Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 210: Conversation

Chapter 210: Conversation

"What is it?"

Seeing Talia’s expression turning contemplative, Arthur asked. He could feel his shoulders getting tense.

She said it is fine even if he is a villain. He believed she spoke from her heart. But then her expression changed.

She looks sad.

Talia was thinking of various interactions between Sophia and Arthur. He is very despised by Sophia by the way he talks about her. But then, he talks about Rebecca the same way with her, and doesn’t act impolite with Rebecca face to face.

So how does he interact with Sophia?

But she was brought back by his concerned voice.

"Nothing," Talia shook her head and took in a deep breath.

It doesn’t matter what happened between Sophia and him. But still...

Talia bit her lips,looking away from her phone screen and stared blankly at the velvet curtains covering the window. It had a distinct brocade pattern and as she stared, it reminded her of the lace pattern Vivian chose for her bridal gown.

Then she suddenly remembered what Jordan talked about during their meeting. He said that Arthur was cruel with Sophia.

Ah! How did I forget that Sophia had some loose nuts in her head? She is creepily obsessive. Fred need not act nice, for her to turn on her family!

Arthur saw her blanking out and her face looked like she was hurt. His heart skipped a beat. He knew she is distressed thinking about something and he felt hurt as she is not talking about that to him. He remembered not long ago, she shut herself in the bathroom and suffered alone.

Why can’t she share her concerns with me? Wait... Is it something regarding me?

"Talia!"

Talia was startled hearing that deep voice, louder in her phone. She almost dropped the phone out of fright.

Why did he call me by my name?

"What?" Talia who had her mind cleared up, asked with a smile.

But why is his face stiff?

"You want to tell me something?" Arthur asked. If he didn’t learn what worries her, he’d feel bad and won’t be able to concentrate on anything anymore.

"No, nothing. What are you-"

"Iris..." his voice softened and he spoke with a sigh. "I know you are concerned about something and that’s why I’m asking. I can’t be peaceful if I know you are unhappy about something. And I can’t guess what’s in your mind either. Will you do me a favour and tell me what’s in your heart? I’m not very smart and I need you to speak out loud for me to know what bothers you. Especially when I’m not near you. So, will you? "

Talia looked at Fred through her phone screen. Although his words can be taken differently, she couldn’t since she saw how he carefully chose his words not to offend her, but convey his heart.

" You think I’m wasting your time? " she asked holding back her laughter and watched his face go pale.

"No, of course not. What I meant is-"

"You didn’t mind me acting up before. You even called it cute and now... Now that you’ve slept with me, you think I’m unsightly. You’ve changed, Fred," she pressed her lips.

Of course she knew what he meant. If he was near, he could coax her and play with her and act along her tantrums. A large part of their relationship depended on them touching each other. They could understand each other that way and coax each other that way too. With him far, it won’t be possible.

Also, he is not that boy back in high school is he? The one who would follow her around everywhere trying to guess why she is angry and find a way to coax her. He is a man now. He has an conglomerate to look after. Thousands of people depend on him. His concentration cannot be always on her. He cannot be worried about her all the time. She understood that. It would greatly help him if she expresses her misgivings and complaints openly so that both could solve it by discussing together.

Truthfully, she’s free now for few days, but she’d get busy in the future. She might not have time to throw needless tantrums and she might not have time to deal with his tantrums if he doesn’t talk to her openly too.

"Iris... I love you," he said with a gentle smile. His eyes misted a bit as his fingers trailed over her cheek.

She is acting. She doesn’t mean what she says. He knew it. She was always mature. More mature than him even in high school. How could she not understand what he says?

"Won’t life get boring then?" she asked. What kind of relationship would it be if both of them acted only proper and mature with each other? "What if you find a immature little girl attractive as we grow old then?"

She could say some men who felt their wife was too perfect and so they went looking for a young woman whom they can coddle.

"I was attracted to your maturity even in high school. Iris... You’re not the only woman I’m close with. I don’t have women who are friends, but I have colleagues, relatives and acquaintances. There are some women who work in our company who are mature and clever, and also there are women who act silly and as some men find them ’cute’. But... I don’t know, I only find you attractive. Till now, no woman other than you, gave me the urge to spare a second glance. And I don’t think it will change in the future too. Yesterday, today, tomorrow and forever, you will be the only one in my heart." he said and his face got so gentle, Talia felt her heart warming up with joy.

"Fred..." she said hugging her knees and only her eyes were visible on the screen. "I want to be near you right now so I can kiss you," she said in a soft, husky voice. Her thumb trailed over his face on her screen and her eyes closed as she remembered how it would feel if she touched his face.

He looked so manly when he said what he said. She just wanted to jump through the screen and hug him.

Both of them looked at each other silently for sometime as they didn’t feel like saying a word. Sometimes a lot can be conveyed with silence.

"You still didn’t answer my questions," he broke the silence after a while.

Sometimes it is necessary to talk.

"What questions.? About Olivia, you could guess why Cyrus wasn’t allowed to retaliate," she paused and looked at him.

"Your grandfather!"Arthur slapped his thigh. No wonder it was kept in wraps till now.

" And about the other thing... I was just jealous..." Her voice got low and her face got red," Thinking of the conversations between you and... That woman..." she didn’t want to say her name to him.

"But-"

"I know nothing happened. I know... But still... I was jealous," she buried her face in her knees and Arthur could only see her sprawled hair as her face got hidden.

He wanted to laugh out loud, but fearing that she’d end the call, he controlled himself.

"Go do what you’re doing... You’re sitting in the car for how long now?" Talia waved her finger in front of the camera with a smile, after she composed herself.

"Oops!" Arthur yelped. He had forgotten about Archibald already.

"Forgot your job talking to me?" Talia smiled playfully.

"I didn’t forget!" Arthur adjusted his tie and cleared his throat. "He made me wait and now I’m making him wait. It’s something.... Something I do," he nodded to affirm himself.

"You’re meeting someone in your car?" Talia asked. It should be a secret meeting if they are meeting this way.

"Remember Archibald Wallace?" he asked seeing her curious eyes.

"Archibald? Isn’t he one of the sons of Lord Wallace?" Talia asked. She thought the Wallace family didn’t get along well with her family. What is Arthur meeting him now for?

"You forgot? He is the eldest son." Arthur asked surprised. He thought she’d remember him.

"Ah!" Talia screamed. "That one with a dyed flaming red hair and studs everywhere on his face? He even hung chains among his studs. That delinquent Archie?"

"Yep!" Arthur smiled. Of course she wouldn’t have forgotten him. He is that memorable! "He is now handling the Wallace pharmaceuticals and we are working together about the Council issues."

"Whoa!" Talia was surprised. "How did he manage that? Is he still having that flaming red hair? And how did you manage to get along with him? I thought you had a fight with him back when you were in high school and Rod had to interfere to break you two off!" she was gossipy.

Everyone feared Archibald and since she was with Cyrus, who was the biggest delinquent there is, she never cared about him.

"He said something about you... And now that you helped his company by talking to President Carter he shamelessly contacted me for bringing down the council. " Arthur said.

In fact Archibald swore he didn’t say that about Talia, but Arthur was sure and they broke into a fight. In the end, Arthur was scolded by his father for fighting with his seniors and was asked to apologise. But he didn’t and accepted punishment.

And now.. it was a chance meeting which led to them both working together, to act against the council.

"Eh, whatever! Do what you do... I have to go to the bathroom," Talia wanted to end the call. She wasn’t much interested in what he does to bring down the Council or whatever.

"Take me with you!" Arthur shouted making Talia’s face twitch. "Are you going to pee or poop? How long will it take? Don’t end the call!"

"You’re.. Nasty!" she couldn’t find words to say to him.

Take me with you, he says. That guy!

"You saw me pee, why can’t I?"

"My goodness! Get lost!" Talia ended the call and walked to the bathroom. For some reason, she couldn’t help but smile remembering his disappointed face.

Ah! I love him too much!