogue

🌼ALL THE WRONG PLACES🌼

🌻EPILOGUE🌻

Julianne entered the lavish ballroom of Jardin Estates,
one of the hotels owned by Starck Corp. in Paris. Jin’s
mother had another bestselling book and as part of
tradition, she threw a party to celebrate it. It was also a
chance for the Starck Family to get together with family,
friends and business partners.

It had been one week since she and Jared had arrived
in Paris. Although she had met Jin’s parents before, it was a
different meeting this time around. Julianne could still
remember how Arianna Starck rushed to greet them and
how hærd she cried when she hugged Jared.
“My baby. Do you know who I am?” she tearfully asked
Jared.
“Yes. You’re Jeffie’s grandmother,” Jared replied.
“Yes. But do you know that I am your grandmother
too,” Arianna said.
“Really?”
“Yes. Because I’m your father’s mommy. You can call
me grand-mère.”
Jared smiled and hugged her. “Grand-mère.”
Pierre knelt in front of Jared. “And you can call me,
Grand-père.”
Jared hugged his grandfather too. Julianne saw the
tears in Pierre’s eyes. Jared was, after all, his first grandchild
by blood.
Then Jin told Jared’s nanny to take him to the
backyard.
Arianna hugged Julianne.
“Welcome to the family, Ian,” Pierre said.
“Thank you, so much,” Julianne said. “I am so happy
to be here.”
“May I look at your ring, dear?” Arianna asked.

Julianne shyly raised her hand so her future mother-in-
law could inspect her ring.
“Wow, this is gorgeous!” Arianna breathed. She looked
at Jin. “Frederic had certainly outdone himself.”
“That is a gorgeous piece,” Pierre agreed. “But you
know if your grandmother was alive, she would scold you for
proposing with a different ring.”
“Well, I will give Julianne that ring later. She can wear
it if she wants. But for now, that’s the ring I want her to
wear as a symbol of my commitment to marry her.”
“We’re going to announce this! We need to plan an
engagement party!”
“Mom!” Jin exclaimed. “I didn’t propose to her in
public, because I wanted it to be something private.
Something only the two of us will share.”

“Well, I wasn’t talking about a proposal party. I was
talking about an engagement party.”
“Mom!” Jin gro-ned.
“I have a book party coming up. We can announce it
there.”
“Is that really necessary?” Julianne asked.
“Of course. You are exquisite. It’s only right that we
announce to the world how lucky my son is, right?”
“Have you made a decision about your living
arrangement?” Pierre asked.
Before they left for Paris, Julianne resigned from her
job in Adams Industries. Justin didn’t want to let her go, but
he didn’t have a choice. Jared’s future was at stake here.

Jin wanted to get married before the end of the year.
Julianne only has a few months left to plan the wedding of
the year with Arianna and Adrienne.
She agreed that she and Jared needed to move to
Paris, where Jin would be running Starck Corp. Jared loved
his new home in Chicago and he wasn’t entirely happy to
leave it so soon. But Jin promised that he’ll have a bigger playground in Paris, with a trampoline in the backyard too.
Julianne assured him that they still got to keep their house
and they would visit Chicago as often as possible.

“Yes,” Julianne replied to her future father-in-law. “I
guess Jared and I need to learn how to speak French soon.”
“Wonderful! I thought I would have to prepare a
speech to convince you to stay here,” Arianna was obviously
delighted. “You would be staying in Jin’s room, of course. I
already renovated one of the guestrooms and turned it into
Jared’s bedroom.”
“We have another Penthouse apartment with the view
of the Eiffel Tower,” Jin said. “That’s closer to Starck Corp.
headquarters. I live there. Soon, you will too. But half the
time, we can stay here. Mom and Dad could get lonely.”
“And I hope you don’t mind, my dear. I want to spend
a lot of time with my grandson,” Arianna pleaded.
“Of course. Family is important. I’m sure Jared would
love to get to know his grandparents more.”

“Thank you,” Arianne whispered. She reached forward
and gave Julianne a hug.
Julianne was overwhelmed. She felt welcomed and
loved by Jin’s parents that it felt almost enough to make up
for the way her own parents treated her and Jared.
Seven days later, Arianna was pulling off one of the
biggest parties in Paris. Though she disguised this again as
a book celebration party, both Jin and Julianne knew that
she would use this moment to announce their engagement.
Julianne was wearing a vintage pink sleeveless
c*cktail dress that had an exquisite beading work on its
bodice. The A-line skirt ended a few inches above her knees,
showing her long legs. She wore a pair of crystal high-
heeled sandals. She sported a waterfall braid on her hair
and light makeup on her face.
Justin, Adrienne, and Justin’s parents all flew from
Chicago to Paris. Mason and Abi, as well as Jordan were also in attendance. Gian said he would be late but he promised
to come.

After dinner, Jin’s mother and father came up to the
stage. Arianna thanked everybody who supported her for
the success of her new bestselling book.
“I hope to share more bestselling book parties with
you,” she said and everybody cheered. She waited for
everybody to quiet down and she added, “But apart from
my success, I would also like to call a toast for my son and
his beautiful fiancée. Theirs is a love story that even I could
not have thought to write.”
Everybody fell silent, eagerly listening to Arianna’s
speech. Julianne felt several pairs of eyes on her, and she
hid behind Jin’s back.
Jin chuckled, pulled her into his arms and k-ssed her
forehead. “I love you,” he whispered against her ear.
“Ssshhh… your mother is speaking,” she hissed at
him.

“Seven years ago, they met. They fell in love. Their
love bore me and Pierre a grandson. But for some
unavoidable reasons, they had to separate. They hadn’t
seen or heard from each other since. And then destiny
willed for them to meet again. And my son wasted no time
in winning her over, making her fall in love again.
“Julianne, my dear. You are beautiful beyond compare.
You are smart, talented and exquisite. Thank you for loving
our son, and giving him a chance towards a happy married
life, full of love and warmth. Thank you for raising our
grandson well. Thank you for agreeing to become a part of
this family. And to my son, I know that you will be a loving,
responsible husband and father. Take care of your wife, your
son and your future children. God bless you both. We love
you.” Arianna had tears in her eyes.

Pierre took the microphone from her. “Ladies and
gentlemen, a toast to my son and his future bride.”
There was applause and everybody they knew
approached them to give them congratulatory handshakes,
hugs and k-sses.
Then music blasted from the speakers and Jin took
Julianne’s hand and led her to the dancefloor.
Mason and Abi danced next to them. Abi was three
months pregnant and her tummy was starting to show.
Julianne was ecstatic when she heard the news and was
extra thankful because they made it to the party in spite of
Abi’s sensitive pregnancy.

“Thank you guys for flying all the way,” Julianne said
to them.
“Starck, I’m telling you. If you hurt my baby cousin, I
will kill you,” Mason teased, but Julianne knew he meant
what he said.
“Abi, I’d love for you to be our wedding planner.”

“Well, if your fiancé could wait one year, I could make
it. But right now, I can’t handle big projects or fly to Paris to
make the arrangements.”
“Sorry, Ab.” Jin shook his head. “But I cannot move
the wedding date. The sooner she becomes my wife, the
more relaxed I will be. You know there are many wolves
lurking around, waiting for me to make the wrong move so
they could sweep in.”
“Well, I have done some thorough research. You can
call a few wedding planners that I will recommend. But there
is one that was highly recommended in New York. You
should call them, see if they are willing to do overseas
work.” Abi said.
“Do we really need to fly in a wedding planner?”
Julianne asked. “There could be many here in Paris.”
“Well, I’m just suggesting. This one in New York come
with very high recommendations. I’ve seen their works.
Amazing concepts and great craft. Just check them out since
you have the money to spend on the wedding of the year
anyway.”
“Money is not a problem. If they’re as good as you
say, I’d like to check them out,” Jin agreed.

“Who are they?”
“They’re called, ‘Ever After Weddings by Astrid Van
Woodsen.’ Check out their website. You’ll be amazed.”
“Okay, I’ll check it out. But if they’re too expensive…”
Jin silenced her with a k-ss. “Nothing is too expensive.
I’m marrying you. I want this wedding to be out-of-this-world
amazing. Anyway, don’t worry about it. I’m paying. And I
have already told you, money is not a problem.”
“Okay, fine.”
They were interrupted by a figure standing beside
them.
“May I cut in for this dance?” River Jefferson asked Jin.
“Speaking of wolves lurking around…” Jin murmured.

“Jin!” Julianne hissed and Mason and Abi couldn’t help
laughing.
“Relax, Starck,” River grinned. “I won’t take her away
from you… unless you make a seriously stupid mistake, that
is.” He winked at him.
Jin stepped away from Julianne, allowing River to cut
in. “Don’t worry. I’m smart enough not make the mistake
you are hoping for. You get two minutes and I’m taking her
back.”

Julianne laughed as she stepped into River’s arms.
“Well, you look very happy,” River said. “And very
impressive ring, by the way. I almost got blind.”
“I know. It was amazing! He had it custom-made.”
“Nice,” River nodded. “So, everything’s well with
you?”
Julianne nodded. “Everything went quite well. I am so
happy.”

“Your parents?”
“Except that part. They’re not here.” Julianne shook
her head. “I doubt they will be. I was beginning think that…my father never really loved me. He saw me as a bargaining
ch¡p. Nothing more.”
“I heard he got a very good deal for his glass factory.”
Julianne nodded. “Too good a deal. I wish Jin didn’t
have to buy that just to shut my father up.”
“I’m sure he didn’t just buy it to shut your father up.
Jin Starck is a brilliant businessman. When he makes
decisions like that, it means he saw an opportunity.”
“I hope so. Twenty-five million is a lot of money.”
“Not to a man like your fiancé,” River assured her. “Be
happy, okay?”

Julianne nodded. “You know I am.”
“Good. And you know I will always be here for you.”
“Of course, you’re my best friend, remember?”
“Always.”
Julianne looked up and saw Gian standing beside
them, asking to cut in. River stepped away from her.
“I’ll see you later. I see a lone lady by the bar. Maybe
she could use some company.”
With that, River gave her a salute and went off.
“Was he heartbroken?” Gian asked, taking her into his
arms for a dance.

Julianne shook his head. “It would not have worked
out between us. We tried to go out once. I really wanted to
focus my affections on him. But… Jin Starck was one hærd
man to get over with.”
“Are you happy, sis?”
Julianne nodded. “Now, I am. Finally, I feel like I’m me
again. My life has a direction again, and I learned that I
didn’t need Dad’s love and affection nor his acceptance for
me to be complete. I am slowly finding my footing without
his shadow or the shadow of my fear of him.” She sighed.
“How are they, by the way?”
Gian shrugged. “Dad is still busy counting the money
that your fiancé paid him for the glass factory. Mom is, as always, busy having her nails done in the salon.” Gian
sounded bored and disinterested.
“Aren’t we the lucky ones, huh?”
“Tell me about it.” Gian sighed heavily. “He isn’t mad
at you anymore.”

“I would imagine. But knowing him, if he sounded
interested in me, it’s not because he was really concerned
about me. It might mean that he wanted access to my
fiancé.”
“True,” Gian mumbled. “Look, I will turn the company
around. I will do whatever I can to get the company back on
the green again.”
“I believe you can do it.”
“I will do it for both of us. Because I don’t care what
father says. He can give me all of our family’s wealth. But
whatever he gives me, half of it is yours, and will always
remain yours. He may have been unfair, but I’m sane
enough to know what’s right and wrong. And what’s right is
that we split everything fifty-fifty.”
“Gian, I don’t need…”
“I know. But please… let me right the wrong for you. I
want to. It would give me peace of mind.”

Julianne nodded. Gian leaned forward and k-ssed her
forehead.
“Be happy, okay?”
“You know I am.” She gave him a bright, reassuring
smile.
Jin stood beside them. Gian turned to him.
“Your face still hurts?” Gian asked with a sober
expression on his face.
“Not so much now, thank you very much,” Jin replied.
“Remember, that won’t be the last time I beat the shit
out of you, if you hurt my sister.”
Instead of being offended, Jin offered his hand to him.

“You have my word,” he said. “And a Starck’s word is gold.
Only one woman made me break it. That’s your sister. And
that’s the last time I will ever do that.”
Gian nodded and shook his hand. “Good. I’ll take your
word on that.”
After shaking each other’s hands, Gian left and Jin
took Julianne back into his arms.
“You okay?” she asked him.
“Yeah. Tonight was perfect, except for that two
minutes that Jefferson danced with you, and that two five
second occasions that your cousin and your brother
threatened to end my life if I hurt you. As if I was ever going
to do that.”
She intertwined her fingers at the back of his neck.

“Well, you must know, I did have a bit of training in martial
arts too. So, if you do hurt me… my brother or my cousins
wouldn’t get to you fast enough. I’ll finish you off myself.”
He laughed. “Hmmm… I haven’t seen these skills of
yours. What form of martial arts did you study?”
She shrugged. “Karate. A bit of jiu jitsu.”
“Really? Jiu jitsu, huh,” he murmured. “I’d like to see
those skills. I know jiu jitsu too. Maybe we can grapple some
time…” he leaned forward so he could whisper in her ear,
“In bed.”
She hit him playfully on the shoulder as she laughed.
“Someone might hear you.”
“Let them. I want the world to know how in love and
happy we are.”
“I think they already know,” she whispered.
“Hmmm… good.” He leaned forward and k-ssed her
l-ips. “Come. I have something to show you.”

He took her hand in his and led her towards the exit.
Julianne looked up the balcony and saw Pierre and Arianna
with one couple their age and another younger guy. They
were chatting and laughing. The younger guy looked down
at them and nodded at Jin. Jin gave him a salute before
exiting the ballroom.
“Who are those people?”
“Richærd McKenzie and his wife. The younger guy was
his son, Rafe McKenzie, CEO of McKenzie Group.”

“But… weren’t they your competitors?”
“Yep. But now, it’s all just friendly competition,” Jin
replied. “Rafe McKenzie was the reason we weren’t kicked
out of Round Ten. When all the Bernards needed was their
vote because they got the most shares, Rafe turned on
them and took my side. Even I was shocked. And it usually
takes a lot to shock me.”
“Well, it is the honorable thing to do,” Julianne
commented. “Arthur Bernard was out of line when he mixed
business with his personal agenda.”
“True. But, that’s all behind us now, thank God!”
They reached the main entrance and waited for Jin’s
Bugatti. When the valet parked in front of them, Jin opened
the car door for her to get in.
“Where are we going?” she asked as soon he drove
off.

“It’s a surprise.” He winked at her. He took her hand in
his and brought it to his l-ips to k-ss her fingers.
Ten minutes after, they parked in front of a line of
buildings. The shops around the area were already closed,
save for a few coffee shops and bars. The street looked
familiar to her.
Jin took her hand and they crossed the street.

“This area looks really familiar.”
Jin nodded. “Don’t you remember, my love? This is
where we first met.”
She looked around and then her eyes w¡dened as she
remembered the street she ventured in, looking for
souvenirs and glass perfume bottles.
“Yes, that shop was right…” she turned around and
looked at the shop across the street. “There.”
But the shop didn’t look like a souvenir store anymore.
It looked bigger, at least three times w¡der and one floor taller. The façade was painted dark gray on the side and
both the top and bottom floor windows were fully made of
glass.

“Oh, too bad the souvenir shop isn’t there anymore.”
“Don’t worry, I’m sure the owners were compensated
generously.”
“What’s that building now?”
“I heard it’s gonna be the latest furniture and décor
design house, that would sell the most unique, exquisite and
bespoke pieces.”
“Really? That’s exciting. What’s it called?”
Jin grinned at her. And then he took something out
from his pocket. It was a small device that looked like a
remote control. He pushed a button and the wh0le place lit
up. The front façade had an LED light box signage that
spelled the shop’s name.
The House of Arabella.

Julianne’s eyes were filled with tears.
“I know you’ve always dreamt of designing your own
furniture pieces. I saw talent in you and since your father
was stupid enough not to see it and support you, I thought
I’d make it happen for you.”
“Oh my God, Jin…” Her hand went to her throat as
tears welled up in her eyes. “Is this… is this for real?”
Jin nodded. “Now, all you need to do is design and
manufacture those brilliant pieces.”
“But who will manufacture for me?”
“You have a glass factory that’s fully operational,
don’t you?”
Her eyes w¡dened in surprise. “Sanders Glass
Factory?”
Jin nodded. “Except that it will not be manufacturing
wine glass bottles exclusively now. You will venture on glass
decors. And a part of the plant can be transformed to wood
and metal works to support your business.”

“Jin, that’s too much of an investment! I don’t even
know where I will get clients to trust me enough to make
pieces for them?”
“You already have,” he replied. “Starck Corp. will open
at least eight hotels in Europe next year. I’ll give you the
concept and theme of the hotels. You will be my exclusive
supplier.”
“Seriously?”
He nodded. “I mentioned the same thing to Rafe
McKenzie. He sounded interested too.”
“I thought he was your competition.”
“Friendly competition,” he corrected her. “Don’t worry
about getting orders. Your hands will be too full on Stark
Corp. requirements alone.”
“Is this for real?”
He pulled her so she could stand in front of him then
he wound his arms around her wa-ist. She leaned on him as
they looked at the building in front of them.
“When did you start working on this?”
“Some time ago, when I was looking for you,” he
answered, k-ssing her temple. “You once told me about your
dream of designing furniture and glass décors. I bought this
because… of all the wrong places I could have been that
day, I was led here, at the same time that you were here.

I’ve kept this place all these years. At the back of my mind, I
think I’ve always known you would come back. And when
you do… this would be one way to convince you to stay.”
“But I already told you I would stay.”
“Yes. Then consider this an early wedding gift,” he
said. “A very lucrative hobby.”
She turned around to face him. “Thank you. I don’t
know how to repay you.”
“You know how I want to be repaid. You can do it every
night for the rest of our lives. In fact, you can start tonight.”
She pinched him on the side.
“Awww! I meant I want you to love me. What do you
think I meant?”
“That’s not what you meant, Jin Starck!” she accused
him.

He laughed and hugged her to him again. “I love you
so much.”
“I love you too.”
He took a deep breath and then he whispered, “You’re
mine, Arabella.”
She smiled as she looked up into his eyes. Then she
said, “Forever.”
He smiled at her triumphantly as if he had been
waiting for her to say that for a very long time. Then he
leaned forward and k-ssed her passionately, lovingly.
Julianne poured all her love for him in that k-ss. As she
wound her arms around his neck, she realized that out of all
the wrong places they could have been… they ended up
right there, where they met in the beginning.

GOODBYE TO JIAN