Love or Leave Behind Novel

Eliana explained, “I heard it from your Aunt Elodie. She has no idea which young lady it is who’s snagged Julien’s attention. I recall him being rather fussy about this sort of thing and that he wouldn’t matty just anyone for the sake of IL”

She had emphasized the last part with no small amount of venon. Samuel new what she was trying to imply but did not comment.

Ellana continued, “It’s high time for you and Natasha to settle down soon. I won’t stand for you stalling things on purpose. You do realize that getting married to Natasha is an eventuality, right

Samuel hummed absentmindedly to humor her.

Elana was used to his flippancy. Whatever admonishment she had thought to give him crumbled on her tongue; she knew her plans would only backfire if she pushed him any further.

Besides, she had nothing to worry about anymore. Shelmaine and her baby were out of the picture, and the rumors would be snuffed out soon enough.

However, Eliana was not entirely satisfied with letting Shelmaine off the hook that easily. She had to find a way to get rid of the latter.

After hanging up, Samuel slipped a cigarette between his lips. Brody offered to light it for him, but he waved the lighter away and decided to keep the cigarette back in its box. Despondence seemed to roll off his skin at that moment.

Brody asked tentatively, “Whereto, Mr. Hasting?”

Ther

e company,

was necessary.

of course,” Samuel replied. Not like he could go anywhere else. He certainly couldn’t drop by Natasha’s, nor was he kern on doing so. He wouldn’t see her unless it

Brody understood. Samuel hardly ever went by Natasha’s place to begin with.

Shelmaine ignored julien’s texts. He wouldn’t listen even if she told him to stop, and he was such a shameless flint that she had given up reasoning with him. But she did prepare a gift for Josie’s upcoming engagement party, and part of her effort was because of Julien,

shelmaine was still tolling away in her studio after work hours. She had plenty on her plate to sort out and barely had time for a breather.

With the orders piling up over the last few days, she had to put in overtime if she wanted to get them done. After that, she had to place orders with the manufacturer and work out the production schedule with them.

Her phone rang at that moment. She picked it up and saw Jullen’s name flashing on the screen. She hesitated for awhile before putting the call through and asked, “What is it?” “Are you still in the studio?” he asked casually.

“Did you put a tracking device on me or something? Shelmaine asked.

“I’d like to, but I’m not that twisted,” Julien teased.

“Then, how do you know that I’m still in the studio?” she countered.

“Beatrix told me,” he confessed, throwing the assistant under the bus. “I asked her if you’d gotten off work yet, and she told me that you were still working To her credit, she was worried that you might skip dinner, so she told me to call you.

“Anyway, the takeout I’ve ordered will be arriving soon. You might as well eat before you get

back to work.”

Shelmaine remarked wryly, “It seems like you’ve won over Beatrix. Or bribed her thoroughly.”

“Thave done no such thing. I swear.”

“Come on, out with it. How much did you pay her? Shelmaine pressed.

pollen chuckled, his voice low and husky as he reassured her, “I promise you that I didn’t pay her at all. I’m just worried about you.

“When are you coming back?

o you miss me already?” Julen did not bother hiding his delight. “I’m coming home tomorrow evening.”

“can pick you up at the airport if you like,” she offered.

“That would be great” He was surprised. “So, will you really pick me up?

“Only if I have the time. If not, I let you know an hour in advance, and we can forget that I’d even offered.”

“I can wait for you to get off work,” he said helpfully.

Shelmaine paused, then added for good measure, “I suggest that you!

u keep your expectations of me to a minimum, Julien.”Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“I don’t mind having high hopes,” Julien countered breezily

For a moment, Shelmaine was at a loss for words. She then asked, “When is Josie’s engagement party?””