Manley said with a casual grin, "Looks like I'm your shadow today!"
Estelle replied with a blank stare.
Her phone suddenly buzzed in her purse. It was a text from Emily and Amiee. They had arrived and were asking where she was.
Heading downstairs, Estelle muttered, "I'm off to meet my friends. You can hang around somewhere else."
"I'm here to stick with you today. Wherever you go, I go!" Manley followed her with hands tucked in his jean pockets and a roguish twinkle in his hazel eyes, every inch the charming rascal.
Estelle ignored him, continuing her stride down the stairs.
Behind them, Lance cracked open his eyes, shooting a malevolent glare at Manley's retreating figure.
Estelle reached the garden, where Emily had already whisked Kya away to the second floor for a costume change, and Amiee was chatting with Magdalen.
Magdalen's smile widened when she saw Manley. "Couldn't resist the call of the wild, huh?"
Manley chuckled. "Why waste a single moment when I've finally got my chance?"
"Jonathan's not here. Seize the day!" Magdalen encouraged with a laugh.
Manley shot back a dazzling smile. "His presence, or lack thereof, doesn't change how I feel about our Estelle."
Magdalen sighed dramatically. "I bow down to no one, but you, you've got game!"
Manley winked. "Can't help it. When you're head over heels, it shows!"
Estelle couldn't take it anymore. Turning to Magdalen, she said, "Aren't you supposed to be busy today? Forgot you're here for a reason or think you're just here to chitchat?"
Magdalen grinned smugly. "Today, I'm the queen bee. I do what I want!"
Magdalen squeezed her hand. "No rush. Let's check on Kya first."
Reaching the second floor, they found Kya looking like a little princess, with Charlie standing by, beaming with pride.
"Magdalen!" Kya ran towards Magdalen, eyes wide with delight. "Is it true? Are you marrying a prince in a castle?"
Magdalen lifted her into a hug. "Yes, darling, I'm marrying my prince, and you're here to witness it!"
"That's amazing!" Kya clapped her hands, her little tiara shimmering, her smile infectious.
Charlie scooped Kya into his arms and said to Emily, "The Carsons have arrived. I'll go check on them. You and Estelle keep Ms. Sampson company."
"It's not an intrusion," Emily reassured, as Charlie pecked her cheek. "Call me if you need anything."

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
This is so beautiful and captivating to envision. Thank you for your updates....
Thank you for bringing in all the past elements to bring continuity to Jonathan and Stella love journey. I loved it....
Just smiling and smiling and smiling reading the proceedings of this story. Loving it to the max...
Excited for all the events leading up to Jonathan getting his bride. Thank you for the updates....
Beautiful how everything is flowing together. Thank you for the updates....
Appreciate the storyline and direction.. Nothing seems rushed and patiently focusing on each and every character of the story, leaving no stone unturned. Even more intresting to read by the day...
And the plot thickens…thank you for the updates....
Ooooo, thank you thank you thank you for continuing to update the novel 🤩...
Ooooo, thank you thank you thank you for continuing to update the novel 🤩...
No updates??...