Chapter 14: When are you going to end this game of hide and seek?
Gianna got Arwen back with her. Her mood had gotten spoiled because of Ryan and Delyth. But later, Arwen made sure to bring Gianna back to her usual cheerfulness within an hour of getting back home.
“Wennie, you know I am no longer alone in this city.” Gianna suddenly said, causing Arwen to furrow her brows at her.
“Because you have me?” Arwen asked, and Gianna pursed her lips before rolling her eyes.
“Dumbo! That’s not what I meant. Because I met you, I never felt like a stranger in this city. But coming back home, I was alone. You complete me as a friend and add to my family. But what I mentioned just now was not about you.” She said, pushing the bowl of edible seeds towards Arwen, who took her turn to chew on them.
Arwen looked at her and then nodded with some understanding. But then she didn’t speak or ask more, turning back to the screen to resume the video. Just as she did, Gianna leaned forward to pause it, then turned back with squinted eyes.
“Anna, what are you doing? Didn’t we plan to watch this series together? If you keep pausing it, how are we going to watch it?” Arwen spoke matter-of-factly.
But Gianna didn’t mind deviating from the plan a little. “I just shared something with you. Shouldn’t we be talking about it?”
“What is there to talk about? I understand that someone from your family has arrived in Cralens and you are happy with it. I am happy for you too, but this part is going to be interesting. If we pause it now, we might miss the fun,” she reasoned.
Gianna pouted a little and then turned to look at the screen. “I thought I was important to you. But you are favoring a series over me. How long is this series going to stay? A few episodes. Wennie, I will stay with you for life.”
She said it in a melodramatic tone, and Arwen wanted to cry. Leaning forward, she didn’t mind and closed the laptop window, then turned to her friend to say, “Continue. Let’s discuss your significant relative first. This series could wait, and so can its fun.”
As she said that, a cherry smile curled on Gianna’s lips and she perked up, “I knew it. You favor me the most.”
Arwen narrowed her eyes at the girl. “You better start before I change my min.”
“My uncle recently moved here. He is one of my favorites, and my mother called yesterday to inform that he got back to his estate.” Gianna cheered, and Arwen looked at her a little surprised.
1
“His estate?” she asked, and Gianna nodded.
“It’s his return. Years ago, he left the city and then the country when his mother died. I came here because of him, but by the time I arrived, he was already gone. I never thought he would return, but guess what? He came back a few weeks back.”
2
Gianna explained and Arwen nodded in understanding.
“You know, Wennie, his estate is really big and beautiful. When I go to meet him, I will take with me. I am sure you will like it there. It’s so majestic that it looks like a palace.” Gianna chimed in more.
3
And at the mention of the palace, Arwen simply said, “Cralens is a big city and it has few palaces. Which palace are you talking about, girl?”
The one that is the most beautiful and shines the best. The same one where no kind ever resided, but the family who did had the aura and the charms of the royals. Ugh, only if my uncle belonged to a royal family, he would have been the most handsome and charming prince of his time. You know he is so handsome and dashing that he could easily shadow any men’s charm in this world,” Gianna said, clearly mimicking a fan girl who imagines their idols as the best in everything.
2
It was not like Arwen didn’t believe her, but the way Gianna was praising an old man to be the prince, who could charm women’s hearts was too much. She couldn’t bring herself to believe that.
Shaking her head at her description, Arwen joked, “Don’t tell me you have fallen for your uncle, Anna? If your mother knew, she might have a heart attack.”
4
Gianna’s expression paused, and she looked at Arwen as if she couldn’t believe she had cracked such an absurd joke.
“Like really? Out of all that I said, that’s what you thought of?”
Arwen shrugged, “I don’t know, seeing you just gave that impression. Besides, the idea is not impossible. I mean, a few months ago when we did a sleepover and watched that movie, didn’t the young girl fall for the old man in the story? They even ended up together and happy. So, I just connected the same dots with your case. It –”
Before Arwen could even speak more, Gianna threw a pillow at her. “Arwen, you bad girl! How could you give the ideas of illicit relationships to your friend? I love my uncle and respect the relationship of uncle and niece that we share. Don’t you dare form wrong ideas in your head,” she yelled before throwing another pillow at her.
Arwen tried to dodge it, but she couldn’t keep it for long. As laughter filled the air, Arwen tried to make peace. “Anna, I just asked. There is no need to get offended. Fine, if you want, I will take back my idea. You don’t have to think about it anymore.”
“Arwen, you little witch, if given a chance, I will push you towards that idea instead. Believe me Ryan-the-jerk would even compare to my uncle’s little finger.” She said, and Arwen chuckled before replying.
1
“No need. I am not interested in your uncle. Only you can fantasize about your old man in your dreams. I am good the way I am.” She said, enjoying the little fun.
While they were enjoying their time on one side of the city, Jason arrived at Winslow Global. Taking the private elevator, he went straight up to the top floor, which was meant for the CEO.
Finding Emyr around, he said, “Aiden is in his office, I am going to meet him first.” Saying that, he walked forward before pushing the door open without knocking.
“When are you going to end this game of hide and seek?”
2