Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 263: Both Knew Betrayal

Chapter 263: Both Knew Betrayal

Before Talia picked up the letter, Celine got it first and opened it up. Even the way she opened the envelope looked like she was a conductor orchestrating a perfect symphony.

Who in their right mind would choose me over the perfect Celine?

Talia couldn’t help but admire Celine and before she knew it, she was staring at Celine, in a way that could be considered borderline inappropriate.

"It’s... It’s just a formal invite... There’s nothing more!" Celine passed the letter back to Talia making her snap out.

Well, what else did she expect? A love poem or a sonnet?

"Oh?" Talia didn’t try to get the letter back and Celine folded it back right how it was.

"Was it nice to brag?" Celine asked looking straight in her eyes.

Brag? Wait... She thought I bragged?

Talia could feel a big figure retreating from her side. Mr. Ed has only now realised why his Princess glared at him and he felt stupid.

Why is my Princess’ love so complicated?

He couldn’t help but sigh. But then these are two grown women and so he backed off to figure it out among themselves.

"Oh, no! Celine! I... I was trying to be...I never meant to brag... I mean, I wasn’t bragging. I was being honest." It took some time for Talia to form a complete sentence as she was blindsided by that accusation by Celine.

Seeing Celine still donning an unimpressed face, Talia continued, " Look Celine, I was told there are rules of Girl Code. One of it is to be honest with one another regarding this issue and so I followed. I honestly don’t know what is better? If my friend gets confessed by the guy I like, would I want to know? I’m not sure! Come on... Celine. I don’t have a lot of girl friends and I don’t know how to act with most girls. Most girls hate me. I thought it is better for me to be honest with you, that’s all! I thought it will help you choose the path you have to follow in the future on whether you still want to pursue Lord Rodenberg or not." Talia nodded as she spoke.

She has done what she thought was right and she was willing to face the consequences whatever it may be. But she hoped that Celine understands her. She is a mature one.

" Too much explaining will generally make one look guiltier," Celine said and Talia let out a deep sigh looking at her hands on her lap. "But..." Celine continued and Talia looked up immediately. "I know you’re honest." Celine said and Talia couldn’t help but smile.

"Thank you."

"No, thank you for telling me. I don’t have much friends either, but I can understand you tried your best not to hurt me in any way. And... There is a girl code?" Celine turned curious.

"Yes, apparently. It was Rebecca, my best friend, who enlightened me about it, back when we were roommates..." Talia couldn’t help but relax and smile as she talked about Rebecca and Celine listened with interest.

"I envy you," Celine said as Talia talked about how she along with Rebecca and Cordelia were inseparable during their University days. "I never had the chance to share such friendship with anyone. Don’t get me wrong. I get to have fun with my sisters and my brothers’ girlfriends in a controlled environment, but still... I always desired to go on a trip with just my girl friends, have wine, talk about boys and that kind of stuff. But I never had a chance, " she sighed.

" Your family is extremely protective of you, right? My grandpa was like that too, but I rebelled when I was a teenager and did what I wanted. You on the other hand, are a very good person to listen to your family. " Talia said. She knew Celine has lot of restrictions put forth in her family although she is the youngest of five kids. Her three brothers are very strict with her. Even in an orthodox household like Celine’s, it is very unusual for a twenty five year old to be restricted this much. Her sisters and brothers aren’t restricted.

" Yeah, they are very overbearing..." Celine bowed her head and her long lashes glittered like the wings of a butterfly as she reminisced something.

Talia thought she was sad that her family is too restrictive. But then Celine continued.

"I don’t blame them though. For a long time, I wanted to lock myself in my room for the rest of my life... After what a ’friend’ did...I thought books were enough, " Celine gave a wry smile and Talia held her hand as she could see she was distressed.

"When I was fourteen, I went to a party with my best friend at that time. It was her brother’s sweet sixteen party and... She gave me alcohol and I drank without knowing what it was...everyone drank and I did... Peer pressure... And then... She...she said that it’s okay and that I’ll get used to it and would love it. ’Just do it’ she said and locked me in the room. It was cold and dark in that room and I was so frightened I couldn’t even shout for help. There was a someone in that room and... They found out later that it was the guy who stalked me then... It was so terrifying. Thankfully my brother attended the same party and he got me before anything terrible happened... My brother saw me naked and curled up on the bed... And... It.. The incident... It was traumatising for the entire family and I was not the same afterwards and they started to coddle me more and... "

" It is good that now you’re able to get out of your room, Celine. You arranged this amazing file for me, and I am honestly, very impressed by you!" Talia said, gripping her hands with an affirming smile.

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