Jonathan stepped away, leading the way with the others closely following behind.
It wasn't until they had disappeared that Estelle, pushing her service cart, made her way into the elevator to begin her rounds of delivering late-night snacks.
She knew Jonathan wanted to see her; a face-to-face encounter was inevitable. That he had restrained himself, not exposing her on the spot or whisking her away immediately, was a testament of his consideration for her feelings.
Having finished her deliveries, Estelle packed a container of spaghetti and caught a cab to the villa where Jonathan and Sylvia stayed.
She rang the doorbell, and Sylvia greeted her with a welcoming smile. "I've been waiting for you, come in."
Estelle nodded, stepping past the threshold.
After closing the door, Sylvia said, "Alvis's upstairs waiting for you. Don’t worry—Everyone around here is on his side, and there's no surveillance inside. Feel free to speak whatever you want, do as you please!"
"Thanks!" Estelle responded with a gracious smile.
"We both have our needs; there’s no need for thanks," Sylvia said, removing her mask, revealing her face with a radiant smile. "Hurry on up, someone's quite eager to see you."
Estelle placed the spaghetti on the dining table and ascended the stairs, her heart fluttering with a mix of anticipation and anxiety.
Was he still angry?
Would he lash out?
Well, regardless of his temper, she decided not to argue back. Compliance was her chosen strategy.
She couldn’t concern herself with much more; after all, she longed to see him as well!
The villa's upper floor featured a cozy lounge, where Jonathan stood before a window. As Estelle reached the top of the staircase, he turned, his dark eyes locking onto her without blinking.
Estelle removed her mask and greeted him with a soft smile. " Mr. Alvis, would you care for some spaghetti?"
Jack approached her slowly, his voice a deep, emotionless rumble. "Darling, I'm not in the mood for jokes right now."
Looking up into his face that haunted her dreams, Estelle dropped the façade of cheerfulness. "I'm sorry for deceiving you; it was wrong of me. But I've been safe, without a hint of danger."
"No!" Estelle looked up while in his embrace. "Jonathan, I have other missions; I can't leave."
"What missions?"
She hesitated, "I can't say!"
Jonathan's patience frayed. "A mission for Eagle Valley? Is that why you can't tell anyone? Fine, I'll join Eagle Valley if that's what it takes. Then you won't have to keep secrets from me, right?"
Estelle nearly laughed at his suggestion. "Jonathan, please, stop joking!"
Jonathan joining Eagle Valley?
That was almost comical.
"I'm dead serious!" Jonathan’s dark eyes bore into hers. "At least let me know what you're involved in! Unless you don’t care at all about the torment I go through!"

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
This was classic updates. Thank you so much...
May we please have updates. Thank you...
I sincerely hope that Gonzalez finds the taped meeting of Hannah and Trevor to throw them under the bus....
How will Gonzalez get back at Hannah, Yvonne and Trevor for the setup and fall from grace....
Adrian needs to safe face and not do this. It will embarrass he and Norah and his family. Thank you for the updates....
This a HOT MESS for them both....
WOW! I didn't see that coming at all for Norah nor Gonzalez, the plot thickens. Thank you for the updates....
Xavier wants to get caught kissing Norah at this point. When will he ask her to call him Xavier and not Gonzalez. Maybe that would bring back her memories. Thank you for the updates....
So, Norah drew out the big guns with her call to Jonathan for a favor. Thank you for the updates....
Waiting patiently for your updates please....