Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)

Norah, fuming, attempted to kick him in the rear, "Get out of here!"

Henson dodged swiftly, and they playfully chased each other down the stairs.

Carol gave Xavier a gentle smile, "Those kids are just adorable!"

Xavier, watching Norah's retreating figure, his voice husky and low, murmured, "They really are adorable." Seeing her cuteness seemed to inject him with a bit of energy too.

Once downstairs, Henson suggested, "I just saw a tennis court over there. How about we go play some tennis?"

Carol, eyeing Xavier's athletic build, immediately showed interest, "Oh yes, I love staying active."n"Let's go then!" Norah called for a golf cart in the garden, and they all headed to the tennis court together.

Upon arrival, a staff member came over with rackets and protective gear. Carol grabbed a racket and started, "I'll team up with Mr. Hanson; Norah and Henson can be a team. But, wouldn't that be like picking on the little ones?" Henson glanced at her, saying in a calm voice, "I twisted my ankle a few days ago, the doctor advised against any sports. I'll sit this one out."

Carol, looking concerned, "Oh, what do we do then?"

She turned to Norah, "Are you still up for playing?"

Norah smiled lightly, "If I don't play, Mr. Hanson surely won't either. He'd be too shy to play against a girl alone!"

After saying that, she turned to Xavier with a teasing look, "I didn't get that wrong, did I?"

Xavier, looking back at her, confirmed, "You didn't."

Carol chuckled, "Mr. Hanson, shy? Didn't he date like two hundred and twenty-nine girls?"

Norah responded, "I think he was just pretending, trying to fool me!"

Carol laughed even harder, "Actually, my brother's here too, waiting in the car. I'll call him over to join us!"

Norah had no objections, "Sure!"

Henson said to Norah, "I'll go grab some water; you guys start without me."

Norah gave him a thumbs up, "Don't worry, we got this!"

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Carol went to make the call, leaving Xavier and Norah resting on a bench. Xavier spoke softly, "We could just let her go. Why bother with tennis?"

Norah tilted her head, "You think she'd leave that easily when she's so into you?" Xavier bluntly stated, "I'm not into her."

Norah, gazing at the distant sky, whispered, "If you liked her, I'd never talk to you again."

Xavier

dern"You dare!" Norah f Vocatively replied, "Then, , reaching to pinch hinw e joking, right?" Chim, el peer

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Xavier caught her hand, "Stop it!"

Norah looked at him seriously, her eyes slightly red, "Tell me you're joking."

Seeing her genuinely upset softened Xavier, he reassured her, "Yes, I'm joking."

Norah suddenly burst into laughter, her smile as refreshing as a spring breeze.

Xavier's gaze deepened, noticing Carol approaching, he slowly let go of Norah's hand.

Soon after, a man in a sharp suit approached. Carol stood up, beaming, "Here comes my brother!"

As the man neared, Carol introduced him, "This is Mr. Hanson, and this is Mr. Hanson's niece, Ms. Norah."

The man, in his late twenties, wore a

light blue suit and a red tie, his hair styled in the latest trend, his gaze slightly flirty, especially when looking at Norah,

"Mr. Hanson's niece is all grown up?"

Carol clarified, "Oh, not by blood. She's a friend's niece."