Page 27 of Fighting With Light
I smile at my phone and sit down. In my large first-class seat.
Unknown: You looked beautiful.
My heart stutters in my chest and my lungs forget to work for a moment. “Mimosa, ma’am?” the flight attendant offers. I thank her and take the champagne flute from her.
Aelia: Thank you
Unknown: You didn’t answer my question. Are you coming back to me?
The butterflies in my stomach that have been dormant since I left Bali are in full swarm again.
Aelia: Yes, and I’m sure you already knew that. But there is a minor issue.
Unknown: Your friend who’s traveling with you?
Aelia: How did you…
I look around, wondering how in the world he knew Ben was with me. We arrived here at the same time and came in at different entrances. He’s a made man and sometimes gets flagged for things. The last thing I need is to be pulled in with him, so he’s only a few minutes behind, but he’s not here like he should be. My phone lights up silently with another text.
Unknown: I know you guys come in at separate times, so I may have flagged him for suspicious material. He’s currently in a holding cell with the TSA, so you’ll be in the clear when you take off.
Aelia: Dad is going to be pissed.
Unknown: They won’t find anything princess
Aelia: I know that, but Dad is going to see him come back and wonder where I am and then send him to come and get me…
Unknown: Not if he doesn’t know where you are…
Aelia: This is going to make it worse.
Unknown: You’re not going back until this is done right?
Aelia: Right
I look out at the tarmac. I made sure to hug Mom a little longer this time, just in case I didn’t make it back. When I don’t come home for the next three months, the alarm bells will ring. But they will ring sooner if Ben comes home without me.
Unknown: They will let him go, just tell him to meet you later, give yourself a head start.
Aelia: Fine
I send Ben a quick text asking where he is and then I tell him to catch up to me because I don’t want to get off the flight. That should be believable for him, and I know he would rather do that than leave the airport and risk my father knowing he didn’t come with me.
Aelia: You could have told me what your plan was you know
Unknown: Where’s the fun in that?
Aelia: You’re annoying
Unknown: I think you like it seeing as you made love to my mouth with your tongue before you left
Aelia: Who said anything about love?
That word is a no-no in my world. That word gets you killed because it leaves you vulnerable. It leaves you with room for someone to destroy you without even touching you. I know what it did to my mother. That word is like a landmine.
Unknown: You’re the one that did it you tell me
Aelia: I thought this was a mutually beneficial relationship
