IX ‖ taken flight

SHANGHAI
January 
Location: International Airport

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After that night at M1NT, I was overwhelmed by the transfer and didn't even have time to process what had happened at the back alley of the club and all the mystery surrounding Jax. However, seeing him right now invited all the mess of emotions back to me again. My eyes was glued to his back as he walked ahead of us. He's dressed in full black in a black parka and fitting jeans, with the hems of his jeans tucked into a pair of equally dark boots. The only contrast that existed in his entire outfit was the off-grey duffle that was casually swung over his shoulder. Then, I wondered why this man could always carry around an air of sleek confidence and remain unperturbed even after creating a chaos of unknown within others (or specifically me).

Passing through the departure hall, we were brought towards a private plane that was waiting for us. Jax greeted the pilot politely and took the steps up into the plane. The rest of us followed suit and went inside. As part of Elysium, we never had the chance to leave the country because mission calls come in anytime and unless you are assigned to travel, we were not allowed to go overseas. Walking into the spacious interior, Jax headed towards the seats and threw his duffle into the overhead cabin before reaching his hand towards me.

"I can do that myself," I said.

"Of course, sweetness. But since I'm already at it, I might as well give you a hand," he smiled slightly.

"Alright," I replied, tugging the shoulder straps off my shoulder and passing my haversack to him. I definitely can't explain how headily my heart raced the moment our fingertips brushed against each other when he took the bag from me. I must be crazy.

I turned to my side but realising that Vivienne and Seth had already took their seats and I felt utterly betrayed and left out when they both gave me remorseless smiles. Reluctantly, I turned towards Jax and he was looking at me with raised brows, seemingly amused when I remained unmoved.

"I'll let you have the window seat, unless you don't want it," he offered, still standing by the side while waiting for me to choose.

At the sound of it, I grew excited. Without any hesitation, I scooted into the seat and stared out from the small window, just imagining what it felt like when everyone raved about the sensation of looking at the world from this aperture. Jax chuckled at my enthusiasm, before he reached to the overhead cabin and grabbed a few neatly folded blanket. After handing two out towards Vivienne and Seth, he sat in his seat and unfolded one. Draping the soft blanket over me, I was alarmed by the sudden gesture.

"It'll be cold later," he said.

"Oh, t-thank you," I stammered slightly.

He nodded slightly and leaned back into his seat. His hand made a few adjustments and he settled himself in a comfortable position before stretching his legs out across the entire length of the padded leg rest. Taking out his phone, his attention was immediately focused on the contents of his phone while his fingers tapped busily against the lighted screen. I watched but didn't realise that I was staring too intently because a peal of light laughter sounded and he looked towards my direction. "You look adorable when you're concentrated on something."

Heat swarmed across my entire face and I quickly tugged the blanket up to my shoulders while I quickly turned to face the window instead of him. My own heartbeats pounded in my ears in a loud reminder that I had once again been sucked into his presence unconsciously.

Once the stewardess ensured that we understood the safety protocols, the pilot addressed to us and the plane took off. I watched as the plane soared above grounds. It was an exhilarating feeling that caused me to hold onto my breath. I watched as my sight was pulled further away from the landscape of the place I knew so well of. Above grounds, the entire city landscape was dotted with sparkly spots, reflecting the sky filled of stars up above. But it was not long before dark mists gathered at the small window — an indication that the plane is plunging through the clouds. My hands reached towards the glass of the window at the sight of the millions of stars in the velvet night sky, realising that no amount of glitters in satin or lights in the bustling city would beat the celestial magnificence of nature itself.

I lay back down in my seat and took a look at my brace. It's already two past midnight and I'm starting to feel sleepy. Turning my head to the side slightly, Jax was still awake and his eyes were focused on the kindle in his hand. I wondered what book he's reading but didn't want to ask.

"Sleeping already?" he asked in a soft voice.

"Yeah," I whispered in response.

"Rest well, latreía mou." He reached over to adjust the blanket and tuck me in. Leaning a little closer, he placed a soft peck on my forehead which took me by surprise but I didn't react to it. Instead, little bubbles of happiness effervescent within me. 

"What is it that you're calling me?" I asked, but the irrepressible urge to fall into a deep slumber had suddenly overshadowed me. 

"Go to sleep," he smiled.

Without a second thought, I closed my eyes and drifted off immediately.

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The next time I woke up, I felt a weird sensation beneath me. Peeling open my eyes, I quickly realised that my head was lolled against a broad, defined chest. I stayed still while time crawled by, and I had no idea how long I froze in my position but the lack of air in my lungs was a good reminder that I had been holding my breath for way too long.

I drew in a deep inhale while my mind finally regained its ability to assess the situation. Peeking down, I noticed that the hand rest that separated our seats was pushed up and my entire body was leaned against him. Obviously, in my position, I could embarrassingly admit that I was the one invading his space. Mentally cursing, I carefully lifted myself off him and thankfully he was still deep in his sleep when I moved. However, my escape plan had failed when I felt a weight on my waist and became fully aware that Jax had his entire arm wrapped around me. Trapped, I could only lie back down and lean my entire body against him again while my heart pounded and raced ridiculously. Even when I tried to close my eyes and go back to sleep, it wouldn't work.

"Are you awake or still asleep?" he rasped in a voice that was tinted with sleep.

I panicked because the will to sleep had left me totally but I also didn't want to let him know that I'm awake in this awkward position. Yet, my internal battle was short-lived when my stomach decided to betray me and growled in the loudest way it could ever express its emptiness.

"Definitely awake," Jax chuckled. He lifted his hand from the curve of my waist to the back of my head and ruffled my hair gently. His face leaned close to the top of my head and I could feel his warm breath tingling my scalp when he said funnily, "Iva, you have to get up for me to get you something to eat."

From the side, I swore I heard Vivienne's evil giggles and heat began stretching up the length of my neck, up to my cheeks and all the way to my ears. Covering the blanket over my head, I pushed myself off him and immediately turned to my back towards him. He let out a soft laugh before his paced footstep sounded as he left to request for the stewardess to bring in our meals.

Then, the rest of the flight felt like an arduous journey because I was all bothered and abashed to even face him. In great appreciation, neither did Jax tried to tease me or talk to me about anything. He simply plugged into his headphones and continued to read his book, turning occasionally just to look at me for whatever reasons.

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LONDON
January 
Location: On the Road, Heading Towards the Assigned Apartment

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When we arrived, we finished up all the necessary procedures and hopped into Jax's car. The drive was quiet and I finally understood that unless needed, Jax is a person of no words. Surprisingly, the silence shared felt comfortable instead of perplexing. I turned my head towards the window and enjoyed the fresh new sight of nature, architecture and people on the streets.

Halfway, the car system sounded, "You have a call—"

Jax plugged the wireless headset in his ear and picked up the call, his voice softened into a tender manner that made me turn my head to stare straight at him. He asked, "Anything's wrong?"

I wasn't sure why I felt a pang in my heart because staring at him, I saw a gentle expression of him that I had never expected through his sharp features. Even from the side, I could see how his eyes glimmered with fondness and the curve of his lips curved with affection. I wondered who could be on the other side of the line that had made his features shone so brilliantly.

"I'll be back real soon, alright?" he responded in a cooing tone, seemingly trying to appease the other party and I swore I felt as though a pair of shadowed hands shot through my chest and grabbed ahold onto my heart way too tightly for me to be able to breathe. I said nothing except knowing that it's not in my position to ask anything.

Eventually, Seth, Vivienne and I were settled into an apartment that we would share until each of us had our own lodging settled.

"This is the key to the car in the basement garage." Jax stood at my room door and dangled the car keys with his long fingers. "Your cars had been arranged for delivery to the addresses you all provided as your new residence here." 

"Thanks," I replied simply, snatching the keys off his hand.

"Call me if there's anything?" he mentioned, concerned. "I have to make a move now."

Don't go. That was what I wanted to say but I responded otherwise. Waving my hand in a dismissive manner, I said, "Get going then."

"See you soon, sweetness." Just like that, he turned around and walked towards the apartment main door to leave. I stared towards his back and the pang of emotions hit me once again.

When I said he won't be anything to me, that was such a horrible lie because the moment this guy stepped into my life, everything had changed. Something had sparked within me and once again, my feelings had taken flight. 

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jax: sweetheart or heartbreaker?
(in your opinion)