Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 94: The Tattoos

Chapter 94: The Tattoos

The guards tried to pull Camilla away but Talia stopped them.

" Ms. Langdon, do you know about the tattoos Cyrus had? "

Talia calmed herself down and asked. She didn’t want that misunderstanding many had about her and Cyrus to continue.

"Tattoos?"

Camellia wiped her nose in her sleeve. Her red and swelled up eyes looked at Talia with utter confusion.

How is that relevant?

"He had many," she answered anyway.

This woman who is protected by the Lockhart family is the only hope she has to get her son back. If she can have her son back, she’d do anything.

"Yet only two flowers ; close to his heart," Talia took in a deep breath.

Camellia was yet to understand the relevance and just stared at Talia. Those blue eyes a lot different from the blue eyes she loved, had a layer of mist making it look like the deep ocean.

Talia smiled a little when she remembered that day when Cyrus got the last tattoo and showed it to her proudly. He always did that for some reason.

It was a week before her birthday and that was the day she got a little more time with Fred and things went a little bit farther with him. With a bang, Cyrus stormed in the room. He didn’t even care she was not dressed properly and pulled Fred from above her. Fred couldn’t handle the ferocity of Cyrus and he was losing the fight. She had to fix her clothes hurriedly before Cyrus kicked Fred between his legs.

The ride back home was silent and she thought she’d receive a lecture but was surprised when Cyrus showed her the tattoo on his chest.

The tattoo was that of a pink camellia and there were even details of water droplets on it. At first she thought it looked almost similar to the red rose tattoo he had over his heart but upon closer look, she could distinguish it was a camellia.

"Did you find love, Cyrus? Is her name Camellia? Is that why you got this tattoo? When are you getting married? " Talia asked with her heart filled with joy.

He was covered in tattoos and had left a little part empty beside the rose. He had said previously that it was reserved for his future wife.

Also Talia was in love and at that time: everything she saw was rose coloured and she saw love everywhere.

From chirping sparrows to buzzing bees, everything seemed romantic to her. All she could think at that time seeing that tattoo was Cyrus’ wedding - a grand wedding.

A wedding where she’d be a bridesmaid. If that woman allows it, of course!

In her own thoughts of wedding, she didn’t notice his expression.

"You want me to get married that bad?" he chuckled sweetly and at that time she didn’t know the sadness he hid but now she could realise it.

He should have gotten that tattoo after sending her off.

"Yes!"

She replied enthusiastically. She herself knew she was over reacting. But a wedding is something she loved so much. A wedding is a million times better than a funeral.

In that warm car with dark tinted glasses that day, she rubbed her hands together as she felt her hands getting cold out of excitement, "Is she pregnant, Cyrus? Marry her soon," she wanted to find reasons to push him to marry soon.

"Pregnant? You think so? " he ruffled her hair and there was an odd cheer in his voice. "How do you say that, Princess? I’m always careful... Unlike you, young lady... What were you doing today? If I were a minute late that ruffian would have -- "

"Have you proposed yet? Did she say yes? " Talia asked next to stop him from lecturing. "And you cannot be that careful always. It’s not in your hands. When is she going to have a baby?"

"Princess Talia -" Cyrus tried to be strict with his voice but was interjected by her once more.

"Who’s going to be the godmother? Me, right? Cyrus?"

Cyrus oddly didn’t give answers to any of her questions that day. Throughout the ride back home, she was blabbering nonstop and he just sat staring out rubbing his glabella.

" All because of this Camellia, " she heard him grumble as they alighted. His hand was over his heart and she thought he might be doing that because of the pain of getting the tattoo.

She without even turning back, ran inside her home fearing she’d be lectured. She knew he won’t tattle her to her grandfather and she even forgot about it later as all she could think was the position she was in with Fred. She was so close to him and they almost became one.

Talia wondered about the human nature. Even though we love someone dearly, often times we forget to notice the small changes in them, especially when we have something interesting going on. Whether it is sadness or happiness, we focus only on ourselves and ignore or look over the feelings of the one beside us.

If she observed closely at Cyrus those last few days, she might have known a lot more.

"Ms. Brunton..."

Talia felt the squish in her hand and came out of her thoughts. She really blanked out. She looked at Camellia and there was a twinge of curiosity in her eyes.

Talia stared at her. Camellia can’t be called a great beauty. But she had that odd serenity in her face.

"Where was I?"

Talia was really lost in her thoughts.

"I remember him having a rose tattoo. He said it was in remembrance of his mother - Rosette," Camellia’s hold on Talia’s hand relaxed.

"Ah, yes. And then he got a camellia tattoo. A week before... You know what. He had told me that place was for his wife and he filled it with you, Camellia," Talia said and she didn’t know why there was tears in her eyes.

He was wishing for a good life with the woman he loved and I killed him!

Camellia ’s eyes widened and she teared up as her heart moved. She didn’t know that. He never told her that he loved her.

"That’s impossible!" Camellia let go of Talia’s hand and ended up sitting on the chair as she couldn’t keep standing.

"He told me he got close to me because he didn’t want to create trouble in my campaign to find justice for my sister. He told me he seduced me to protect his Nation’s interests. That the President’s son cannot be implicated in such a scandal. He told me that he won’t let his Princess’ happiness gets spoiled. That he wanted to bring peace between the two families for his Princess’ sake. He told me to my face that the injustice my sister suffered is nothing compared to his Princess’ happiness... He said all these when he broke up with me. He said all these... And you are saying he loved me? "

Talia froze.

’So Cyrus knew Ray was the one who cruelly murdered Lydia Langdon and covered it up? And that too for me? He wanted me to get together with Arthur and so he did that? Is that why he warned me about Ray?’

Camellia noticed Talia getting pale and she continued.

"He did everything for you, Ms. Brunton. And you have the nerve to stand before me and say he loved me because of a tattoo?" Camellia snorted.

Maybe she was not angry and wanted to kill her because this woman killed the love of her life and the father of her son. Maybe it was because she was plainly jealous of her.

How pathetic! In the end she lost the only relation she has left.

"Yes, he did didn’t he?" Talia spoke softly.

He tried to mend the relationship between Brunton and Sinclair family by hiding what Ray did. Maybe he wanted to negotiate a truce between the two families placing the evidences he got against Ray in front of the President.

And boy did it backfire! Ray tried the same thing he did to Lydia Langdon on her.

If Cyrus sent Ray to prison back then, she didn’t have to go through the most humiliating incident in her life.

Cyrus! Oh Cyrus! Why did you do it?

You tried to protect me and look out for me and it backfired. If you actively worked for my safety and happiness, why did you make me kill you?

Talia oped the door and stepped out of the house. Her heart felt more heavy and she didn’t even know what was going on. She couldn’t figure out what went through Cyrus’ mind.

Talia decided to leave. She didn’t know what she would do here anymore.

"Ms. Brunton, my son... Please let him come back to me. I beg you," Camellia gripped Talia’s hands once more as she opened the door to leave.

"Why would I do that for you Ms. Langdon? You can’t even believe Cyrus’ love for you and doubt his relationship with me. You tried to kill me just today. You think I owe you anything?"

Saying this she walked out smacking Camellia’s hand. Camellia wailed loudly and tried to get out and catch up with her.

" I believe you... I believe you... Give my son back! "

Talia didn’t mind the screams and walked forward.

There will be no secrets that will be hidden in the darkness forever. Every secret will see the light one day. She just hoped the secrets Cyrus held will come to light soon.

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