Beyond Boundaries

CHAPTER 8:

At Jefferson's estate, Nolan left to buy wigs and clothes for Estelle and returned while Estelle was waiting for him to prepare her suitable clothes. They changed into their new outfits.

Nolan, excited: "Are you ready for the climbing?"

Estelle, confused: "Did you say ready and climbing? But we are not on a mountain."

Nolan, explaining: "We should jump onto the wall, climb, and jump to get outside the mansion. How did you escape from home before?"

Estelle answered: "I used to go out the front door while the guard heard the fire alarm. It always worked, but now the doors are filled with paparazzi. I don't climb because I'm wearing high heels."

Nolan, annoyed: "Stop making it hard. You can remove your shoes and wear them after."

Estelle, sarcastically: "But you said you would make me arrive on time. I never said it myself. Find a way, or I won't forgive you."

Nolan, annoyed: "You're very spoiled and acting like a baby."

Estelle, in a hurry: "Enough with the descriptions, or should I wait for Lisa? I already made a better plan than this, but I'm in a hurry!"

Nolan wondered: "What plan?"

Estelle, annoyed: "When Lisa arrives, we'll switch clothes, and I will take her car to get outside the house!"

Nolan, surprised: "Your plan is better! I'm surprised."

Estelle, irritated: "Will you help me or not? Hurry!"

Nolan, annoyed: "Fine, but grab tighter onto me. I won't be able to handle everything at the same time since your hands are hurt. You won't be able to climb, so I will carry you on my back. Don't let go, or you will fall!"

Estelle, worried: "Are you sure? I might be too heavy for you."

Nolan, careless: "Well, I have to sacrifice a bit to make our princess forgive me. Trust me, I won't let you fall! But if you are heavy enough, we will fall together."

Estelle, annoyed: "Alright, but don't talk about my weight!"

Nolan, rolling his eyes: "You were the one who mentioned it."

Estelle held tightly onto Nolan, closing her eyes until Nolan finally arrived.

Nolan showed the taxi to Estelle, feeling pain in his back.

Estelle, surprised: "What is this?"

Nolan, apathetically: "It's a driver who will make you arrive early! And you should probably lose some weight; my back was about to break into pieces!"

Estelle, annoyed: "You were the one who insisted!"

Estelle, worried: "Do you feel a lot of pain? Should you go to the doctor?"

Nolan, tired: "Just leave for your meeting!"

Estelle, embarrassed: "I thought you would come with me, and I want you to come!"

Nolan, tiredly: "I don't want to go, but if you insist, I will."

Estelle, with a graceful bow: "Well, thank you!"

Nolan started laughing briefly

At Jefferson's company, the journalists were filling every door. The guards were managing them when Nolan and Estelle, wearing wigs, entered easily. They went to change their clothes in the bathroom. The businessmen were searching for Miss Estelle, who had promised them a meeting. Michael started handling them.

Estelle, smiling: "Well, I arrived on time, you gain a point."

Nolan, relieved: "Finally, so go to your work. Did you inform Lisa?"

Estelle answered: "Yes, she will wait for me and take me home when I finish. I couldn't call her because she is busy with her boyfriend being back."

Estelle, smiling and giving her hand to Nolan: "Well, since you are here, we should prove the rumors, so you won't let me walk by myself."

Nolan smiled and held Estelle's hand back: "Of course!"

They held hands and started walking confidently. The businessmen were surprised by Nolan's presence.

Estelle, confidently: "I should apologize for being late! I hardly managed to get here."

The businessmen: "We were told that you wouldn't attend."

Estelle primped her hair confidently: "How can I not attend when I gave you a promise? I did everything I could to keep my promise, and I am grateful for you understanding the situation and waiting for me a bit! I hope I will raise your expectations."

The businessmen looked at Nolan.

Estelle, with a smile: "Sorry, but I forgot to introduce my boyfriend, Nolan. I think my personal life doesn't matter since we are all professionals, but I preferred to be honest."

Estelle, sarcastically: "Shall we head to the meeting room?"

Estelle, followed by the businessmen, headed to the meeting room. She asked Nolan to attend the meeting.

As the meeting started, she began explaining her organized project and the changes she could make in the company. They were left speechless. Even Nolan was surprised, showing her an expression of pride. She smiled back at him and continued explaining.

Nolan got a call suddenly, so he answered and stepped outside the meeting room. It was an unknown number but turned out to be a call from Stella's manager. He picked up the phone.

Nolan, coldly: "What's wrong? Why did you keep my phone number?"

Manager, panicking: "You should head here immediately; Stella is having a crisis and refuses to perform any scene."

Nolan, in a careless voice: "And why do I care? My business is done with her! You should be the one taking care of the situation, or her lover there! Don't ever call me again; she just wants attention, that's all!"

Nolan hung up the phone.

Michael attended the last minutes of the meeting and was stunned by his daughter's ideas. He never expected that the daughter who caused just problems could be so talented and brilliant. He felt a mixture of sadness and annoyance for ignoring her presence all these years. However, he was still angry because she confirmed the rumors between her and Nolan. He was heading to Layla because she was refusing to pick up her phone. When the meeting finished, the businessmen started applauding Estelle's presentation.

Michael, in a gentle tone: "You grew up well."

Then he left. Estelle, listening to those words, felt her eyes start to tear up.

Estelle's perspective: "Don't say those words to me after all that you have done. Don't make me feel guilty! I have waited years to listen to those words; it is very painful."

Nolan, winking at Estelle and smiling: "You dashed it, I am very proud of my girlfriend."

Estelle, sarcastically: "Stop it; you are very bad at acting!"

Nolan, wondering: "Shouldn't we face the cameras right now since you forgave me?"

Estelle, confidently: "Of course, since I am in a good mood, let's go."

Nolan and Estelle held hands and went to the company entrance. The paparazzi noticed them and headed directly towards them.

Paparazzi: "Well, Miss Estelle, is the rumor of you dating Mr. Nolan true?"

Estelle, pretending: "Well, everything started unexpectedly, but it's true!"

Nolan pushed Estelle close to him and put his arm around her. Estelle didn't expect this and was surprised, looking at him as he spoke.

Paparazzi: "What about the pictures that were published about you being in a relationship? Are you kind of dating two persons at the same time?"

Estelle felt uneasy. Nolan gave her a comforting look, keeping his arm around her, then looked at her with love.

Nolan: "I guess we just met the wrong people until we found each other, and I am happy that it was her."

Estelle showed a forced smile, never expecting Nolan's actions. Then he took her to the car, and they left.

At Layla's work office, she was focused on her work until she noticed someone looking at her from afar. It was Michael. She went to make him leave.

Layla, coldly: "What are you doing here?"

Michael, gently: "Well, I think I need to speak with someone I value very much."

Layla, coldly: "That someone cannot be me, I am sorry!"

Michael, serious: "What about our children? Look at the mess they are causing by not keeping us together."

Layla answered calmly: "Isn't it for the better? That's why we should stay away from each other."

Michael, annoyed: "They are just playing; they will stop when they realize how wrong they are!"

Layla, coldly: "I am not sure about that. I think even your daughter doesn't want you to marry me, not because of her but because she is afraid you will harm me too."

Michael, serious: "That's why she needs a person like you, even if she's grown up. I think your support will help."

Layla, worried: "She seems like a devastated girl. She's very broken. You should at least change your attitude with her."

Michael, in a gentle tone: "That's why I need you. I truly want someone as precious as you by my side!"

Layla gently caressed his shoulder: "You are not like that, but if you show a bit of kindness, it may be better."

Michael, looking serious: "So what do you say?"

Layla, in a gentle voice: "Both of us were tested by our children. That's why we should save them from their dark world by joining forces, I guess."

Michael, with a gentle smile, kissed Layla's forehead.

On the other side, Lisa was fully prepared to welcome Simon from his long trip. The doorbell rang, and Lisa went to open the door. She found out that Simon wasn't alone; he was accompanied by her father.

Lisa, in surprise: "Dad! Wow, what a surprise!"

Lisa's father, named Victor, said coldly: "I should be the one saying those words since you are at Dr. Simon's house."

Simon held Lisa's hand tightly, then showed a serious demeanor.

Simon, with determined eyes: "Professor Roteckbell, I am so in love with your daughter, and I am ready to do whatever it takes to marry her. Please give me your blessing."

Lisa smiled, her eyes filled with emotion and happiness.

Lisa showed a determined look: "Yes, I also love him so much and want to marry him."

Victor sighed: "Well, I was already aware of the situation, but you know being doctors is hard. You can't be together all the time. Also, my daughter is my treasure, so if you upset her, I might be emotional and fire a talented doctor like you."

Lisa, smiling happily: "Don't worry, Dad. I already said that he will be fired if he upsets me."

Simon, serious: "I won't dare to challenge the dad and his daughter, so I agree with both of you!"

Victor, serious: "Since both of you are serious about each other, I have no right to interfere. You should prepare your engagement party and inform your mother about that!"

Lisa excitedly hugged her father, thanking him non-stop. He gave them a condition: she must stay home before the engagement. Simon agreed to that! Lisa got a bit upset but then accepted.

Estelle and Nolan were in the car, starting to speak.

Estelle, curious: "Have you taken some acting lessons from your girlfriend? You made it very believable; I almost believed that."

Nolan, annoyed: "No, I didn't. I was about to be an actor someday, but I refused. And also, don't mention that girl again—she's no longer my girlfriend!"

Estelle, laughing sarcastically: "Stop lying, please. You were about to become an actor?"

Nolan, proudly: "Well, I'm not lying. My friend was a beginner director, and he asked me to be the main lead in his drama. However, I refused because I wasn't interested, but I suggested Stella as the main lead actress. I don't know why I'm even talking about her."

Estelle, surprised: "Well, that's very unexpected. You continue to surprise me, Nolan!"

Nolan, after thinking, suggested: "What about we have a drink somewhere?"

Estelle, surprised: "Hey, don't tell me you believed our lie. We're acting!"

Nolan, sarcastically: "I'm not stupid. It's just been a long time since I spent time with my friends. That's why I suggested it."

Estelle, confused: "You do have friends, but I've never heard of them. But since we have something in common, I guess we are friends too. But drinking will get attention from the paparazzi, and I don't want to face them."

Nolan, annoyed: "Of course, I have friends, but they are busy most of the time. We'll keep our wigs on, and I know a beautiful place where we can be safe from them."

Estelle, smiling: "Well, if you need a friend, I'm here for you. However, I should call my other friend who will be waiting for me and inform her."

Nolan, with a smile: "Fine!"

Nolan and Estelle headed to a place Nolan suggested, and he asked for a table on the second floor. They entered there, and the second floor was full of shining lights and beautifully decorated with roses, plants, and artificial lights, like a terrace where the stars looked very beautiful. It was like a decorated garden.

Estelle was stunned by the beauty of the terrace and then asked Nolan:

Estelle, apathetically: "This place is wonderful. I bet you brought Stella here and came for a nostalgic moment. Even if it's not a famous luxurious place, it is very appealing."

Nolan, lost in thought: "Well, I brought Stella here many times and made her visits more beautiful than this place. And she ended up breaking my heart into pieces."

Estelle, concerned: "If you came here for your nostalgic moment, I prefer to leave you alone. It's better."

Nolan, explaining: "No way. I used to visit this place on my own when I faced problems. My friend owns it, and he always lets me use the second floor when I visit. He invested to turn this floor magical, but nobody visited it because of its location."

Estelle, upset: "How sad, investing in such a place only to end up being dominated by his depressive friends."

Nolan, annoyed: "What do you mean by depressive friends? I came here to bring customers, since I'm a very handsome man!"

Estelle, laughing without stopping: "Handsome, you say? That's ridiculous."

Estelle, looking at the place with loving eyes: "But since you showed it to me, I will inform everyone I know about it. I won't let it go to waste."

Nolan, sarcastically: "Wow, how nice of you, but I truly appreciate that. He will be thrilled!"

Estelle, annoyed: "You are too full of yourself, Nolan."

Estelle glared at Nolan: "If you bring every girl you meet here, that means you are a playful boy."

Nolan, sarcastically: "I didn't bring you to this place to please you! I came for my own sake. And what cheating are you talking about?"

Estelle, annoyed: "If your friend thinks we are dating, that means I am no better than your ex. That's why you brought me to the same place as her, and that hurts my reputation."

Nolan, bothered: "Why do you care about this? Didn't we come to have a friendly discussion?"

Estelle, sarcastically: "You are right, but you know my reputation is important! But why didn't you give Stella another chance? She must be devastated right now. I am a girl defender."

Nolan, irritated: "Why would I give someone full of lies another chance? She broke my heart and cheated on me without even defending herself. I'm also on the side of men. What about Lucas? After you sent him away, he fired the investors, which might turn his life into hell for your sake!"

Estelle showed an upsetting look: "Of course, you are right. I guess my boyfriend was a better person, but I didn't give him a chance for his own sake. I wanted him to stay out of my problems and life drama and have a happy life. I always ruin the lives of the people I care about the most. And when he wasn't beside me during my hardest times, I found a way to send him away without harming him."

Estelle, smiling sadly: "I know I am a pathetic person. I was always there when he needed me the most. I missed my father's birthday for his sake because he was sick, and I knew he couldn't come because he had to rely on himself. But I was tired too."

Nolan, showing empathy in a gentle, deep voice: "You are a very rare person. You are sacrificial. I never thought you would do whatever it takes to protect him. I started to respect you."

Estelle, sobbing: "But why does my heart ache every time I remember him, even if he is safe?"

Nolan, in a kind voice: "Because that's the meaning of heartbreak, and it will be bitter for you because you loved him more than yourself."

Estelle, with a sad face and swollen eyes: "Is that so? How can I overcome this?"

Nolan, with an upsetting look: "Even I can't overcome this. We should let fate decide."

Estelle wiped her eyes, concerned: "Can I ask you what happened to your father? If you don't mind?"

Nolan, showing a sad smile, started telling his father's story: "Well, when I was young, my mother told me that my father was a criminal and went to jail. I was bullied at school because of this, so we had to cut all ties with him and his family and move away. When I was in college, I still didn't know the reason my father went to jail. I just knew he murdered someone. Well, just when I finished my studies, I asked a friend who worked as a detective to tell me the true version of the story. It was written that he killed his brother in cold blood. Before, in high school, I heard he had committed suicide. But Stella was my childhood friend and supported me all that time. But before he died, he left a letter for me. I couldn't read it because I threw it away. But right now, I am trying to investigate with my police and detective and lawyer friends. I was about to become a lawyer to discover the truth, but my mom told me not to do it. She couldn't handle her son entering the criminal world. That's my story."

Estelle put her hand on Nolan's hand, comforting him: "No matter what the truth will be, I will support you. I will pay my debts to you and help you as a true friend."

Nolan, smiling: "Thank you."

Nolan showed an annoyed and curious expression: "So, right now, you! What is your problem with the investors of Killians? Since I am your boyfriend in front of everyone, I should know."

Estelle hesitated, never expecting Nolan's question: "Yes, about them, I need you to hack into their system and extract every dirty information!"

Nolan, annoyed: "So you want me to go to jail by doing this, but you didn't answer my question."

Estelle, determined: "Well, they threatened me at the meeting in many ways, so I want to turn them down."

Nolan, shocked: "If they truly did that, why didn't you tell your father?"

Estelle, embarrassed: "He wouldn't believe me. And when I spoke about them, they made me look like a liar because in the past, I lied to get my father's attention."

Nolan, with a comforting look: "Well, I guess this isn't totally right, but I will help you. And don't worry, I won't allow them to harm you in any way."

Estelle, sarcastically: "Should I take this as my fake boyfriend or my friend or my brother?"

Nolan, smiling: "Whatever suits you. I will do the same with any name."

Estelle, proudly: "Well, since you just spoke about your talent, let me inform you about me."

Estelle primped her hair confidently: "I tried to become a chef, then I changed it. I learned how to paint, then how to play musical instruments. But the thing I was amazing at was ceramics, but Dad refused it even though I was like a pro in it."

Nolan, surprised: "You already told me that you learned all of these things for your mother's sake to suit her taste, but ceramics was unexpected for someone like you!"

Estelle got annoyed when Nolan was teasing her and making fun of her.

Estelle: "We should leave. Lisa already called me."

Estelle took pictures of the terrace and then turned the camera to her and Nolan.

Estelle, smiling: "Well, say cheese, my fake boyfriend, friend, brother. Let's make a souvenir of this."

Estelle, showing a gentle look: "Once we finish everything, we will still remain friends, right?"

Nolan put his arm around Estelle, sarcastically: "Stop thinking about the end. We are still at the beginning. Let's live for the moment and think about the end later!"

Estelle, smiling: "If you say so. I had a good time. Thank you, Nolan."

Nolan answered: "Me too, my fake girlfriend, sister, friend."

Estelle and Nolan burst into laughter.

When they arrived home, Lisa was waiting for them, clearly annoyed.

Lisa, annoyed: "Are you seeing the time? The journalists left already. They literally got what they wanted the most: a rumor confirmed."

Nolan: "Sorry for making you wait. I should head home. Take care of Estelle."

Nolan got a call and left in a hurry.

Estelle, waving goodbye to him, said to Lisa: "Thank you, Lisa!"

Lisa, annoyed: "We should head inside before anyone sees us! You seem very drunk."

Estelle, laughing: "Just a bit."

Lisa, bothered: "That's for sure. You and your day boyfriend had a lot of fun."

Estelle, pointing her finger and raising her voice: "No, not my boyfriend. He is my fake boyfriend, brother, and friend."

Estelle continued laughing, and Lisa closed her mouth with her hands.

Lisa, whispering: "Shut up! Do you want another scandal right now?"

Lisa managed to take Estelle to her room and asked the maid to bring her coffee or cold water. She washed Estelle's face to wake her up.

Lisa, warning Estelle: "Don't sleep. I still need to discuss important matters with you."

Estelle, confused: "Lisa? Why are you staying over?"

Lisa, angry: "Should I leave? Anyway, are you awake?"

Estelle, facepalming: "Yes? A bit? I am happy you stayed over. Don't get mad."

Lisa, excited: "I am bringing you happy news!"

Estelle, confused: "Happy? Have you managed to bring dark news about Killians?"

Lisa, annoyed: "It doesn't always concern you, and this is happy news, not scary news."

Lisa, excited: "Simon and I are getting engaged. He faced my father like a charming prince, saying, 'This is the girl I want to marry,' and my father accepted."

Lisa jumped in joy, and Estelle hugged her back.

Estelle, smiling: "I am happy for you. Congratulations."

Lisa, excited: "So that's why I came to you. You need to help me choose the engagement party dress and help me with the organization."

Estelle asked her: "Why don't you ask Georgia and Robert to help you? I am tired right now."

Lisa, bothered: "No, I trust your taste the most. You have to help me."

Estelle, tired: "Fine."

Lisa, excited: "Well, what color should I wear, and what kind of dress should I design?"

Estelle, thinking: "You have golden hair and forest green eyes, and your skin is a bit tanned. If you ask me, your eye color is striking. However, if you want a change, you should choose turquoise blue. You will look stunning in that color, especially with a diamond accessory."

Lisa, worried: "You're not still drunk, are you? I never tried wearing such a color. Should I really trust you?"

Estelle, determined: "No, I am thinking clearly. Or should you wear a violet diamond color? Maybe that will suit you too. Show me the design you chose."

Lisa showed her phone to Estelle.

Estelle smiled: "I guess the turquoise blue will be marvelous on you."

Lisa, happy: "Now that I imagine it, it will look good. Thank you."

Estelle, tired: "You look good in every outfit because you are pretty."

Then Estelle fell asleep.

Lisa, angry: "You were just resisting."

Lisa, in a lower, excited voice: "I never expected you to someday say I am pretty."

Meanwhile, Nolan got a phone call from his manager again.

Nolan, irritated: "I told you, don't call me, and now you tried with another number. Should I block you again?"

Manager: "Stella hasn't come out since this morning, and we found her anxiolytics pills. We're worried she might do something to herself."

Ian suddenly spoke: "Please, I'm very worried about her. She never acted like this before. Can you come just for a few hours? I will pay for the plane ticket. I'll send my private jet to take you and bring you back. Please come for the years you had together."

Nolan, annoyed: "Alright, but only if you send me back during my work time."

Ian, relieved: "Yes, I promise."

Nolan arrived at the set and broke Stella's door. She was lying on the bed, and the bottle of pills was empty. Nolan carried her to the emergency room, where they managed to pump her stomach. When she opened her eyes, she called for Nolan.

Nolan entered coldly: "How do you feel?"

Stella, with a painful look: "Don't look at me like that, please. They said you carried me here. Thank you."

Nolan answered coldly: "I am a human being, after all."

Stella, still with a painful look: "Still, you were worried about me. That's all that matters."

Nolan, irritated, raised his voice: "Don't you value your life? You still have your parents and people around you who love you. Even Ian sent me a private jet just for your sake. Aren't you an actress? You should avoid scandals and having marks on your body."

Stella, feeling upset: "I just can't accept the idea of you leaving me."

Nolan, with a disgusted look: "You still disgust me. You just want me to feel guilty for leaving you. How can you be this cruel?"

Stella, in pain: "Why didn't you say these words to Estelle and feel empathy for her?"

Nolan, irritated: "How can you compare yourself to her? You didn't face the same things."

Stella, in pain: "So should I face more to make you forgive me?"

Nolan, shocked: "I never saw your true nature. How did you end up like this? You are full of cruelty."

Stella, laughing in pain: "You gave up on me so quickly, it's like you never loved me."

Nolan, looking at her deeply: "Love is such a sensitive thing. It can be affected by hatred, disgust, or desire. Once you commit a sin, it can turn the lover's life into chaos, revenge, and darkness. And once trust is broken, you won't be able to gather the pieces and build it again."

Stella started crying.

Nolan wiped her tears: "You are sick. Don't contract your muscles. I am leaving. Take good care of yourself."

Nolan left, and Ian entered, full of worries: "Have you lost your mind!" He held and kissed her hand

The next morning at Jefferson's estate.

Estelle woke up early, and Lisa was heading to an internship at the hospital.

Lisa, confused: "Why are you waking up early again?"

Estelle, determined: "Nolan told me to pass by his work. We will start our plan against the Killians."

Lisa, smiling sarcastically: "He just wants to show off his girlfriend!"

Estelle, sarcastically: "Stop that, please!"

Lisa, worried: "Are you still after the Killians? Shouldn't you stop for your own safety?"

Estelle, confidently: "My safety? Why would I? I am not afraid of them!"

Lisa, worried: "That's why you have to be cautious with your actions. Yesterday you told me something. Don't you remember?"

Estelle, confused: "Did I? Anyway, I was just saying nonsense. The less you know, the better off you'll be."

Estelle changed the topic with a smile: "Are you heading to the hospital?"

Lisa answered: "Yes, after that I will visit my mother to prepare for the party."

Estelle suggested with a smile: "Why don't you go to Nolan's mother? She has great taste and talent. She will make your event wonderful."

Lisa, agreeing: "If you suggest this, I will pass by her with Mom."

Lisa left, and Estelle also went to Nolan's company. As she arrived, she entered, but they stopped her at the door.

Responsible for security: "Miss, where are you heading without a special card? If you don't have this workplace card, we can't let you enter."

Estelle, sarcastically: "Do you know who I am?"

Estelle primed her hair confidently: "Estelle Jefferson, the heir of the Jefferson group."

Security: "We don't care, Miss. These are the rules. Without the card or code, you can't enter!"

Estelle annoyed: "But I came to visit Nolan Smith. He is a worker here, am I right? I am his girlfriend!"

Security: "Mr. Nolan is a member of the company. Even he can't enter without his identity card!"

Estelle, angry: "How rude! Such a talented worker has to ask before entering. What kind of company is this?"

A mysterious man wearing a suit with a charismatic demeanour came to see what was happening.

Mysterious man: "Arthur, what is going on here?"

Estelle felt embarrassed since she didn't want to cause any problems in Nolan's company. She hid her face because she is called the queen of scandals.

Security: "Nothing I can't handle!"

Mysterious man: "Miss, why are you hiding your face?"

Estelle embarrassed: "Listen, don't worry. I won't cause any problems, so don't call anyone. I will wait outside."

Mysterious man: "Aren't you Estelle Jefferson?"

Estelle, in shame: "I am, yes. I came to visit Nolan, so don't publish anything about me, please."

Mysterious man: "Yes, you are Nolan's girlfriend and the heir of the Jeffersons? Arthur, next time you should ask me!"

Estelle, smiling: "Yes, I am his girlfriend."

Mysterious man: "I am the CEO of this company, Steven Hoods. You can enter, but Nolan said that he will be late this morning. Didn't he tell you?"

Estelle's thoughts: "Did he? I don't think so. Where is he right now? How am I going to deal with his boss?I am lost, since i am his girlfriend i have to know, without hesitation"