JONATHAN'S POV

I came out of the hall, ignoring the different ignorant questions that were thrown at me by different journalists, and stood in place when I got close to my car, waiting for them to keep quiet and bearing the never-ending flash of the camera.

"That's all for today. I trust that you will write beautiful articles. Thank you so much for your time." I bowed and waited for them to take more pictures before entering my car.

"Just drive, please." I told my driver, and he started moving. I needed some time to myself after the disaster the day had been. I would have opted to go home, but since I no longer had my room to myself, that plan was eliminated. There was no point in taking my frustration back home. Plus, I was sure that Danielle would appreciate the time for herself. Only she still wouldn't be alone; Eleni was there. Even then, it was obvious she enjoyed her presence more than mine. When they were together, conversation never ended, but whenever she entered the room, it was like she became mute.

My driver drove for about thirty minutes, and I kept my mind quiet for those minutes. At first, I'd planned to take this time to look for a strategy for whoever was backing Julia up. I shook my head. Great, not only did I have a murderer to look for and contend with, I also had to protect myself, my wife, and possibly Eleni. I knew Julia, and she would do whatever just to ensure that she gets back at me, even going as far as touching my family.

I pressed the button that will make my driver hear me. "Take me home."

"Alright, sir." He replied, and I felt the car being turned around.

I unlocked my phone to see what the journalists had written and how people were taking it. In my opinion, the video hadn't been worth the ruckus it had caused, but there was something about people that had nothing to do. They were quick to cast stones on people they placed on high seats in their minds. I'd not asked to be placed in such a hierarchy, but here I was, benefiting from both the positive and negative sides.

I narrowed my eyes at a text that I'd missed that had come in that afternoon and spoke into the speaker.

"Turn the car around. Take me to 214 Willow bend Lane, please."

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My driver parked the car, and I came down. "You can wait. I don't think it will take that long." I said and started leaving when I heard some muttering. I went back to the car. "Did you say something?"

He cleared his throat. "I'm sorry, sir. I have to pick up my kids. My wife is normally the one in charge of the kids, and she picks them up as she leaves work, but I just got a text from her that she took a half day and will not be able to pick them up."

I contemplated that for a minute. "Alright. You can go and pick your kids up and bring them here. I'll make sure the meeting doesn't run too long. Call me when you arrive."

"Thank you, sir."

I nodded and started towards the building. I'd had to confirm that I was in the right place since the address was too vague to meet someone, and I'd texted the idiot back, but he hadn't responded to the text. Knowing him, though, this was the right address. He just liked doing weird things to unsettle people.

I dialed the number. "What's going on? Where are you?"

A man I'd hoped never to see again came out with his hands raised. "I can see you." He said and dropped the call.

I sighed as he approached me. "Hey, Jonathan. Thanks for coming."

I looked around. "An uncompleted building. Really? What? You're planning to fight me here, and you don't want any witnesses?"

Scott laughed. "Still as sarcastic as always. I like that." I glared at him, and his smile dropped.

"Alright, fine. It's this way." He pointed to the direction he meant. "It's amazing what you can find when you're looking." He said and started walking towards the building. I shook my head and followed him, hiding my surprise when I saw the restaurant that had been hidden behind the building.

"Ta-da. Welcome to Scott's Hearth & Home. I wanted to personally treat you, so here we are."

"This is yours?" I could remember him saying back then he loved cooking and always wanted to own his own restaurant.

Scott laughed. "I see you haven't been able to forget about me completely. Yes. I bought the building, and it's in the beginning process of renovation. What do you think?"

I looked around the place. The restaurant was arranged into intimate nooks with soft lighting, antique tables, and plush, leather chairs. The scent of freshly baked bread and coffee made the place look very inviting, and the small fireplace gave it a cozy feel. The hand-carved menus placed at strategic places and the display of eclectic ceramics that was so obviously Scott also added to the quaint feel of the restaurant. All in all, it looked like a place people could relax and unwind from stressful days. Just what I needed.

He led me to a table, and in less than three minutes, our orders were delivered to our table.

Scott took a bite of his meal, and feeling my eyes on him, raised his head. "Aren't you eating? I have the best staff ever, and I can assure you it is perfect for your taste."

"How about we start with why you called me? I'm sure you saw the news that was flitting around. Don't bother about it. The video will be taken down completely, and your face is almost unrecognizable there."

"I know. I saw it. I also saw your press release. That's not why I called you out. Well, it is..." He took a deep breath. "... Excuse me. I'm not making much sense right now."

I waited for him to get his thoughts together and took a bite of the rosemary roast chicken, and my eyes widened. He hadn't been exaggerating when he'd said he had the best staff working for him. I took a bite of the potato soup that came with it and nodded in appreciation. The food was great.

He smiled at my reaction and continued. "So I'd wanted to reach out to you but didn't know how to. After seeing you at your father's birthday, which I didn't expect that you would attend, I lost my courage, but when I saw the video that was circulating, I took it as an opportunity. I'm even more surprised you didn't ignore me. You ignored all the texts I sent you."

I took another bite of my food and stared at him, dropping my spoon. "I was curious about what you wanted to see me for,"

He nodded. "I'm so sorry about what happened. It was totally my fault, and I'm not refuting that." He shrugged. "I guess I just wanted to see how you've been doing. It's been a few years."

I stared at my food. I'd known Scott even longer than I'd known every other person in my life, including Ethan. Scott had been one of the first people I'd met at the orphanage. He had been the first person to approach a proud four-year-old me, filled with pride because I'd been so sure I was different from the other people in the orphanage. After all, my mother had dropped me there because she had needed to go somewhere with my father and promised to come back for me the next day. Only she had never come back, and I'd eventually realized I was exactly like the people I'd met at the orphanage. Abandoned by my parents at an orphanage because they hadn't wanted anything to do with me.

We'd not become fast friends; instead, it had taken a lot of time for either of us to fully open up to each other. Even after we'd both been adopted by different families, we'd still kept in touch. Only for the relationship to shatter a few years ago.

"I'm doing well, as you can see." I replied to him, and we both went silent, focusing on our meals.

"How about Julia?" He asked. "Is your relationship still going strong? And who was the pretty lady that was with you at your father's birthday?" He continued, and I glared at him.

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