Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 284: Treated As Family

Chapter 284: Treated As Family

" Here," Lord Lockhart passed a card to Vivian, still having the photo frame in his hand other hand.

"What is it dad?" Vivian got the card and her eyes widened seeing the name written. "Dad... This..."

Vivian was stunned to see the business card of one of the best luxury wedding planner in the world.

"I know I’m intruding in your wedding plans, but I know this guy who is a wedding planner and he makes very good wedding decors. You might have heard of him..." he paused seeing Vivian standing with misted eyes as she was touched. "Our firm ran security for him once when he arranged the wedding of a King. I asked him to plan my son’s wedding and he wanted to talk to you. I know Cyril doesn’t care about these details and you’re the one making all the wedding arrangements, so if you already have planned-"

"Nope! I don’t have a planner for reception yet. I’ll talk to him. Thank you dad!" Vivian swallowed the lump in her throat that had formed out of happiness.

Cyril’s father - a known upright man who is stone-faced. He has what they call a "Resting Bitch Face". But he is such a loving guy. She was scared at first when Cyril brought her home to introduce her to him, but soon she learnt how lovely he is.

Even now, there are many ’nobles’ who aren’t pleased that Cyril is marrying a common woman. There were rumors floating around that Lord Lockhart was not pleased with his son’s choice as the next Countess taking on the mantle of his dear wife.

Lord Lockhart put an end to those rumours immediately by letting Cyril and her, live together with him in his mansion. There are still people who keeps shaming her for living in her marital home without even getting married.

Eh, who cares about others?

She loved living here. Lord Lockhart although isn’t that vocal of his feelings, made it perfectly clear by teaching her how to run the household and the accounts regarding the mansion and their other properties. Cyril takes care of tee business and she takes care of half of the household managements already.

How more welcoming can he be?

"I just got a chance of being a brand ambassador for a perfume brand. I think that would help me pay off this guy," Vivian almost giggled with joy seeing the card in her hands.

My wedding is going to be more awesome than I had imagined! How cool!

"Hm," Lord Lockhart hummed and Vivian looked at him who had an indifferent attitude. She knew he didn’t like her still working but he never asked her to stop working. When she talked to him about it, he just shrugged and said that as time changes, old people like him should change and accept their children’s decisions. He added that she is same and she can handle both work and home since his son is plain stupid for multi-tasking. She could only laugh. And she agreed with him too. Cyril had a tunnel-brain and he for the life of him, cannot multi-task.

When they celebrated their first anniversary of dating, Cyril asked her to quit her job and marry him to take care of the family stating the same reason. He wanted someone who can take care of his household affairs as he was not good at it. Of course there are people they can hire and even they need to be supervised. She was extremely against it and they almost broke up. Cyril never brought that up ever again. He was very understanding everytime she had to travel for her job. He never complained or asked anything of her.

How amazing is he!

All these years, she had watched him taking care of their apartment affairs and fail miserably at it. That guy can’t even buy groceries properly and won’t remember to pay bills. He was not lying he needed someone to help take care of the household affairs.

But she had ambitions!

And now... She had pondered if it would be better for her to quit her modelling career and become a stay-at-home woman taking care of family. She had worked hard for the better of her life, rising to the position of one of the highest-paid supermodel in the world. It was so taxing and tiring. It didn’t give the happiness she thought being famous would give her. Maybe she should rest now.

But then... Once she got used to the fame, she was reluctant to lose it. She had competed with many women to rise up to where she is.

Won’t they all laugh at me if I retire to become a wife and mother? I cannot let that happen!

"I already settled him some advance and he will get the payment through me. And I think the garden of the McAllister mansion would be suitable for the wedding. Your father already thinks he is not doing anything for your wedding. He talked to me yesterday complaining that it is the bride’s family who should be taking care of the wedding and you are not letting him spend for you. He also said that I’m ’robbing his change to be your father’ by making you stay in our home before wedding. I don’t know why he turns unreasonable at times. This is going to be the only wedding in our family for a while, while he has two more kids! Can’t he be a little understanding? Anyways... using his home for..."

Seeing how Lord Lockhart already considering part of his family, Vivian felt warmth in her heart. She had wondered if Lord Lockhart is pouring love on her to make her feel obligated to stay home. But then, he could have ordered her to stay at home of she wants to marry his son and forced her.

He never did. Cyril never brought it up either.

"What are you going to do with Talia?" Vivian asked as Lord Lockhart finished speaking of his suggestions for their wedding. She was not put off with him interfering in her wedding plans. She welcomed his input as it only showed how much he cared for them and she felt delighted. After all, he is trying to unite both families in this union. His suggestions are considerate of both families. She will listen to his suggestions.

"You..." Lord Lockhart turned silent for a moment. "Is she that great for you to become this close after one meeting?"

"What can I say, dad? She’s the only daughter of the Brunton family and not many noble ladies want to be associated with a commoner like me and she was willing to. Should I act pompous... Can I act pompous in front of a Brunton?" Vivian raised her brows with a smile and Lord Lockhart sighed.

He really can’t win against this young woman.

" Go on out... You’ll know like the rest of the world... "he waved his hand shooing her away.

" Dad, pretty please... " Vivian placed her palms together and acted cute with him." I won’t tell anyone. Please tell me.. "

"You, insolent child!" Lord Lockhart pretended to throw the coffee mug at her and Vivian with a smile turned to leave. Holding the door, she looked at Lord Lockhart.

"Dad, you know she has suffered enough. And Thomas need not know the truth. I may be over-stepping, but I will say what I think. I honestly think Cyrus would roll in his grave if his son ends up hating Talia. You’re an elder and you know everything... I’m just... I’ll leave now." she closed the door and left.

Lord Lockhart watched Vivian leaving after carefully closing the door and sighed.

" You see that, pumpkin? Cyril did find himself a woman well above his capacity. I wish you were here to meet her... Ah, I miss you dearly... " he sighed.

---

When Talia and Arthur left the mansion, they were covered with photographers and their car couldn’t move an inch. Some even banged the door and windows trying to get them to react making Talia frightened.

Arthur had to honk the horn and slowly move inch by inch to leave the mob of reporters a d went back to Oakley Castle.