Page 131 of Awestruck at Dusk
Luna
ALICE SCREAMED WHENI told her what I wanted to do. I explained everything that happened with Nathan a few weeks ago, that I knew William had ended things with Rachel, and how all I could think of was him.
She was ecstatic.
Alice texted me all the information about where William was staying in South Africa and his schedule. I opened my laptop and found a United Airlines nonstop flight to Johannesburg that would leave from Newark a few hours from now—at 8:00 p.m. I would then have to connect to Cape Town with an additional two-hour flight with another local airline. An odyssey.
I bought the tickets with my credit card, knowing it would leave a breadcrumb trail for my father and my security detail to follow. I didn’t want them to worry and think someone kidnapped me or something, but I knew I couldn’t ask for permission either. I wanted them to know where I was, but I wanted to go alone. Since it was a long flight, I knew it would give me enough time to do whatever I had to do and talk to William before they found me.
My father would surely go insane once they informed him that I went missing, and it’s not that I didn’t care, but I had to do this—my way. I needed to show William I wasn’t a coward, and that I was willing to do all of this for him. He’d done and proven so much already in the past. And now it was my turn to win him back.
It was a few minutes past 5:00 p.m., and I was packed and ready to go. I needed to leave as soon as possible. But I couldn’t just walk out the door with a piece of luggage without raising any suspicion. And what if any of my bodyguards were still lingering in the lobby?
Me:Hey, guys. I’m not going to Central Park anymore. I’m staying in, so if you want to call it a day, that’s fine with me.
David:Noted. Good evening, Miss Murphy.
Amena:Thank you, and enjoy the rest of your day, Miss Murphy.
Aaron:I’ll be downstairs in the apartment if you need anything, Miss Murphy.
Me:Thank you! Have a good evening.
When I confirmed to them that I wouldn’t go out for the rest of the day, they usually scattered. But I needed help to verify they weren’t idling in the lobby. New York Fashion Week ended yesterday, so Lily was in town. I just needed to see if:
Me:Lily, are you home?
Lily:Hey! Yes, I am. Getting ready to leave for a party. I’m so exhausted. I’d rather not go, but I have to. What’s up?
Me:Thank God. I need you to go downstairs to the lobby and tell me if the coast is clear.
Lily:Hahaha, what do you mean? Like from your bodyguards?
Me:Yes. Please. I’m in a hurry. I also need you to ask Bruce or Senad to hail a cab for me.
Lily:Where the hell are you going, and why am I not invited?
Me:I have an 8:00 p.m. flight to South Africa. I’m going to see William. Please hurry!
Lily:WHAT!!!!! OMW downstairs. Billie, what the fuck! Ah!!!!! I’m screaming. You HAVE to tell me everything.
Me:I’ll call you once I’m at the airport and past security. I’m about to collapse from the nerves.
A couple of minutes went by, and my palms were sweaty. I stared at the screen, waiting for Lily to reply.
Lily:Coast is clear. Senad is hailing a cab as we speak. You need to get down here right now because he’s great at it.
Lily:Yeah. He’s got a cab waiting. Run. Now.
Me:On my way. Don’t let that taxi get away.
Lily:Yes, ma’am ;)
I froze right before locking my door, waiting for that awfully dreaded feeling of having forgotten something to go away. I quickly reviewed the contents of my bag. Passport: check. Cash and credit cards: check. Sleeping pills: check because there was a sixteen-hour nonstop flight waiting for me, and I was flying coach for the first time in my life. The plane was almost full. I was lucky enough to find a seat.
With the door locked and my suitcase in hand, I looked up at the surveillance camera, winked at it, and hurried toward the elevator.
Lily waited for me just outside the building’s door. Senad had the cab’s door open for me. Lily hugged me and kissed my cheek. “Go!”
