“I’ll ask you one more time. Are you ready for this?” Rage demands.
I know what he’s trying to do – he’s offering hishelpone more time.
“Yep, let’s fucking go already.”
Rage chuckles, shaking his head. He turns on the engine and drives away from the sidewalk.
It’s on.
No turning back.
* * *
We arrive at the airport and walk through a wide hallway packed with many people; as one would expect when going to an airport this early in the morning. All these voices sound like background noise in a movie set. Flights are on time for the most part, and a woman announces new departures over the PA.
Rage, walks on my right, completely dressed in black as usual and sporting hisPRESIDENTpatch for everyone to see. The clanking sound of his metal chains resonates with every step he takes. He’s so handsome and tough, every girl around looks at him with lustful eyes. I can’t blame them.
To my left, Carter is carrying my bag over his right shoulder. His outfit is also black but the magazine version. Everything he is wearing looks like tailor-made for him, the complete opposite of Rage. Carter’s cologne paired with his soft, straight and carefully trimmed hair completes the picture of an attractive, neat man.
People are looking directly at us, and some are trying to hide their curiosity by looking away as soon as we make eye contact. Well, I guess they are not looking at me at all – they are devouring the men at my side. I assume that’s the right thing to do, when you see a woman being escorted by two extremely different men that won’t look elsewhere but ahead.
“It’s here,” I announce as soon as we get to the airline baggage check section. “I’ll be right back.” I go to a woman behind a desk, sharply dressed like an airline employee always does. Even more so than a regular one, this one looks like she was pulled from one of their ads. She tells me to approach by waving her hand and I do just that. Her name tag reads ‘Jessica’.
“Hi there, how are you?” She greets me with a full, fake smile.
“You should know a thing or two about fake smiles. You used to be the queen of being fake, bitch,”Life says, angrier than usual.
“I’m doing great, thanks,” I answer with an equally fake smile.
“See? You still got it.”
“Passport please.” She clicks something on a screen I can’t see.
I hand over my passport.
“Are you checking in any bags today?”
“No.”
“Well, that’s odd, going to Madrid without bags.”
I turn around to see my bodyguards, and they both look at me sternly.
“I know, right? I like to travel light and get new stuff over there.”What a terrible actress I am.
“That sounds like a good plan. Just remember that if you are taking a carry-on with you on the cabin, these are the item that are not permitted onboard.” She points to a plasticized brochure with the prohibited items listed. “You are all set. Your flight departs at this time,” she announces, circling the departure time on my boarding pass.
“Gotcha.”
“Did you get all that? Are you sure you don’t need anyone to write it down for you? You, dumb cunt.”Life is escalating little by little. What is wrong with her today?
“Thanks, have a good one,” I say to Jessica as I step away from the counter.
I go to the men. “All right, I’m all set here. I need to go through security, and you can’t come with me.”
Both look uncomfortable and share a weird look that suggests they are having a silent conversation. When exactly did these two reach that level of understanding to put all these pieces together?
“Ahem.” I clear my throat.
