CHAPTER 3 Who is the Woman?

　　ONE YEAR LATER

　　"We are ready to land. Please stay in your seats and fasten your seat belts," said the air hostess cheerfully.

　　The private jet landed on the tarmac in the airport, courtesy of an experienced pilot.

　　The door opened, and a staircase rolled out. David King descended. Standing at 6 foot 3 inches tall, Mr. King had intense grey eyes, full pink lips, and a high nose bridge.

　　His dark hair swept away in an artful swoosh away from his forehead. He exuded a very powerful and mysterious aura, much like a god came to earth. His black suit was well cut, hugging his solid, muscle-packed upper body.

　　As soon as his feet touched the ground, his assistant, Pete, came running towards him.

　　"Sir," he greeted, smiling. He bowed a little, took his briefcase and they began to walk away from the tarmac. Pete led him towards the exclusive VIP section of the airport, reserved for people of the highest caliber of society.

　　"Hope you had a nice flight, sir," Pete asked. David makes a noncommittal noise in his throat.

　　After walking for a while, they reached the pickup area where a car was waiting for them.

　　Pete opened the back seat for him to enter, and Pete entered after him, shutting the door. The driver began to drive.

　　"Any news yet?" David asked.

　　"None yet, sir."

　　"And why is that?" he asked, his eyebrows raised in mild irritation.

　　"I am very sorry, sir… but…we've been trying our best, given the little we have to work with. The sketch you gave us is not accurate enough, posing a problem."

　　"My drawings are precise and well-penciled, or are you trying to insult my intelligence?" David growled, impatient and angry.

　　"I am sorry, sir. We will put in more effort and find more experts to help us," Pete assured him.

　　Pete was puzzled as to why his boss was searching for a lady without a name or other personal information, or even a proper picture.

　　All he had was a sketch of what he thought she looked like.

　　David began to tap his fingers on the seat, his thoughts transporting him to that night, one year ago.

　　The slim, elegant body, her breathy sighs and moans, smooth ivory skin, slender fingers, and blue eyes. He remembered the blue of her eyes the most, eyes as deep and blue as the sea itself.

　　"Fuck!" he cursed, punching the headrest in front of him.

　　Pete and the driver flinched, but they dared not say a word, not at the risk of their jobs or worse, their necks.

　　Like a poison eating deep into one's body, that night ate deep into his soul, the very core of his being, and refused to leave, tormenting him with the memory of the woman with the innocent eyes and bewitching body.

　　David closed his eyes, fighting to regain composure, "Keep searching, Pete, and don't stop until you find her."

　　"Yes, sir," Pete replied dutifully.

　　As King's car drove out of the airport, a broadcast announced the arrival of a new flight.

　　The door of the airplane opened, and out of the first class section walked Joe and Clarissa, their hands intertwined.

　　"Feels so good to be back. Don't you agree, baby?" she asked eagerly as they both walked to the VIP waiting area to get their luggage.

　　"I agree, baby. I agree," Joe replied, kissing her temple. She giggled.

　　***

　　In the VIP section of the airport, another private jet landed and the door pulled open. A young lady appearing to be in her early twenties walked out of the jet.

　　Her waist-length blonde hair swished elegantly in a high ponytail, and her blue eyes stared ahead, as deep as the sea.

　　Her hands, which fell to her sides, were tipped in blood-red nail polish, matching the shade painted on her full lips.

　　Her custom-made midi black dress hugged her frame, displaying curves to her advantage.

　　Her stilettos clicked on the ground as she walked, and she put on a pair of Gucci sunglasses to shield her eyes from the midday sun.

　　As she approached the waiting area, she paused and cocked her head, slanting a look at the air hostess who accompanied her.

　　"Is that… is that noise I hear?" she asked, sending the air hostess into a panic.

　　"I… I… I am so, so sorry, ma'am. I will have it rectified immediately," she pleaded and went to make a call. She came back a while later.

　　"It has been taken care of, ma'am."

　　She merely nods and begins to walk into the VIP waiting area.

　　The manager of the VIP section hurried into the waiting area and ushered everyone out, asking them to use the public arrival section.

　　"What nonsense!" Clarissa yelled at no one in particular.

　　"Calm down, baby. Let me talk to the manager," Joe said and rushed to meet the manager.

　　The manager and another young man were ushering disgruntled customers out, so Joe didn't get an audience immediately.

　　He waited until the manager apologized to a set of people before he sought his attention, "This is an insult! What is this for? Do you realize that this is a great inconvenience?"

　　"I am very sorry, sir. We have a very important guest coming in who wants to make use of the VIP section."

　　Clarissa came to join them, latching onto Joe's arm, "Who could that be?" she asked, visibly annoyed and irritated.

　　"I'm sorry, ma'am," the manager apologized again, "Her identity is to be kept secret, so I cannot disclose that information.

　　Your bags will be sent to your home. Once again, I apologize for any inconvenience this caused you."

　　He didn't wait for a reply before walking away.

　　"Don't worry. Let's go," Joe said, trying to pacify Clarissa.

　　"I hope they get it home on time," she said, resigned. They walked out of the VIP section just as a dozen bodyguards walked in, escorting a slender figure out of the airport.

　　Everyone stared, marveling at her dress, her long legs in heels clicking on the marble floor, and her face kept hidden by the sunglasses.

　　She exuded charm and confidence with her head held high, her steps sure and true.

　　"This body is so familiar. The legs, the jawline…" Joe thought.

　　"How can one person be this guarded?" Clarissa commented, drawing Joe out of his thoughts "Is she a senator or what?"

　　She tried to get a closer look, but the slender figure was well guarded.

　　As the bodyguards and the young lady walked past Joe, his heart skipped a beat.

　　The woman looked very familiar.