“Bestie, my foot “vised, rolling her eyes dramatically. “The only thing that change is me hogging the bed and maybe. Just maybe leaving a bag of Cheetos numbs for you as a welcome–horse gift..”
“Ugh, you’d better not.” babelle wamel, giving her a playtal valge “or I’ll make sure your bed a mysteriously tiled with crickets when I get back.”
Noh, the hneree!” Vivieleped a hand to her chest, feigning shock. Then her face softened, and she pulled tabelle into a tight hug. “I’ll realymbayou, boy.”
*kte Boo, Vivi,” is abello whispered, feeling the hamp in her that grow. She tried to hold backtoves, but acopleslipped out anyway, is quickly wiped one away, giving hera contortingsmik.
Dave, who had been standing quietly neatly, closed his throat and held out a paper bag. “Breakfast for the road,” he said, a small but warm mengging at the corners of his mouth. “Thought you could use some entgy.”
“Thanks, Dow“Isabelle gratefully accepted the bag, feeling oddly touched by the gesture. They exchanged a quick, slightly awkward bag, and she stopped back, realizing with each posing secondt he was actually kuing
Just the the doorbell rang, and babelle’s heart skipped a beat. It was time. Vi opened the door, and the mod Alberts, looking impeccably polished in a dark suit, expression serious but polit
“Mbele, “he greeted her with anod, his accent adding an air of formality to the moment.
Isabelle bit bertok from selling. “Alberto,” shereplied in her best Halkan weet, trying to match histone. His moth switched as though suppressing a grin
“Are you ready?” he asked, his ganeshuting to the boxes behind her
“Almos” babelle sund, seeling a bringeot hesitation. She had never flown before, let alone traveled the this with a private escort. She reached for one at her bags, but Alberta beld up a hand
“No need for “he sail, gesting to another man who apped behind him. This one was taller and had a stoic look, dressed similarly in a black suit. “We’ll handle everything Our orders are clear–peer comfort is our pricity.”
Tubelle raised an eyebrows, surprised. “This person really went all out with the arrangements, huh?”
Alberto’s diseated impassive, but he glanced away briefly, almost as if there was something he won’t saying “You could say that,” he replied after a moment, then cksend his throat. “The young master you call him, will mestu uporival. For now, your only concessing”
She couldn’t resist teasing him. “Sothane to wait for this ‘young master‘ once get there?
Alberta’s expression softened just a bit, and he gave a small smile. “No, Miss Isabelle. You don’t have to worry. We’t handle everything for you. Consider this your “p–bye to Landingpage” He nodded, the motioned for his soclate to begin gathering her things
Vidchucked, whispering. “You know you’ve made it when someone else carries your bags”
bellegrinned back, trying to shoug at the strange feeling at being catered to in such away” alittle serreal,” she admitted, looking at the car waiting outside. As she tumed back to Viv, her hot quod a bit eghter.“Take care of everything for me, alright?”
Vivi gre her one last hop only if you promise to call my chance you get.”
With one final wore to Vhi and Dave, Tabelle stepped out into the brisk maning air and slid into the sleek black car that waited. They pulled away smoothly, the cityscape bling pastas she watched out the window, wondering what awaited. The ham at the engine was oddly comforting, a low bun that matched the excement bulding inside.
At the airport, they bypassed the usual terminals and entered through a private hangar, where a jet awed, its sleek design polished and intimidating. This was more than Isabelle had imagined, and as she climbed the steps, she tried to keepher cool even though her heart was racing She glanced over at Alberto, who was aching her with subtle amusement as though he could see through her calm exterior.
Inside, she sank into a plush seat, feeling both excitement and a hint of nervousness. “Plist time flying” Abberto asked, handing her a small glass of water.
“Yes,” Tubelle admited, gripping the armrests tighter than she intended. She noticed his smirk and rolled her eyes. “It’s not that funny-
“Maybe not,” he replied, still amused. “But it’s certainly a nemerable fintight for you, I’d say.”
Once they were in the air, the initial rush of takeoff settled into a steady hum. The view from the window was mesmerizing. They were above the clouds, the sky ast, endless bla that stretched on forever. Below, a blanket of clouds made the world seem like a distant memory. The thought filled table with a
Na strange, exhilarating dom
As she lost herself in the view, Alberto broke the silence. “Tequila?” he offered, pouring himself a drink and taking an eyebrow. Isabelle Leighed, shaking her head. “I don’t drink,”
“Braly?” He serioed gevulicly surprised. “Not even to celebrate this journey?”
She shrugged “Let’s say I’d rather berpacat head,”
He nodded approvingly, and they led into a comfortable silence, the tant clinking of his glass the only sound between the After a while, be closed her eyes, letting the hum of the engines and the gentle say of the plane lull into light daar
Ashtap on her shoulder woke her hours later, and she blinked, disoriented for a moment. They were beginning their descent, and Albert was already lasting his seatbelt, looking prectly at ear. “We’llbe landing soon,” be formed her, his tour in calm as ever.
The plane chedd smoothly, and as they stepped out, habelle took in her surroundings with a sense of that no pleure could ever fully capture. The are differ–cooler and scented with something faintly floral magical quality to the some
witly stated out before her, ancient and beautiful in a way was night, and a million stars dotted the sky above, lending a
Chapter | Takeoff
A convoy of cars walked outside, their headlights casting a soft glow over the cobblestone driveway. Alberto guided Isabelle into one, and they set off through winding streets that seemed straight out of a move. The buildings were old and grand, lined with by and delicate Lanterns that lit the path in a soft, welkoming glow.
As they turned a final comer, a large estate loomed ahead, stately and dignified, nestled along the coast with an open view of the sea. Alberto gestured toward it. “This will be your temporary home, Miss Isabelle. The main destination is still a bit farther, but the Young Master thought it best for you to rest before continuing.”
Isabelle nodded, stepping out of the car and taking a deep breath, the cool night air filing her lungs. The mansion was grand, but it had a warmth to it, an old–world charm that made her feel as though she’d stepped back in time. She followed Alberto inside, feeling the wright of the journey settle on her at last.
Before he left, he turned to her with a small, cryptic smile. “Rest well, Miss Isabelle. Tomorrow, your true adventure begins.”
As he walked away, Isabelle felt a thrill of anticipation stir within her. This was only the beginning
