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That was the day when she realized First Class came with more than just early boarding privileges. It wasn’t just a better seat, it was a better life.
One day I will have enough money to be able to afford all those things. One day.
By the time she finally made it to the head of the line, Vivian’s stomach was rumbling. Its demands for a bagel were becoming louder by the minute. The sooner she could offload her suitcase and get through security, the better. With Starbucks in another terminal, and Vivian not interested in hiking for a frappé, this morning she would have to go with beverage plan B. A super sweet hazelnut americano.
Vivian pumped her fist as she finally walked away from the check in counter. She was under the weight limit and her scheduled flight was still on time. After a messy and expensive break up with Peter, she was overdue for some good luck.
California here I come. A business trip with no complications.
She was still smiling by the time she made it through security screening and into the air side of the terminal. Her love life might well be a smoldering mess and her personal credit card close to being maxed out, but no one could take this moment of joy away from her.
Vivian Holte, resort reviewer was going on assignment. Tonight she would be resting on magnificent linen in a private room of a brand new billion dollar resort with the gentle waves of the Pacific Ocean singing their lullaby to her as she fell asleep. Flying First Class was one thing, experiencing two whole days of pampered resort luxury was even better. Her smiled widened.Life’s tough.
CHAPTERFIVE
New York
Hudson Yards, Lower Manhattan
Bryce slid into the soft leather seat of the limousine which was waiting for him downstairs. The driver closed the door, and in less than a minute they were headed into the early morning New York city traffic. It was a six minute trip from the Royal Resorts offices at Hudson Yards to the VIP helipad at West 30thStreet. Bryce barely had time to answer three emails from his assistant, before the car had come to a smooth as silk stop. Flipping the case of his iPad closed, Bryce tucked it into his slimline briefcase and climbed out.
The driver opened the door. “The helicopter should have you at Teterboro airport in twenty minutes, Mister Royal. And the jet is already on stand by and waiting for your arrival.”
“Thank you.”
Janice would no doubt have made all the arrangements herself, and in doing so managed to keep everyone in the New York office in the dark as to who was using the company plane today and where they were going.
After making his way through the gates of the VIP helipad, Bryce was greeted by a neatly dressed attendant in a black suit and tie. “Good morning, sir. If you would please follow me, the pilot is ready for takeoff.”
Everything was a rush this morning. New York pace. He had forgotten how fast this city moved. Life in Europe and the UK always had an unhurried start to the day. In London or Edinburgh he would be leisurely finishing his second cup of coffee while quietly tossing up whether to have a third when his scrambled eggs eventually arrived.
The helicopter was humming, its blades chopping through the air as Bryce followed the ramp attendant along the red carpet and boarded. In line with the secrecy of his mission, he wasn’t surprised to discover that he was the only passenger. Janice would have made that a firm stipulation when she arranged the booking. His luggage was loaded into the seat behind. Slipping out of his jacket, he put his life vest on then reached for the safety harness, and buckled himself in. The attendant checked Bryce’s harness, smiled, then gave him the thumbs up. After a small adjustment to his headset and mouthpiece, he was good to go.
This isn’t my first helicopter ride.
As the blue and white Bell helicopter rose over the Hudson River, Bryce indulged in the view. The morning sun glistened on the water. He had just turned to take in the view of the city skyline when his phone rang. Retrieving his cell from his briefcase, he checked the screen.Jordanappeared. Bryce let it go to voicemail. If he was still in London as he was meant to be, it would be early afternoon, and he would more than likely be out and about in the city, or in a meeting. He wouldn’t be trying to talk over the sound of a helicopter.
He couldn’t talk to Jordan. The lie had to hold.
“Sorry buddy, but Dad needs me to do this,” he whispered. He put the phone away before his brother’s name could taunt him any further. Guilt sat heavy in his heart.
If Jordan did happen to suspect something was amiss, Bryce had a pretty good idea as to whom his brother would call next. Bryce’s UK personal assistant, Heather, who was currently based in Edinburgh had been given clear instructions as to what to say if Jordan did happen to ring.
A notification appeared on his cell. His brother had left a message. He was tempted to retrieve it, but the noise volume inside the chopper would make it hard to hear whatever Jordan had to say. Bryce wanted to be in the quiet privacy of the Royal Resorts jet when he listened. If his brother had caught wind of his arrival in New York, he didn’t want to be within earshot of anyone else when he listened to the voicemail. The leisure market was a hot bed of gossip and rumors.
“It’s a beautiful morning, where are you off to today, sir?” asked the pilot through his headset.
Bryce forced a tight smile to his lips, then replied into the mike. “Yes, it is a magnificent day. Pity I have to leave town. I’m heading to California for a couple of days. San Francisco. I might see if I can squeeze in a trip up to Napa for a spot of wine tasting.”
It was a calculated lie, and Bryce had a strong suspicion he would be telling quite a few more tall tales before the day was over.
CHAPTERSIX
Bryce’s phone rang twice more before he crossed the tarmac at Teterboro private airport and boarded the Royal Resorts Gulfstream G650er. He didn’t answer either of them or bother to check who they were from. There wasn’t any point. His gut told him they would both be from Jordan.
Stepping onboard the plane, he was greeted by the male flight attendant. “Good morning, Mister Royal. We will be ready to taxi shortly. Is there anything I can get you once we are in the air?”
Bryce was half way to handing over his jacket when he locked eyes with the attendant. “Patrick? Don’t tell me your mother made you get out of bed at some ungodly hour and do this run.”
