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