Chapter 17: Final boarding.

ELARA

The VIP terminal doors slid open before I even reached them.

I walked in like a queen.

Hold on, I am a queen.

Adrenaline was running through my body now. I glanced at my wrist. I arrived early.

“Name?” The security officer’s voice was calm and professional, but his eyes were sharp.

Before, I would have fidgeted and fumbled with my phone, but I just held up my Jetex reservation.

“Vance. Elara Vance.”

There was an instant recognition. He waved me through without any question or scanning.

Vance… What a powerful name, and I would use that name till the end of the world. I promised myself as I walked deeper into the hall.

My eyes fell on a man in a tailored suit appearing from the shadows. He stood taller than everyone around, and I just knew who he was.

I flashed a smile and majestically walked towards him.

I didn't believe Aiden when he said he was responsible. He was probably trying to get me off the matter and take over it, but I wouldn't let him.

This was my life and my fight. Nobody helps me this time.

Once the strange man noticed me coming his way, he turned and left, but I hurried my steps to catch up with him.

But before I could turn to the left hallway, somebody called me from behind.

“Miss Vance?”

“Fuck.” I cursed as I turned to meet whoever it was.

“Ms. Vance.”

I looked up. It was a man in a suit. He had stepped closer.

“Mr. Vance asked me to pick you up." I nodded and flashed my best smile.

“Where is he? Mr. Vance?”

“He left and handed you in my care.”

"Cool, I'm already exhausted. Please lead me to my room.” I yawned.

After having dinner, I grabbed my phone and created professional Instagram and Facebook accounts.

I was still surfing the internet when I received a message. This time it was from Aiden.

I opened it and it read:

“Forgive me."

I didn't know when I burst out laughing to the point where tears left my eyes.

"What a childish write-up.” I cursed under my breath and rolled my eyes.

This time, I received another message. I didn't bother to open it. I just continued watching my favourite channel on TikTok, thelifeyouwanted, but I didn't feel comfortable and went back to the message. When I opened it, it was from them.

“Do not travel.”

I typed back furiously.

“Fuck you, stupid lot.”

I honestly didn't know what they wanted from me, but I would find out. They were everywhere in the hotel.

There was another message.

“You have ten minutes to leave this hotel. After that… everything changes.”

I tapped back.

“You are a fucking coward. You have tormented my life too much and I'm exhausted."

“Do you want revenge on the Orphanage? Then why did you kill Kenny and why are you suddenly threatening me? Just show yourself." I typed, pressing my lips together.

But I got a message I wasn't expecting, just a laughing emoji.

“Wth?” I muttered.

“Who the fuck are these people and why are they mocking me?”

“Where did you get the sudden balls from?” The new message read. I rolled my eyes and typed. This time, I was really furious and pissed.

“I'm coming for whoever you are. Don't you ever contact me again." I typed and turned off my phone.

This time, they would play my game. I wasn't going to dance to their tune.

I had my bath and slept off. The next morning, I grabbed my suitcase and said goodbye to the city I had no idea of and the city that had abandoned me.

At the airport, I barreled through the terminal doors, with my suitcase clattering behind me.

“Final boarding. Gate 12. Final boarding.”

The announcement made my stomach twist. I didn't want to miss this flight again.

I had overslept, which was unlike me, and I suspected it to be the work of the people threatening me. I suspected they had drugged my food.

This flight was my escape. Everything depended on me making it.

I darted forward. My lungs burned, but the line for security stretched endlessly.

“Excuse me… sorry… move…” I kept saying as I hurried down.

I broke into a half-run, not able to walk, but slammed straight into something.

I realised it was not something. It was someone.

My forehead cracked against a hard chest. I lost my balance and snapped. My heel slipped on the polished floor and I went down fast.

Pain shot through my knees.

“Damn it…”

The crowd flowed around me. No one stopped. Everyone was on their own business.

“Great, I'm trampled and late. Perfect.”

I cursed, then I noticed a pair of shoes stop inches from my hand. They were black and expensive.

I swallowed and looked, and for a moment, I was lost at what I was seeing and forgot how to breathe.

He was… unfairly perfect.

Tall even while standing still, he had perfect broad shoulders that filled out his dark coat.

His sleeves were rolled just enough to show his strong forearms and faint veins.

But it was his face that stalled my brain.

He had a sharp jaw, a straight nose, and a faint scar kissing the corner of his lip. I didn’t know why, but something drew me to him. I was hooked.

My heart kept beating and I felt like eating him out and could perceive him, which was strange.

I've never felt this before and I was on the floor. It felt like my senses were heightened.

He smelt of… no, he had different mixtures on him. I could perceive cedar, but it was darker, whisky and fire.

I have never, not even in my past life, felt this about a man.

And his eyes…

Gosh.

They were clear gray, a little bit similar to Aiden's, and here I was thinking Aiden was the only one with such perfect eyes.

They were cold and bright at the same time.

The kind of eyes that looked through you instead of at you.

My throat went dry and I gulped hard.

For a second, the noise of the airport faded. I was just drawn to him and I couldn't help myself.

Then he spoke, very calm and low.

“Careful,” he said.

It sounded less like concern, but more like a warning. I gulped first.

“Next!” the TSA agent barked, bringing me to consciousness.

I lifted my suitcase onto the conveyor belt. My hands trembled as I did. Why was I feeling this way? That was one question I couldn't understand. I was so lost in my thoughts that for the first time I forgot about the anonymous threats.

“Miss? Miss!!"

The agent barked and I apologised, embarrassed I was daydreaming about a man, and shoved my ID and ticket forward.

“Please… hurry.” My voice cracked, betraying my panic.

“You missed something,” a calm voice whispered in my ear.

I glanced back, and he handed me my small box. I cursed under my breath, wondering how I had missed this.

"Thank you.”

But he was looking away now and had blocked his ears with his pods. So fast.

My boarding call screamed with urgency in my ears. Final boarding. Gate 12.

I bolted, and my suitcase wheels screeched. I was late and it was an opportunity to escape from whoever this man was.

The terminal staff yelled me to calm down, but I ignored them. Right now my body was filled with adrenaline.

I reached the gate and looked back. I couldn't spot him and relief surged through me.

My success stared at me, I'd soon be out of here, not until a hand slammed onto my shoulder from behind.

I yelped, spun around and just froze at what I saw.

The person before me was tall and broad, and his black hair fell over those piercing storm-dark eyes.

His voice was calm and precise, like a predator who’d been planning this for days.

“Going somewhere?” A grin tugged at the corner of his lips. It was threatening and I just knew it.

My suitcase slipped from my hand.

“Who are you?” I demanded, though my voice trembled.

He didn’t answer, but just took more steps closer. And I knew this was Danger.