Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 213: Unexpected Reason

Chapter 213: Unexpected Reason

Looking at the petite woman with skin pale as the moon and a short platinum blonde hair, Talia couldn’t help but wonder. Wearing a maroon calf length flared skirt and white silk blouse, paired with baby doll shoes, she really looked like someone who time travelled from the 50s.

Wow! Didn’t know she is this pretty! But why does she look scared?

"Your Highness, her name is Marcella." Mr. Ed was reliable as usual. Of course he wouldn’t have let her in without confirming her identity by checking her identity card.

"Ms. Marcella McAllister!" Talia walked with a smile extending her hand for a shake. "I’m pleasantly surprised and deeply honoured to meet you," her gait was smooth and elegant.

Talia really was honoured to meet the nerdy McAllister. This woman in front of her is one of the leading researchers in the field of microbiology and one of the very young and notable figures in that field. Her research on various viruses and other microbes helped in developing many useful medicines. She is the most sought out researcher and many pharmaceutical companies wanted her in their research labs, but she refused to leave Esteria.

More like, she was forced to stay in Esteria. There were rumours that the Defence Minister who is also her sister, threatened to charge her with treason if she wanted to work for another country. The tabloids stated that she has the potential to develop various biological weapons and so it would be a liability and a national security threat to let her work for another nation.

Well, not everything in the tabloids could be believed, but still no one can refuse that she is a genius in biology.

For such a genius to come here, looking for her? Whatever might be the reason?

"The honour is mine, Your Highness," holding her hand, Marcella did a polite curtsy. Her face flushed red. Here she is,rudely jumping in front of a Princess, without any appointment, disturbing her work... And there she is.. The Princess with a polite smile, greeting her. She felt her face burning with embarrassment. "I’m... I’m sorry I..."

Marcella who was abandoned by her elder sister, and was followed by Archibald, didn’t know where to flee and since this country is the only country she had a visa to, decided to travel here. There is some global conference of microbiologists in this country in a week and she had gotten a travel visa for that.

And once she reached, she called her younger sister who is in this country and she refused to help her and told her to date that... guy.

That guy who might have slept with her elder sister!

Alright... Her sister promised on everything holy that she and him were never like that. As much as she loves her sister, her sister was also a... Loose woman, to put it nicely. And this guy... It was not even a secret how frivolous he is. How would those two never...

Ugh! Not only that.

That guy who is a thug! That guy who is an aristocrat! That guy she hates!

Since she knew that guy will find her if she stays in a hotel, she decided to hide somewhere else. And that’s when she remembered her younger sister telling her about Talia Brunton. Vivi knew a lot about Talia, even her address and she without thinking much, came here.

How stupid and inconsiderate am I?

Seeing Marcella struggling to speak, Talia pointed at a couch near the glass window at the corner of the lounge. It seemed like she felt difficult to speak and she wanted her to make her feel comfortable. She was a little shorter than her, unlike Vivian and she had an undeniable beauty and bright eyes although they seemed very confused now.

Talia wanted to bring her to her apartment, but just before she left, Rebecca and Joe were making eyes at each other. And on the off chance that they were doing some "couple things", she didn’t want to interrupt them and by bringing Marcella there, she didn’t want to embarrass a guest either.

Amy brought in a couple of iced tea from the nearby coffee shop and Talia watched Marcella taking a sip and her pink lips that seemed parched gained some colour. She only had a purse in her hand and was looking outside through the glass as if she was worried someone was out to get her.

Is someone after her? But why is she here?

Talia’s mind went through various situations like in the many action movies she watched before, with the scientist’s life is in danger because of the discovery they made or because some and people want them for their purposes. Talia even imagined herself as the hero who would save the damsel in distress and in turn save the day and the world.

"Pardon my impudence, Your Highness. I shouldn’t have just barged in like this."

The soft, yet clear voice brought Talia out of her daydreams.

Talia cleared her throat and smiled hiding her embarrassment. She actually spaced out, dreaming unrealistic situations.

" Oh, please. I really don’t mind. May I know why-"

As Talia was speaking she was interrupted by the knocking in the glass next to her. Talia held Mr. Ed’s hands that went for the weapon in his holster since she found that guy knocking on the window, waving to her is somewhat familiar to her. She did notice Marcella’s eyes widen with fright seeing the guy.

Noticing Mr. Ed, the guy standing outside pressed his ID card over the glass.

"Archibald?" Talia said and the corners of her lips twitched as she tried to smile.

Okay, what is he doing here?

"Please don’t let him in," Marcella, grabbed Talia’s hands and Talia blinked her eyes.

She turned to look at Archibald Wallace smiling at her and took his phone out and he made a call to someone.

---

Arthur saw Jordan fumbling around. He was not all there.

"Still no news about your sister? You can go home, you know, " he said. His mind is not here. It would be a waste to have him here. He felt like he was freaking out for no reason.

His other sister, the one marrying Cyril seemed pretty cool with Archibald dating her sister too. It was only Jordan who is acting like this.

It could be his second sister said something to Jordan. In that case, she could have just looked for Jordan and he would have helped to protect her. Jerome is still here and if he is told that someone is harassing a girl and that too Jordan’s sister, he’d rain hell on him, no matter who it is.

What’s the need for her to run away?

And no one in her home is even searching for her except Jordan. They probably know where she is. Although Archibald is an aristocrat and the McAllisters are not, even Archibald won’t mess with the McAllisters for various reasons.

Arthur really didn’t get Jordan’s mindset.

"What??"

Answering the call, Jordan shouted and after shouting some expletives he ended the call.

Arthur "..."

Archibald actually allowed Jordan to talk to him like that?

And the uncaring Arthur became extremely observant after what Jordan did afterwards.

" Talia, protect my sister, please," he begged in the phone.

He is talking to Iris? His sister is there? Why did his sister go to Iris?

Arthur was confused.

Talia without even putting the call on speaker, could hear Jordan’s voice, placing the phone on the ottoman in the lounge. Without even letting her speak, Jordan was begging and screaming from the other end, explaining everything.

Apparently his sister is being stalked by this Archibald.

"I’ll deal with it," Talia said and was about to end the call when she heard some statics and then came that deep baritone voice.

"Iris?"

"Archibald is here. Marcella is here." she chucked. "I thought the world is about to end and people are going to turn to zombies because of a bioweapon, but..." she chuckled.

Who would have guessed it is this issue that brought the great scientist here?

Arthur smiled hearing her voice so casual and was relieved.

"I should talk to that guy, shouldn’t I?" she asked. No matter what, that guy is a noble from Esteria and she cannot send him away like he is a nobody.

"Yeah," Arthur agreed. It would be better if she maintains good relationship with the next generation nobles if she wants to return. And this guy... You don’t want to shame him and disrupt the chance she has now. His plans are almost coming to fruition and there can’t be any setbacks now.

Also that guy previously wanted to thank her for talking to President Carter on behalf of his company. He even expressed this to Jerome Brunton and insisted on it even when Jerome suggested it is not needed. He won’t actually create trouble.

"You have your people with you, right? Don’t let him inside your apartment. Just greet him at the lounge and after a minute send him away. He is not a very good person. If he provokes you, repay in kind, not worrying about the consequences. I can deal with it all. " Arthur gave his piece of advice.

It would be good for her to greet Archibald, but she has no need to be polite with him. If he angered her, he should face the consequences.

He is still the guy who said that thing about Iris, although he seems to have cleared his ways lately.

"I’ll handle him," Talia ended the call.

"Sir Robert," Talia nodded at Mr.Ed signalling him to bring Archibald in and looked at Marcella.

"It was Jordan at the phone, Ms. McAllister. He said it all. No need to worry. I’ll deal with this," Talia assured Marcella and asked her to sit beside her. Marcella was still scared, but she had no way to refuse Talia.

"You could have asked Jordan and my grandfather would have helped you in this issue, Ms. McAllister. There is no need for you to travel this far to find me," Talia said with a smile and watched the already pale Marcella going deathly pale for a moment before blushing bright red.

Marcella was stunned. She really didn’t think this through. Talia is right. How did her brain stop functioning?

"Archibald Wallace," Talia stood up seeing him walking towards her.

"Your Highness," Archibald gave a proper bow and his eyes turned towards Marcella and a sly smile formed on his lips that reached his eyes.