Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 362: Visiting An Old Friend

Chapter 362: Visiting An Old Friend

"I didn’t think you’d actually bring me on a date." Talia smiled as she hooked her arm with Arthur’s as they got down from their private jet.

She really didn’t think he’d bring her out to A-Country with him. She knew he had to go on a short trip, and she was happy he brought her with him.

"I have minor things to settle in the site and tomorrow we can go meet your friend." He said after they settled in the hotel and Talia shrieked happily and placed a kiss on his cheek.

"Aww, my little Iris gets happier about meeting her friend than spending today with me. Whatever can I do?" Arthur wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. She had let down her long hair and the content smile in her face made him delighted.

"We can go out tonight then. Let’s go for a walk and eat outside in some diner. What say you?" Talia asked.

This trip is more of a secret trip and in this small city the chance of them running into paparazzi is very little. Talia missed walking around in crowded streets without any worries and this seemed like a good opportunity.

"Fine, let’s do as you wish. Take rest till then." Arthur placed a little kiss on her forehead.

After eating gourmet food for this long, she craves for diner food? How adorable!

"We can be a regular couple today." Talia smiled brightly.

Talia took a nap for a couple of hours to handle the jetlag and then changed to casual jeans and white blouse with a jacket. She tied her hair to a ponytail and wore her favourite ankle boots to be able to walk freely. She wore the red butterfly necklace he gave and her lips curled to a smile looking at her.

When she finished getting ready, Arthur entered the room and took a good look at her. Seeing him saying nothing, Talia got sad.

"You think I didn’t put much effort for our date?"

"No," Arthur walked to her and patted her head. "It’s rare I see you in this style. I just... I can’t believe how beautiful you are, whatever you wear." He let out a deep breath and Talia’s lashes fluttered looking at him. "I can’t wait to strip you off." He added and Talia punched him in the gut with as much strength she could gather.

Arthur laughed seeing her angry and rubbing his abdomen that hurt more than he anticipated, went to the bathroom to freshen up.

"You still beat me," Talia sighed seeing Arthur in jeans and white shirt. He set his hair back and he looked like a movie star with three of his shirt button popped open.

"What are you doing?" Arthur asked holding back his chuckle seeing her buttoning up his shirt. She even found him a black beanie to cover his head.

"It would be weird if people see your chest hair. I’m helping you here, Red. I heard there is a psycho who murders gingers around here."

Arthur couldn’t hold back his laughter anymore and laughed out loud. And it is rare that she calls him "Red". He loved it. "You’re so obvious, Blue... I really can’t..."

"Are you coming or not?" Talia’s face turned red out of embarrassment as she was caught by him. How can she be faulted? He’s too handsome for this place. What if someone kidnaps him and sells him as a s*x slave? Idiot cannot understand my kind gesture!

Talia turned to leave and Arthur still laughing followed her. He didn’t remove the beanie either.

Holding hands, they walked through the busy streets. Although with their casual attires, they still attracted attention as they were both tall and handsome. Thankfully since this is another country and a small city, no one knew her as the Princess and him as the President of a conglomerate.

Maybe because they got reminded of their school days having attended the reunion recently, they felt free and laughed a lot like back in those days where they had no worries.

They ate the street foods while doing window shopping. Talia got some gifts for her visit to Rebecca. They took a lot of pictures by themselves and getting the help of others too.

"It was liberating to be in a place where no one recognised us," Talia plopped on the bed and rubbed her belly. She was very full after eating a lot of food.

"Yes," Arthur lied beside her and placed his hand over her hand. He was relieved seeing her so full of life, enjoying the little things in life.

I wish we could be this happy for the rest of our lives, Iris.

The next day, they got on their jet and reached the city. Rebecca didn’t like being in the hospital and so Joe had brought her back home. They were still living in the penthouse of the apartment building belonging to Talia since the hospital is nearby and they could land a helicopter in the roof in case there is an emergency.

Talia didn’t inform of her visit to Rebecca to not get her too excited. After settling their luggage at Talia’s apartment, Talia informed Joe of their arrival. He was at home since it was the weekend and got excited by the news.

But he informed that Rebecca was napping then and Talia asked Joe to call her after she wakes up. Now that she had sometime, Talia started to clean the apartment. It was a while since Talia had done any cleaning and she oddly felt happy doing the cleaning. Arthur looked at her happily cleaning and he decided to help her and started cleaning the bathroom.

She has changed a lot since the last time I met her here, hasn’t she? I’m delighted!

Just as both of them finished cleaning, Joe called and both of them went upstairs. Talia was surprised how well-behaved Arthur was as he didn’t say one word against Rebecca.

Is he feeling bad for her?

Joe hugged her and Arthur and welcomed them to their home and Talia walked straight to the bedroom where Rebecca is resting. She was still lying and Talia signalled her not to get up.

"Ah Tallie... I was thinking of divorcing you if you didn’t visit me after crossing the pond." Rebecca held out her hand for a hug with a smile and Talia bent and hugged her.

"Of course I’d visit you. Ah, I missed you so much, Rebecca."

Talia then asked Rebecca about her health. She looked a lot mature and soft with her baby bump and Talia felt some weird feeling in her heart.

"Did you come with Arthur?" Rebecca questioned.

"Yes, he’s here. He’s probably chatting with Joe." Talia didn’t care to search for Arthur and Rebecca didn’t care to see him either.

"Come on, lie with me," Rebecca patted her side and Talia lied beside her. Rebecca held her hand and both of them stared silently at the rotating ceiling fan for a while.

"Joe’s doing everything, Tallie. I thought he’d hire someone to look after me, but he didn’t. He works, he cooks and cleans. He does the laundry... everything. He doesn’t even complain Tallie..." Rebecca had a very satisfied smile. "He doesn’t even let me move around much. At first when the doctor advised complete bed rest for me, I thought I would sink to depression, but Joe... he took- he takes good care of me, Tallie... I thought I couldn’t love him more than I loved him when we got married, but I love him more now."

"In sickness and in health – that’s what you promised each other, right? And you’re doing this for the kid. It is his child too, right?" Talia looked at Rebecca and she nodded.

"But still..." Rebecca has a calm smile.

"I know." Talia agreed. Joe has changed a lot too. But, to think that loud-mouth Rebecca becoming this calm and sensible... Motherhood is amazing!

"May I?" Talia sat straight and pointed at Rebecca’s belly. She had touched Cordelia’s bump before and have felt the baby’s kick. She wanted to try it with Rebecca.

"I can feel the baby move, but you can’t for yet another month. But you can speak to my daughter." Rebecca said and Talia raised her eyebrows.

"You’ve confirmed it is a girl?" Talia was happy. Seeing her nod, Talia continued, "Have you chosen a name?"

"I’ve left that honour for you. So think hard, Tallie."

Talia was stunned by her request. "It is an honour but-"

"No buts, Tallie. You’re going to be the Godmother and you’ll be the one naming my baby. I’ve decided. If not for you, I’d have lost this child and Joe. I owe you-"

"Fine," Talia agreed. She still believed even without her, Rebecca wouldn’t have aborted her child and she still would be with Joe.

"When are you going to have kids? And you’re still ’active’ in that regard, right?" Rebecca’s usual nosiness poked out making Talia laugh.

"After getting married, I plan on having at least four children." Talia smiled. She really wanted a lot of kids.

"Four? That’s not a lot." Rebecca said genuinely.

"Others will say four is a lot." Talia looked at Rebecca and she shrugged.

"I wish I could have another one. Joe’s very against me going through pregnancy again. I know he’s the one suffering a lot, but still..."

"I understand," Talia agreed. "By the way, how did you know I was here?" Talia asked.