Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 352: Jolene’s Trouble

Chapter 352: Jolene’s Trouble

"WE? " Talia tightened her hold around Celine’s neck and she winced making Talia chuckle. "Tell me with whom you were that day, dear." Talia decided to tease Celine more seeing her blushing.

Celine tried to wriggle away from Talia’s grip but she couldn’t and they both ended up in a little toss while giggling.

"I was on a lunch date with Walter. Happy? Now let’s stop behaving like unruly children."

In the end Celine gave up first.

"You should have told me when I asked you politely," Talia grinned proudly as she gained victory.

"You are nothing like what we were led to believe in the past. You’re livelier and I envy you in a way." Celine said as she fixed her hair that had gotten a little messy during their previous tussle.

"You think so?" Talia raised her brows. "I’ve changed a lot. I used to be like this and then my world turned grey. I’m glad it turned colourful once again."

"Because of Love?" Celine paused and looked at Talia deeply.

"Yes, you could say that." Talia smiled and thought to herself: And also because of ’making love’. She somehow felt happier after she started sleeping with Fred and she knew there are some scientific reasons for that. Oxytocins, endorphines , serotonins are called the ’happy hormone’ right?

They walked around for some time. Talia felt like Celine wanted to ask her something, but was hesitating. She didn’t ask about it and let Celine gather courage by herself.

"Talia," Celine whispered as sat closer to Talia on the bench near a fountain. The gentle trickling noise from the fountain gave a serene stillness, calming the mind.

"Does it hurt very much?"

"Does what-" Talia paused seeing Celine entirely blushing and realised what she meant. "First time?" she asked in a hushed tone and Celine nodded.

"It varies from person to person, I think. Are you planning to... you know?" Talia raised her brows and Celine nodded.

"It’s... I know we have a long way to go, but I am curious. Will you laugh at me for being totally inexperienced at my age of twenty five and thinking about ’that’ every night before sleep, like some-"

"I will not! What does age got to do with that? You didn’t feel the need to before since you didn’t find anyone you love and now that you have found a man you love and trust, what is wrong to think about making love to him?" Talia shrugged.

"You’re right. There is nothing to be ashamed of," Celine took in a deep breath fisting her hand as if she had gained some courage and determination, but then with a sigh she looked like a deflated balloon as she slumped. "But Walter... he should be experienced since he had girlfriends before and won’t he find it bothersome to be with a novice like me?"

"What do you think? You know him better than me. Does he look like a guy who’d-"

"No!" Celine interjected and her eyes shined. "He is very considerate towards me and I don’t think when the time comes he’d be disappointed in me for my inexperience."

"There you go," Talia smiled. "You love him and you trust him. That is more important and you can breeze through any difficulties if you trust him, Right?" she looked at Celine and nodding, Celine bowed her head. She had a glow in her face and Talia was pleased to see that. Getting surrounded by happy people is good for one’s mental health too.

"And I heard that most men prefer girls with limited or no experience for various reasons. And take it this way, if he is more experienced, that means he should have a trick or two in his sleeves to... please you," Talia whispered in Celine’s ears and she covered her face. "Just tell him that you were waiting for him all your life and it would be the greatest turn-on. Trust me." Talia added and smiled seeing Celine’s ears go red.

"It’s the truth though," Celine whispered. "I am waiting for him."

How cute! Talia couldn’t help but think looking at Celine.

"Why isn’t Jolene here yet?" Talia asked checking the time. She didn’t want to tease Celine anymore. Also talking about that made her miss Arthur more.

"She’s a lot busy these days and... Talia, I think she is..."

"Look at the woman who attracts danger everywhere she goes!" Celine’s soft voice was interrupted by Jolene’s crispy voice and Talia felt her throat constricted by Jolene’s strong hug from behind her.

"Speak of the devil and she appears..." Talia laughed. "But are you returning from your office or a pub? You reek of alcohol," Talia furrowed her brows as she took a good look at Jolene.

She was still in her formal work suit, but her blouse was crinkled and her hair looked unkempt. Talia felt like there was something wrong with Jolene as the spark in her eyes were missing.

"Ah, I was happy a deal went through today and had a little party with my co-workers," Jolene picked a teacup and right before Talia’s eyes, she pulled out a whiskey flask and tried to pour the alcohol in the teacup.

"That’s a teacup, Jolene," Celine stopped Jolene and Talia watched Jolene’s face hardening.

"Fine! Have your little teacup for yourself!" Jolene spoke in a dismissive tone and started drinking directly from the flask.

"What is this Jolene? You’re already reeking of alcohol and you still want to drink more? It is still bright outside. What-"

"Oh, loosen up a bit Talia. Is there a rule for not drinking when it is bright outside?" Jolene didn’t even look at Talia and started to drink more.

"She’s been like this the past few days, Talia," Celine looked worried. "I tried to talk to her but-"

"Oh shut up Miss goody two shoes! I don’t need you to-"

"Jolene," Talia’s voice that was laced with little anger interjected Jolene. Celine looked a little stunned by the dismissive way Jolene was talking to her and Talia felt uncomfortable watching Jolene drinking this early in the day. It irked her. "Of course you can do what you want and feel like. But please understand this is MY garden and not a pub. You cannot-"

Talia herself felt like her tone is harsher than she anticipated and she paused seeing Jolene’s eyes getting cloudy. "Jolene what I meant is-"

"Hmpf!" Jolene got up and picked up her jacket. "Then this sinner will leave Your Highness’ holy garden!" She shouted and jogged away.

"Was I too harsh?"

Talia rubbed her forehead. She really didn’t want to kick Jolene out of her garden, but wanted to talk about her drinking habits.

"Don’t feel bad, Talia." Celine patted her shoulders. "She’s been drunk or tipsy every time I meet her these days. She needs an intervention."

"Still... I should have been a little patient," Talia sighed.

---

Tears rolled through Jolene’s cheeks as she walked out of the garden and through the hallways to leave the palace. She wiped her eyes so not to create any weird rumours of a fight among the friends as there were some staffs still working.

She herself knew she had a problem. These past few days, her business is doing well after getting advice from Lord Brunton but she felt so empty in her heart; like she was missing something more important. So she filled her emptiness with alcohol which she herself knew is bad. She knew it is bad for her health and also bad for her mind, but she couldn’t function without that tipsy feeling.

She looked through the hallway that would lead to Prince Lambert’s place and her pace slowed. She just wanted to have a glance at him. After the Ball it was as if he had disappeared from t he world; well, just her world, since he is still going out and doing his engagements. It is only she who cannot even have a glance at him.

Should I just walk in and find him?

She thought as she neared the entrance to his place. The most important reason she agreed to be a Lady in Waiting despite her tight schedule is to have glances at him. Without seeing him for days, she felt so hollow.

But what will I say to him? I am the one who cannot give him what he wants and I was the one who pushed him away. I still cannot accept him, so what am I going to do after meeting him?

She tried to walk away but unknowingly, her legs froze as her eyes lingered at the entrance. The guards stationed at the entrance, looked at her and she bowed her head. She, as a Lady in Waiting has free access to Talia’s place, but she’d need permission to get into Lambert’s place.

Suddenly she felt a tug by her arm and the next moment she was pulled to a dark corner of that hallway. Her view darkened as her back was pressed against the cold stone wall and to her front was the broad chest of the man she loved and his soothing scent entered her senses despite her being tipsy.

Ah... I love him so much.

"Who were you searching for staring like that..?" his deep voice hissed in her ear, making her shudder. "And are you drunk this early?"

"Are you going to throw me away too?"

She held his shirt and she didn’t know why but she started to sob.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.