Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 157: Jordan’s Type

Chapter 157: Jordan’s Type

Looking at the happy couple in front of her, she suddenly felt a sharp sadness passing through her heart. She turned to her side to see her cute little brother savoring the Beef Wellington with no other worries.

An involuntary sigh escaped her lips.

Men his age have had at least two girlfriends and some of his classmates are even married with children. He watches everyday what Arthur does for Talia. And still he has no interest in dating?

It’s fine if he likes men too! It is not good to stay single without having an emotional and romantic relationship with someone.

"Talia, You were in the same class with our Jordy, right?" Vivian asked Talia.

Talia who was gloating in her heart about her win, controlling her urge to mock Arthur, immediately controlled her emotions and looked at Vivian.

"Yes, all three years," Talia looked at Jordan who was staring at his sister with his mouth wide open.

"Did he date anyone? Or at least fansied anyone? Girl... Boy.. Anyone?"

"Vivi..!" Jordan who was about to take a sip of wine paused and grinded his teeth at his sister and she didn’t even look at him.

Talia looked at Arthur who was taking a bite from his fork as if this doesn’t involve him.

Can’t he help me a little here? High school? All my memories of high school are about Fred and sleeping in classes. When did I ever have the time to even care for others? The only thing I remember about Jordan is that I used to copy his answer sheets during exams. Other than that, I remember nothing!

"I’m not sure... It’s been a long time," Talia said and got her wine glass to take a sip.

"Yeah, it’s been more than ten years, hasn’t it? Goodness! That’s a long time!" Vivian was a bit disappointed. But she could sense the relief her brother felt and became doubtful.

Talia could see the little disappointment apparent in Vivian’s face and was saddened. She looked at Arthur once again but he stared at her like a confused puppy, blinking his eyes. He knew she asks for something but he couldn’t figure out what.

"You’re with Jordan all the time. Don’t you know what his type is?" Talia asked Arthur and he shrugged.

"I don’t know... Sophia Clairmont, maybe? He seems to be too protective of her. Although I think he can do better. " Arthur spoke calmly.

"Now that I remember, back in school he used to follow her around. I remember thinking at that time he was following Amelia, that redhead with pretty blue eyes... You remember? From the Kendall family... " Talia looked at Arthur and he rolled his eyes.

Like he would!

Seeing that cold reaction from Arthur, Talia looked back at Vivian, "Amelia and Sophia were close friends. He might be stalk-" Talia was about to say ’stalking’ but she corrected herself, "Jordan might be following Sophia all along!" Talia said with a smile and she felt like she has solved a century old puzzle. She felt proud as she gossiped.

Back then she always checked for Sophia everytime she was with Arthur and a couple of times she noticed that distinct platinum blond hair in the vicinity.

"Really?" Vivian smirked and looked at Jordan. "I thought with you religiously following Arthur around for years, you might have something for him," she whispered.

Vivian did speak in a low voice but Talia and Arthur both heard it. Arthur was stunned. Just days back he thought Jordan was with Cyril and now he learns Vivian thought Jordan was with me?

Talia looked at Arthur’s pale face and bit her lips to stop herself from smiling.

Arthur and Jordan? Ha ha ha!

She still couldn’t control her laughter and ended up hiding her smile beneath the wine glass. Arthur noticed her laughing and pulled the glass from her hand.

Look at this little flower all happy imagining me with another man! Idiot! She’s drunk, isn’t she?

"You drank too much. Don’t drink anymore," he called the waiter and asked him to replace her wine with a non-alcoholic one.

Talia grumbled in her heart. Non-alcoholic wine doesn’t taste that good. But in the end knew he was right and ended up listening to him.

Jordan who was swallowing almost choked as everyone was saying whatever they wanted and became defensive, " I didn’t follow anyone!" he shouted at Talia and she just gave a polite smile that infuriated him more. He turned to Arthur, "What do you mean by protective of Sophia? I just asked you not to choke her in the future. It is basic decency and you could go to jail if something goes wrong. Talia, this guy here is no good. Advise him! Or I didn’t know what will happen to the company. That other day he just choked her and left her in the cold and- "

Talia and Vivian only got more suspicious as Jordan got more defensive.

" And..? " Vivian raised her eyebrows wihh a suspicious look.

" And what? Nothing! It- she’s a woman and he just left her... Never mind! I don’t care! " Jordan tried to get up but Vivian wrapped her arm around his arm and made him sit.

"He walked her home," Arthur said casually and continued munching his food.

Arthur’s thoughts were simple. If that creepy stalker finds love with Jordan, that would be beneficial for him.

But still... Jordan could do better.

Vivian looked at Jordan and he was fuming as his lips trembled as he didn’t find words to answer.

"It was cold, it was dark, it was just a humane thing to do! Unlike that psycho who left a young woman in the middle of the road and leaves, I am a gentleman!" he finally spoke.

"Okay then," Vivian shrugged. Surely this doesn’t seem simple if her cute little brother gets this defensive about it.

Talia bit her lips as she heard Jordan speak about Arthur.

Did he abuse Sophia? Why? I didn’t think he’d do that! Even if it is Sophia, she doesn’t deserve that kind of treatment, right?

All of them decided not to taunt poor Jordan anymore and talked about other casual things.

As they waited for desserts, Talia excused herself to the powder room as she felt a bit uneasy and when she checked, as she expected, her period has started already.

As she was washing her hands in the washbasin, she heard the door unlock and as she looked at the mirror in front of her, she was shocked to see Arthur casually entering the women’s room. He even locked the door.

Talia turned to look at him and stood leaning on the counter with her hands folded over her chest.

Arthur tried to get closer to her, but seeing the plain stare she was giving paused his steps three feet away from her.

He knew what she was thinking about. Her entire mood changed after that stupid Jordan talked about him choking that woman.

What a selfish chatter box! To save himself, he threw me under the bus!

"She tried to kiss me and I..." Arthur rubbed his chin. "Iris, you know I’m short-tempered. But... I promise you I will never hurt you in any way," he looked at Talia and seeing her still looking at him plainly, he bent and looked at his shoes.

It would seem like an excuse. He actually killed his brother out of anger and now he almost killed a woman out of irritation. It is not good, right. It is perfectly acceptable if his Iris is scared of him. But he wanted her to believe that he’d never hurt her. He still wanted her to love him as always.

Please Iris, don’t hate me...

As he was looking at the floor, he heard the clicking sound of the heels approaching him and he didn’t have the guts to look at her.

But then he felt that gentle fingers caressing his hair. Just like in the past.

"So what they say about redheads are true, huh? You do have bad temper," Talia chuckled. He once said gingers snatch souls and she doesn’t know about it, but this guy does have a temper.

She leaned on his chest, wrapping him tightly around his waist. She knew he has a bad temper. She has witnessed it in the past. But never once did he hurt her even remotely. His temper has only protected her.

So, why would she be afraid of that?

"We do..." Arthur felt her warmth enveloping him. She didn’t have to say it, but she proved she is not afraid of him.

He kissed her head, "I’ll learn to control my temper, Iris," he rubbed her back. He will never hurt her, but his temper may land him in troubles like Jordan said.

"That’s good," Talia smiled as she rubbed her cheek on his chest.

"I didn’t know about the operation with you as the bait, Iris. If I’d known I wouldn’t have -"

"I know... But it is better this way, right? They say they caught the one who was after me for a long time..." Talia said taking in his scent.

It was so calming... The musky scent.

"Hmm..." Arthur still wasn’t convinced. The man they caught after trying to kill him is still under interrogation and he refuses to speak still. But he didn’t want to confuse her with all those details. "I’m glad you weren’t hurt."

"I wasn’t hurt, but you don’t look good. Are you okay?" Talia got out of his embrace and looked at him.

She gently traced her hand over his face. There were eye bags under his eye and his eyes looked a little bloodshot. His skin looked a bit dry and he seemed tired. "You look tired. Are you sleeping well?"

"I miss you so much. I’ll sleep well if you are beside me," Arthur held her hand and kissed her as he hissed in her ears. He wanted to do that for a long time.

"I’m sleeping fine without you," Talia said biting her lips after pushing him away. She didn’t want to apply her lipstick once more.

"Liar!" he nibbled on her ears. He knew she misses him too.

"Did you see a doctor? What did they say?" Talia asked swallowing the moan that almost escaped her lips.

This guy knows where to kiss!

Arthur’s eyes flashed with a complex emotion as she asked that. It was just for a fraction of a second and he composed himself.

"All clear baby! I’m healthy as a horse," he spoke in a cheerful manner as he ran his fingers through her hair. Her hair is perfect.

"That’s good then," Talia was relieved. "It could be stress or anxiety. Why don’t you talk to a psychiatrist?" she asked.

Mental health issues are real and needs to be addressed. Talking to professionals does help.

"I will," Arthur didn’t refuse her even though he didn’t plan to do so.

"You will?" Talia was relieved seeing him nod.

The last thing she needs is for Arthur to get sick. She will die if something happens to him.

"I cannot bear if anything happens to you, Fred," she hugged him close and a tear escaped her eyes. She’d lost a lot of people. But she won’t survive if something happens to Fred.

"Hey, nothing will happen to me, I promise..." he hugged her close.

Talia who was leaning comfortably on his firm chest with his protective arms wrapped around her, didn’t have the chance to see the complex emotions in Arthur’s eyes as he kissed her head.