Chapter 55 Chapter 55
Violet
I argued I didn't need a lot of stuff for just one night, but she patted my shoulder.
“You might appear underdressed or overdressed depending on how you feel when you enter the manor. Also, as it's made of stone, it's colder than our regular homes, though I have requested the fireplace be turned on for our rooms so you would not feel like you are freezing to death.”
"We get our own fireplace?" I gawked.
"And a lot more, but I won't spoil everything for you right now. I want to see your expressions and meltdown every five seconds."
"Very funny"
I shook my head as she pushed me into the car and added, “Be at the airport in an hour or else face the wrath of Alpha Deveraux.”
I tried not to roll my eyes and hastily dialed my mom while driving home to save time and explain to her right away where I was suddenly headed to.
No way was I going to tell her that I was meeting the legend of our society for lunch. It would freak her out and there was too little time to explain everything. Plus, she barely tolerated Cassie, if she realized Elijah was also joining us, she would have a meltdown far worse than I did.
So, I simply told her I was going to spend time with Cassie, who wanted to visit her grandma tonight, or something. It wasn't a lie technically.
Of all the reactions I’d expected of her, being unbothered was not one.
“It's not like I can drag you away when I am not home. But just stay safe and don't drive too far late at night.” she mumbled, referring to the last rogue attack.
“Why aren’t you home? Where are you?”
“Up north in some pack because your dad dragged me to a boring meeting. At least you will have some fun. And maybe you will also find some hot eligible bachelors in the new city.”
“Nah, I won't. I need to focus on my work, remember.”
Mom grumbled. “When will I ever see the face of my grandchild?”
Before she could launch herself into an elaborate explanation of how there were kids running around the place while other women gushed about their heirs, I mumbled.
“Love you, mom, see you soon.”
I ran to my room and threw in some clothes without thinking twice, stuffing more than necessary and wanting to create a good first impression in front of the Deveraux family.
I also chucked in my laptop and sketchbook to sketch designs instead of getting bored on the flight or while waiting for its arrival at the airport.
It had been barely half an hour since I left the cafe, but Cassie had already called me a dozen times, asking me to hurry up.
The time from when I got in a cab and reached the airport to entering the plane was a blur, and I barely got into my seat when the flight attendant came looking for me.
“Are you Miss Violet Hayes?”
“Yes”
“Please follow me,” she said, and I wondered what this was about, hoping I had not broken any rules by chance.
But she only led me out, pointed to a golf cart waiting for me outside and then mumbled. “This flight is having some issues, but we are escorting VIP customers on a priority basis to another flight.”
I didn’t know I was a VIP. And there was no sign of Cassie either.
I gave her a call while the golf cart drove to another runway that was devoid of other passengers and practically empty except for another smaller plane.
Was I being kidnapped?
I warily looked around as another flight attendant wearing a different uniform greeted me and welcomed me on the plane.
“Welcome to the private charter for your journey to Westbrook.”
“Where is Cassie?” I asked, and the flight attendant answered.
“She already flew home half an hour ago.”
“You mean I am flying alone on this plane?”
No way, had they sent a single plane for me. Why couldn’t they just wait for me to join Cassie?
“Not at all, you will be accompanied by Mr Elijah, who is already seated on the plane.”
Oh fuck!
I braced myself for glares, angry stares and a lot of huffing. I was prepared to see Elijah grow irritated upon seeing me.
He had warned Cassie that he wasn’t coming to the lunch and he certainly didn’t want me around.
But she had managed to do both somehow.
And she knew we would both react hence quietly slipped away without telling me. Maybe, she hadn’t informed him either.
I stared uselessly at the tickets I was holding out earlier and quietly shoved them into my bag.
Of course, she left me to deal with him alone. She had told me she wanted me to sort out things between them.
Little did she know, we were on just talking terms. Barely.
Cassie had promised she would not leave me alone with her impossible older brother under any circumstances.
Which was why, when the airport assistant led me toward the gleaming white private jet, my steps faltered for one bewildered second before I remembered how reliably Cassie broke every promise she made in the name of spontaneity.
The cabin door opened and cool, conditioned air brushed across my face as I stepped inside.
Elijah was seated near the window.
He sat with the composed stillness of someone who was being forced to do something he hated, his posture relaxed yet deliberate, one leg crossed over the other as he studied a leather folder placed open across his lap.
The faint sunlight filtering through the oval window cast a soft bronze sheen over his hair, and the sharp lines of his profile looked almost unreal in the quiet intimacy of the private cabin.
He did not look up when he sensed me enter. He did not greet me or acknowledge my presence in even the smallest way.
He simply kept reading.
And that, somehow, hurt far worse than anything he might have said.
The flight attendant guided me toward the seat across the narrow aisle from him, a polite smile on her face as she helped adjust the seat back and straighten the armrest.
She informed me gently that if I needed anything, I could ring the bell, and that unless it was pressed they would not disturb us during the flight.
I would have very much wanted her to be around instead of just being seated awkwardly with him in the cabin but she had already started walking away.
"Water, I need water!" I croaked and she smiled and pointed at the tray on my right.
"Refreshments and snacks are in the tray and the mini fridge to your left is stocked completely."
I nodded and looked around for something else to keep her engaged.
"Do you have blankets?"
She reached in the top cabinet and pulled out a few for me.
"Would you need anything else, Miss Violet?"
Yeah, to not be alone with Elijah several feet up in the air!