shuhaige
Chapter 2172
Chapter 2172
Norah, [Estelle, I think Jonathan's caught on to my crush on Xavier. If he asks you, could you put in a good word for me?]
Estelle's lips curled into a smirk, [Did he give you a lecture?]
Norah sent a pouty emoji, [Yes, he did!]
Estelle typed slowly, [So, what's your take?]
[I haven't changed my mind. I still want to be around Xavier. So please, Estelle, I'm counting on you!]
Estelle couldn't help but laugh even harder.
Jonathan glanced over, "Norah?"
"Yep!" Estelle pocketed her phone, "To be honest, I've known about her crush on Xavier for ages, sorry I didn't tell you."
The reason she hadn't mentioned it was simple: there was no real relationship between them, and Norah's feelings for Xavier were her own secret. Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.
Jonathan said, "This isn't about you."
Estelle scoffed, "Saying it's not about me now? I seem to recall someone who once pointed at me and cursed."
"Me, curse at you?" Jonathan shot her a look. "What do you think I am, out of my mind?"
Estelle couldn't help but suppress a chuckle at his serious demeanor.
Of course, Jonathan knew exactly what incident Estelle was referring to. It was a sore spot for him that he didn't wish to dwell on. His anger back then had partly been about Norah, but Estelle had been dragged into it because of his own jealousy.
It was that very jealousy, the fear of losing something precious, that had clouded his judgment and led to their breakup, and even to Estelle getting hurt.
That would forever be a thorn in his side.
With just a look, Estelle could tell what was on his mind. She took his hand, "Jonathan, whether it was me getting hurt or those two years we spent apart, none of it is a regret in our relationship. If anything, it's made our bond stronger. Before that incident, I never fully opened up to you about my past, and you never truly considered marrying me. The separation was our doing, but it also made us surer of our feelings."
With a "creak," Jonathan pulled the car over to the curb, turned to face her, and suddenly leaned in for a passionate kiss, so fervent and tinged with an urgency that betrayed his underlying fears.
Estelle held his shoulders, soothingly reciprocating, and after a moment, she looked up at him, "I know Xavier has a complicated history, and he might not be the best match for the simple and innocent Norah, but she's smitten, and she's stubborn. Let's not stand in her way, okay? I'm not speaking for him because of our shared history; I'm thinking of Norah's happiness."
Jonathan's gaze deepened as he stared at her, "I don't dislike Xavier. You two share a past. If I did, what would that say about us?"
His tone grew more serious, "Setting aside the issues of age or generation, Xavier is being very rational with Norah. Maybe he doesn't have feelings for her at all. Norah's affection is purely one- sided, and she's setting herself up for heartache."
Estelle rested her hands on his shoulders, "Xavier is indeed rational, which is why he hasn't jumped into anything with Norah. He won't hurt her. Let's just wait and see if Norah can turn steel into silk with her persistence."
Jonathan chuckled, "Now that Estelle herself has spoken, what can I say? Don't worry, I've already promised Norah I'd stay out of it."
"I thank you on behalf of Norah," Estelle said, kissing his cheek.
Jonathan's lips curved into a smile.
"What does that make me to you?"
Estelle's eyes twinkled mischievously as she grinned, "Husband!"
In that instant, Jonathan's eyes darkened like the depths of the ocean, fixating on Estelle, "Have you been wanting to call me that for a long time? Here's your chance, say it again!"
Estelle's expression was tender, her voice barely above a whisper, "Let's get home first, then you can hear it as much as you like."
The man's adam's apple bobbed, "Right away!"
He had planned to take Estelle back to Villa del Sol, but the Royal Mansion was closer, so he drove them there instead.
The afternoon sun poured through the windows, spreading a warm blanket of light across the room.