The first flight

CAMILLA
~•~

I couldn't sleep that night or the nights after that. His invitation continued to replay in my head. The way he held onto my legs, the way he sought comfort and support in the most subtle of ways. It had me wondering why Sarah had left in the first place. Yes, I must admit the man had been a complete douchebag when we first met.

He was obnoxious, irritating, and believed that everyone had to do everything his way because he was synonymous with God, law, and order. He did annoy the living daylight out of me and I never believed that living under his roof, with him, could turn out to be one of the best things that had ever happened to me. Knowing that someone needed me, knowing that I was important to someone and they needed me, was the best feeling I could bring myself to feel.

Mister Ivan said the party was on a Sunday night, so we had to fly into Napa on a Saturday evening. It would only be a one-hour flight, at most an hour and thirty minutes. So, I packed up a few clothes, making sure I carried my most expensive Louis Vitton dress with me. I bought the white dress for Tehilah's wedding, but since I would not be attending anymore, I could use it for better purposes.

I did not know what he told his wife or the excuse he would have given for traveling with his doctor instead of her. I didn't even know if he had spoken to her about the trip. Frankly, it was none of my business.
Her husband needed me there for moral and medical support. If she had been good as a wife, I wouldn't have been here in the first place, and she wouldn't need to feel like she was competing.

Yes, I know what you want to say. How do I know mister Ivan wasn't the problem? The fact is that I don't. But between a woman who threatened to ruin your life and a man who sweetly asked you to follow him on a trip to Napa, who would you choose? I definitely chose the man and I do not give two shits what you think of me.

The knock on my room door caused me to look away from the screen of my laptop. Antonio was there, standing at the foot of my door. I always found the man very strange. He was like a ghost. You never saw him coming, never heard his footsteps, he just appeared, all the time.

"Mister Ivan is downstairs. You can come down now. The car would be ready to leave in one minute."

One minute?!

"Thank you," I replied with a courteous smile. I rose from my bed, tucked my laptop under my left arm, and dragged my luggage out of my room. I closed the door behind me, locked my door, and slipped the key into my leather handbag. I did not need anybody coming into my room after I had gone, searching for a million ways to destroy me.

Just as Antonio said, mister Ivan stood by the left door of a black Tesla. The engine roared to life immediately after I stepped foot into his driveway. He had been leaning with his right hand on the car, but he turned around swiftly and his eyes landed on me.
At that moment, my heart skipped eight beats at once. I found myself clutching the hand of my box, not wanting to let it go for any reason.

His lips thinned in a bright smile as he looked at me.

"Ready to take the world by storm?" He said out loud, in his charming voice that made me want to drop my clothes in front of his daring blue eyes. He stretched out his hand to me and I leaned into taking it. I felt a strong wave of electric current course through my body as he touched me.

I found myself chuckling and housing hopelessly. He led me to the car and opened the door for me.

I couldn't stop the heat in my cheeks from burning my face, turning it into a deep shade of crimson red. He got into the car and sat beside me before he ordered the driver to begin the journey.

I always enjoyed driving at night because of the nighttime scenery of LA. The bright lights, the busy road, the huge and colorful billboard signs, everything made me happy, very happy.

And knowing that mister Ivan was barely inches away from me made my insides tingle in anticipation. What did I anticipate? I did not know.

Celine Dion blasted from the stereos of the car. The air conditioning was on and functioning, but it did not kill the heat I felt in the car. Throughout the journey to the airport, I found myself fighting back the urge to reach out to him and squeeze his hand.

I could see his right leg tap the floor of the car continuously, his fingers tapped his right thigh while he stared out of the window, as though something bothered him.
I sighed and leaned into the leather seats.

"Mister Ivan," I called out.

He turned to me sharply, almost as if he had been anticipating the call. I was in shock for the first three seconds, but I did manage to bring my head back to Earth. When I spotted the beads of sweat on his forehead, I could tell I wasn't the only one who felt the heat between the both of us. Trust me, that revelation only made me more anxious.

I cleared my throat to speak, he continued to stare at me.

"I…Uhm…I was hoping you…packed your medicine. You know, the pills for your anxiety."

His eyes narrowed on me.

"Who needs pills?" He blurted out. I found myself sitting up straight and leaning out of the chair. Did he seriously not consider the risks and everything that he could put himself in danger of? Who on Earth trivialized their medication? Apparently, he did!

I opened my mouth to speak, but no words would come out.

"Mister Ivan…"

"I have you, don't I?"

By God, my heart squeezed in my chest, and the middle of my legs was consumed with a strange warmth. I blinked twice, my mouth agape, still staring at him.

He turned away from me, as though he had not just tried to set my heart ablaze. I leaned back into the seat and closed my eyes, tightening my eyelids shut. This was a mistake, a big mistake. There was no way I could be on this trip with that man without being consumed by my need for him.

What was I thinking? What were you thinking, Camilla Theodore?

I did not know how we got to the airport, but the next thing I knew, we were up the stairs of a private jet; mister Ivan's private jet. I tucked my hands into my jean jacket and wrapped them around my slim frame.

I, Camilla Theodore, was about to board a private jet! What?!

The air hostess was a tall and slender woman, she ushered us past a colorful array of leather seats, a wine bar, and into a room dimly lit with purple light. A large LED TV was on display in front of us. She turned to me since mister Ivan had been following me behind.

"This would be your room, miss…?"

"Camilla, Camilla Theodore." I cut in.

She smiled and nodded to me.

"We would be landing in less than two hours so you can decide to relax here, or in the lounge, whichever you please. Whatever you need, just let me know and I will ensure you have it."

I looked all over the room before managing a small chuckle.

"Thank you, I'll stay in the lounge."
A broad smile formed on her face.

"Very well then." She tore her eyes away from me with an impatience I found insulting.

It felt as though she had been waiting to look somewhere else, at someone else, from the moment I walked in.

"Mister Ivan, it is a pleasure to finally meet you." She stretched out her hand for a handshake, pushing past me.

I turned to mister Ivan. Without accepting the handshake, he flashed her his ever polite smile.

"The pleasure is all mine." He replied curtly.

I shook my head and rolled my eyes. He caught me and flashed me a small grin.

I walked away from them and settled into one of the exquisite couches, admiring the bright and colorful lights in the lounge.
I did not know the outcome of their discussion, but I know that he walked up to me after some minutes and sat beside me.

Before I could say a word, he squeezed my right thigh gently and whispered good night. He rose and walked into the bright-colored curtain before I got the opportunity to reply to him.