Chapter 13

**

Marisa

"Finally!" I yelled, letting out a huff and falling backward besides my closed suitcase.

"Woman, not so loud." Sophia complained as she moved away from me only resulting in tripping and falling on her ass. "And clean up, will you?"

I gave her a sheepish look before getting to a sitting position. I looked around the mess of a room I created to complete my packing.

Tomorrow was the day we leave for the most awaited bachelorette/bachelor party of 2 months. Unbelievable, how rich people get so much time for celebration. Peasants like me only have one day or more like one night to celebrate.

The reason for my last minute packing was my not-so-happy boss approving my leave application. After series of begging and threatening, I was granted this permission with sour face. I completely understand considering we just started on with our new project and I was the lead handler in it. But a little push from Sophia to William to Nate gave me this permission with a promise to triple my work when I'm back. All this scenario took place in the last week because I was too scared to inform my boss that I might leave.

Even though Arnold treats me like a close family member, I know this deal means a lot more to him and he doesn't want any discrepancy with it. I promise to look over the work even during the holidays. That calmed him to a greater extent but still sore.

Suddenly, my stomach dipped and I felt the bile rise up to my throat. Moving at a quicker speed than it was possible, I ran to the bathroom to empty my stomach's content which was my lunch.

"Marisa?" Sophia's concern voice rang through my bedroom coming closer to the bathroom. "Are you alright?"

I waved my hand in dismissal, not pushing my head up to face her. "I'm fine. It's just the after-stress-effect."

"Are you sure?" She asked again like a mother hen.

"Yes, I promise." I half-heartedly assured her. My gut retching with yet another throw up. Fuck!

After spending sometime in the bathroom to empty everything and brushing my teeth, exhausted, I made my way to the kitchen where Sophia awaited me.

"I made tea." She said, sliding the cup to me. "It will help with the upset stomach."

"Thanks," I mumble and took a sip of it, my stomach relaxing instantly. I sighed in content and looked over at Sophia over the rim of the cup.

"Do you want me to talk to Will about your work pressure?" She started and before I could get a word in, she continued. "Like he can talk to Nate about it and we can help take some of the stress away."

"I don't need any favours that remotely includes Nate." I stated, firmly.

Sophia paused at that. "Did something happen between you two again?"

I avoided any eye contact with her and took a long sip of the tea. "No. But I don't want to pursue anything either."

"Does it have anything to do with the fact that we are going to States and Jackson being there?"

"It has nothing to do with Jackson. Besides, what are the chances that we will cross paths. It's almost impossible." I scoffed. Going to States and Jackson did cross my mind but I refuse to let my mind wander any further than that. Worrying about Jackson is none of my concerns now that I have bigger problems like facing Nate.

"Marisa–" Sophia began but I cut her off.

"All done." I said, placing the empty cup in the sink. "Shall we clean the diaster I now call my room?"

Sophia groaned but I pushed her back to get along to my room, laughing as I hear her grumble.

**

The loud honking of the car and the blasting of my phone alerted me the arrival of my ride. Quickly, hopping on my feet, I picked up the phone and yelled 'coming' before ending it and moving to grab my bags to leave my apartment. Securing the locks and struggling with the bags, I finally made it to the entrance of the building.

As soon as I stepped outside, the cold air of London had me shivering. I was wearing a turtle neck long sleeves sweater that was pulled up to my elbows, paired with a pair of comfortable joggers and flats. We had a long flight and I plan to sleep most of the time.

As I dragged my suitcases behind me to what I expected was Sophia's car, I stopped short on seeing someone else, someone I had planned to avoid until my life depends on it.

There stood Nate, leaning stylishly against the car. I couldn't help but admire his leaning form that was covered in a pair of joggers, similar to mine with a black hoodie and white shoes. He wore a smart watch on his left arm and a pair of shades covering his eyes. I wonder where the sun was that he had to wear those.

Nate had his left leg over his right as he waited with his attention on the phone where he typed away.

A honk broke me out of my ogle and I snapped my head towards the car that was waiting behind the one where Nate stood. I glared at Scarlett and Sophia who had peeked out of the window with a knowing smirk.

Caught me red handed. Damnit.

Ignoring their suggestive glances, I moved closer to both the cars, hoping that I would carpool with the two peeking idiots. But luck was never in my favour, was it?

"Do you mind coming with Nate?" Scarlett yelled from the other car where she sat at the back, her head hanging off the window. "Our car is full."

I roll my eyes at the obvious attempt to push me with Nate in the same car. "Why can't Ethan switch places with me?"

"I am not leaving my woman, Marisa." Ethan spoke, bending closer towards the window from the other seat for me to be able to hear him.

"Then do I have a choice?" I muttered, bitterly.

"Take your bloody car if you have a problem." A voice that I wanted to avoid said with an obvious distaste.

"With pleasure." I gave him a sarcastic smile. I was ready to call myself a cab. I had pride and I wasn't going to bend to his will. Besides, my plan from the start was to avoid him and that's what I plan to follow.

"Drama queen." Nate scoffed and lightly pushed me aside and went for my bags.

"What do you think you are doing?" I stopped him by placing my hand on my suitcase that he was ready to hurl.

"We don't have whole day, Marisa. We might miss our flight." He said, his voice leaking irritation. He was stronger than me so with one tug, my hold lossen on the bags. With force, he hurled the suitcase in the trunk of the car. My eyes moved along the muscle of his arm that flexed at this action.

I gulped and broke my stare in an attempted to copy him. However, just when I thought I could actually lift my bag, I almost tripped backward on my feet. If it wasn't for Nate, I would have been on my ass with this suitcase pictured on my face.

Quickly, Nate wrapped his arm around my waist to hold me up and took hold of the suitcase with his other hand. The rough tyre of the suitcase scraps my arm, causing a hiss to leave my lips. Keeping my pride aside, I let Nate push my suitcase in the car before closing the trunk. He turned to William who was seated in the driving seat beside Sophia and motioned for them to leave. Giving a nod back, the car slowly reverses and leaves my building.

I took few steps back, ready to depart to my seat but Nate stopped me. He grabbed my arm and pulled me closer to him.

"What are you doing?" I stuttered a little watching him lean closer.

Ignoring me, he takes hold of the arm to inspect the damage. It was a small cut with pecks of blackness around it due to the dust that rolled with the tyres of my suitcase. He softly taps the dust away and blows over it. "Stay here."

I watch him go around the driver side, opening the door and bringing something back. It was a bottle of water. Unscrewing the cap, he stands beside me and pours water on the arm to wash away the dirt. All I could do was watch as he proceeds with few hisses here and there caused due to burning.

I blink, my throat feeling dry and heavy. There was a sudden tug at my heart as I remembered just how he use to take care of me when we were dating. A side I never thought I would see, making me feel guilty of the things I was keeping from him.

"I have a bandage in the car. It isn't a big cut so a bandage would suffice." He spoke, his tone neutral and eyes on the cut of my arm.

Slowly, he raises his eyes to connect with mine. They hold mine for a few seconds before I notice his hand move from the corner of eyes. They land on my cheeks wiping the stray tear that had left my eyes without my knowledge. Realising this, I cleared my throat and stepped back from him, blinking to stop any more traitorous tear. Nate's arm drops to his side at my sudden move leaving me cold in this sweater. I quickly pulled the sleeves that was folded to my elbows to cover my arms, away from his heated eyes.

"I'm fine." My voice betrayed me as they come a little wobble and unsure. I cleared my throat again but did not attempt to speak again. Without waiting for his response, I pivoted to the passenger seat. Pulling the door open, I jumped inside and shut the door behind me.

I patiently waited for Nate to round the car and start driving. Once he was settled, I looked away from him and focused around anywhere but at the man next to me. The car suddenly felt suffocating with the rising tension. I was expecting Nate to instantly turn the engine and drive to the airport, so when he didn't, I turned to question his move.

My eyes widened at the proximity of our faces. Nate was leaning away from his seat towards mine with his arms extended. His whole body was twisted to face me with his face barely an inch away. He was a hairline away from kissing me. My eyes stayed connected with his as he leaned even more towards me. His face not moving but his upper body leaning closer.

"You forgot to wear your seatbelt," he softly whispered. My attention was drawn to his lips as they speak, moving but his words barely registering in mind. His lips slightly gazing mine as he spoke. "Marisa."

I hummed lightly in response, waiting for him to finish speaking quickly.

"Do you mind letting go?" He spoke, his voice a little husky with hidden humour in them.

My eyes snapped back to his. He pointed to my hand that was curled against his hoodie. My widened even more than it was possible and quickly like it burnt me, I dropped my hand that I had unconsciously curled against his hoodie.

Nate chuckled and moved a little away from me, making me sigh in relief, but it was caught in my throat when he leaned forward and pecked my lips.

My stomach dropped to my vagina and my heart ran out of my chest to its way to the airport. The cold air suddenly felt hot with sweat gathered at the back of my head. My hands curled in a fist, nails digging into my palm at his actions.

All this while, I could just stare at him in shock as he finally pulled out of the building.

**

The rest of the car ride went uneventful and I was glad about that. Nate kept to himself and so did I. It was very obvious that he regretted what he did with the way his hands curled the steering wheel tightly. I paid him no attention and kept my glance out of the car.

Before I know it, we had reached the airport and moving past the security and to our designated flight. The Wilson's were going to fire up their own jet but decided against it and planned to take normal first class flight.

We were joined by one more man, whose name I knew not, but I had seen him before at Ethan and Scarlett's wedding. I couldn't recall his name and wasn't introduced as well as since we were in a hurry to catch our flight. I'm sure I'm going to have plenty of time to get acquainted.

Once past the security check in, we quickly move to our gate number. London Heathrow Airport was filled with people to brim. It was difficult to venture past such large crowds with people pushing shoulders and stamping on feets to catch their own flight. I was pulled and pushed throughout our way to the gate.

"Remind me why you decided it was a good idea to catch a flight when we both had our private jets, mate?" The new man spoke, his voice leaking irritation.

"I just wanted a new experience, Jasper." Will replied, sounding equally annoyed as the woman in front of him took her sweet time to walk through the tube that connected the plane and the airport. She was quite healthy taking the spaces to her left and right, not allowing anyone to pass her.

"How's that going for you?" Jasper grunted as a man brushed past his shoulder roughly to go ahead of him.

I moved quickly before I could face the same harshness. Is there an occasion for people to rush away to tour out?

Despite trying to avoid any collusion, I squished myself to the right; the man yet couldn't walk straight without pushing people out of the way. I lost my balance only to be steadied by Jasper.

"Thank you." I muttered, straightening myself and pushing the stray strand behind my ears, avoiding his piercing stare. He made me nervous.

Jasper only nodded in agreement and removed his hands from my waist where they held me to keep steady.

"Bloody fantastic." William couldn't stop the sarcasm to drip from his voice. Jasper rolled his eyes in response.

Just like that we reached the inside of the plane, away from the rushing mass. Since our tickets were first class, the seating looked much more comfortable, quiet and less crowded. There were four seats in a row – two on either side of the aisle.

"I don't know about you, but I'm calling for our jet, next time we fly." Ethan critiques from next to a comfortable looking Scarlett. Apart from Sophia and Scarlett, everyone looked disturbed from their way to airport gate to the plane. I observed Nate who was quiet amongst everyone, however, even he looked highly annoyed. He kept glaring at everything and everyone, even the ground he was currently staring.

"I'm with you." Jasper immediately agreed, looking around the inside of the plane.

"Let's get settled if all you privileged crying princess are done complaining." Scarlett spoke from her place with a big smile on her face. I snorted at her obvious jab.

"Once you get used to the jets, you'll be complaining next." Ethan fired back to her, taking the small bag from her hand to keep it in the compartment above the seats.

"Yeah, I'm sure because traveling like normal people is too much of hassle for you." She argued, huffing and taking a seat next to the window.

Giving her one last glance, I looked down at my boarding pass to find my seat. "Do you have anything to keep in?" Jasper asked me as he stood next to me, keeping his own belongings.

"No. I'm good." I answered. I did not have any handbag with me. Everything I needed was in the small purse I carried.  "Thanks." Again, he nodded in response.

"Hello." A cheerful greetings of the airhostess rang through the closed first class area. She was carrying a tray of glasses that hold sparkling liquid. "Would you like a glass of wine?"

"Before the flight even takes off?" Sophia asked in surprise.

"I was requested to hand out as soon as you arrived." She politely replied back.

"By who?" William questioned, equally surprise as he was the one to book everyone's ticket.

"By me, of course!" A new voice greeted from behind us.

Turning to face the voice, I was greeted by a beautiful woman with blond hair. I already knew about her from Sophia. She was the famous Candice that tried her ways with William to get Sophia jealous. I never met the woman, but heard plenty from Sophia to know her in person.

"Candice, why aren't I surprised?" Sophia alluded, giving her a fake sweet smile. If I didn't know any better, I would say Sophia was the one to invite her. But that would be very wrong. Looks like the friendship is yet to take its course between them.

"Sophia, darling, are we still sore about the past?" Candice tsked, taking a glass from the tray and handing it to her. "Consider this as peace offer? Afterall, we are going on your bachelorette trip."

Sophia rolled her eyes but accepted the drink and took her seat. William followed behind her after welcoming Candice with a side-hug.

"Here." Jasper said from beside me, bringing a glass to my face. "I'm sure you need one too."

"Thanks–" I feel like I keep saying that a lot to him. Before I could take any action on the glass, it was roughly grabbed by someone else, pushing me in process to make me stumble.

I glared at Nate who accepted the glass awaiting for me and toasted towards Jasper before drowning the entire content and handing the empty glass to me. "Enjoy."

Asshole.

**

As promised, a new chapter. So, Candice is back. Until then.

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