Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 332: Explosion at the Restaurant

Chapter 332: Explosion at the Restaurant

Talia noticed the director who was sweating bullets and observed Jordan who was typing away in his phone possibly texting someone. At one point, she saw the sigh of relief from Jordan and he went to the nervous director and showed him the phone and she saw the colour returning to the director’s face.

Talia looked at Arthur and she could see that he has calmed down a bit too. But from what she had observed, it seemed like that director was coerced, but the plans of the enemies were thwarted.

The voting was done and the board members unanimously voted not to nationalise Northern Star. A press release was sent to the press after an official report was sent to the concerning officials.

"What happened with that director?" Talia whispered in Arthur’s ear as the directors took their leave.

"Someone kidnapped his son and threatened him to vote for nationalisation. Thankfully we got his son safe before the voting." Arthur rubbed her back.

"Although one vote wouldn’t have changed anything, I can see why they wanted to make it seem like there was support for nationalisation in the company itself... A nice way to show we are divided and maybe to show that you are incompetent. But I am glad they failed. Did you find out who did this?" Talia realised the ruthlessness of the business world once more.

She looked at Arthur and she was grateful that he is interested in these kinds of daily battles. In a way a CEO is like a general who have to be constantly alert and anticipate the attacks of the enemies and lead his army (company) to victory.

She knew what being responsible for the livelihood of thousands of people entitles to. And she was happy she doesn’t bear that heavy burden. Arthur is bearing it in her place and she was glad she gets to choose her future and not have such heavy responsibility thrashed on her.

My poor Fred... he is carrying so many burdens on his shoulders and no wonder he gets migraines.

Talia felt a tingling feeling in her heart as she realised how hard Arthur is working and how smart he should be to handle everything. She wanted to give him a hug.

"We haven’t yet. But we will soon. He can’t escape me," Arthur pulled Talia closer along with the chair. As expected, she got the motive of the guy who did this. Too bad she isn’t that interested in managing the company.

And what’s with that look? She looks so cute, I want to kiss her.

Arthur looked around to see the conference room already empty and only Jordan was standing by the door typing in his phone.

That guy spends a lot of time in his phone texting someone these days. Did he find a girlfriend?

"Fred, take the medications properly. Your health is more important than the company," Talia’s voice interrupted his thoughts and his heart skipped a beat. What followed was this soft feeling on his forehead as a familiar, overwhelming scent raiding his senses

"Iris... what medications?" Arthur looked up at Talia who was standing in front of him and her arms were still on his shoulders. His face paled as he wondered how much she had learnt about his condition. He had specifically asked the doctor not to reveal his scan results to anyone; especially his family. If he was forced, he asked him to tell them that it was nothing.

Did that doctor break his word?

"Papa told me everything, Fred. Why didn’t you tell me you took an MRI yesterday? Were you scared I’d be angry at you for putting it off till now when you told me you already took care of it? But I’m kind of relieved it is just migraines. Don’t worry, you’ll get better soon." Talia hugged him.

Arthur hugged her back and buried his face in her chest. Although he was glad that the truth wasn’t revealed, he felt guilty for hiding it from her. He knew she can find the true test results if she wants by hacking the computer system of the hospital. But it seems like she didn’t check.

I’m sorry, Iris. There is a tumour in my brain and the doctor said that it is benign and they can remove it with surgery easily. But even I’m scared to be put under the knife. I know you’d be terrified if I tell you the truth... I’m sorry. I’ll inform you once I have the surgery.

"I wanted to show you something. Come with me!"

"Where are you dragging me?" Talia didn’t get what got into his head for him to become this much enthusiastic. "Fine! Let go of my wrist. I’ll go with you!" she pulled her hand back as they reached the exit. They can’t be seen holding hands yet.

As she was about to get out of the door, Jordan blocked her and he had a troubled expression on his face. "Where is he?" he shouted at her and Talia was stunned.

’He’? ’He’ who? And why is he shouting at me?

Before she could reply to him, Arthur who had already stepped out came back in and rushed her to follow him. Seeing Arthur, Jordan stepped back and as the door closed, Talia noticed Jordan texting someone with his face filled with concern.

What is that about?

Talia couldn’t think much about Jordan as she saw the big bear in Arthur’s office. Her eyebrows twitched involuntarily, seeing that big bear standing behind his desk giving an imposing aura.

"I brought it from your apartment. Do you like it? It suits well in my office well, right? I purposefully left the bear there so it would be in my background during video calls. Some people have already started to call me ’The Bear King’. Iris... why are you silent? Tell me. It’s amazing, isn’t it? Look, if I stand beside it don’t I look more imposing?"

Arthur went on with his ramble and Talia really couldn’t find words to say. Already the staffs in the company are terrified of him. Must he add to their fear with this bear?

"I wish I could hang a photograph of you getting excited like a boy for a dead bear. That would change your image to ’silly’ than ’imposing’ and they’d start calling you ’The Teddy Bear’." Talia couldn’t help but chuckle.

This guy is goofy as always!

Arthur didn’t mind her and pulled her closer and took selfies with her having the bear as the background and seeing how excited he was, Talia went along. She already had a great idea herself.

Talia stayed in Arthur’s office for some time, solely to get an idea about this new FEMALE ’assistant’ who’d be replacing Jordan. That woman was polite and she seemed smart and thoughtful. She is not bad to have as an assistant.

Talia knew that assistant won’t be a threat to her and she seemed to already have a boyfriend too and was relieved. That woman seemed to be dead-scared of that dead stuffed bear in Arthur’s office and Talia didn’t find that bear that much of an eyesore anymore.

-----

When Talia reached the Japanese restaurant Vivian had arranged for the meeting, it was already mid-day. Vivian had Cyril’s help in arranging this private get together and Talia knew the security would be top notch. She only brought Mr. Ed with her since he insisted.

When she was led to the private room with wooden partition, her lips curved up seeing Vivian already there and Marcella was with her too. Talia thought it might be her delusion, but it seemed like Marcella seemed more different. She didn’t look awkward like during their first meeting. She looked more confident and assertive.

Guess love changed her, huh? Awesome!

"I wanted to bring you to my dress fitting, but Cyril said it would be too much of a security risk. He also thought there is no need to book the entire restaurant so not to arouse any suspicions or any unwanted paps. You don’t mind, no? You like Japanese food, right? Wait... let’s take a selfie..." Vivian talked as enthusiastic as ever.

As they took the pictures, Vivian’s phone got a call and Talia thought "Little cutie’ was the pet name she had for her niece or nephew. But when Vivian said ’Jordie’ Talia couldn’t hold back her laughter.

How is a twenty nine year old man ’Little cutie’?

It seemed like Jordan wanted to know his sister’s location and after that Vivian ended the call. The three of them chatted for a while. It seemed like Marcella admired Talia a lot and that made Talia a little uncomfortable. Compared to what Marcella has achieved, Talia felt like she is lacking. But she appreciated her respect for her and expressed her respect towards Marcella too.

"That epitaph... dad wrote it himself." Vivian said and Talia was surprised. "Just before he made the announcement he changed the tombstone. He wanted you to be included in it. The first one just included his family and they didn’t know about Thomas then. So dad wanted to change the tombstone for a while..." Vivian looked at Talia and Talia nodded.

"I wanted to meet Thomas..." Talia still couldn’t bring herself to face Thomas and his eyes.

"Well, I can..."

"MISS, STOP RIGHT THERE!! HALT OR I’LL SHOOT!!"

A loud shout of Mr. Ed was heard followed by the sound of a warning shot which was soon followed by a loud ’Bang’.

A BOMB?

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