Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 262: Finding Solution

Chapter 262: Finding Solution

As she was composing an email in her laptop to answer him, she received a video call and she answered it without hesitation.

"Good morning!" she said with a smile and noticing his red eyes and the bag beneath his eyes, she felt the urge to laugh. "Idiot Fred."

Arthur didn’t say anything and looked at her. She looked more terrible than him with her swollen eyes and red nose.

How long did she cry last night? I such an a**.

"I accidentally switched off my phone last night and wondered why you aren’t calling me back. I really an an idiot!" Talia laughed and continued to speak other casual things while Arthur listened to her.

As she was talking, she was informed that Celine was there already and Talia ended her call with Arthur and closed her laptop.

Her heart felt like someone was squeezing it and she placed her hand on her chest. She wanted to cry still. She knew there is a small scratch in her relationship with Arthur. If not mended, the small scratch may develop to a crack making further cracks to develop, and it will break eventually and cannot be fixed anymore.

What should I do?

She rubbed her neck and her face became pink as she was stressed.

"Your Highness..."

Katie’s voice brought her back.

"Kate, serve tea for Lady Celine or... Ask her to join me for breakfast. I’ll be ready in half an hour," Talia said with a smile and watched Kate leave the room.

Immediately after the door closed, she fell limply at the backrest. He looked terrible. She didn’t want to show her sadness in case he feels more guilty and so she skipped talking about last night. But burying it in her heart won’t do her any good. It always affects her. There is only one solution.

We need to meet!

Talia knew that both of them are frustrated, as they haven’t met each other in a while. Both were busy in their own way and talking for an hour at night daily, isn’t enough to sustain their relationship.

Like a plant needs water and sunshine to flourish, their relationship needs closeness and intimacy to flourish. It’s been a long time since they have seen each other in the flesh and Talia knew it is the most important factor that built the frustration.

The misunderstandings and misgivings they have with each other cannot be solved by talking through the phone.

She picked up her phone and dialled Jordan.

She asked him when Arthur would be free. He said that Arthur would be free for dinner this entire week and Talia had a plan.

"Make sure he doesn’t make a plan for tomorrow night. And as much as possible, keep it a secret. I’ll be there to pick him up." Talia said and although Jordan couldn’t guess what her plans are, agreed. His boss is like a fierce grizzly these days and he needs to calm down.

"What is Sophia doing these days?" Talia asked. Arthur’s anger might be actually towards Sophia since he feels trapped with her.

"... What? Sophia? " Jordan cleared his throat and Talia felt something was odd. "She’s in her home, I guess?"

"Jordan... She’s not contacting Arthur?" Talia found it weird.

"... No."

"And no one from the Clairmont family either?" Talia was skeptical. It is impossible that Sophia backed off.

"No, Talia. Even if they did, I wouldn’t know. I’m planning to quit and Arthur is gradually shifting my workload to the new recruit - Amelia Harrison. She’s the one who answers the calls in the office now. I’m just concentrating more on my father’s business and I plan on joining our company," Jordan who doesn’t speak a lot with Talia, explained a lot, making Talia more skeptical.

" Jordan... The guy Sophia wrongfully accused back in high school; it was you, am I right? " Talia asked. She had a gut feeling that he might be the one.

" I’m busy right now. I’ll talk to you later. I’ll mark Arthur’s calendar for tomorrow. Bye," Jordan ended the call.

Talia felt like something is weird with Jordan. He lacked the usual confidence and arrogance he usually carried like his shield. He seemed like a vulnerable person giving too much explanations to her - someone he usually finds an expendable person in his life.

Ah... Let’s talk about Jordan to Arthur too... No, he wouldn’t care! I should talk to Vivian.

Talia decided and got to the bathroom to clean herself up.

Sitting in the garden, having her late breakfast that could very well be called brunch, Talia felt like her throat was closed looking at Celine.

She actually brought files with printed complaint letters about the Duke of Luxxenshire. Apparently she typed it all in her computer herself and printed it all out, hiding from her brother who wouldn’t let her engage in these ’unnecessary and dangerous tasks’.

Talia was impressed by Lady Celine.

And thinking about Walter, Talia felt her heart squirm.

How will I break it to Celine?

"Walter confessed to me yesterday."

In the end, Talia decided to rip off the bandaid immediately. As a friend, she should be open with this to Celine. She should know about the man she loves is in love with another woman and make her decision accordingly.

And also, it wouldn’t do any good to their friendship if Celine comes to know of this from someone else.

As expected Celine was too stunned to say anything and stared at Talia forgetting to blink.

"He said he’s in love with me for five years. I rejected him. He asked the reason and I told him the truth that I’m in love with someone else." Talia added, holding Lady Celine’s hand.

"Five years?" Celine got her hand out of Talia’s grip. "So he was looking at YOU! I knew there was someone, but I didn’t know it was you until recently."

"Celine... I..." Talia didn’t know what to say. She could feel Celine distancing herself from her.

"Your Highness, Lord Rodenberg sent you an invite to visit his brewery tomorrow." Mr. Ed offered an envelope on a silver platter.

Well, Great Mr. Ed! Why not throw a grenade along with that too?

Talia wanted to shout at Mr. Ed, but held herself back.

Why is this guy so oblivious to what is going on here? Can’t he be a little sensitive about feelings? Here I am, breaking to Celine that the guy she loves, confessed to me and here he is... This... Ahhh!

Mr. Ed realised that his Princess is mad at him for some reason, but couldn’t figure out why.

I just delivered a letter she received! Why am I getting glared at!