Norah's eyes darted around, a mixture of defiance and resignation, but she didn't dare to talk back.
Jonathan continued, "I let you come to the shop, but it wasn't so you could find a boyfriend!"
Norah knew she couldn't hide anything from him. She mustered up her courage, lifted her head, looking Jonathan straight in the eye, and confessed, "Jonathan, I really, really like Xavier!"
Jonathan's expression turned stern, "How long has this been going on?"
Caught off guard, Norah immediately shook her head, "It's not what you think; we're not together!"
Jonathan raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"
Norah said dejectedly, "I mean, it's just a crush. Xavier doesn't like me."
Jonathan was silent. He couldn't tell if he was more angry or annoyed, and he reached to cover his forehead, "Then cut it out, and don't you come here again!"
"Why?" Norah was getting anxious, "I have the right to pursue love!"
Jonathan replied, "Your parents aren't home, and I'm responsible for you. Be a good girl, you and Xavier aren't right!"
Norah frowned, "Why is that?"
"The age, the experience, it's all wrong!"
Norah challenged, "You think Xavier is too old for me? Then how much older are you than Estelle, huh? How come it's okay for you two to get married, but when it's my turn, it's not right?"
Jonathan's gaze on Norah grew even colder. Norah, feeling the intensity of his stare, involuntarily took a step back.
A message suddenly popped up on Jonathan's phone. He glanced at it; it was from Estelle.
[Don't be too harsh on Norah!]
Jonathan's face softened a bit, and he texted back.
Jonathan said, "Estelle and I reciprocated each other's feelings. What about you?"
"But there was a time when you weren't sure of Estelle's feelings, right?" Norah looked at him cautiously, "But you didn't give up, did you?"
Jonathan's voice softened, "Norah, you've been pampered all your life, and your upbringing was sheltered. Maybe Xavier's wild nature and unconventional experiences intrigue you, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's romantic love.
Xavier is older and more worldly than you, which is why he's not agreeing to be with you, or perhaps, why he wouldn't fall for a girl like you."
Norah nodded sadly, "Yes, Xavier said the same things, and I've tried to give up too, but in the end, I just can't let go."
Jonathan added, "Is Xavier hesitant because he's essentially from a different generation?"
The Lamont family and the Hanson family were old family friends, and he and Xavier were contemporaries. It’d be difficult for Xavier to consider marrying someone so much younger.
"Yeah." Norah pouted, "He said he didn't want Estelle to start considering him as her nephew-in-law."

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
Yea, so glad Mrs. Winters and Evelyn got caught. Thanks for the updates....
Yea,yea,yea so happy for Sylvia, Georgia and Gabriel. Thank you ... now for Evelyn....
Update 2842 isn't working, please fix it. Thank you for the updates....
Evelyn will MAFO that Jonathan has someone checking on her and the Winters family. I really do hope her scheme is revealed and she is put out of the Jarvis family. She's jealous and vindictive. Thank you for the updates....
Thank you for the updates. Update 2836 isn't working....
Update 2836 isn't working, please fix it. Thank you as always for the updates....
Is author planning to finally reveal Sylvia's true identity? 😍...
I wish that Gabriel would begin his pursuit of Sylvia. Thank you for the updates....
Update 2812 isn't working, please fix it. Thank you...
Waiting patiently for your updates. Thank you....