"Yes, Mr. Arnoult. If all goes according to plan, we should get the results soon." As he sat behind his laptop, conducting his virtual conference early in the morning, Onyx's rich voice boomed in the empty balcony. "Okay, then, I'll see you again when you return. Mr. Reighs, have a nice day." Onyx sighed as he sipped his coffee and shut off his laptop. His gaze is drawn to the lovely garden that surrounds the hotel.
"Boss!" When he turned back to his secretary's voice and saw her rushing up to him and he frowned in confusion."What happened Lilian?" He inquired, and she came to a halt in front of him."I just got word from the hospital that Sir Keegan is doing great and has asked to return to Walferdange." Her words instantly brought a smile to his face as he stood up and started walking inside. "Call for the driver, I'm going home!" Were his words as he ran to his room, while Lilian beamed and began to call for the driver and complete everything.Soon after, Onyx strolled out of his hotel suite, carrying his luggage, which the bodyguards waiting for him grabbed as soon as they saw him."The car is ready for you, and I've notified your family of your arrival," Lilian informed Onyx, who nodded. "And, sir, should I inform the pilots and crew that they must depart?" Onyx gave her a sidelong glance as she inquired."No, call them and ask them to meet us in the lobby. I'd like to speak with them."Ophelia groaned in frustration as she sat in the lobby with the rest of the crew, waiting for the arrogant businessman to arrive. Who knows what he's going to say now! She sat on the sofa, her chin rested on her palm, as she chewed on her bottom lip. When the elevator door opened, her gaze was drawn to the arrogant billionaire stepping out with his entourage. He was dressed neatly in a grey suit, his hair well-coiffed, and his eyes were as sharp as ever. Only today his arrogant smile and smirk had disappeared from his face. Instead, it was replaced by a strange radiance that she couldn't quite put her finger on. He appeared different, he looked more...handsome. Those sharp features of his gleaming under the moonlight surged through her memory as his haunting browns captivated her thoughts once more."Good morning." He greeted, and she was jolted back to reality as she realized she was staring at him. "Even though I might not require your service in the following week, I would like to keep you all here. Please take a week off to rest, explore Luxembourg City, and enjoy the beauty of this small country. Consider this a vacation. All living expenses will be covered. Thank you for your service." He stated, and she could sense the gratitude in his voice. Her eyes, though, narrowed in suspicion. How can his attitude change overnight this drastically! Before walking out, he gave her a quick glance and a fleeting smile. While the rest of the crew said their goodbyes to him and began planning on what they would do throughout the week, she remained to stare at the now-empty exit of the hotel through which he had exited.As he walked away, she felt a sense of emptiness in her surroundings. There wasn't a single moment during the week when he didn't irritate her. His taunting words and arrogant smirks irked her. She was supposed to be relieved that he was gone, so why was she feeling as if someone had taken something away from her? "Would you like to come along with us, Ophelia?""Ophelia?" Dallas shook her shoulder slightly in an attempt to get her attention."Huh?" She said, staring at him. "I asked if you wanted to accompany us on the hike," he inquired once more, enthusiastically."Um, sure, I guess." Even though her answer was unsure and her mind was foggy, she could go for a hike!"I'll make sure to bring some for you as well." With one hand on the steering wheel and the other clutching his phone, Onyx replied. He drove down the narrow street, which was surrounded by a lush green forest. "All right, I'll see you later." He muttered into his cell phone and hung up. He sighed and placed his head against his hand, staring ahead. While the greenery calmed his browns that were hidden behind the black shades, his mind was overwhelmed with an incomprehensible void. His eyelids sloppily closed and opened when he noticed someone strolling by the road. When he caught sight of the female, his eyes widened as he realized it was Ophelia! What exactly is she doing here? Were his first thoughts, as he came to a stop immediately beside her. She looked up and her eyes widened when she saw Onyx.His gaze scanned her from head to toe, her face studded with dirt and mud swirls. Her shirt was ripped in parts, her jeans were slathered in muck and mud, and the backpack on her back shouted loud and clear that her adventurous spirit had taken her somewhere."What are you doing here?" "Are you all right?" She sighed as they questioned each other in unison."I'm all right." She replied."You don't seem to be all right." He said this as he stepped out of the car and walked in front of her. His eyes inspected her from head to toe to see if there was any evident injury. "Where are you going in the first place?" He inquired, standing upright."To the hotel." She exhaled a sigh."By what? Barefoot?" He scowled."Of course not! I'd love to use a comfortable vehicle, that is of course if I can find one." She sighed and rolled her eyes."Come." He turned around and walked back to his car. When Ophelia did not follow him to his car, he turned his head. She stood with her arms folded across her chest, her eyes narrowed, staring at him."Come on, I'll drop you off at the hotel.""Come on, I'll drop you off at the hotel." With a warm smile, he softly suggested."Who are you? What did you do to the Arrogant Reighs?" She asked with a surprised voice and Onyx chuckled."He is still there somewhere buried I guess." He said going around the car and opening the door for her. "If you would please madam." He said with a smile and a bow of his head. She scoffed with a smile and strolled up to the open car door, and she slipped inside. Onyx gently closed the door and walked around to take the wheel.They began gliding down the road in silence. Onyx drove with one hand on the steering wheel, looking straight ahead and occasionally glancing at the female sitting beside him. Ophelia closed her eyes and sighed as she massaged her forehead with her delicate fingertips. She caught Onyx's gaze as she passed by."How did a pilot end up in the jungle instead of the sky?" He asked, glancing away from her and ahead."Hahaha!" She huffed and rolled her eyes. "We went trekking and e
"I am glad he did." He said this with his brown eyes locked on her slate blues. Her breath caught in her throat as his eyes twinkled with something she couldn't quite put her finger on. The look in his eyes could make anyone vulnerable in their dilemma; she almost felt as if his eyes were stripping her of all the emotions she didn't even know she had. She averted her gaze and looked straight ahead as the weight of his gaze was too much for her to endure. She was mortified when she saw a roe deer leap in front of the car to cross the road."Look out!" She screamed out, and Onyx's gaze was fixed ahead.His grip on the steering wheel tightened as his feet pressed the brake with all their might, but the car didn't seem to have any intention of stopping. He turned the steering wheel, hoping not to crash with the deer, but to his dismay, the car was now heading straight for the giant sequoia tree. His eyes widened in surprise as he realized they were about to crash. As the desire to protect
They walked and walked, talking about anything and everything they could find as they walked along the unpaved road. The way they chatted and laughed anyone could mistake them for long-lost friends, but they were extremely cautious not to slip past anything about them that they kept hidden inside the deepest pit of their souls. Their souls were entangled with their own past and memories that they kept out of reach and away from their selves and anyone, making sure that no one discovered the monsters of their past. They had come to a halt when the blaring sound of a truck filled the silent road. Onyx had lifted his hand in an attempt to stop the truck, to which the driver had stopped, and was kind enough to give them a lift.Onyx and Ophelia had climbed aboard and were on their way to their destinations. Ophelia slowly dozed off on Onyx's shoulder as he made small talk with the driver throughout the way. The slight vibration of the truck lulled her deep into sleep as Onyx's voice becam
As Onyx was stirred awake from his slumber, he felt warm, utterly warm. He slowly opened his eyes and was taken aback to find Ophelia snuggled in his arms even after sleeping under two different duvets. Her head was pressed against his chest, and one of her arms draped across his torso, her fingers were tightly gripping his shirt. She was peacefully sleeping in his arms, as the warmth and comfort she radiated were almost unbearable to him, causing his breath to hitch. Holding her in this manner felt horribly wrong, but somewhere deep down inside it felt just right! It was still dark outside, and he was sound asleep, so he wondered what had woken him up. When someone knocked on his door, he knew the reason why he was woken up. He carefully tried to untangle himself from Ophelia, but it looked like she was unwilling to let go of warmth as she clung herself to him. After a few tries, he finally untangled himself from her grasp and she voiced her disappointment with a loud groan. He chuc
She strolled out, phone in hand, and sought a quiet balcony."What do you want Owen?" In a bitterly cold tone, she inquired."Ophelia! You answered the phone!" On the other end of the telephone, an astonished and relieved voice came through."I am very busy; state your reason for calling and be off.""I'd like to see you, Ophelia. Let's talk things out. I'm not going to be able to go on without you." He pleaded with her fervently, but his words fell on deaf ears. The only thing on her mind was her father and his health."You think you can just barge in and hash things out after dumping me over text while my father was fighting for his life in a hospital room?" In an aggressive tone, she scoffed."I had no idea Mr. Jade had a stroke! I had no idea what a total mess you were in!""Look, Owen, I'm sorry, but I don't have time for this-""Ophelia, please! My excuses, no matter what I say, will not justify my actions. I was wrong, and I acted wrong. Please, though, give me another chance.
Ophelia followed Mason into the waiting taxi. She fastened his seat belt and drove them to their home, a two-bedroom modest apartment. Ophelia's childhood home, as well as the majority of their real estate, cars, and small companies they owned, were all sold.Mason sighed as he sat on the couch, and Ophelia entered his bedroom to place all of his belongings. She walked and informed while pulling her hair into a bun."I'm going out to get everything you need and, preferably, to find a cheap caretaker." Her father nodded as she grabbed her bag "And you should rest while I'm gone. Don't walk about greeting all the neighbors, all the dogs, and cats." He looked around and pointed at himself as she narrowed her eyes at him "Who me? Why would I do such a thing? Geez!" He scoffed, and she glared even more."I don't know, but you always seem to do that s*hit!" She walked to the door, "I had prepared some food and they are in the fridge, eat if you are hungry and call me if you need absolutely
The morning arrived with Mason knocking on her door,"Sunshine little dove. The sun is shining brightly, and the table is set with your favourite blueberry pancakes, topped with exquisite butter and freshly brewed coffee." He merrily declared, and the door opened. Walked out a fully dressed Ophelia."Good morning, Dad." She smiled as he glanced at her from head to toe. She was dressed in her black pilot uniform with a white shirt under a double-breasted suit jacket. She had her silver wing on the left side of her chest over her nameplate and four silver stripes on the edge of her sleeves. Ophelia wore her hair back in a low bun and wore very minimal makeup. She carried her cap under her arm and carried a pilot bag with all of her essentials in her hand. Her father's eyes twinkled with pride as she smiled at him."Dad, you should not have made breakfast. I was going to do it." She said sternly, her eyes narrowed at him."Come on, I know you love my blueberry pancakes." He declared as h
Ophelia sighed as she closed the magazine and set it on the table in front of her. It had been a few hours since she arrived at the Delta Airlines headquarters and she was told to wait in the waiting area. She looked around and fiddled with her phone while waiting for someone to call her. Time passed slowly as she became frustrated and bored."Ophelia!" She raised her head when she heard a voice and footsteps approaching her. She rose up as she noticed the middle-aged man in a suit coming to her."Mr. Helix!" He motioned her towards the office rooms after she welcomed him."Let's go, Ms. Smith is waiting for you," Helix spoke out, and Ophelia looked at him with startled eyes."The Joanne Smith?" Helix nodded as she exclaimed. "What does the Chief Human Resources Officer want with me?" Ophelia inquired astounded."You and I will both find out soon," Helix replied quietly as he led them to the elevator.They came to a halt in front of an office after passing through several corridors an