I sit down with a feigned sigh of satisfaction. I don't miss her stunned expression. I grin openly at her. This is what she gets for her dumb rule.
"Come, sit here," I motion to the seat opposite. "We can get to know each other a bit on the way."
She didn't expect that. She quickly brushes her hair from her face. "Uh…"
"As far as I can see, that doesn't break any rules. I won't ask any questions. Promise," I add conspiratorially.
Our gazes lock. Perhaps for a bit too long.
"You can't do that," she challenges, jutting her chin.
The corners of my mouth lift involuntarily. "Wanna bet?"
"Busted! That was a question." The joy in her face should bother me, but it doesn't. On the contrary, I'd like to see a lot more of it.
"One to nil for you." I nod again toward the seat opposite. Let's see if I can catch up.
Without breaking eye contact, she sinks into the chair and fastens her seat belt. It's as if we're playing a game. She says nothing; her expression alone is enough to challenge me. And so, we simply look at each other as the plane starts moving. We hold it as we taxi onto the runway. And even before we lose contact with the ground, strangely, I feel like I'm already flying.
***
An hour later, only the plane is in flight. Unfortunately, shortly after takeoff, Sky cheekily plugged in her headphones and opened her laptop. It was as if she wanted to shut me out. I almost believed her cocky demeanor, but only almost.
Those deep blue eyes can't hide anything from me, especially not the unease that constantly surrounds her like a thin veilof mist. And now, seeing her look up from her laptop, chin resting on her hand, contemplating the passing cumulus clouds, a thousand questions burn within me. So intensely that they'll consume me if I don't extinguish them with answers.
I pull my laptop out of my bag and begin writing down all the questions I'm not allowed to ask. My fingers fly over the keys, and by the time my ears start to pop due to the descent, I've filled five pages.
I will answer every single one of these questions.
The steward in the red-and-black uniform appears next to us. "We are landing, so electronic devices must be turned off," he says, gesturing to our computers.
Sky's gaze flickers to me—cautiously, inquisitively—then she closes her laptop.
"Your company is highly inspiring," I say to break the silence, tucking my notebook away. After all, I need to break through her shell to see who she really is. I've already made her smile with my witty remarks.
"We can definitely do this silent together thing more often," she says, smiling sweetly. "In fact, let's start right now."
Normally, she should turn away, but she doesn't. She can't fool me. She's enjoying this game, and she's waiting for my comeback.
And she'll get it.
Before I can respond, though, she sneezes so adorably that I forget what I wanted to say. I might be grinning like an idiot. "Bless you."
She looks around, so I pull a pack of tissues from my jacket pocket. I take one out and flick it through the air with such force that it makes a muffled sound.
"You're welcome." I offer her the tissue.
A tiny crease forms between her brows, then she tilts her head. She thoughtfully takes the tissue and blows her nose. "Hey, do we know each other?"
She has to figure it out herself. "Rule number three, no questions," I deadpan. Admittedly, it's a bit mean, but I can't help it. I want to see her smile, even for a moment.
She rolls her eyes. "That only applies to you. I can ask as many questions as I want."
Of course. You're the princess, and everyone else is your subjects.You haven't changed at all, I'd love to say to her, but that would give her a hint.
At this moment, I realize how to break through to her. "Counterproposal: For every answered question, I get to ask a counterquestion."
She presses her lips together, and my gaze lingers on her mouth. "I need to think about that."
