Only one hour left before Alexis's flight will be boarded. Rebecca, Joshua and her mother came to drop her to the airport this time.
It felt like she was leaving the city for the first time because she didn't know why they had to come with her just to drop her to the airport. It felt a bit exaggerating but she chose to be silent. Or else her mother will scold her for it.
"Let us know instantly when you land, okay?" She told her daughter.
"Yes, mom! It's just for two months. I have been away from you guys more than that in the past, haven't I?" Alexis stared matter-of-factly.
She knew why she was getting this extra care, mostly because of the after effect of that scandal. Although it was taken down from the media, all of them knew about it. Just didn't dare to question him.
And then Alexis's cellphone chimed with a text notification.
Unknown: Look at your right.
Alexis looked at her right reflexively to find Stefan standing there. He waved at her, curving a small smile on his face. It didn't look like he had any intention to walk closer. Alexis looked back at her company if any of them noticed. They didn't.
A sigh escaped her mouth as she looked at her mobile again. He was typing something else. She didn't want to know how he got her number as he was capable of doing anything. She can't really escape from him for the rest of her life. They did need to talk. But she was just not ready for it at all.
Alexis: I will think about it.
She replied.
She didn't dare to look at where he was standing again as she saw him stop typing and then started typing again.
Unknown: Safe travels.
Alexis didn't feel like extending the conversation. She never felt this unexcited and complicated about leaving the city. She has been through back and forth work trips for over four years now but this was the first time she felt so uncomfortable about boarding on the plane.
And there was another thing she felt. A weird desire to bid someone else goodbye. She didn't know if she could talk to him again like there won't be a time gap of two months in between. But she can't expect to see him here right now. Today was a weak day for Zevk. Of course he will be at his restaurant right now.
Alexis looked at her watch and decided to get into the flight. She hugged her mom and Rebecca for one last time and waved Joshua goodbye, dragging her suitcase with her. It's much heavier this time. How many clothes her mom packed inside it?
Suddenly a strong hand took the suitcase from her hand and stood beside her. So naturally.
"Arthur!" It was the first time she addressed him with his name, not his surname. "You're here."
Alexis didn't know why she almost felt like tearing up. She was just hoping to see him a minute ago and here he was, standing in front of her like it's the most natural thing for him.
"You didn't tell me today was your flight," he seemed to frown at her.
Alexis wanted to tease him a little but was instantly interrupted, "Now don't start with your friendship lecture again. You don't have to be someone's friend to know their whereabouts."
Caught red handed.
She regained her composure and replied instantly after that, "Maybe I do it that way. Who knows?"
Angela felt a bit confused seeing her daughter being all friendly with a guy she never saw before. She knew all of her friends from college but this man was none of them. Honestly, he looked a bit older than her friends.
She looked at Rebecca with her eyes filled with questions and earned an ear to ear grin from her. She signaled her to be assured and watch the show.
"Today is not your day off, Mr. Chef. Don't you think you are going to lose profit on your business if you skip your work like that?"
"Then I'll think about doing something else," he pursed his lips in thought, maybe thinking seriously what else to do if not cooking. That made him look cute and handsome all of a sudden.
Alexis held the urge to tell him that he can just try sitting in front of her camera and earn a few million bucks. Is he even aware of how handsome his silly absented minded face with his scruff looks?
Alexis didn't know why she was noticing every single thing about him like a rest subject, as if she never saw any man who is handsome in her whole life.
"Jokes apart, thank you for coming, genuinely," Alexis replied, shifting the conversation and trying to snatch the suitcase handle from his grip.
He didn't let her do that although they were almost near the restricted area. Her mother and Rebecca could still be seen from a bit far away if she looked back. But she forgot about their existence completely.
"We're almost there. Come on, give it back," she insisted.
Yet the stubborn man didn't let her do so as he carried the bag until the entrance but boarding.
"Thanks again."
Alexis fidgeted a bit, thinking about how to stall a little bit more of the time. She didn't know why she wanted to do so. She just did, that's the only thing she could say.
Alexis looked at Arthur's tall, broad figure. He wore a pale green cardigan with white slacks, complementing his complexion. Green was her favorite color. Any shade of green does things to her, maybe that's why looking at him made her feel a little jittery.
Should she do it? Or should she not?
Alexis debated for a whole minute as she found Arthur raising his eyebrow in confusion. Her antics must have made her look funny.
And finally, she gathered up her courage to extend her one hand and give him a side hug. A very friendly one, no doubt.
His hard muscles could be felt from that simple side hug with his woody cologne. Alexis felt a bit awkward at her own action, unable to observe how stiff Arthur's muscle became from a simple hug. If she did, she would have been busy debating whether he hated her hug that much for this reaction.
Angela's eyes widened in surprise as her eyes darted at Rebecca. Rebecca still kept her innocent grin plastered on her face.
And then she whispered to her husband who was also watching the amazing show with his own eyes.
"Looks like your bestie finally stepped up his game. I thought I would have to wait a couple more years."