Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 358: She Was Happy

Chapter 358: She Was Happy

Everything changed after Lady Gina Melrose started conversing with Talia. A crowd gathered around Talia and the mood became lighter afterwards. Talia asked them to address her freely and they started talking about the blast.

One woman asked Gina about Sophia and Gina told them how Sophia was an obsessive stalker type and Talia was surprised hearing some of the things Sophia tried to make Gina do to her back in high school. But Gina somehow escaped the clutches of Sophia.

Talia liked Gina and wanted to help her somehow. The Melrose family is a noble family with no wealth or power in Esteria. They own a small furniture company that used to be very famous, but they suffered a loss. There are some Melrose furniture in the Oakley Castle that were bought during the glorious days of the Melrose family. These days they only make cheap furniture, but the Melrose name is pretty respected by many still.

The Clairmont family tried to buy the Melrose business in the past as the brand name carried weight, but Gina’s father refused to sell the company no matter what since it is their family business carried on for generations. Then there were talks going on that Gina was engaged with Samuel (Sophia’s brother) and that’s why Sophia hung around Gina.

But as far as Talia observed, Gina seemed to be a little more interested in Jordan back in high school although she was engaged with another. While Jordan was following around Sophia, Gina was looking at Jordan.

"Who was surprised to see Talia and Arthur walking hand in hand?" Gina asked and everyone around laughed.

"I was not!"

"I was surprised!" one said as everyone’s eyes focused on her for answers. "... that they announced their relationship just now. I expected them to have at least two children by now"

Her answer made everyone laugh some more.

"They really thought they were keeping their relationship as a secret, but the whole school knew..."

"I thought one of them would be forced to change schools as their family won’t support their relationship, but it seems like they wanted the feud to end after all!"

Everyone started to give their thoughts and Talia was very happy. She didn’t think she’d feel this happy proclaiming that Arthur is her boyfriend, but she was delighted more than she expected.

Soon some games that were arranged in the gym started and Talia decided to watch from the sidelines. Arthur was pulled to a match by his former teammates and he left his suit jacket with her before going all competitive in a friendly match.

What a petty guy!

"He’s still the same... He can’t back down from a challenge."

Talia turned at the familiar voice and her face turned stiff naturally. But looking at the guy having a forlorn glance, she felt a little bad.

Good or bad, this guy took care of Arthur for the past ten years. She can show some courtesy to him.

"Lord Jordan! You should have arrived here early and bragged how you became a CEO after ten years of being an assistant and also how you’ve become a ’Lord’." She tried to be courteous, but still she couldn’t control herself from being sarcastic.

"I became the CEO of my dad’s company and it was your boyfriend who made me a ’Lord’. And don’t address me as Lord. Coming from your mouth it is much more cringe-inducing." Jordan spoke using the same tone as her as he was used to it.

"You’re very self-aware, Lord Jordan." Talia enunciated ’Lord’. How will she let go of the chance to make Jordan squirm after he hurt Arthur?

If he doesn’t like to be addressed a "lord’, that is exactly what I am going to do.

"You’re such a..."

Only after speaking, did Jordan remember the words spoken by Arthur. Talia always treated him as an equal and never expected him to be polite with her. Even now she is chatting casually with him.

"Such a what, Lord Jordan?" Talia grinned at Jordan and then turned to the front and waved at Arthur who was searching for her.

Talia was glad seeing Arthur still beating the others. Even after all these years, he still is the fittest one in the bunch.

"Talia, I wanted to apologise to you for-"

"I think we’ve already talked about it, Lord Jordan," Talia interjected. She didn’t want to talk about it again.

"Instead of sympathising with Sophia, I should have taken your side with no second thoughts. You were the one who always treated me fairly, not Sophia."

"And? I still don’t care!" Talia glared at Jordan.

Because of Sophia she can’t even leave Rosandale and she had to sneak out. That thought made her angrier.

Jordan fell silent for a while noticing her mood. He could feel the burning gaze of his former boss on him as if he was warning him to leave her side.

Yeah! Make me!

"He did a lot to bring you to this reunion you know" Jordan broke the silence and Talia got more curious.

"Like what?"

"He met every one of them who is going to attend the reunion personally to ask them for signing the NDA. No one is allowed to get close to you unless you permit to, not one can engage with you unless your permit, no posting in social media for at least two days, no asking for selfies..."

Jordan went through a long list.

So that’s why people were scared to approach me at the beginning? But, he personally met with everyone to sign an NDA? He must have done this personally to make sure no one loses it with the extra security courtesy of my arrival. He wanted me to feel safe and enjoy myself here. He also wanted to make sure the situation doesn’t get weird by politely asking everyone to cooperate with the security measures beforehand, than shoving it in their face at the reunion.

Wow Fred, I love you!

But is he going to propose? Her heart started to beat excitedly.

It’s highly unlikely since we have just announced our relationship, right?

Ugh!

"How is the preparation for investiture going?" Jordan asked and Talia furrowed her brows.

"You know Jordan, for someone who doesn’t work for Arthur anymore; you seem to know more about him than needed. You’re not planning on becoming a stalker... or a spy, are you?"

"Calm down, Talia. I heard about the Investiture from the tailor who thought that I am still his assistant. Nothing more." Jordan waved his hand.

"Oh?" Talia didn’t think Jordan was lying and decided to let him go.

"What do you think about adding Melrose furniture to your departmental stores, Jordan?" Talia broke the silence. "The collaboration would definitely be a success bringing money to you and also the Melrose family. Why not talk to Lady Gina Melrose about it? Isn’t she the sole heir?"

"I know. But why are you-"

Talia waved her hand at the sceptical Jordan and walked towards Arthur not minding Jordan.

"You had a lot to say to Jordan," Arthur was pouting as she expected.

"Don’t you think Lady Gina Melrose suit Jordan better?" she asked and Arthur stared at the distance.

It might actually be helpful for him to get involved with a proper Lady for once. Her family isn’t bad either.

"Stop worrying for others." He said with a fake anger and Talia smiled seeing the relief in his face. Although she should be very angry at Jordan, she didn’t feel angry. She just wished the best for him. She felt liberated without hate in her heart.

Arthur held her hand and they walked through the familiar path leading to the attic. The breeze was strong bringing along the scent of hawthorn just like that day.

As they walked up the narrow wooden stairs leading to the attic, Talia’s heart started to thump harder. For a moment there, she felt like she was the teenager who sneaked in there during gym classes.

A small light bulb illuminated the entire place. That wooden stool she used to sit was still there and Talia was surprised as the place still smelled musty as always. She walked to the window and it was dark outside making her unable to see the view but when she closed her eyes, she could see the view from her memory.

The distant rows of hawthorn... and Cyrus...

She thought she might be bombarded with memories of Cyrus making her stunned, but nothing of the sort happened.

On the contrary, she felt happy with Arthur by her side.

It is funny how much I remember from ten years back. Only Cyrus is missing... Cyrus, are you watching? I am living happily now.

"Iris," Arthur’s warm breath fell on her neck and she could feel the warmth radiating from him as he embraced her from behind. She turned and his lips ended up on hers.

"Thank you for everything, Fred."

Her words were swallowed by his kisses and before she knew it, she was pressed against the wall with her skirt pulled up and he has positioned himself between her legs.

"Here?" her eyes glistened with uncertainty. She could hear him unbuckling his belt and she knew what was coming and pulled up a defence with the least bit of her rationality left.

"I always wanted to do it with you in the school." He hissed in her ears, his tone almost begging. She gave up the last line of defence.

No one will know anyway!

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