Warning! Romance, romance, and a surprise twist?

--

Chapter 28

I can't believe I'm a mated woman.

I glance to the wedding band on my ring finger. This is unbelievable. I lower my hand as I fully surrender the weight of my hand and head onto the broad chest of my husband. He's sleeping soundly, and I can see hints of a smile on his lips. I'm sure he's happy that I finally married him... and slept with him. Not that I'm complaining.

He told me a couple of weeks back that he would do everything to protect Gohan and his family. One such way was to protect me in every possible way, taking any measure to keep me safe and in the family. I never realized that Trunks would respect my father and his family in such a way. I was thinking about our age difference. No doubt there would be so much controversy. He's fourteen years older than me. Well… thirteen soon. My birthday will be coming up shortly. The marriage that Trunks and I had hours ago would have been illegal in some countries…

Why am I thinking so negatively?

'Trunks?'

I rub my face on his chest.

'Trunks?'

I check the mental link and he's still asleep.

I nudge him.

'Trunks?'

I felt him shift briefly and wrap his powerful arms around me. That was all.

I sighed. Still, he was dead asleep. Why couldn't I wake him? I remember times when I would take one step into his room and wake him from a deep sleep. He claimed to be a light sleeper; the warrior in him demanded it. But now?

I began nudging Trunks again, more forceful this time.

"Trunks? Wake up! Trunks..."

He groaned.

I sighed and tried nudging him again.

'Trunks,' I called mentally once more. By the moment I was becoming annoyed. Geez, he was sleeping like he had never slept before!

And finally, he opened his eye. The eye glanced at me lazily. "You could have given me a good morning kiss…"

I rolled my eyes as I sat up. I was still very lazy and lethargic. "It's not morning. It's night."

Trunks gave me a quizzical stare before closing his eyes again and quickly grabbing me towards him. I squeaked. "Trunks!"

"I want to sleep," he stated tiredly. To me it almost sounded like a challenge.

I was up for it.

"I want to get up," I stated back trying to pick myself up once more. My efforts were in vain as his strong arms kept me still. I whined, "Can you let me go Trunks?"

"I want you here," he replied shifting his head to nuzzle the top of my head. I tried moving my head away and his face followed my movements. I was not used to how his touch made my skin burn, or how he left a trail of desire almost making me plead for more…

That was a really scary thought.

"I want to get up Trunks."

He chuckled as his eyes finally opened as he gave me his upmost attention. "You said it yourself. It's night."

"I know," I replied trying to squirm out of his arms, "but I'm hungry."

I was surprised when Trunks released me without a word and sat up in bed. He quickly scooted to the edge of the large king sized bed and started looking on the floor. I raised an eyebrow as he put on a pair of boxers. "Trunks?" I asked. Why was he getting up?

He looked back at me stretching his arms. "To get you food," he replied.

I was stunned actually. He was asleep one second and awake the next after I mentioned food? Wait a moment…

"Trunks, I can get it myself-"

But he pushed me back onto the bed. A look was in his eye as I turned back to him surprised. "I will get you something to eat."

"I'm very well capable of getting it myself," I replied.

"I will retrieve your food." His voice expressed finality.

"But Trunks-"

"You will stay here, and I will get it." He turned around and headed out the door.

Was that a possessive undertone? I raised an eyebrow.

I sighed as I relaxed against the pillow. Why did he have to do that for me? I begin looking around the spacious room. I pouted; I knew I could get my own food… I also wanted to roam around the Capsule Corporations building so I could think about what just happened. I still can't believe I'm a married woman. What would people think? No doubt this will probably be in the papers, 'Sixteen-Year-Old Girl marries Thirty-Year-Old Billionaire and Owner of Capsule Corporations'. That would smooth over very nicely. It's bad enough I have one more year in school…

Oh my kami…

One more year in school…

Me?

My eyes close as anxiety consumes my mind. I have one more year of hell-hole school? No doubt people will know that I am married to Trunks because of the tabloids and news stations. Then I'll have stalkers and harassers.

I sit up. My head was really starting to throb. I did not like how these thoughts were turning out… not at all.

I was a loner. I enjoyed being unnoticed! I also enjoyed doing things for myself by myself. I hated being dependant. I want it to remain like that, but that is no longer possible because I am married to a multi-billionaire. I shake my head. I'm ruined. I can't believe fear and security flooded my mind and made me this disoriented against common sense. I can't believe I'm so stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Maybe if I had thought this through more thoroughly and knew all the facts surrounding this situation I'm sure my genius mind would have planned something to keep my life as normal as possible…

I glance to the bed. I felt a chill run up my spine as a sour taste began to form. I hugged myself. I can't believe I shared myself out of desperation. I must have been out of my mind. Temporary insanity? My kami… I can't believe I followed those lies. I could have survived on my own… I could have thought something through had I know all of this in advance… I can't believe something as big as this was hidden from me… I can't…

I really hope Trunks doesn't try prying into my thoughts. Who knows what he would do if I knew I had second thoughts.

Pan, be calm. Be calm. You're thinking irrationally. Trunks is sweet, caring, and supportive.

Yeah, and he couldn't wait for me to become his mate or throw me into this bed.

I sigh deeply. I can't believe everything that happened.

I can't.

Maybe Trunks was just as bad as those other saiyan men. But he promised me everything, as I'm sure the other men would have.

I closed my eyes in horror. Did I make a mistake?

Why do I feel so insecure now that I have security?

"Pan?"

I slowly raise my head. Trunks stands at the door. I can see confusion in his eyes. I also notice the plate of food he has. It contains fruit. Something I know he and I enjoy second to meat. It might be a saiyan thing. He nears me and sets the plate on the night stand beside the bed before climbing on and placing his chilled hand on my cheek. I know he knows something is wrong.

"What's wrong?"

I lean against the head board still curled up. "I can't believe everything that has happened." It was all so fast.

I let Trunks read that comment. He responded by wrapping his arms around me and tucking my head under his chin. His skin is warm, so warm. I force myself to relax in his arms. It wasn't as hard as I thought.

"I know Pan," he replies. "I know."

"I'm not a target anymore?"

"No."

That is a relief.

He leans away from me only to kiss my forehead before looking into my eyes. He smiles gently. "You are free from them. You don't have to worry about being abducted or taken against your will. I know this," he made a gesture referring to the two of us, "will take some getting used to, but I know this will work out." He hugged me tightly. "Everything will be alright."

I leaned back and looked into his eyes. He stared at me quizzically, something he always did, before I kissed him passionately.

I made sure Trunks' mind was occupied with this display of zeal so he wouldn't dare probe mine.

--

It's 1:30 in the morning. I sit up and look over to Trunks. He's dead asleep. I remove the covers from my body and walk to the bathroom adjacent to the room. I stare at myself. The moonlight shines through the bathroom window. Even though my body seems no different, I know something has changed. And 

I'm afraid. I shake my head as I place my hands over my womb. I'm not stupid. Sometimes, after sex is pregnancy and I have a gut feeling that was Trunks' intention.

I turn around and open the shower door. I step in and turn on the water. I hiss as the cold water hits my warm flesh before the water warms. I quickly wash and rinse myself before stepping out. I search for a clean towel, but all I find is a used towel. The last thing I wanted was Trunks' smell all over me. I towel dried myself and forced myself from placing the towel to my nose and take a whiff of his masculine fragrance. I have no time for that.

I wrap the towel around me and return to Trunks' dark room. I look the clothes on the floor. I scrunch my nose. I hate wearing the same thing twice. So I ran to where Bra's room was. I return to the familiar area where just a few hours ago Trunks and I were debating on what I should wear. I can't believe I rushed into that marriage. My mind races as I grab a new pair of underwear- that thong I refused to wear earlier- and a flesh color bra. I grabbed the first white dress shirt I could find as well as a black pair of pants and flat shoes. I hate wearing high heels. I pause for a moment. I look back at the boots with three inch heels. My parents know heels would be the last thing I would EVER choose to wear. I hastily put the clothes on and straightened out the outfit. I looked very much like a woman going on a business trip.

Good.

No one will suspect me.

I placed the flats back in place before picking up the heels. I look the door and I notice a designer bag. You know, one of those enormous in-style bags that can hold everything including the kitchen sink. I make sure to put a few changes of Bra's clothes in my bag and some underwear with another pair of heels before zipping up the bag and running to the room the Briefs' gave me. I have a few things that are mine in here, but nothing I absolutely needed to take. I open a drawer and find some cash I've hidden.

I thumb through it. This is at least three hundred zeni. Trunks never gave me cash. He always purchased things for me himself, but his mother Bulma is another story. She gave me some "pocket change" so I wouldn't have to always rely on Trunks for expenses. I neatly place everything back in order before closing the drawer. I ran to my bed. I reached my hand under the mattress and searched for a hole in the mattress. There I grabbed my bracelet.

Relief floods my system as I quickly put it on. I know Trunks was looking for this the other day, but I wanted to keep it. Again, Bulma supported me. She told me a couple of days back how possessive saiyans can be.

I slip it on my wrist.

I grab the bag and shoes before bolting out of the room and down a flight of stairs. My mind started to race. I needed to get out of here.

I heart rate began speeding up as I came closer and closer to my exit. I needed to go down two more flights of stairs. My bare feet were going at incredible speeds as I was leaving. And just as I reached the second to the last floor, I noticed something that would make my escape that much easier. I ran though the door and silently picked up a wireless phone. I dialed zero and waited for an answer.

"Hello, operator?" I stated as calmly as I could, "I need a cab."

--

My heart was racing as I began walking down the sidewalk glancing at Capsule Corporations every few seconds to make sure no one was pursuing me. I had put on the boots and tried to act as dignified as possible. I did not want to look like someone running away, but someone who was merely going home after a late night at work. As I reached my destination just as the cab drove up. Relief started to flood my being. As I entered, a man around his 40's glanced back at me from his rear view mirror.

"Where too, Ma'am?"

"The Estates at Waterbrook- the corner of Leftway and highway 7."

I continued looking out the tinted window of the cab half expecting Trunks to appear out of nowhere. There was still no sign.

"What is a lovely lady like you doing out here by Capsule Corporations?" he asked me.

"I'm on my way home," I replied silently wanting him to stop this small chat. Yeah, it could be a bit suspicious leaving this large building at such a time of night.

"I thought you were home."

Huh?

My eyebrow rose in suspicion.

"Sir, I don't know what you're talking about."

At a stop light, the man turned his face to me. I gasped. It was a saiyan. "You mated with the prince of my race."

My eyes widened, "What are you-"

He scoffed, "Don't play stupid. Every saiyan knows the prince claimed you."

"How?"

He turned around and continued driving, "Knowing you were the only available female of saiyan blood was the rage of every male in our race."

I was surprised. It really was true. "You're not going to rape me are you?"

He laughed, "That would be dishonorable."

"So now that Trunks has 'claimed me' I'm of limits?"

The taxi driver nodded. "Every saiyan male will stay away of you."

I blinked. That anxiety lifted from me. But something else came to my mind. "Will you or any of the other saiyans try to return me to Trunks?"

The taxi driver scratched the side of his scruffy beard. "If we were not pissed off at the prince claiming you, then we would."

I was astonished.

"I can bet money that the majority of saiyans will help your efforts in escaping from the prince."

"Really?" I asked with a forming smile. I leaned to the man with a new excitement bubbling in my spirit. "You're willing to help me?"

The car stopped at another stop light.

"You bet your ass I am."

I instantly hugged the man, but he pushed me off immediately. He glared at me as I stared at him surprised. His glare soon softened into nothing. "Never do that again."

"I just gave you a hug-"

"Yes and the prince will think I slept with you if he ever saw you do that to me or any other man. Your scent alone will be hard to remove from my taxi and from my clothes." He began driving up to my subdivision.

I nodded. I bit my lip. "Can you help me?" I asked the cab driver. He glanced at me through the mirror. "I want to grab a couple of things. I was thinking about taking the next flight to a different country."

He stopped the taxi and turned off the headlights. "Do you have any country in mind?"

"A country that I could easily blend into?" I asked hopefully.

"Get what you need."

I smiled and almost hugged him again, but I resisted and merely waved. "Thank you sir," I replied before I opened the door to the cab. I grabbing my bag and began to quickly walk down the subdivision. It took me moments to reach my home, but I took off my heels and placed the purse strap around my head and shoulder. I jumped and grabbed onto the edge of the roofing. I'm so grateful my papa insisted on cement gutters when this house was built. Using the muscles I built up over the years with countless sport teams and physical training programs, I quickly pulled myself into the roof and silently walked on 

the roof. When I reached the window to my room, I pulled off the screen to my window and opened the window.

I carefully climbed through not wanting to mess up the clothes I was wearing.

As I looked around my room, my eyes began to well up with tears. I forced myself to search around the room. I was looking for any form of ID and cash. I had a ton of cash hidden in my room. I had money in chests, in my closet, on my desk, under the carpet, in my bed… I had about two thousand zeni in cash. My father always told me to keep money hidden in my room. He warned me for years that there would be a time I would need this ready money.

Now would be that time.

As I opened up the desk drawer I saw something out of place. I smile wryly. It was the capsule Trunks gave me unknowingly that day I first found my bracelet. I picked it up and placed it in a carry case with other capsules I had stored. I shoved the case deep in my bag with all of my cash. I grabbed my sunglasses and took one more look around the room. I sighed deeply before leaving my room. I carefully closed the window and cautiously put back the screen. Years ago I had tampered with my screen so I could easily leave home without my parents knowing. Now I know that my parents always knew where I was.

I jumped from the roof and softly landed on the grass. I quickly put on my shoes and straightened my clothes. I began walking away from the place I called home and my heart started breaking. I saw the taxi waiting there for me and I began to silently cry.

Right now I wanted away from Trunks. But my parents? I love my parents. It would break my heart to stay away from them. If I tried calling them, I would lead them to where I was. I could never do that. With the powers papa and Trunks have I know they could easily find me. Who knows what would happen then!

I wiped away the tears from my eyes before I entered the cab and set the bag beside me. I buckled in and sighed deeply. I was trying my hardest not to cry.

"Having second thoughts?" my cab driver asked.

I choked back my sobs and shook my head side to side. "No."

He turned on the vehicle and headlights before driving down the road. "Good. If you did I would be very pissed after making a hell of a lot of phone calls."

"Phone calls?"

I was becoming frightened. Maybe this man betrayed me and my trust. Maybe I should have not been as trusting. I just have a feeling Trunks is going to appear any minute.

"I called a couple of friends of mine. Since you will be running from the saiyan prince as well as a very powerful businessman you will need all the help you can get," he turned the taxi onto the highway.

My eyes widened.

"You will be receiving a wallet full of forged papers and a new ID. Your name is now May Flowers. You have green eyes and short, light brown hair."

I was in shock. "And new identity?"

"Yes."

"But my eyes are not green. And my hair is black. "

"We will be making a stop at a hotel near the airport," stated the driver turning off of the highway.

I gasped. "You tricked me."

"Believe what you want, but you will have the chance to dye your hair and receive color contacts. One of my comrades will give you your papers and a card with airfare credit to where ever you want to go."

My mouth went dry. I couldn't believe this. "Why would you do this?" I asked him.

He glanced at me from the mirror. "This is the least I could do to return the favor the prince did to us."

"You really want to get back at Trunks," I stated.

"Damn right I do as do many of the other saiyan men." We turned into the parking lot of the hotel. It was not bad looking. What I liked about it was how open it was. We parked into a spot and another saiyan joined us. He was thinner, but had hair styled like a super model... that or a hair dresser.

"Are you the one?"

I looked back at the taxi driver who turned off his vehicle. I glanced to the strange saiyan. "I guess I am."

He nodded his head and grabbed my arm, "Come. We must get these things done before any more time is wasted. It's already 2:45am and your flight leaves at 4:05am."

Everything happened so quickly. Before I knew it, I was stripped of the nice shirt I wore for something old and large to keep my pants from being stained. As the saiyan was working diligently on my hair, he could feel Trunks subconsciously reach out to me. He was still asleep, but he was searching for me. I was starting to become nervous.

"Is something wrong?" he asked me in his soft voice.

I looked to the floor, "He's calling out to me subconsciously."

"Answer him back," replied the saiyan as he continued to work on my hair. "If you don't, he'll wake. Everything will be ruined and you'll be found quickly."

I could feel the subconscious calls become stronger. I replied back to them soothing them. 'Sleep Trunks,' I stated quietly.

'I want you…'

I physically quivered, but I mentally laughed. 'I need my sleep dear. You wore me out. Wait until the sun rises.'

His subconscious was satisfied and I could tell he fell asleep once more.

I sighed and looked into the expectant eyes of the young saiyan male. "Well?"

"He's asleep."

"Wonderful." He stood back and began to take off the dye covered gloves. "We will wait for twenty minutes before you can rinse your hair. First, let me introduce you to your contacts."

He handed me a small package and a small container with two caps. He handed me a bottle of liquid before making a gesture to the package in my hands. "The contacts should be ready to use. If they ever become dry take it out and wet it with this special formula. Take the contacts out each night and put them in each morning."

I open the package and see two small dome shaped contacts. The saiyan grasped one of the contacts and told me to hold open my left eye. I did so and he quickly placed the contact in. My eyes instantly began blinking and watering. When I finally opened my eye to look around I saw green in that eye.

"Hold open your eye again," he told me.

I did so and he quickly straightened the contact out. When I closed and opened my eye again, I looked at myself in the mirror. My eye was no longer blue but a yellow green. Breaking me out of my temporary trance, the saiyan nudged my shoulder.

"You try it with your right eye."

I did.

And it took me fifteen minutes to put the sucker in my eye. And when it was finally in, it was in my eye lid. I was freaking out. The saiyan merely laughed in good humor before pulling out my eyelid and slid the contact down over my iris. I looked up at him. He smiled. "You know, it is such a shame such a woman like you is already taken. You have a very cute personality."

I began to blush. I really didn't know what to say other than, "Thank you."

He scoffed, "Don't thank me. Your mate must have found that attractive about you."

"Yeah right," I replied silently before looking at my bronze looking blob of hair. I was surprised he decided to do my eyebrows too.

He handed me a pair of swimming goggles before someone knocked on the door. He smiled, "Take a shower Ms Pan, but make sure the goggles don't come off during the shower or the dye could damage your eyes."

And I did go into the bathroom. As I carefully took off the shirt, my pants (which I hung up carefully on the door), and my underwear I stepped into the shower once more. As I let myself relax I could feel Trunks stirring once more. My relaxation left and quickly I began to roughly wash my eyebrows and hair out.

'Trunks sleep.'

'I... I want you.'

'In the morning, in the morning,' I lied back.

'At least let me cuddle you while I wait.'

I felt dread once more. I looked down at the water. It was running clear. I sighed as I turned off the water and immediately grabbed for a fresh towel.

'Not now Trunks. Sleep. You need rest.'

My body was now dry and I wrapped up my hair into the towel. I quickly reached for the underwear. As I slipped it on and reached for my pants, Trunks spoke through the mental link. He was awake. 'Where are you Pan?'

"Shit!" I muttered as I began to clothe myself. I noticed my white shirt was missing. 'I wanted to get something to eat.'

There was a brief pause, 'There is still food by my night stand. Pan, where are you?'

I began towel drying my hair quickly. 'I told you, I'm getting something to eat.'

I dropped the towel and walked out of the bathroom. As I entered the hotel room I saw a different man beside the thinner saiyan. He was a burly gruff saiyan. I quickly grabbed the white shirt and began to button it up.

'Pan!'

'What?'

'Where are you?'

I turned my head, 'I told you. I am getting something to eat!'

'You have the bracelet on,' he stated coldly, 'I thought you would never use it again.'

'I wanted to make sure no saiyan would bug me this late at night,' I replied. I began rubbing my forehead. My head started hurting.

'Pan, take off your bracelet. No man will harm you.'

"No shit," I muttered as I began putting my boots back on.

'I don't believe you.'

'Tell me where you are Pan.'

'Trunks, there's no need-'

'Then I'm coming out to search for you.'

And that was final.

The blood from my face drained. "He's searching for me."

My stylist's eyes widened. "Get into the cab." He handed me my purse and started to push me out the door. The other saiyan dragged me to the taxi and spoke something to the driver in the saiyan language. The cab driver's eyes widened before he turned on the vehicle. He quickly backed out and raced onto the highway in record times. A brush was forced into my hand by the saiyan beside me. His gruff voice started speaking.

"We arranged you to leave at 4:05am on flight 324 to America. You are a citizen of the U.S. but sound foreign because your family is of Japanese descent." I nodded my head. Plausible information. "Your family died in a house fire two years ago and you are alone. You have many male cousins and uncles around."

My eyes widened and my hand stopped brushing my hair in mid motion, "Wait," I replied, "Other saiyans will come to my aid?"

"They will frequently visit you. When you leave the airport in California you will have a cab. The cab will take you from the airport to a bus station, and you will have a bus ride that will drive to your final destination, Seattle."

I raised my eyebrow, "Couldn't I fly by plane to Seattle?"

The saiyan shook his head, "The bus ride will confuse any saiyans looking for you, especially with that ki bracelet you have on."

I glanced at it before looking back up. He continued showing me an envelope. "You have an apartment on 321 Rainy St. and 78 Cloudy Day. Your first month of rent is already paid. You will need to find work 

down there as well. Your school will be Washington High School if you want to complete your education and here are resumes if you wish to go to college."

I continued to comb my hair but the man took away the brush. He grabbed a section of my now long, blonde hair… BLONDE? My eyes widened. "B-blonde?" That scrawny saiyan bleached my HAIR?

The burly man pulled out a knife and I stared at it warily. He brought it to the hair and quickly sliced off about ten inches. He grabbed another section and cut it about the same length. I shrieked. I began scooting away from him. I grasped the now short locks of hair. "What are you doing? My hair!"

The man glared. "People will be looking for a short in-shape woman with long hair. I raise the odds of you being caught by cutting off your precious hair."

I stared at the man in distrust, but the cab driver spoke, "Trust him. He knows what he's doing."

"You tell me that when he points a knife at you!" I snapped back.

I could sense Trunks was a few kilometers away from the cab. My chest started to tighten in fight. In my paralyzed fright, the man turned me around and grabbed some more hair. He continued to hack away. I focused on what Trunks was thinking, and then he started talking to me in the mental link.

'I will find you Pan.'

I lowered my head as I could feel the stress become greater.

The man beside me flicked my nose. I looked up to him. This middle aged saiyan had a rough looking scar across his right cheek and nose. He must have been a man of his years. And yet the way he looked at me with those violet eyes?

"Don't communicate with him. He will most definitely find you. As he becomes closer, his voice will become louder and stronger," he warned as he destroyed the cut strands of hair with his ki.

I tilted my head, "How do you know?"

His eyes told me all, "I once had a mate."

"He's one of the lucky bastards who could find a full-blooded saiyan female before they disappeared," interjected the cab driver as he neared the intersection to the airport.

The man beside me used the brush in his hands to brush some of my hair out. Surprisingly it started to spike out like a stylish hairdo some of the women wore. He placed a black hat on my head and carefully fit it on top of my head.

He began to chuckle as he saw the work done on me, "His highness will have one heck of a time trying to find you, that is unless you open up your communication link to him."

As we began to drive up to the airport, the saiyan pointed to my purse, "Your passport, drivers license, Social Security Card, insurance card, Student ID, birth certificate, and immunization records are all in your purse."

The taxi stopped before the airport. I looked at this older saiyan in the dark night as he followed me out. I had only the bag from Bra's room with me, but he gestured for me to wait. I stood there as he opened the taxi trunk and handed me a small pink suit case. "You almost forgot this pumpkin." He handed me a bag I had never seen before. I smiled up to him.

"How could I ever thank you?"

He smiled as he opened his arms wide. "Give your father a big hug."

I remembered the warning the cab driver gave me with saiyan males and hugs, but the look in his eye told me otherwise.

I walked up to him and smiled giving him a huge hug. "Thank you."

He released me and smiled, "I'm so glad you have this opportunity, May." He used his fingers to playfully tip my hat. "Make your father proud. I know you will do well in college."

I gave him one last hug before grabbing the bag and suitcase. "I will."

"Make sure to write and call. Your mother and I will be waiting to hear from you."

I gave the biggest smile I could, "I will."

He reached into his pocket and gave me my plane pass. "Remember; go right through security check and straight to your flight. It will be leaving soon!"

I nodded. Man, this felt just like improvisation practice for drama class. "I will papa. Bye!"

And I walked through the doors with "my" suitcase. I also had my bag with me as I confidently walked into the airport. Just as I entered the doors, I saw a couple of other people getting out of their cars. Then a speck of yellow caught my eye. I glanced up to the sky.

Trunks.

I tightly block my mind.

Has he found me?

No. If he did he would have already captured me and started taking me home. I ignored it and began walking into the airport. I took one more glance outside.

The cab was gone. And so was the speck.

I closed my eyes and thanked kami before walking down the tiled floors to the security check. My flight was scheduled to leave in twenty minutes.

I didn't have much time.

--