Risley pulled up to the airport. She could not wait to see Mark. It has been only a few days but felt a hold lot more. Risley wore faded skinny jeans with wedge heels along with a white striped top. She pulled her luggage behind her purse in the other hand. She stood in line and walked up to the counter and handed her ticket over to the cashier.
"Mrs. Johnson, Let me show you to your waiting area," She said and she started to walk behind the counter to the front. She took Risley down the hallways. Risley thought this was very strange, but continue to follow. "Here we are Mama," She pointed to a door that was marked 'Private' "Prince Mark will be here shortly," She said and Risley walked into the room and she closed the door behind her. The room had a large couch, several chairs, a bar, and it looks like menus from every restaurant from the airport. She walked over to the couch rolling her luggage to the side of it and took a seat. She looked out the glass walls watching all the airplanes coming and going.
She played with her necklace as she tried not to over think what she was doing. This was not like her to just pack her things and go, but the universe is saying something and her gut feeling felt right. She had to have faith. She took a deep breath and stood up and walked over to the window. The sun just started to go down as she stared at the night sky. She placed her hand up against her necklace once again. She could not help herself.
"Thank you... Thank you" She turned around to hear Mark's voice and a smile grew across her face. He walked right through the door dressed to the T. He wore black slacks, a light blue dress shirt with a tie and a white vest over it. He walked over to Risley and kissed her deeply gently sliding his tongue into her mouth and she responded which made his body respond. Risley was shocked, but in a good way to know that he missed her as much as she missed him. What felt like a long time the two finally split and Mark grabbed her hand. "I miss you so much. I hope you did not have to wait here for long"
"I miss you too. I was not here too long. I am not used to this" She looked around the room and he laughed at her
"If you think this is something... just wait" He smiled at her and kissed her blushing cheek "Come, let's get on our way. I have a fun filled week for you!" He said so excitably that made Risley smile even more. Mark took Risley bag and she grabbed her carry on. "Joe," Mark handed off her bag "Thank you"
"He is always with you" She whispered as they walked behind Joe and out of the room into the public.
"Yes, you will get to know him" He smiled and he held her hand and she noticed that there was more than just that. There was now airport security around them and basically walking them out of the airport towards the plane. Risley looked around and blushed as she looked down at the ground. They walked out onto the tarmac and Risley looked around at the private plane waiting for them. Joe walked into the plane first and disappeared into the plane. "Ready for this?" Mark asked with a smile.
"As ready as I will ever be" She smiled back and took a deep breath. 'Oh universe please be right' she thought as she took the first step onto the steps up to the plane. Mark followed her as it was written all over both body language that these two are in love. Risley looked around the inside of the plane it was filled with top of the line leather chairs and it looked like there was a separate area for possible meetings, another room in the back she was not sure if it is a bedroom or what.
"Let me give you the small tour" Mark said and spun around here is the flying/ eating area, here is a meeting area, and back there is a bathroom and bedroom for you know those time travel flights." the two walked back up to the leather seats and Mark took a seat and Risley sat down next to him.
"Sir, we are ready to go," Joe said to Mark
He looked at Risley and kissed her softly "I am so glad you said you wanted to come" he smiled "Then let's go, Joe, we have a long ride ahead of us." Mark held Risley's hand as she watched everyone get themselves ready for the flight. The flight took off and Mark finally took off his belt and got up and got two glasses of wine. He handed one to Risley.
"Thank you," She said and smiled and he sat down
"Too many many more times happily together," He said and she smiled they toasted and took a drink. "Now let's get you in vacation mode. You're a hardworking lady and after all, deserve some time to be pampered"
"I am excited about this week" She smiled at him "I did not bring my laptop Evelyn said I need time away from my numbers" she laughed. "I don't know I might go crazy"
"Nah, I have a planed week for you. When we land you will be staying at my house. Don't worry there is plenty of room. Then tonight we have the masquerade. Tomorrow we will meet my mother for lunch." He said and took a drink.
"Wow serious if I am meeting the parents," Risley said with a little laugh
"Yes," He paused "I hope it is not too soon for you"
"Um, No," She said and took a drink from her glass. She smiled at him and held his hand as she looked out the window and watched the sunset outside the window.
The two of them chatted up and finished their glasses of wine. Risley began to get tried as she laid her head on Mark's shoulder as they talked and she finally fell asleep. Mark continued to talk and then noticed that Risley stop speaking. He looked down at her and noticed she was fast asleep.
"Joe, can you get me a blanket for Risley?"
"Yes Sir," he said and got a blanket and put it over the two of them.
"Thank you, Joe," He said to him and Joe sat back down across from Mark. The two chatted a while until they go tired themselves. It was a trip that was going to be filled with naps. They both knew that, but it was nothing that they were not use too.
"Sir... Sir" Mark was gently tapped on the shoulder as he woke up.
"Yes," he said and yawned a bit. Joe also woke up while Mark did.
"We are getting ready to land soon" The the attendant said and walked away.
Mark gently brushed Risley hair behind her ear and kissed the top of her head "It is time to wake up, darling" Risley wiggled her head into his shoulder and then slowly sat up.
" I am sorry, I did not think I was that tired," She said and started to blink a few times.
"It's traveling it happens to me every time," He said and smiled " Why not go to the bathroom quick and clean up a little?"
"Yes please," She said and smiled as she unbuckled her seat belt and went to the bathroom to freshen up.
Mark and Joe started to talk to each other and of course, food came up after such a long flight. Joe started to mention a few places that they could go for a quiet lunch since it was in the afternoon by the time they land. Risley came back and sat down with the guys. She buckled her self back up and joined the conversation.
"So, Joe and I are talking about what you would like to eat when we landed."
"We have ideas from lunch idea to breakfast" Joe spoke to her and she smiled as she reached over to Mark's hand
"Um," She paused a bit "I am thinking of some brunch since then we all can find something to eat right?"
"Sounds good to me," Mark said and smiled at the two "Excuse me, while I freshen up before we land." Risley smiled as he leaned in and kissed her cheek softly that made her blush a bit before he left.
"So, Joe do you have a wife or children?" Risley asked as she tried to get to know him.
"Yes, Ma'am. I have a wife and two children a boy and a girl" He said and smiled and took out a small picture out of his pocket to show.
"Oh my they are beautiful" She smiled at him "Can we all get together while I am here?"
"I will see if that will fit into the plans" He smiled at the photo and put it back into his pocket I hope I am not out of line, but he is a better person since he meat you" Risley smiled and looked down at the ground.
Mark sat down and took Risley's hand right away as the three chatted a bit more as they waited to land. Once landed there was a car that pulled up automatically as the three of them got their things together that they carried in. Their bags were taken down and put right into the car. They walked down Mark holding Risley's hand and Joe following behind them. The three of them sat in the back of the car and started out driving to get some food. Joe watches the two of them and how they interacted. Risley was excited to see all the architecture of the buildings and Mark placed his hand on her back and mentioned a few things about each thing she would point out. The three of them finally ate some food and then made their way back to the house.
"Let me give you the small tour," Mark said with a smile and took Risley around the 5 bedrooms, 2 ½ bathroom, living room, dining room, and kitchen area of his apartment. She smiled and enjoyed every minute of it since she admires everything.
"This place is far from small" She laughed at him and he pulled her into him.
"The masquerade starts at 6 pm. Did you want to take a nap beforehand? I have no idea how long the event will be."
"I think I will be okay" she smiled and snuggled against his neck softly.
Joe cleared his throat and Risley blushed and laid her head down on his shoulder a bit embarrassed "Sir, I am going to go for the day"
"Sure Joe. Have a good night. I will see you tomorrow." Mark said to him and ran his hand against Risley back.
Joe left and Risley whispered to Mark "I am sorry. I forgot about Joe being here" She said to him and Mark just laughed.
"Trust me, that is nothing compared to things that Joe has seen me do in the past."
The two laid around the apartment and chatted find out that the two of them had a lot more in common then what they originally thought. Risley looked at the time and see
that it was about an hour before the masquerade and knew that she had to start getting ready. She got off the coach and Mark looked at her with a tilted head.
"Time to get ready already?" He asked
"Yes," She laughed a bit "Can I ask if you could play some upbeat music while we get ready?"
"Sure, I can just lay on the bed and watch you" He teased
"Really?" She all of sudden started to be very self-doubtful of her self.
"I could watch you every day all day" He smiled and she slipped into the bedroom to go get a shower and get ready. She stepped out of the shower and could hear the music playing and Mark was singing to it. She tried not to make much noise as she listens to him sing to Bruno Mars 'Up Town Funk.'
She smiled as she danced in the bathroom as she put her hair up in a bun that gently allowed her curls fall from the bun and also around her face. She put on some very soft pinks and peaches eyeshadow. She put on her undergarments and went out to the bedroom to get her dress. She then put on her Chiffon gown in a peach color dress with a sweetheart neckline. Her shoes were a light gold with jewels that cross the toes and up the top of the foot to around the strap around her ankle. Her mask was a beautiful vintage mask that had jewels all over the mask along with beautiful glittery feathers coming up the side. She felt beautiful as she stood in front of the mirror the first time that she saw the finished look. She picked up her phone and took a few pictures and sent them to Evelyn. She then walked out to the living room where Mark fixed his tie one more time.
He slowly turned around "Oh wow," was the only thing that came out.
" Does this work for tonight?" She asked with a smile and Mark walked over to her and kisses her softly.
"I am not sure how I will keep anyone off of you" He joked with her
"You don't' look bad your self," She said and ran her hand over his tie and coat. "Let us take a picture for Evelyn and Tom" she smiled and Mark was more willing to take a few pictures even a few in which he kissed her cheeks and she blushed even more. Risley sent them to Evelyn and placed her phone in her pink clutch and the two made their way to the masquerade.
Mark and Risley walked arm and arm down the hallways as they headed towards the noses from the masquerade. There were already tons of people walking around the floor with severs giving drinks and small food as they socialized and there was a dance floor in the one corner. Risley's eyes darted all around the room watching the people at the bar, on the dance floor, and just roaming around. She looked at Mark who patted her hand and smiled at her. Risley took a deep breath as they made their way the hanging staircase that wrapped around from either side and landed at the center of the one side of the room.
The two stepped out on the floor and the server came over first bowing their heads and offering glasses of champagne. Mark thank him and took two glasses and handed one to Risley. She smiled and thank him and took it. Several other members of the masquerade came up to Mark and started to talk to him and Risley stood behind him and did not interrupt the conversation. She just slowly sipped her champagne and looked around the room. There was a cut in the music and everyone turned towards the stairs and watch a beautiful older female walk down the stairs in a white-silver gown with a crown on her head.
Mark leaned into Risley and whispered " That is my mother" and Risley just looked at him and he smiled. Risley was shocked more then she could ever be thought. As his mother approached Risley noticed that women were curtsey and she follow suit and curtsey to the queen.
The queen stopped at Risley and Mark. She leaned in and spoke softly "So, you are the one that has won my son's heart?" She smiled and Risley blushed as Mark just looked at his mother "We shall talk then" She said and patted her arm. Mark looked over at Risley and could not be prouder as she fit in perfectly.
The night continued on with drinks and small snack items as the music played. The queen sat at one table and Mark took Risley over and they sat down for a while Mark spoke to his mother softly conversation between the two. He then turned towards Risley and took her clutch and placed it on the table.
"Come, Let us have some fun," He said to her and took her hand. Risley smiled and took his hand and the two of them went to the dance floor. Mark had two left feet he could not dance if his life depended on it which made Risley laugh at him. The two could not keep their emotions or laughter to themselves and everyone around them were starting to notice. Some people were joining the two on the floor and others were starting from the sidelines. The DJ slowed the music down and started to play Ed Sheeran 'Perfect.' Mark pulled Risley close to him as he slowed down the rhythm between the two of them. Risley smiled at Mark and he brushed her hair away from her face and gently. There was no denying what was going on between the two of them.
"I remember a time when we were like that" The man leaned into the queen
"Yes, Yes, that was a long time ago," She said with a smile and looked at the two of them on the dance floor. Mark smiled and softly kissed Risley. He could not imagine anyone else here with him in this moment.