Good night! :) This chapter is to make up for my disappearance last weekend. :D Two chapters in a row, guys! I know I'm awesome. xD This chapter was really fun to write, so I'd love to know if you like the change of plans regarding the story. :D Thank you for all your support, guys! Every review makes me grin and I appreciate each one of them. ;) I hope you enjoy this one and have a nice week you all! ;)
PD: I stopped proofreading 'cause I don't have time for that, so you'll have to get used to my mistakes. LOL
Dreamingsince95: Hahaha. Some of you want Alison involved in the story and others don't. Anyway, they're meant to be, so don't worry about that. Despite the up and downs everything is going to be fine for them. :) Thanks! ;)
Herhers: LOL Alison is always a good character to write about even if I hate her on the TV show. They were good friends in college, but you'll know more about that story in upcoming chapters. :) After knowing a little bit more about Paige's past I know you'll love this chapter. Things are getting more interesting. :D Have a nice week you too! ;)
.dias: You'll have more information about Alison soon enough. xD I need to focus on the drama between Paily first. :D Thank you so much! ;)
liekedk99: I'm glad you like involving Alison, even if she didn't show up yet. :D
Tns729: Thanks! I guess the wait is over. Here's more… ;)
MJ: I hate Alison too. Whenever she was on the show I got angry. :D However, she's a good character to write about, so she'll be a special guest during a few chapters. xD Thank you so much for your nice words. Have a nice week you too! ;)
Enjoy the chapter, guys!
IT'S NEVER TOO LATE
: Chapter 21 – Love is in the Air:
I wait while I sit on a bench in the airport and I check my phone. I was the first to get here. When I raise my head from the phone I see they're approaching me. I smile with my biggest smile to the woman that's walking towards me. She's just beautiful. I try to hide my happiness a little bit when I see her dad looking at me with a surprised face.
"Good morning, Emily. It's nice to see you're so overjoyed to go on a work trip," Mr. McCullers adds, grinning at me. "Are you ready?"
"Yeah, I am. I have the presentation ready, so everything's going to be perfect," I add, absolutely proud of my work regarding this project. I look at Paige and she's staring at the floor. There's something wrong with her.
"Did you see Jason? He was supposed to be here already," Mr. McCullers says, checking her watch. He's obviously nervous about this. There is much at stake with this work trip. If we get to convince the developer of a new skyscraper in London that our project is the best of all the options they're considering, that will be a huge impulse for our firm. On the bright side, the developers already know Mr. McCullers because of another project he leaded a few years ago and everybody loved it, so that's a big advantage.
"There he is," Paige finally says something. I look at her, but she doesn't look at me. This is kind of bothering me. I don't remember doing something that may have upset her, but there's obviously something going on.
"I'm really sorry," the blonde young man says, panting. "I got stuck in traffic."
"It's okay. Let's go make the check in. We have a long flight ahead."
This trip to London is really exciting. I mean, I'd love to share this trip just with Paige, but even if her dad and Jason are coming too, this means we're going to see each other. I hope we can have a little time alone with each other after work.
We're just going to be there for four days. We're meeting the group of developers that have the intention to build a skyscraper and we intend on convince them we could do such work. Paige and I have been working on this project for the past few months and it's kind of exciting that we have the opportunity of showing them how great we function as a team. His dad decided that I would be the one doing the presentation of the project to the developers. I mean, Paige is capable of doing that too, but she hates speaking in public, so his dad told me I was the chosen one and Paige preferred it that way too. I'm not gonna lie, I am a wreck of nerves, but it motivates me at the same time. You will be wondering why Jason had to come too. Jason is the financier of the firm. He has been handling the cost of the project, so he will be explaining in order to enable cost savings. He's actually great at his job. Besides, he's so charming and everybody loves him, so I'm pretty sure he will do a perfect job.
After checking in, our boss gives all of us our boarding passes. I look at Paige's number of seat and then compare it with mine. Sadly, we're not sitting next to each other.
"You're sitting next to me, honey," the man adds, winking at her daughter. "You two are sitting together. I tried to get a row for the four of us, but it was taken," he apologizes. I don't know if he's saying the truth or he simply made it on purpose. I guess he didn't want Jason to sit next to Paige because the whole relationship thing, but sharing this long trip with Jason doesn't thrill me at all. In fact, I'd have loved to sit next to my girlfriend so I could place my head on her shoulder and sleep peacefully while smelling her perfume. I know that's impossible, we're not alone, but that would be a dream come true. I only hope Jason is not the chatty kind of passenger, because I just want to sleep.
"You're really quiet, baby."
"I'm tired, dad." I hope he leaves me alone, 'cause I'm not in the mood for a talk. I have too many things on my mind. Emily, Alison, coming out… It's just too much.
"Then just close your eyes and rest." He grins at me and then takes an e-book from his briefcase. That means he's going to read and won't talk to me. Good news.
After taking off and when the indication about having the seatbelt fastened disappears from the dashboard, I stand up and walk towards the bathroom. I need to pee. Both the bathrooms are occupied, so I place my back on the wall and wait.
"Hey. Is everything fine?" A soft voice startles me. I raise my head and see Emily just in front of me. Our faces are just inches apart, the space between the two doors previous to the bathroom is not wide.
"I'm fine," I briefly add, averting her gaze.
"I know there's something bothering you. What is it?" She holds my hand and my heart starts pounding. I let her hand go and I immediately look at the front rows, praying God Jason and my dad didn't see anything.
"I'll be okay if you stop doing that." I see sadness in her eyes.
"I'm sorry. I was just trying to be supportive. But if this bothers you, then I'll stop." I sense anger in her voice. "Your turn," she adds, pointing at the door that just opened. I get into the bathroom and look at myself in the mirror. I'm stupid. I pee, wash my hands and return to my seat. My dad is still reading. He smiles at me when I take a seat.
"Are you bothered because I didn't let you sit next to Jason?" His question catches me completely off guard. It's funny that he's worried about Jason when he would be worried about the beautiful brunette sitting next to him. I know my dad thinks highly of Emily, he adores her. However, I suppose he wouldn't be so happy if she knew the perfect Emily is dating her daughter.
"It's not that, dad. There's nothing between us, just like you wanted," I harshly answer. He frowns at me.
"I hope it stays that way. Actually, they make a good couple, don't you think?" He is looking at them and they casually are smiling at each other. Suddenly a jealousy feeling invades me.
"I don't know." Nothing else comes to mind. I just want this conversation to end.
"Emily is so sweet and Jason is…" He doesn't end the sentence, but I guess he thinks they're made for each other. The sole idea of them together makes me want to puke. "Is she single? 'Cause Jason obviously is." I shake my head, this is way too hurtful.
"I don't know, dad. Will you leave me rest, please?"
He nods at me, but continues speaking. "I thought you were really good friends. You must know if she's dating someone."
"What does it matter, dad? Just leave it." I take a deep breath. "She's not single, okay? Now, can we stop talking about this?" I raise my voice.
"I'm sorry, honey. I realize it is too soon and you still have feelings for him." I nod at him, even though he's not the person I have feelings for. I don't care what he thinks, I just want this torture to end. He focuses on his book again and I just close my eyes after giving a last look to Emily. It seems like they're having a good time, because the grinning doesn't stop. Her smile is mesmerizing. I close my eyes and think about her smile. That thought soothes me and I fall asleep.
"Are you kidding me? This looks like an interrogation." I smile from ear to ear. I admit he's adorable.
"Come on, Emily! You spend a lot of time with her. Just tell me if she's seeing someone. I can't stop thinking about her." He's not the only one. I can't keep her from my mind, even less after our last encounter on the bathroom.
"You should ask her. I don't know anything about that."
"You're lying. You are like twins, you spend all day together, so you must know it." He elbows me.
"Of course I know, dummy. But I'm not the one to tell. However, you should stop thinking about her. That will hurt you. That's my advice for you, Jason," I add. I'm not messing with him, I really want the best for him. He's a sweet boy and he doesn't deserve to suffer.
"Okay, I quit. I know you won't say a word about that. Then, talk me about you. This flight is going to be long." I frown at him and he laughs. "What? I barely know you."
"What do you want to know about me?"
"Anything, everything," he teases me. "I can't sleep on planes, so I hope you can entertain me a little bit," he jokes. I shake my head, but I can't help to smile at him.
"You're real gossipy, you know that?"
"I'm not proud of that, but that's who I am." He grins at me. I don't say a word. I take a book out of my purse and pretend to read. I prefer to avoid an interrogation coming from my girlfriend's ex. "I thought you weren't that shy. I guess I was wrong about you." I look at him and raise one eyebrow. He smiles. "You can ask me anything, if you want to."
"I'm not really interested," I admit, making him laugh.
"Okay, I guess you don't want to play this game, so I won't bother you."
"I'm glad you said that," I tease him.
"Anyway, just one question and then I'll leave you alone." I nod at him. If it's just one question I guess I will be able to handle it.
"Shoot." He grins at me.
"Are you single? Do you have a boyfriend?" He looks at me with his eyes wide open, eager to hear the answer.
"I don't have a boyfriend. I guess that was it, right?" I wink at him and open the book again.
"I'm surprised you don't have a boyfriend." I avert my gaze from the book to stare at him.
"I thought answering that question was enough for you." He smiles as he shakes his head, meaning he won't leave me alone so easily.
"Now I'm even more curious about you. Why not? You didn't find the right guy?" I love he's a joker, I like that about him.
"That's not really my type." I bury myself in the book again, but he closes it, forcing me to look at him again.
"Wait, what? Does that mean…?" He takes a break and opens his eyes in surprise. "Are you saying that you…? I mean, I'm not judging you, but I didn't imagine you…" I interrupt him when I realize I'd rather not have said that.
"I don't know what you're thinking, but you're jumping to conclusions. Now, can I keep reading, please?" He nods at me, but he has his eyes fixated on me. I don't think I handled it nicely. Now he knows I'm gay, or at least he suspects it. It's not that I'm trying to hide it. I mean, I came out a few years ago and I don't want to hide anymore. The thing that is bothering me about this is that it may affect Paige, and I don't want to screw it up.
"Welcome to London Stansted Airport. I hope you had a nice flight and we're willing to see you flying with us again." The light and the announcement wake me up. I rub my eyes and look at my watch. I've slept for almost the whole flight and I feel great. I turn my head to look at Paige and I realize she's staring at me. I smile at her but she just looks at me with a serious expression. When the gates open, everybody stand up impatiently and follow the line to exit the airplane. I just wait, even if I'm eager to get out. I look at my left and I see Jason is sleeping.
"Wake up, Cinderella! I thought you couldn't sleep on airplanes, liar," I tease him, elbowing at the same time to wake him up. He mumbles something I don't understand and he stretches his arms before smiling at me with his eyes still not completely open.
We are the last passengers to leave the plane. Paige and his dad are waiting for us. We walk towards them.
"How was the flight, guys?" the boss asks.
"Better than expected," I add. Jason doesn't say a word. He needs some caffeine to liven up.
"I need to go to the bathroom, okay?" Paige says.
"I think I will go too," I add, following my girlfriend.
We enter the room and Paige gets into a stall. I hold the door just in time to get inside the same space. I push her towards the door and stare at her.
"I don't know what is wrong with you, but I'm being as patient as I can." I wait for her answer.
"I just…" she rambles.
I roughly kiss her. I've been dying to do this since I saw her at the airport. "I don't care what the hell is going on, I needed to do this."
"Emily, just…"
I place one finger on his lips, making her go silent. "Shut up and kiss me." I grin at her. We kiss until we're both breathless, making her lightly moan when our tongues touch. "You're irresistible," I whisper her in the ear, making her blush. I give her one last kiss, open the door and leave. I don't feel the need to pee anymore. Even if she's worried about something, we will talk about that later. Right now I just needed to taste her.
To be continued…
Stay tuned! ;)
