Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 447: Leaving Palace Gates

Chapter 447: Leaving Palace Gates

"Stay here," Talia stopped Arthur and ran through the bush into the darkness.

Arthur followed her anyway. He watched her talking to someone from above.

Is that Lambert’s girlfriend?

After a minute, she came back giggling as she waved the key in her hand.

"Jolene got the key for us," she grinned and they walked to the garage Lambert keeps his vehicles.

"She’s amazing, isn’t she? She’s my friend!" Talia said with her chin up with pride.

"Sure, she is," Arthur rolled his eyes.

"You don’t want the key?" Talia raised her eyebrows and Arthur snatched the key easily from her hand.

"Give it back, you dummy!" Talia ran behind Arthur trying to catch up with him.

Surely how could he understand what her friend did? Which one of his friends will bother to meet with their partner just to steal their motorbike key for him?

The guards all looked straight ahead as if they didn’t care for what they do, but Talia knew the moment they see her head disappearing in the distance, they’ll call for the gatekeepers to not let them out.

It was already past midnight and it rained early in the night and so the roads might be slippery. They would be strongly advised not to ride a motorbike.

Since the wedding is just a week away, they were asked not to leave their place of stay for unnecessary things. Talia knew this is for her own safety since her life is attached to a lot of drama and she wouldn’t need another one so close to her wedding.

"Want to take a ride with me?" Arthur asked and Talia nodded although she wasn’t sure if she wants to ride with him. She didn’t know how good of a driver he is.

"Remember that day we rode the same bike?" Arthur asked and Talia remembered that one day she gathered her courage to ride with him on his bike.

It was fun... She didn’t dare to do it again, but that one time was fun.

"Sure."

This time she was a lot more relaxed and Arthur placed a kiss on her forehead.

After helping Talia wear her helmet properly, Arthur wore his helmet.

"Hold on tight," he said, and Talia wrapped her arms around his firm abdomen.

He was wearing a hoodie and Talia rested her cheek on his broad back. He was warm and his manly scent made her feel secure.

After making sure Talia is settled securely, the motorbike raced in the palace roads.

"Wha- Fred? Where are you-?"

Talia’s screamed, but Arthur probably didn’t hear her at the speed they were travelling. Dodging the guards who tried to stop them, they left the gates.

---

"You couldn’t stop them?"Lambert gritted his teeth. "Follow them and bring them back!" he commanded and ended the call.

"I don’t know what I should feel about this, Rusty," He stared at Jolene, who bowed her head hiding her grin.

"Look at me," he walked closer to her.

This woman- his woman... she said she was tired tonight and wanted to rest in her home. But then she stood in front of his door with his favourite food and even instigated intimacy after dinner. And when he was asleep, she sneaked the key to his sister.

What should he feel about this? Angry that she played him, or happy that she gets along with his family?

"I’m not Rusty," Jolene looked at him. "Aren’t you being too stingy with Talia, who has done a lot for us? Can’t you even share your vehicle with her once?"

Sigh!

With a sigh, Lambert knelt in front of Jolene. "Do you think I am being stingy? You of all people?"

Jolene looked at Lambert and seeing the hurt in his eyes, she felt bad. "You can get petty at times when it comes to her." she still wasn’t willing to get moved by him.

"Arthur has never ridden a motorbike to my knowledge. And I knew he will surely take Talia with him. Their wedding is so close and... With the great luck that monkey has..." he let out a deep breath. "Do you get what I mean?"

Only then Jolene understood what Lambert was thinking and the care he has for Talia deep down. Motorbike accidents cause more damage and are more fatal than car accidents. And with just days to their wedding, they can’t have anything unfortunate happening to them.

Aww, what a loving brother...

"You could have openly-"

"I don’t want any scratches on my poor baby. God forbid if it gets dented! Hope they get them before those thieves go very far." Lambert got anxious as he got up and Jolene kicked his leg.

"Here I thought you were worried for your sister. But you’re more worried for that piece of metal, aren’t you?" she kept on kicking.

"Stop it!" Lambert held her legs with a chuckle.

"And won’t Arthur get panicked when he gets chased? Or get more excited and start to race?" She asked and Lambert’s face paled.

He immediately called the cops and filed a complaint that Talia stole his motorbike and asked to arrest all of them without even a scratch in their bodies. He also asked the palace guards to back off.

"What are you even doing?" Jolene was more confused.

"That one won’t make a PR blunder ever in her life. The cops will find which road they are taking and put blockades. She won’t want her arrest to become the front page news tomorrow and will return immediately."

Lambert was pretty proud of his plan and Jolene grimaced.

"Or you could just let them be and they will return when they feel like it."

Lambert looked at her like she is speaking gibberish and all Jolene could do was sigh.

He never grew up!

----

"The guards are returning," Talia shouted in Arthur’s ears and he laughed.

"Whoohoo!" he shouted and increased the speed.

Talia’s heart pounded as the surroundings blurred in her vision because of the speed. Since it was past midnight, there wasn’t much traffic on the roads. Her arms naturally held him tighter and she pressed her cheek on his back, closing her eyes.

She heard his heartbeat racing probably out of excitement and her lips curved to a smile. She was happy he wanted to share this experience with her and she knew she’d be safe with him.

She opened her eyes sensing them slowing down and she could smell the sea. They were going on the scenic route of the road along the sea. There was a mountain to their right and the sea to their left. The half-moon hanging on the sky reflected on the surface of the sea as glitters and from her angle, there seemed to be a road made of milk leading to the moon.

"Fred, let’s sit and chat for a while," she asked and Arthur stopped.

Parking the motorbike, they walked to the shore, holding hands. Arthur saw her side profile illuminated by the moonlight and his lips curved to a smile.

She’s going to be my wife... Am I worthy for her though?