Taming The Wild CEO novel Chapter 76

C H A P T E R 5 : T O L E A R N T H E H A R S H , P A I N F U L , A N D U G L Y T R U T H

J A V I E R S U M M E R S

“Let’s just say that what you have been telling me so far was the truth, do you have any proof?” Javier asked while checking his emails on the computer. When Ella’s father had yet to reply, he added with a more pressing tone, “Please think very carefully as this might be our last conversation should you have no proof at all.”

“There is no proof." The man let out what sounded like a mix of a grunt and a sigh. "I am afraid you just have to take my words for it, Young Man.”

Javier gave it a thought. “Then I suppose I could not take you to meet Ella. Thank you for telling me your side of the story. I really appreciate–“

“Hold on right there!” Derek Williams interrupted in a loud voice. “You can not just expect me to have proof when I have no idea what has happened that night with Eleanor. But I know for sure that Rachelle knows what it was. So if you asked me to prove it to you then you can simply ask either Eleanor or Rachelle. However if you ask me to give you concrete proof, I do not have it.”

Javier opened the file that was sent by his private investigator. In those files, there was proof that Dr. Derek Williams had been truly on duty that night and that a few days after that, he had submitted his resignation letter to the hospital which could mean that he was going to go on a trip to find Eleanor and Ella. Even though it could hardly prove that Derek was truly a good man, one thing could be concluded: Eleanor had been the one to run away and not Derek. The only way he could learn the truth was if he asked Eleanor himself yet he doubted she would ever tell him the truth. They had only met twice thus far. She might answer if Ella was the one asking and the only way to get Ella to ask Eleanor was if Ella were to meet Derek.

“Young Man, are you there?”

“Yes,” Javier replied then cleared his throat. “I am going to arrange so that you and Ella would meet. Let me know when you would be available.”

“Anytime. Just let me know when and I will clear my schedule,” Derek quickly replied then added, “Um, maybe except this Thursday because I have to help my colleague deliver a triplet.”

Javier briefly checked his schedule. “Okay. How about tomorrow afternoon?”

“Tomorrow is great!” Derek sounded genuinely excited. There was no doubt that he had a smile on his face right now. “Where should I meet you both?”

After giving him the address of a Korean restaurant that Ella loved to eat, he ended the call and leaned back on his chair. He closed his eyes and put his arm over his forehead. Even though he was happy that Ella would be reunited with her father, he could not help but be anxious about it. He did not regret it because he truly believed that Ella deserved the truth or at least heard the other side of the story from her father’s point of view. It was breaking his heart to see her hating her father and missing him at the same time. He reopened his eyes a few minutes later and rose to his feet. He strode towards the door and swung it open. “Miss Stanford, do you have Capaldi’s contract with you?”

“Yes. The legal team had just delivered it to me this afternoon.” She bent forward and opened the bottom drawer and pulled out a transparent document holder. “Should we look it over one last time before sending it to Roberto, Sir?”

“We do not have to go through the general parts. I only need to see if the Legal team has replaced the fourth clause.” He took the folder from Ella and took out the contract. He flipped it to the second page and skimmed through it. “They did brilliantly this time. I think this will do. Please get our courier to send this to Roberto with a note that we wish to have it back in two days’ time so we could countersign. Do not forget to remind our PR team not to release any news until we have it in the bag. I really do not need Star Magazine to cause more ruckus.” He handed the folder back to her.

Ella smiled as she accepted the folder. “I have already done that, Sir.”

“Hmm.” Javier rubbed his chin and lifted one eyebrow. “Are you trying to become a mind reader, Miss Stanford?”

This time, she laughed, shaking her head. “No. I simply remember how angry you were six months ago when our legal team did not liaise with the PR department properly.”

“Great.” He gave her a satisfied smile that dimmed a little as he said, “Do you have plans for lunch tomorrow?”

“Sir, I am not the one with tons of friends and colleagues,” she teased with a smile as she poked his arm. “But to answer your question, yes, I will be free for lunch tomorrow.”

Javier pretended to frown. “Who said anything about inviting you to lunch with me tomorrow?”

“Oh, you!” Ella tried to tickle his side with both of her hands but he quickly put his arms around her and pressed her body to his. Their eyes locked and both of them smiled.

He ducked his head and claimed her mouth. For ageless moments they stood wrapped in each other’s arms, and she was lost to everything but the wonder of it. His gentle kisses were subtly changing, becoming warmer, more tenderly, seeking and giving at the same time.

* * *

As he pushed the door open and held it for Ella to enter, he let his eyes skimmed the whole restaurant, searching for Dr. Derek Williams. His private investigator had sent him a full profile of him and there were some of his recent photos with his family: one wife, one daughter, and a golden retriever. Javier had them the file on a briefcase inside the car, just in case Ella would like to learn more about her father after the meeting today.

“Where do you want to sit? By the window or at the back?” asked Ella when one of the waitresses came and greeted them. When Javier did not respond, she touched his arm and he nearly jumped which baffled her further. “Are you alright?”

“Yeah, sorry.” He cleared his throat. “We could sit anywhere you like.” He scanned the entire restaurant one more time and finally concluded that Derek was not there yet.

“By the window please,” Ella informed the waitress who then ushered them to one of the two seaters table by the window on the right side of the restaurant. “Would this be okay for you?”

“Is it possible if we get that table instead?” asked Javier as he pointed at a four seaters table one table away from them. “I think that is more spacious. I would prefer that one if possible.” He thought that with Derek joining them later, it would be best to have an available sit waiting for him.

“Sure. I will get that table ready for you, Sir.” The waitress worked efficiently in preparing the table and less than five minutes later, they both were already seated. “Here is the menu. Just let me know when you are ready to order.”

“Actually, I already know what I want,” said Ella with a smile. “Can I please have a kimchi pancake and one bowl of kimchi ramyeon with extra egg? As for drink, I would love a glass of water please.”

“Of course!” The waitress gave her a small smile before turning to Javier. “Anything you would like me to get for you, Sir?”

“I want the black bean noodle with seared beef and a bottle of Soju. Thank you.”

“Right away, Sir.”

Once the waitress had left to register their order, Ella lifted her brow and stared at him with confusion dancing in her eyes. “You are drinking at this hour? We still have at least four more working hours, Sir.”

“I just need something to make me relax.” He gave her a small, reassuring smile. “I will not get drunk over a bottle of Soju, Miss Stanford. Do not worry about it.”

“Okay.” She patted his hand twice then leaned her back against the back of her chair. “I know you have a lot in your mind right now and after this lunch, we will have another meeting with your brothers: Thornton and Draven, but you should not be so worried about it. The dinner,” Ella paused for a second and tried not to grimace, “well, the dinner has been quite okay, I suppose. I am sure your brothers are on good terms now.”

“Good terms?” Javier lifted one eyebrow and gave her a pointed look as if telling her that he knew she was only saying this so he would not worry. “He threw a glass on the floor, Ella, and if Ros has not been there to hold Tony back,” he let out a frustrated sigh, “I do not know what would happen next.”