Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 127: Best Friend For Life

Chapter 127: Best Friend For Life

Talia stared at the tall buildings as she sat in the comfortable car. She felt like she was riding a wave and she felt a whirl of emotions.

She felt enraged, determined and hopeful.

As she remembered the way Joe treated Rebecca adding her to the watch list and the way Peter treated her just now, she felt enraged. She is not new to people with power acting haughty and consider everyone else beneath them and stomp on them.

She thought this kind of behaviour was attired to the societies with class system and in this country that valued Liberty and personal responsibility, she thought corruption was low and their act surprised her.

And that too it is the younger generation using the names of their fathers... If this was Esteria, these kind of children will be "disciplined" well before they act haughty. Usually the older ones will be bigoted and act immoral.

But guess humans are bound to get corrupt as they gain power. Morality is the issue and not the kind of society one lives in.

People who are bound to act immoral will do so in any society.

But they need to meet their enemy.Talia was determined to get Peter what he deserves. And as for Joe...

"Rebecca, you still want to go to your hometown?" Talia asked Rebecca who is now checking her phone.

"Yes! Do you have a way? Will you help me?" Rebecca held Talia’s hand and her eyes widened with hope.

She wanted a change of place to arrive to a clear decision. Although Talia’s been a great strength for her these days, she didn’t want to impose on her for long. Talia has her own struggles to face with her love life in rocky times.

Also, She really missed her family and wanted to decide about her future. She has already lost hope on Joe.

She never imagined her married life will face such an abrupt end and with a child on tow... She really was confused.

"Let’s talk to the President to remove you from the watch list," Talia smiled and Rebecca slightly slipped Talia’s hand.

"Come on, Tallis! Don’t joke!"

"I’m not," Talia shook her head and Rebecca was stunned seeing the seriousness in Talia’s gaze.

"If a Senator’s son has the power to put you on the watch list, won’t the President has the power to take you off the list?" Talia raised her eyebrows with a gentle smile showing her sincerity.

"Really? You will?" Rebecca’s eyes filled with her usual mirth Talia didn’t have the fortune to see lately. But as Talia watched, Rebecca’s eyes lost the sparkle gradually.

"Oh dear!" Talia smiled as she understood what she was thinking, "Don’t worry. During the election season, no one will bother Senator Feldstein by attacking his son. They’ll deal with it silently."

Rebecca’s face went red as she saw the sky smile in her friend’s face, "I don’t care about Joe! Send him to federal prison for all I care!" she posted and turned to loo at the window not minding Talia chuckling.

All the while, they were receiving numerous calls and messages for their colleagues asking about Talia. They had already figured out that flag belonged to Rosandale and everyone wondered her connection with that country.

Rosandale is one of the very few countries left in the world with successful monarchy and for someone to be a dignitary from that country, they must be a Royal too.

If so, who is Talia?

Talia switched off her phone. If they really want to know, all they have to do is look it up in the Internet. There are one or two pictures of her left in the Wikipedia page.

"Aren’t you nervous meeting the President Talia?" Rebecca soon got to the fangirling mode. "My hands are shaking! Will they frisk is before letting us in? Will we be able to stand closer to the President? Will he talk to us?..." she went on.

Talia couldn’t understand why she is this excited to meet a President. She and her entire family voted for the other guy as far as she remembered.

"Nervous? No, Why?" Talia shrugged. He is a human just like them.

"He’s the leader of the free world, the commander in chief -"

"Lord of the universe?" Talia laughed interrupting Rebecca.

"Tallie, you..." Rebecca sighed deeply looking at Talia with her beaming smile. She surely is not nervous.

Seeing Talia who looked like a freshly bloomed flower eluding grace and confidence, Rebecca got reminded of the chasm between them both. She forgot all about it as Talia alwus treated her well.

She is a humble country girl who grew up with not much exposure to the outside world. The world of the wealthy is foreign to her. Unlike Talia who grew up wealthy. The president? She’d have met more impressive persons throughout her life as she moved in high societies from the day she was born. For her meeting those wealthy people will be like another day of her life.

She knew it all, but was she jealous of Talia? No way!

She wouldn’t exchange her life for anything. She is considering it a fortune meeting Talia and becoming her friend.

That day when she thought she had no hope moving forward, it was Talia who helped her even though she didn’t ask her for help. Even the love now, she got through the confidence Talia helped her grow.

This woman beside her is her best friend and her inspiration.

"I’m glad you helped me that day, Tallie. And thank you for being my friend," Rebecca leaned on Talia’s shoulder and said.

"I’m glad you are my friend too, Rebecca" Talia didn’t know her thoughts but said it anyway. This is probably the first time she is saying it.

"Anthony Carter, the forty seventh President of this nation! I’ve met him before..." Talia said and Rebecca got intrigued. Talia always had the best stories.

"Ah! Let me guess..." Rebecca tried to play the guessing game. "Um! I got it!" she placed her fist over her hand as her eyes brightened up, "The President... He used to be a successful business man before he entered politics. Is that -"

"You’re right!" Talia was glad Rebecca is in a good mood. "It was twenty years ago. We were in some conference rich people arrange and my grandpa brought me with him. There was a garden party one day and that’s when I met him."

"Do you think he’ll remember you?" Rebecca asked and then corrected herself, "Of course he will remember you! All you have to say is ’Hi, I’m Talia Brunton’ and he’ll remember you. Who will forget their meeting with Jerome Brunton?" Rebecca now started fangirling about Talia’s grandfather.

"I’ll bring you to my home one day, I promise" Talia felt like saying this to Rebecca. Rebecca has been with her for a long time, enduring her odd personality. She thought her grandfather will be happy to meet Rebecca. He always gets happy if she introduces her friends to him.

Thinking about her grandfather amde her heart squeeze. She felt like her grandfather’s condition is getting worse even though Dr. Garret assured her he is getting better each day. Maybe it is her guilt acting up for not meeting him all these years. Maybe her guilt got blown up by her recent fight with the Esterian government as she couldn’t get visa to go there.

She really hoped her grandfather will recover soon. She wanted him to live a long life.

Rebecca felt touched by Talia’s promise. She didn’t care if she keeps up the promise or not. Willing to bring her to her home was a great improvement on Talia’s part. She never openly expressed her affection towards her till now.

She has changed a lot!

"Is this a wedding proposal Tallie? Am I getting introduced to your family? Oh my God! I feel nervous already. Will they like me? ..." Rebecca started her rant with over-exaggerated actions making Talia giggle.

"Can’t even have a heartwarming moment with you, can we?" Talia shook her head.

She never changes. But this is good too. She never had close friends before.

-----

Inside the grand hall filled with people wearing lavish suits and dresses, Talia and Rebecca stood in the side sipping fruit juices as everyone were drinking various cocktails.

There were many round tables with extravagant centerpieces arranged in the center of the hall. The President haven’t arrived yet and Talia was waiting for Lambert who was hogged by many senators and businessmen who tried to make an acquaintance with him.

Since no one knew who Talia was, no one bothered with her and she was already bored. Since this was a event where the President attends, the security was tight and only Mr. Ed was allowed in for Talia’s protection.

"Rebecca... Honey! This is a surprise..." a melodious voice was heard and Rebecca visibly jerked.

"Mom," Rebecca turned and kissed the cheeks of the lady who seems to be in her fifties holding a glass of margarita in her hand.

This should be Joe’s mother, Talia inferred.

"Is it okay if you drink?" she seemed to ask out of care, but her tone was accusatory.

"Yes, fruit juices are healthy, mom," Rebecca smiled politely. She had learnt a lot from her friend and that enabled the harmonious relationship with her in laws.

"Hmm... I don’t know what to say. I was devastated when I learnt that you went to a doctor and I was concerned. But Joe told me you were pregnant I am glad it was just pregnancy and not some other unfortunate thing," the old lady sipped her cocktail glancing at Rebecca from top to bottom.

Talia was stunned by the tone used by the lady.

Isn’t she Joe’s mother and this is her first grandchild? Shouldn’t she be more happy for them? Why does it seem like she is disappointed?

"You are..?" Mrs. Feldstein looked at Talia and she could see the disgust in her face and she didn’t want to answer her and as she looked, she saw another woman pushing through other people and headed towards their direction .

"She’s my friend," Rebecca answered and this time her tone wasn’t that polite. She can bear the insults her mother-in-law hurls at her, but no one can hurt her friend for no reason.

"How impolite! Can’t she talk-"

"You cannot interact with Her Highness unless she interacts with you first or someone introduces you to her, Ms! Please back off! " Mr. Ed blocked Mrs. Feldstein and Talia’s lips curled to a smile.

I can get used to this!

"Liza! Your moronic daughter-in-law broke my son’s finger!" the woman plowing her way towards them said as she reached them and Rebecca who was smiling along with Talia rolled her eyes.

"Come on! Did we walk under a ladder today?"

"Mrs. Campbell!" Talia stepped forward and Mr. Ed stood by her side in a protective stance. He cannot even let a scratch on their Princess. They have already failed once today. He won’t be forgiven if he failed once more.

"I’m going to sue your son." Talia’s determinant voice made no impact on the woman huffing with anger.

"And are you the wench who talked back to my son?" Mrs. Campbell raised her voice.

"Who is the wench here? Mr. Campbell can you enlighten me what your wife is talking about?" Prince Lambert asked standing behind Mrs. Campbell.