Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
Chapter 2011

Jonathan chuckled lightly, "Just because you're the first one I've brought here, they naturally assume you're my lady!" He paused mid-step and turned to look at Estelle, "Whether I'm Mr. Lamont or Alvis, you're my one and only!"

Estelle gazed back at him, "Did you used to dislike women?"

Jonathan fell silent for a moment.

Sweeping her up in his arms, he strode across the opulent and artistically adorned living room, grinning, "Hungry? If not, let me prove to you right now just how much I do like women-my woman, to be precise!"

Estelle deftly flipped within his embrace, her legs wrapping around his waist and her arms slung over his shoulders, she said, "No need to prove anything. The sun is shining so beautifully; let's just sit on the lawn for a while."

Jonathan glanced through the patio doors at the sprawling lawn and nodded, "Alright, today is all about what you want, everything on your terms!"

He didn't set her down but carried her through a side door, heading straight for the lush greenery.

The maid who had greeted Estelle earlier had instructed the other servants to lay out a sweet-tasting lunch on the lawn, apparently, Jonathan had made arrangements in advance.

A cat sauntered over, and Estelle placed a few slices of fish from a plate onto the grass for it.

The plump white feline, unafraid of humans, meowed at Estelle a few times before joyfully starting its meal. Jonathan approached, smiling faintly, "If you like cats, we could get one for the Villa del Sol when we get back." Estelle shook her head, "I'm not particularly fond of them; Max and Milo are more than enough for me."

She looked up at the man towering over her, "Did you bring me here because this place reminds you of Villa del Sol?"

"Not entirely," Jonathan crouched down to stroke her hair, his gaze filled with affection, "I just wanted to spend a day alone with you, to have you all to myself on your birthday." Estelle's eyes were clear, "I will always be entirely yours."

In that moment, Jonathan's eyes darkened, and his throat moved with emotion, "How about we continue this conversation somewhere more private?"

Her smile blossomed, mischief twinkling in her eyes, "No, I want to keep feeding the cat."

So Jonathan sat down beside her on the lawn, and they chatted and laughed softly, as if they were miles away from Zion, back to the ease and comfort of their old lives.

A car rolled up the driveway. Jonathan kissed Estelle's cheek, "Play by yourself for a bit; I'll be right back."

"Okay," Estelle nodded.

Jonathan stood and walked towards the newly arrived vehicle.

Estelle glanced at him before lying back on the grass, gazing up at the azure sky.

The white Persian cat hopped onto her legs, laid down, and curiously peered at her with its bright blue eyes.

Outside the villa, Jonathan stood on the steps, greeting the tall man stepping out of the car with a subdued smile, "Long time no see!"

The man's rugged features softened slightly in the sunlight as he asked, "Where's Estelle?"

"She's in the garden, unaware of your arrival," Jonathan replied.

"Let's keep it that way then. She'll find out in a few days!"

"Please, come inside!"

The two commanding presences walked shoulder to shoulder into the house and up the stairs to the study. Standing by the window, Gab looked down at the girl on the lawn, his expression softening, "Didn't think she'd come!"

"She's worried about you, and she also took on the Eagle Valley assignment," Jonathan said.

Gab spoke slowly, "I had a feeling. But the fact that both Estelle and I got assignments related to Zion, it's too much of a coincidence!"

Jonathan raised an eyebrow, "Do you suspect someone deliberately drew you both here?"