Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 165: I Hate You

Chapter 165: I Hate You

Talia closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. The picture of her grandfather is there; published in one of the tabloid known for it’s trustworthiness. It wouldn’t be fake and that means it is real.

My grandpa’s sickness worsened.

Talia knew crying in front of these reporters won’t do her much good to change her situation - other than probably gain her some sympathy points from the public. It is good in a way, but she wanted to do more damage to the Council who still is not agreeing for her entry to Esteria even for a week.

And thinking about giving more damage... Why didn’t Fred talk to me about grandpa’s condition worsening..? Could it be...

Talia wiped the corner of her eyes with her fingers and passed the phone back to Mr Ed. She looked to the front and her face still had a slight blush to it as she was stressed and her glossy eyes invoked sympathy.

"My grandfather is sick!" her clear, crisp voice was not so pitiful as it grabbed the attention of the reporters who were invited to leave by the organisers of the Press Meet. Everyone in the room paused and focused on her and another thousand flashes blinked in front of her, making her go blind temporarily.

" I’ve been asking for Visa to meet my grandfather for a couple of months and I’m denied entry without a proper explanation. A grandfather, who has only one surviving family left; a loyal citizen who has dedicated his entire life for the welfare of Esteria; a Duke who used to be the most prominent member of the Council... My grandfather, Duke of Oakley, Lord Jerome Brunton... He doesn’t deserve this!" she paused and let out a snort, " Imagine if he was some Tom, Dick and Harry in Esteria... "

She bowed her head and just played with her fingers under the table. She knew she has now gave the common people a lot to think.

True, she is a murderer. There is no refusing that. The Council has every right to punish her for taking the life of an heir to one of the members of the Council.

But why did the Council punish her grandfather? She was not arrested or put on trial for her crime. Yet her grandfather was pushed slowly out of the Council. Was it just because of her, or is it because the other members of the council didn’t like Brunton’s view on developing Esteria that focused on eliminating the class system?

And if Jerome Brunton ends up this way in his last part of his life, not being able to meet his only granddaughter, how terrible it would be for some common man who goes against the Council?

Isn’t that tyranny?

Of course the reporters caught on what she wants to say and asked questions. But Talia didn’t answer anyone.

"Why did you refuse Prince Edwards invitation if you knew of your grandfather’s condition?" Reporter Wilson asked.

Talia just darted a glance at him for a couple of seconds before turning to the side.

He invited her, alright... To be his wife! Yuck!

"I’ll leave now," she forced a smile at Arthur who looked a bit befuddled and then turned her glance at the two CEOs and expressed her sincere gratitude for their collaboration with Northern Star and also gave a word of apology for making the Press Meet less professional by bringing in her personal statements.

They didn’t mind but were in awe of her presence and her unfazed gaze as she faced a really tough situation confidently.

Arthur tried to grab her hand once again but she carefully avoided his hand and left with a fake smile.

The reporters tried to surround her on her way to exit, but her security surrounded her and lead her out safely.

They took her through a different hallway with some security blocking the entrance to the hallway and so none of the reporters were able to follow her.

The flashes were gone and the screams of the reporters no longer reached her as she walked in that hallway towards the elevator. Talia closed her eyes and that image of her grandfather popped in her eyes. She didn’t wait to decide what she should do.

"Sir Robert, I can’t wait till the Spring Ball. Can you arrange for my grandpa’s arrival at Rosandale as soon as possible? Within this week... What say you?"

"I’ll speak with His Majesty about this, Your Highness," Mr. Ed replied politely. This is what he is supposed to say but he had a feeling that her request will be accepted pretty soon.

Talia nodded and picked up her phone and dialled her home. Her grandfather never answers his cellphone since he doesn’t like to carry it around. She wanted to talk to her grandfather sooner.

She believed that photograph might be staged. She face-timed her grandfather only last week and talked to his doctor only yesterday. The doctor didn’t mention any deterioration on her grandfather’s condition. She didn’t believe his condition worsened that terribly that soon, but still she couldn’t wipe off that terrible image from her mind so she decided to clarify it immediately.

It only rang two times before the call was answered. Before she could speak, there came a crashing noise from the other end and it was her Grandpa saying a cuss word. Sebastian’s voice followed.

"Good evening, this is -"

Talia with her phone on her ears, blinked twice before saying, "Pass the phone to grandpa, Sebastian. Is he okay?"

"Ah.... Milord, it’s little Lady Talia..." he spoke and Talia could hear her grandfather making purring noise with his lips.

What is going on?

"I’m not little anymore Sebastian," Talia pouted. She is twenty six. How can she be little still?

"You’re not?" Sebastian laughed at the other end and Talia felt like her patience getting sucked dry. "Maybe it is Milord who’s gotten little now. He cannot stop playing with the new electric wheelchair he bought. He even broke that milk-glass-vase he loved! "

"Playing with a wheelchair?" Talia rubbed her forehead.

What is he? A five year old? So... That picture was staged? Grandpa is fine?

As she was thinking, her Grandpa got the phone receiver from Sebastian and spoke in a cheery voice.

"Sweet Mary Ann, were you worried for your grandpa? Is that why you called? I saw the live broadcast. You did pretty well for your first press meet. Grandpa is very proud of you. You acted pretty well too, my child. I got touched by your tears even though I’ve seen you cry a thousand times before... "

Talia heard her Grandpa speaking in good cheers and didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Her Grandpa while speaking to her was still playing with the wheelchair and she could hear the beeping sound from the wheelchair.

She was happy and relieved her Grandpa is truly fine, but... Why does it seem like they wanted me to cry in front of those reporters.

Wait... Did Grandpa said he watched me cry? Was that press meet broadcasted Live? I CRIED ON LIVE TV?

"Grandpa I hate you so much!!! I’m not talking to you ever again!!" Talia screamed at her phone. She felt so ashamed.

"No no no! Mary Ann, you can’t hate me! Why? Why are you angry at your only grandpa?" her grandfather stood up from the wheelchair.

"I’m at the elevator. My signal is going to cut off. I won’t call you ever again" Talia snorted.

"Wait... Wait... Don’t end the call!... Let me think.... You didn’t know that picture was staged? Is that why you’re mad at me? So, you love your grandpa you cried seeing that picture? " her Grandpa found out the reason pretty quickly and he was so touched knowing that was not her fake tears.

"So your brain works fine if you could realise why I’m angry. You were just heartless and made me stressed unnecessarily! You’re so mean, grandpa. I hate you! " Talia felt more wronged.

"No... No... Artie didn’t tell you? I explicitly asked him to tell you first. That boy didn’t tell you? I’ll sure give him a dressing down later! Mary Ann.. You cannot hate me. I’m innocent. Don’t stop talking to me... " her grandfather with no second thoughts, threw Arthur under the bus. It’s been years since he had a good relationship with his precious granddaughter and he was not willing to lose it now.

Talia knew what was going on. Her Grandpa agreed for the picture and left everything else with Arthur under his care. And that rascal Fred didn’t care for her or just wanted her reaction to be natural and he didn’t give her a heads up.

Idiot Fred! I hate you!

"Mary Ann... Talk to me... Mary Ann...."

Talia pouted and didn’t reply to her grandfather’s cries. But then he kept calling her name and she felt bad. In the end taking account of his bad heart, she decided not to make him worried. She was not that mad anyway.

"Grandpa, I hope to welcome you sooner at Rosandale," she said with a smile. She couldn’t wait to meet her Grandpa in person after a decade.

"Really?"

Her Grandpa shouted and she could feel the happiness in his voice.

"Yes. Take good care, grandpa. I’ll meet you soon." she ended the call.

She felt entirely relieved as she entered the elevator and a pretty smile bloomed in her face.