Find Me In Your Labyrinth

Chapter 8

Jonathan glanced at her slightly chubby baby face, fair and soft, with a faint blush spreading from the base of her ears, like a cloud flushed with twilight, revealing the innocence of her youth. She looked more like a high schooler than a college student

Feeling a bit of elder’s pity, he subdued his own irritation, waved Milo off, and said casually. “You can come down now

Estelle looked back before pretending to calmly jump down, landing behind him and avoiding eye contact with the staring dog.

Jonathan seemed to chuckle as he walked towards Milo.

She, late to realize, had been so close to him that she caught a whiff of his scent, like a cold spring in early spring, chilly and clear, with hints of wood.

He walked over to Milo, squatted and patted its neck, saying lightly, “Milo usually doesn’t attack people.”

But Estelle sensed something off in his words-what did he mean? Didn’t she look like a good person?

Only then did she realize he had a purebred adult German Shepherd, even bigger and more intimidating than most.

She looked down and adopted his indifferent attitude, “How familiar,. You can hear it all the time in the news where innocent people get bitten by dogs.”

Jonathan paused, his dark eyes flicking over, and let out a scoff, “A little girl with such a sarcastic tone!”

Estelle was about to retort when Norah, with a big smile, came running down the stairs, “Estelle, you’re here!”

Norah had worn delicate makeup, she greeted Estelle warmly and introduced her, “My parents aren’t home, and we don’t have a lot of people coming here. This is my uncle, whom you met yesterday. Just call him ‘Uncle!”

Estelle looked at Jonathan with a surprised expression, but kept her lips sealed.

Jonathan, seemingly holding a grudge for the previous remark, gave her a cold look, “No greetings for your elders? I’m starting to doubt your qualifications as a tutor.”

Norah, clueless about Jonathan’s issue with Estelle, shot him a warning look, which he ignored.

Estelle took a deep breath, finally squeezing out a begrudging. “Uncle!”

Jonathan gave a noncommittal grunt and sat down on the sofa with Milo.

arrogant demeanor, Estelle suddenly believed the rumors that he

I’ll take you to meet him.” Norah’s smile unfolded as she led

Estelle couldn’t help but notice how

pang of sadness for Max, who clearly still missed Jonathan, often listening outside his former study for any trace of his former master, even as Jonathan had long found a “new favorite”

they turned the corner, Norah apologized, “I’m sorry Estelle, I didn’t mean to put you in an awkward situation on your first visit. You might don’t know my uncle. But he is very protective. You called him uncle today, and he answered.

thought to herself, she wouldn’t need his

a polite smile,

in school, but I’ve always admired

beamed, “We’re

Norah reached out to take Estelle’s hand, though Estelle

room, Norah knocked and called out,

Norah pushed the door straight

to a small foyer, to the right a bathroom and to the left the bedroom, decorated in a style that boys would love comics, space, replicas of

up on the couch, playing games on a tablet, not looking up at

is your new tutor, and she’s my friend. Do not bully

a noncommittal “oh” before

to get discouraged, “My

Estelle gave

her irritation with Jonathan, Norah was very kind to

room, inputting Jonathan’s number into her phone, then said in a low voice, “I had an appointment, so I’ll

even if she was kicked out of the Lamont

the room before stopping at Henson’s desk, where his

and said softly, “You don’t do your homework

his tutor had resigned,

malicious for his age, “Mind your

insisting, “Rebellion is a childish way to seek parental

his tablet and refused to

games. How about doing your homework first, then I’ll

scoffed, “You were just making fun of me for being childish, and now you’re trying to trick

me, I’m still a kid

he turned his head and let out a little laugh. Estelle rolled her eyes and took out her

Henson eyed her suspiciously.