5. On the jet

Serena Vale

~•~

The jet was the definition of expensive. The cream and gold leather seats didn’t look tacky. It looked like something out of a movie. Even the air smelled expensive.

Ralph stepped in first and extended his hand to me. I took it without hesitation, letting him pull me up the steps.

My eyes immediately zeroed in on the man sitting by the window. He looked up when he entered and blinked as if he was surprised to see me. He didn’t say anything, he just stared at Ralph.

“This is Nik, N-I-K, Nik.” Ralph spelled out, answering the unspoken question. “The friend I told you about.”

“We’re not friends.” Nik quickly denied. His voice was deeper than Ralph’s and somehow, the way he spoke made him sound more serious than the former man.

However, Ralph wasn’t bothered. “Don’t mind him. We are. Nik, this is Serena. Her flight got canceled.”

He raised a brow as if asking what that had to do with him.

“She’s going in our direction. I decided to invite her.”

Nik nodded once. His expression didn’t give much away. I couldn’t tell whether or not he was annoyed with my presence. Had I intruded on his private time? Did he not want me in their jet?

“Nice to meet you,” I said, trying to sound composed. Inside, I was nervous as hell. I hadn’t thought much about it when I decided to climb into a private jet with two strange men but now that they were both standing before me, I couldn’t help but be overwhelmed with their presence.

I was more than tempted to leave, but what was life without a few risks? I was tired of living so carefully. I was tired of living according to a particular plan. What was the worst thing that could happen anyway?

“You’re scaring her, Nik.” Ralph chuckled. “He might look like he does, but I promise, he doesn’t bite. Also, if you don’t feel comfortable with both of us, we’re not going to force you to stay.”

Could he read my mind?

I looked from Ralph to Nik, who seemed like he was also waiting for my response. Both gazes pinned on me had me flustered. “I’m not uncomfortable. I just didn’t expect my night to end like this.”

“In a good or bad way?”

I shrugged and Ralph nodded, guiding me to one of the seats. Ralph took the seat opposite me and Nik, who had claimed he wasn’t friends with Ralph, sat next to him anyway.

My stomach twisted as the jet began to move. I was really doing this. I was flying with two strangers. I didn’t know whether to blame it on my heartbreak or my lack of security consciousness, but I couldn’t ask them to stop the jet halfway anymore.

Once they told us we could move around, the air hostess that I hadn’t seen when I got on the jet poured us some champagne. Ralph handed me a glass. “So why are you going to Liora Bay?”

“My honeymoon,” I answered bluntly, taking a sip of the champagne. It tasted better than any wine I’d ever taken before.

Ralph’s mouth fell open. “What? Are you meeting your husband there or something?”

I laughed, but it lacked humor. “I didn’t marry him. The wedding got called off.”

“Don’t tell me he cheated.” My silence was enough of an answer for him. He shook his head. “Men are jerks.” I arched an eyebrow at him. “I’m not an exception.”

As Ralph and I conversed, Nik merely watched. I ended up telling him everything that had transpired in the past week. I didn’t know if it was the alcohol or the thrill of the situation I was currently in, but it was easy to talk to him. Then again, it was always easier to talk to strangers.

By the time I was done with my story, he was both sympathetic and annoyed on my behalf. He poured me a new glass of champagne. “You need this more than I do.”

I took it with a laugh. “You might be right.”

When Nik finally spoke, his voice was low. “You’re handling it better than most people would.”

I looked over at him. It was the first time he was speaking directly to me. It was the second time I was hearing him speak. “You think so?”

“You’re on a jet, heading to somewhere new, instead of crying in bed over someone who doesn’t deserve it. That’s something.”

I smiled faintly. “I’ve done my fair share of crying.”

“Before your trip is over, you’ll feel better. I’ll make sure of it.” The words slid out of Ralph’s lips casually as he leaned back in his seat.

The promise hung in the air, heavy and loaded. What did he mean by that?

I stared at him for a while. His tie was loosened now, his collar open. There was a glint of mischief in his eyes.

Somewhere between another glass of wine and another laugh, my chest started to feel heavier. Maybe Ralph was right. Maybe this trip was what I needed to feel better.

When Ralph’s fingers traced a strand of hair from my cheek, I didn’t pull away.

“You shouldn’t feel so sad,” he murmured.

“My wedding was supposed to happen today,” my voice came out dry and sarcastic. “I haven’t gotten used to not being with him,” I admitted. Ralph was a stranger yet he was the first person I was telling this to. I was used to Douglas being in my life. I didn’t think a day would come when I wouldn’t want to see him anymore for the rest of my life.

“Then let me help you forget about him.”

Ralph leaned forward, his movement slow and deliberate, like he was waiting for me to stop him. I didn’t. Lila didn’t tell me not to make out with a man in his private jet.

I wasn’t chasing pleasure. I just wanted to feel something that didn’t hurt.

In the next second, his mouth was on mine. The kiss was soft at first, testing me. Then it became deeper. His hand cradled my neck, his tongue slipping inside my mouth, the taste of champagne filling my senses.

Somewhere in the corner of my vision, Nik watched us. He didn’t seem shocked. He didn’t even seem to be judging. He was just watching.

I didn’t know what the hell I was doing. I didn’t have it in me to be attracted to a new man. I wasn’t even over Douglas but as they said, you had to get under someone to get over someone.

And maybe, somewhere in the back of my mind, I already knew what I was getting into when I decided to follow him in.