All the Wrong Places (excerpt)

Chapter 3

Julianne got out of the Adams's limo in a hurry. It was not like her to be late for a meeting, but today, she couldn't help it. The whole house was in a chaos. Almost everybody in the Adams's mansion was preparing to travel to Paris and she was no exception. She promised Adrienne weeks ago that she would go with them this time and Jared was already looking forward to it. She couldn't afford to disappoint her son, or her cousin-in-law.

However, Justin had some last minute requests that she also couldn't say no to. Today, of all days, was the only time she could meet with River Jefferson so she could assess the possibility of a partnership with Adams Industries. She had to finish all her meetings as Adrienne requested her undivided attention for a full week while they're in Paris. She had to move her meeting with Mister Jefferson until after office hours. Justin informed her that Mister Jefferson could only be available at seven in the evening and as a courtesy for moving it so late, Justin arranged for it to be a dinner meeting instead.

"Reservations for Mister Jefferson," she told the lady at the reception.

The lady smiled brightly at her. "Sure. Mister Jefferson is already here."

"Shoot," she muttered under her breath.

"Sweetheart, you may wanna check your hair," the lady whispered to her.

"Sorry, it's windy outside," Julianne said. "Thanks."

She stole a quick look at the mirror beside the counter. Her hair was disheveled, which was so much unlike her. She was always organized, always on time. She quickly combed her hair with her fingers as best she could.

She followed the lady as she led her to the VIP section of the restaurant. A guy with dark blonde hair was sitting on one of the tables, reading something on his phone.

"Mister Jefferson?"

The guy looked up at her with his beautiful green eyes. He blinked for a while, as if he was not expecting her at all. When he quickly recovered, he stood up and held out a chair for her.

"I'm sorry. You must be... Ian? Justin's VP for Corporate Strategy?"

"Yes. Julianne Sanders," she replied.

"River Jefferson," he held out his hand to her.

She shook his hand and sat the on chair opposite him.

"I'm sorry, I have been expecting somebody else," River said apologetically.

"What did Justin tell you?"

"He didn't say much. But he was quite adamant that I meet with his Head of Corporate Strategy tonight."

"I'm sorry. I'm leaving for Paris tomorrow. This is the only time I have this week. Otherwise, you would have to wait until next week."

"Next week, I'm in Italy. And I won't be back until end of the month," River said.

"Well, that's why Justin insisted we see each other tonight."

River looked at Julianne for a moment and he shook his head slightly. There was amusement on his face.

"Excuse me, is something wrong?" Julianne's voice was cold. She knew that her hair fell short of VP for Corporate Strategy material at the moment, but she's here to let River Jefferson know she meant business.

River shook his head. "Nothing, really."

"No, seriously, tell me," she insisted.