AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What that woman has is too much money. This was totally unnecessary.”
Seraphina kicks my shin under the table. “You have to admit not having to deal with security and the paparazzi for a change is nice.”
I let out an annoyed huff. Because yes, even I had to admit I was glad I didn’t have to play nice for the sake of the vultures.
In the last few months, I’ve forgotten how insistent and overbearing dealing with them can be, and now that they knew where I was, I didn’t think they’d let me off the hook that easily.
“We’re just waiting for clearance to take off,” the stewardess says, breaking me out of my thoughts. “Would you like to drink something before that?”
I shake my head, turning my attention out the window. “I’m fine. Than—” My voice trails off as I spot a black smudge in the distance.
I narrow my eyes, trying to get a better look. No, not a smudge. A car?
Seraphina must notice it too, because she curses silently. “How did they get past security?”
The car must be driving way over the speed limit because they arrive at the plane in record time. “What the—”
“I’m so sorry about this, Mr. Black,” the flight attendant says just as the car pulls to a stop. “I’ll call security immediately.”
But then the door opens, and my jaw hits the floor when I see the person coming out of the car. I grab the woman’s hand, stopping her. “No.”
“N-no?” she stutters, clearly surprised by my outburst.
I push to my feet. “I need you to open the door.”
“B-but…”
“Now,” I grit out, not leaving her any room to contradict me.
The woman’s eyes widen at my harsh tone, but she doesn’t protest. I let go of her hand and follow her to the front of the plane, my heart in my throat as I wait for her to open the damn door.
The whole thing seems to last forever until, finally, the bright sun blinds me. I step outside, shielding my eyes as my gaze falls on the woman standing below, her pale hair shining like a halo under the sunlight.
Penelope.
Here.
“What are you doing?” I yell loud enough so I can be heard over the noises surrounding us.
“I changed my mind.” She shrugs, a sheepish smile making its way to her lips. “Do you have space for two more?”
I just stare at her, unsure if I heard her correctly.
She couldn’t have possibly changed her mind. Not after all those comments on her social media. Could she?
The wind is messing with her hair and playing with the hem of her dress, making it dance around her legs as she nervously shifts her weight from one foot to the other. “So?”
I couldn’t allow her to do this.
Ishouldn’tallow her to come with me.
I saw what reading those comments did to her. And the sad truth was, that was most likely only the beginning. Penelope’s worked too hard to get to where she is now, happy and healthy. I couldn’t put her through this. Not for my sake.
Selfish.
It would be so damn selfish if I did.
I swallow the lump in my throat, and before I know what I’m doing, I’m already descending the stairs and pulling her into my arms. Penelope chuckles lightly, her arms looping around my neck for support.
