Forever Mine

#3

It was now the third day of the most eventful Christmas party Hestia had ever experienced. She once again took great care with her appearance; wouldn't hurt her case if she looked good. A small lunch was being held at Jordan's home, and the rest of the day was free; everyone had their own entertainments planned for the afternoon.

There was no use in delaying the inevitable, and Hestia couldn't keep the restless demons in her mind caged for so long. She needed to talk to Jordan and do it as quickly as possible. She knew she would lose her courage and determination if she delayed any further and she was in no mood to sit around for another twenty two years waiting for someone to take notice of her.

Ever since she had been a child, her quiet and reserved demeanor had prompted many a relative to 'compliment' her mother, 'It is as though you don't even have a child'. No doubt said with the best of intentions, Hestia had grown to loathe her silent and closed off demeanor and had spent most of her life locked in a never ending battle with her own nature. Society wanted more outspoken and assertive women, whereas she was the exact opposite and as a result was overlooked by majority of her peers. It had taken many years of self-reflection and an endless reservoir of courage to overcome her apprehension and fear of ridicule and embrace her true self. Hestia no longer strived to be like her peers, but was now a woman who knew her own strengths and weaknesses.

Hestia searched through the crowd of family members anxiously for the tall form of Jordan. She wanted to get this over with as swiftly as she could manage. She had already arrived late and within an hour or so; the guests would begin to leave to rest or embark on their own plans for the rest of the day. Finally locating Jordan's muscular form across the room, immersed in conversation with a few of the older men; Hestia steeled herself and forced her limbs to move.

Which each step, Hestia could feel the pounding in her ears grow louder and louder. For the life of her, she couldn't recall how she managed to cross the crowded room and come to halt behind the large, muscular figure of Jordan Thorne.

Slowly, hesitantly her arm lifted. Before she could stop herself, she had lightly tapped his shoulder. He turned to face her quickly, a small, polite smile on his face as he greeted her.

"I need to talk to you." Hestia whispered, dreading the outcome of this conversation. She could practically hear him laughing at her absurd proposal. He studied her intently, searching for signs of distress before nodding slowly.

Jordan was always the kind to solve another's problems. Reliable and dependable, he was the one person everyone turned to in times of need. His perceptive and analytical personality had allowed him to flourish not only in the world of business, but had the family appointing him head of the entire Thorne family. Unlike modern families, the Thorne's were unapologetically family oriented, and no matter how distant a relative; they stuck with each other through thick and thin. They were a large, boisterous lot and treasured family above all.

"Of course, lead the way." He gestured for her to precede him. Ever the gentleman, he excused himself from the conversation around him and fell into step behind her.

People strolled through the house, leaving no room empty for a private conversation between the two. Hestia nearly jumped out of her skin when a warm hand gently touched her back, steering her toward the stairs. Glancing at the stoic man beside her, Hestia couldn't help but second guess her plan. What if he just ridiculed her upon hearing her request?

"We can talk in my study." He broke the silence between them.

"Okay." Hestia whispered. Moments later, they stopped outside a large brown door. Even though Hestia had been coming to this house for years now, she had never set foot inside the study. Gently guiding her into the room, he seated her in a chair beside the warm fireplace before taking the seat across from her. He stared at her expectantly, waiting for her to speak.