Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 339: First Love Hurts

Chapter 339: First Love Hurts

Cyrus!

Ah... My heart still flutters hearing that name!

Elizabeth closed her eyes as she remembered that charming boy she met one night on her way back from school. Although Archie always warned her not to get close to him, her curiosity got the better of her and she slept with him.

And, she fell in love with him!

He was like a bright light. Like a pitiful moth, she tried to get closer to him, but she was scorched every time she tried to get closer and yet she couldn’t give up. He left and years passed. She thought she’d get over him, but no matter how many men she embraced, those blue eyes were the ones that lingered in her heart and his gentle smile he had for her when he kissed her forehead that night still gave butterflies in her stomach. She thought when he returned years later, she’d have a chance but got rejected once again. She created a rumour and thought that would interest him, but he never gave a glance at her.

First love!

For one day she was in his embrace but she became addicted to him. She was willing to lose anything to be with him, but he didn’t give her a second glance.

She really thought of him as a mighty Knight... His wisdom was his sword and he protected his Princess with all his might. He took any maiden willing to be in his embrace for a night but was flowing freely like a river without settling for one. She was willing to accept that he cannot settle with a woman.

But no... Even he could find a woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with – Camilla. She watched him going on dates with her and laughing with her.

He could see a future with her, but not with me. Why? How am I inferior to her?

She had mulled over that thought. She was jealous of Camilla and she thought she hated her. But she never wished harm on her. She wanted to know why he couldn’t love her. But she couldn’t find an answer. He died and she will never get the answer.

But how is Lord Lockhart sure those rumours are untrue? He did sleep with me...

She, a married woman with children, has a heart still fluttering for a man who never gave her a second glance. And if anyone brought up his name, she’d pretend she’s enraged to hide her fluster. Pathetic!

And so, she could understand Sophia who is in the same boat of ’unrequited love’. Jordan too. Sophia loved a boy and watched him grow into a man all the while pining for a woman who left him while Jordan loved a woman who had his friend in his heart. Sophia has an understandable reason to be jealous of Talia.

Yes, reason to be jealous... but hate..? Why should she hate Talia for getting Arthur’s love? And that’s where Sophia is twisted and is different from her. She manipulated Jordan. Or did she?

Jordie.... my sweet little brother... Were you really manipulated? You’re too smart to be manipulated. How can a naïve person be ’The Cupbearer’ of ’The King’ for years?

Did you want to destroy your friend who used the love of the woman you loved to advance his agendas? You knew how much your King loved The Princess. Did you think that the woman who made your heart race for the first time was pitiful and she deserves to vent her anger? Is that why you let that happen? Is your heart twisted too?

Everyone’s blaming you for putting your sisters’ life in danger, but a great danger looms above our family. I’ll talk to you before that bear goes on a rampage destroying our family.

"I have to find Jordie," Elizabeth stood up. "But about the rumours ...Whatever made you so sure, Lord Lockhart?"

She wanted to slap herself hard on her cheeks. Years have passed and still she couldn’t move on. Everyone calls her ’the delinquent’ and thinks she doesn’t have a heart and here she is... being pathetic like a meek moth. At the slight chance of news about him, her heart yearns to know more.

Darn you, first love!

"...He had a journal," Lord Lockhart said after a sight pause. He himself didn’t know why he brought up such sensitive issue now. This woman seemed hurt remembering the past.

Ah, right... He thought it won’t be bad to have a McAllister as the next Lady of his household when those rumours circulated. Just like the rumours around Talia, his son didn’t care about those rumours and he thought he might have fallen for the eldest McAllister.

I got my wish of having a McAllister as my daughter-in-law. But it is not the eldest McAllister with my eldest. Fate... It is... bizarre.

"A journal?" mumbled before turning to leave. Her hands inside her trouser pockets fisted.

So he thought I was worthless to be mentioned even in his journal? Ha! Cyrus ...why can’t I hate you still?

-----

"I’m fine, aren’t I?" Vivian caressed the back of Cyril’s head as he was burying his face in the nape of her neck. "Are you crying?" her heart skipped a beat as she felt something warm trickling down her neck.

"I thought I’d lose you, Vivi... I’m glad you are fine... I’m glad you didn’t abandon me...What would I do without you?"

Vivian held Cyril closer as she could fell the grown man shaking in her embrace. He is not someone who speaks his mind and for him to say these things and behaving like a scared little boy, she could only imagine how much pain he is in. Suddenly the pain in her head felt like it was nothing.

"I’m such a useless guy like my dad says. I couldn’t even protect you..."

Cyril continued and Vivian had enough of his pity party. "How was it your fault? Wipe your eyes and pour me some water," she pushed him away.

Cyril looked at Vivian’s face for five seconds and hugged her once more. He didn’t want to leave her side for a moment. What if when he turns away, she gets hurt? But she asks for water and she must be thirsty.

Vivian watched Cyril hurriedly pouring water in a glass and she wanted to laugh. How cute is he!

As she drank the water, she inquired about Talia and Marcella and was relieved to know both are fine.

"When I knew there was a blast, I instinctively covered Marcella." She said and passed the glass to Cyril and he looked at her with his usual calmness.

"She’s your sister." Cyril knew how much the sisters loved each other. It is natural for her to protect her sister. As much as he hated that about her to put her sisters above her, it is her character. And he loved her.

"Yes...and also Talia seemed composed in that situation and I didn’t worry about her." Vivian held his hand. "I was terrified but tried to act calm, but she seemed calm... truly calm."

"Mmm... this is not the first time she’s in these types of situations unlike you. She’s experienced." Cyril shrugged indifferently. Honestly he didn’t care much about Talia when his wife-to-be is injured.

"Look at you..." Vivian chuckled, "She’s experienced", she mimicked his voice and laughed some more. "What an odd thing to have experience at!" she sighed. "I was not entirely unconscious and came to just for a moment. Talia had my gun in her hand and she still couldn’t make a shot."

Cyril ran his fingers through Vivian’s soft, platinum blonde hair. "She did?" Cyril didn’t want Vivian to be concerned for others and ruin her health. "Do you want to eat?" The doctors told that she could eat anything if she was hungry. He wanted to change the topic.

"I still haven’t paid the gardener’s salary this week," Vivian said suddenly and Cyril who was about to call someone to get her food, paused and looked at her.

Is it important now?

"I haven’t experienced motherhood yet," Vivian continued and seeing her misted eyes, Cyril knew she is talking about something serious and held her hand. "That’s what..." she sniffed and wiped the tear rolling down her cheek. "Those were the thoughts that came to me when I thought I might die. Not the ad-shoot I have to do or the premier I have to attend or even our wedding."

Vivian got her hand out of Cyril’s hold and held it in her hands. "Cyril, I want to bear your child. I’d be happy being your wife, raising our kids and running our household. I don’t even care for a grand wedding. Let’s just register our marriage in the register office tomorrow."

Cyril was flabbergasted by the cute woman in front of him, saying those words looking right in his eyes. Was he happy? Extremely! Ever since he was a boy, he wanted a wife who stays home. But he was fine with a career woman if she is Vivian. He was happy she changed her mind... but isn’t the timing a bit...

"Are you not happy?" Vivian saw Cyril looking so stunned and asked.

"I am... but I give you two more weeks to think through-"

"I’m not going to change my mind!"

"Two weeks..."

"Cyril... Let’s get married tomorrow!"

"We can’t elope!"

"Cyril..."

Vivian couldn’t speak anymore as her lips were enveloped by Cyril’s warm lips.