Find Me In Your Labyrinth novel 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.

As she observed Jonathan's arrogant demeanor, Estelle suddenly believed the rumors that he used to be the big bully of J City.

"Henson's upstairs; I'll take you to meet him." Norah's smile unfolded as she led Estelle upstairs.

Walking on the wooden floor, Estelle couldn't help but notice how cozy the man and his German Shepherd appeared together.

Feeling a 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" and forgotten about Max.

As 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. If you ever need help, just ask him."

Estelle thought to herself, she wouldn't need his help!

Still, she gave a polite smile, "Thank you, Norah."

Norah responded, "Don't mention it. We may not have been close in school, but I've always admired you and wanted us to be friends."

Estelle beamed, "We're friends !"

Norah's laughter was particularly sweet. As Norah reached out to take Estelle's hand, though Estelle stiffened momentarily, she didn't shy away.

Outside Henson's room, Norah knocked and called out, "Henson, I'm coming in!"

No one inside answered, so Norah pushed the door straight in.

The door opened 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 firearms, a bit of everything but not messy.

A 10-year-old boy was curled up on the couch, playing games on a tablet, not looking up at their entry.

"Henson, this is your new tutor, and she's my friend. Do not bully her, got it?"

Henson gave a noncommittal "oh" before resuming his game.

Norah inhaled deeply, keeping her cool, not wanting Estelle to get discouraged, "My brother can be difficult. Don't give up on him!"

"Don't worry!" Estelle gave her a reassuring glance.