ELLIE
I closed my eyes, sinking into the seat by the airplane window. Wondering if this trip could somehow help me forget, at least a little, everything that was happening.
I hoped so. More than ever, I needed the comfort of my parents.
No matter how hard I tried not to think about it, my mind kept going over Ethan’s words. I was right to think he had done all of that just to push me away, but that didn’t change the fact that he had been an asshole.
To make matters worse, the bastard had the nerve to say I deserved more. I suspected he was just using that as an excuse to hide the truth.
He didn’t like me. In the end, it was all my fault for being naive. I had just deluded myself, and Ethan never really cared about me.
Unfortunately, admitting the truth didn’t make things any easier, and it didn’t erase my feelings for him.
Suddenly, someone sat down in the seat next to me, breathing heavily, pulling me out of my thoughts and making me open my eyes.
I was about to tell whoever it was that I had reserved both seats. But when I saw the person sitting next to me, I froze in shock.
No. It couldn’t be. What the hell was he doing here?
"What the hell? What do you think you’re doing?"
"I’m glad to find out Zoe was lying." He smiled, still catching his breath, with that messy hair like he had just had sex.
Damn it.
"This flight’s going to California, isn’t it?"
"Yes, this flight is going to California, but you’re not."
"Oh, believe me, I am. Especially since I just offered triple the price to the person who sold me the ticket."
"What? Why would you do that?" I blinked, confused. "Never mind... Tell me... What is your problem? Wasn’t everything you did enough?"
"Okay. Just let me catch my breath."
"No way! Get out before the plane takes off, damn it!"
"Oh, baby, I’m not going anywhere, and neither are you. At least not for the next six hours."
"Don’t you dare call me that," I growled. "And not even in your dreams am I letting this plane take off with you on it." I stood up, and so did he.
"Damn it... Sit down, please."
"Get out of my way," I said through gritted teeth.
What the hell was he thinking? What kind of sick game was this?
"Ellie... you’re drawing attention."
"Screw that, I said get out of my way." I stepped toward him, ready to push past him.
"No. You’re not going anywhere until you hear me out."
"Move! That’s my final warning."
"What do you think you’re going to do? I bought the ticket."
"Is there a problem here? You both need to be seated so we can take off," a flight attendant said, approaching.
"Yes, there’s a problem." I crossed my arms over my chest, feeling my blood boil.
"Ellie..." He shook his head.
I couldn’t get him kicked off, but I wasn’t going to listen to another word he had to say.
"This gentleman is in the wrong seat. I reserved both of these seats because I didn’t want to be disturbed," I said through clenched teeth, glaring at him.
"Alright. Let me check on that," she said. "Sir, could you please come with me?"
He closed his eyes and let out a long sigh.
"Fine. I can find my seat on my own," he said before walking down the aisle.
I sat back down, trying to calm myself as I fastened my seatbelt. Damn it. What was he doing here? He had to be completely insane. Why else would he be here if not to try to torture me?
Ethan Morgan was a sick maniac. That was the only explanation. Shit. I wouldn’t have a moment of peace for the next six hours. How could I? Knowing he was in the same space as me?
I tried to focus on a book after the plane took off, but I just couldn’t stop thinking about the fact that he was sitting somewhere on this damn plane. And for some reason, I needed to know where he was, so I decided to go to the bathroom.
I got up and started walking to the back of the aisle, trying to check all the seats discreetly. But when I stopped in front of the bathroom door, I still hadn’t spotted him, so I just went in.
I had just locked the door and turned around when I heard it open again. I took a few steps back.
Oh, no. No way. He locked the door again before turning to face me.
"What the hell do you think you’re doing?"
My whole body went on high alert from how close we were. The space was way too small for two people.
"I just want to talk to you."
"No. And if you don’t leave right now, I’m going to scream."
"Please, Ellie... just hear me out."
"I warned you..."
I was about to scream when he lunged at me, using his hand to cover my mouth as he wrapped his arm around my waist.
"You really are crazy, aren’t you?" He smiled.
The bastard thought this was funny? I tried to push his hands off me.
"Don’t do that." He pressed his body against mine, pushing me back against the wall. "I just want you to hear me out, okay? I promise I’ll leave you alone afterward if that’s still what you want. Alright?"
I nodded. He wasn’t going to leave me alone unless I did, and I also desperately needed him to move his body away from mine because it was starting to affect me.
"Good. Now I’m going to let you go, and you’re not going to scream. Deal?"
I nodded again. Then he let me go.
"I’ll listen to you, but don’t put your hands on me. Now step back."
"As you wish," he said before stepping back.