Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 214: Hidden Secrets

Chapter 214: Hidden Secrets

"Don’t get all worked up. She’s an adult. She can handle it. And Talia is with her. Don’t worry," leaning on his office table, Arthur said, lighting up his cigar.

Even after he’s been promoted and Jerome stopped visiting his office, he still used his old office. He didn’t have the nerve to use Jerome’s office although Jerome asked him to renovate to his pleasure. Maybe in the future, Talia would use it. With two votes in the board, she would technically be the Chairman of Northern Star.

Jordan who was sitting at the sofa looked at Arthur. His eyes were red, as he was so stressed. "Marcia... She’s not like others, Arthur. She is... She traded her EQ for IQ. Unlike us, she doesn’t know the ways of the world. All she knows is her little petri dishes, microscopes, centrifuges and the likes of it. She is more acquainted with bacteria and viruses than humans. That’s her world. Someone like Archibald... He can’t be suitable for her," he poured himself a glass of whiskey from the bar in the office.

" Seems like he would be the best person for her!" Arthur said. " She can live in her world of little organisms, while he can take care of the rest. And Archibald... He isn’t that bad. When was the last time we saw him with a woman again? For him to-"

"No!" Jordan interjected. His mouth opened and closed for sometime trying to find a reason for his stern disapproval on his sister dating Archibald, but he couldn’t find one.

"He is too rushed and pushy. Marcia didn’t tell me the name of the guy, but she told me that he had already asked my parents approval to court their daughter. I mean, which century are we living in? Why is he asking permission to date? Something is not right." For Jordan, it was more this naggy feeling in his heart that made him disapprove. He didn’t have a logical reason,but just feelings that something is wrong.

"Your father approves?" Arthur asked raising his brow. Seeing Jordan sigh, he just cocked his head to the side out of surprise.

Really? Maybe... Archibald knew his reputation of dating women isn’t good and since he is serious with Marcia, asked her family’s permission first? Isn’t that a good thing? And about the rushing... Archibald should be thirty five and Jordan’s sister should be above thirty. Maybe he doesn’t want to waste time and start a family sooner?

Arthur in his thoughts, went back to his seat. He looked out through the window and it was already dark.

Taking in a puff, he looked at Jordan who seemed so distressed.

"What are your plans for the future, Jordan?" he asked. Jordan’s father runs a retail corporation that operates a chain of hypermarkets, discount department stores, and grocery stores. He is very successful and if taken initiative, his corporation can become multinational.

Jordan surely has the knowledge and contacts to do that for his father. Arthur has a feeling Jordan might quit his job here anytime to support his father’s business. As much as he hated to lose a very competent staff like Jordan, he could understand if he decides to leave the Northern Star.

Jordan took a gulp of the whisky and ran his fingers through his hair. He is not stupid to not understand what Arthur means. Surely Arthur is not someone who talks about relationship with him and so he must be talking about his career moves.

It’s not like being an Assistant is the best he can do. His father does have a company. Arthur isn’t wrong to assume that he might leave his side to take care of his father’s company.

But...

"You’re not happy with me being your Administrative Assistant?" Jordan asked.

Arthur leaned back in his chair and his lips curved up to a smile as he swirled in his chair to face the window. Holding his cigar in his hands, he looked sideways at him, "You cannot leave without training a capable person for this job. I’m too used to you. Leave your clone if possible."

Seeing Arthur’s face with many emotions, Jordan sighed. He unrolled his sleeves and buttoned his cuffs.

He still doesn’t remember why I am following him this long.

" My father... I don’t think he’d appreciate me taking after him, " he said.

Arthur saw his grey eyes looking gloomy and wondered what that was all about. He seemed to be believing what he said. But why would a father want his son to not succeed him? It is not like Jordan is talentless. If left to Jordan, he would turn his father’s company to a multinational company within a couple of years.

"Maybe he expects your return to the family business by yourself without him calling you back..? You’re the only one left to take on his mantle after all" he probed. He might not be a good at chatting, but he wanted to be sure of this.

His sisters are all different and are with their own careers. Only Jordan is in the same line, but he is working for another company. Any father would expect his son to be his support when he gets older.

"My father has no hopes for me."Jordan said and he poured another glass of whisky for himself and Arthur’s back stiffened up.

" My father never wanted me. Many think that my father wanted to have a son; an heir and that’s why he had four kids and stopped having more children after having a boy, but it was not like that. It was my mother who insisted on having a boy. My father was very content with his three daughters.... " seeing Arthur stand up, Jordan paused and poured a glass of whisky for Arthur.

The ice clinked as Jordan passed the glass to Arthur. "My sisters are exceptional. There is no denying that. They love me dearly, I know and I love them more than my life too. But... I would be lying if I said I’m not jealous of them..." he sighed and took a seat on the couch. The golden liquid in his glass made ripples and Jordan looked at the ceiling.

Arthur sat back in his chair and stared at Jordan. "You’re very talented too," Arthur said from his heart. If he is not capable, he wouldn’t have kept him with him this long.

Obviously, He is not Jerome Brunton to value friendship more than results.

"Haha," Jordan’s face brightened with a smile as he saw the honesty in Arthur’s face. He knows he means it. "Do you know why I hated Talia back in high school? Studying was the one thing I was best at and I prided myself as the ’topper’. It was one thing I did better than my sisters even. But then she came in like a swift gust and fell that house of cards I had built," he shrugged.

Speaking about Talia made Arthur’s mood lighten. "She is amazing," he took a sip from his glass, with a smile in his lips. She is really awesome.

Jordan looked at Arthur staring at the window with a smile. He looked pleased and content, like he has accomplished it all. He felt like he was missing something. There was an emptiness in his heart.

Is it love I’m missing?

"Ah! It’s better if I leave." Jordan stood up. He felt tipsy and wanted to have a shower and sleep. He wanted to know what happened with Marcia. So he needed to keep awake to wait for her call.

"Don’t drive. Book a cab," Arthur didn’t stop him.

"Yeah," Jordan picked up his jacket and wearing it, walked to the door.

"Jordan," Arthur called as he was opening the door and Jordan fixing his lapel, turned to look at him.

"Don’t make assumptions and talk to your father and know his thoughts."

Jordan nodded with a smile and turned to leave.

"And you’re a good man. You’ll find a nice woman sooner. Just not Sophia," Arthur added.

Jordan bowed his head and his smile widened.

He still believes that I have a thing for Sophia?

Waving his hand without turning back, he closed the door and left the office.

Arthur with a sigh, turned the documents Jordan recently brought. His lips curled to a smile.

Oh, Lord Clairmont.... You really shouldn’t have!

---

As Jordan got down the elevator, he felt his head clearing up and he didn’t feel tipsy when he reached the parking.

He looked at his Tesla S model sedan parked very neatly and sighed.

Why was I looking at you?

One day during lunch break, he was looking for ’green cars’ since his sister Marcia insisted that she wanted to buy to save the environment or some reason. Who knew Jerome passed behind him at that unfortunate time and misunderstanding that he wanted that car, bought him this car without even asking him; just like he does often for his staff.

Ah! Why wasn’t I looking at a Jaguar or Bentley? I could have gotten an awesome car. Instead I’m stuck with this nerd car!

Well, it’s free! I got it for free. I cannot complain. Jerome is so awesome! Which boss would randomly buy a car for his employee? Only Jerome! Long live the Duke of Oakley! May your generations prosper!

Who would not want to work here?

Jordan smiled gleefully. He didn’t have the heart to give this car to his sister or sell the car since it was a gift from Jerome. And this car isn’t all bad.

As he was about to open the door, he felt a shadow getting bigger behind him along with the sound of clacking heels.

"Jordan! Off to home?" Sophia stood in front of him with a smile and Jordan squinted his eyes and took a step back unable to bear the stench of alcohol coming from her.

"Lady Sophia, what are you doing here?" he asked and opened the door and tried to get in but stopped as he felt the pull by his sleeves.

"Jordan... I’m hurt..." she said with a slur. "Is Arthur still upstairs?"

"He won’t meet you now," Jordan forcefully pulled his sleeves out of her grip and got in. He wiped his rear view mirror and started the engine and wanted to get off.

He sighed seeing Sophia crossing over and knocking at the front passenger door with a goofy smile.

"Go home," he waved his hand and tried to move the car, but she was clinging to the window and she almost stumbled down. She seemed really drunk and Jordan felt his heart hurting seeing her like that.

He opened the door for her and she stepped in with a smile. Although it was early spring, the temperature fluctuated at times and tonight was slightly chilly.

Sophia’s face pale with the cold from outside, got flushed as she rubbed her hands and placed them on her cheeks.

"What do you want?" he asked in a rather unhappy tone. He couldn’t help but feel the urge to fix the little bunch of hair hanging over her nose.

Contrary to his cold tone, his actions were warm. His fingertip gently traced over her cheek as he handled her hair like a treasure.