"Niles, will you bring my luggage, please," said Ms. Babcock, in her Gucci shades, Ms. Dior blue floral dress, and white wedge sandals as she stepped out of the limo, ready to walk inside the airport, her Kate Spade handbag draped in her arm, leaving her extra-large Louis Vuitton luggage beside Niles.
Niles rarely saw her out of her business attire, and her feminine, laid-back get-up was a refreshing sight. He had seen that dress on the beautiful Natalie Portman on the recent Dior Ad but it paled in comparison to the tall, long-legged blond before him, but despite her being easy to look at, this did not sway him to take care of her enormous luggage.
"I am not your butler. Besides, I am on vacation. I am not here for your every beck and call," he snapped at the infuriating woman as he stepped out of her limo.
Her eyes furrowed, "B…but you invited me to this trip…"
"Doesn't mean I'll be your servant on this trip. We are both on vacation, we are out of the Sheffield house and so it means you are not my boss' business partner. I am not bound by duty to serve you, CC," he said, relishing her name on his lips. How he loved saying her name, he had often wanted to but never found an appropriate time.
CC gasped. "CC! What happened to Ms. Babcock?"
"Out of the Sheffield house, we are equal, CC," he said with a glint of amusement. How he loved saying her name.
"Can't you see my luggage is thrice as big as yours," she protested.
"Then you shouldn't have brought everything but the kitchen sink," he told her wryly.
She turned to her chauffer and was about to tell her chauffer to take care of her luggage when Niles, reading her intention, told her, "Non-passengers are not allowed beyond this point. You must pull your own luggage. Hurry., the check-in counter will close in a few minutes. You were late in picking me up."
With that, Niles hurriedly walked inside the airport, leaving CC behind with her enormous Louis Vuitton luggage.
Begrudgingly, CC had no choice but to hastily follow. How he loathed the man! Just because he looked dandy in his light blue coat over his polo shirt and trousers did not give him the right to snap at her.
"What are you rushing for? I have checked us in online, slow down, for heaven's sake," yelled CC.
Thirty minutes later, they were both settled on their seats for the 8-hour flight, and the cabin crew served Niles a glass of red wine just before take-off, while CC on the other hand, soon fell asleep beside him. He was glad they were on an older aircraft that had 2 seats together in business class without the concave or cocoon like cover found in newer aircraft that would prevent him from easily watching CC as she slept.
He didn't know what prompted him to invite her. He must have suffered a temporary insanity when he invited her to go with him to London. What was he thinking bringing her to meet his parents, and worse bringing her to spend the holiday with them in their family home in Oxford. Can he survive to be alone with her for a week? They had only been together an hour and already they were at each other's throat arguing about every little thing.
Still unable to believe CC was spending the holiday with him, he remembered how he invited her on this trip.
They were both in the kitchen, enjoying their respite after insulting each other just moments ago. She was eating the last slice of apple pie with vanilla sauce that Sylvia Fine somehow did not wolf down, while he was cleaning up Ms. Babcock's coffee, he spiked with cayenne pepper that Ms. Babcock had spit out when suddenly their eyes met, surprising himself, he blurted out, "Would you like to spend the holiday with me in London?"
Even more surprising was her immediate answer, "Sure. Why not?"
They were both surprised with themselves that they stared at each other, speechless for a minute or two.
"Are you going to take it back?" asked CC.
Niles replied, "No, are you?"
"Not if you won't?" said CC, still looking into his eyes.
"No, I won't," he said.
"Then, it's settled," they both said in unison.
Embarrassed, they both averted their gaze and CC left the kitchen.
Perfectly relaxed, enjoying his wine, Niles continued to watch CC beside him.
CC must have been exhausted from all that argument they have been having since this morning she fell asleep.
If only she could just remain asleep forever like Sleeping Beauty, that way he can just enjoy looking at her without having the pains of arguing with her. Everyone was looking at the spectacular view out the window as the plane took off, but Niles chose to watch the beautiful but irritating woman beside him as he savored his red wine. Was she wearing make-up? Her long lashes were a shade or two darker than her ash blond hair. He always called her a brunette which she never disputed, yet he was almost certain she was a natural blond, her complexion was nice peaches and cream, and her lips were a pale pink that seemed to be inviting him for a kiss. She turned to her side, hugging the pillow provided by the airline, showing off her enticing womanly curves. He would always question her femininity by calling her a man, which she took head on without a word, yet with the hourglass figure she possessed no one question just how much of a woman she was.
The stewardess handed her the menu. Unlike in coach where he was just asked if he wanted pork or chicken, or rice or pasta, in business class he was given a menu to choose from an array of appetizers, main courses, and desserts. He told the stewardess he would just dine the moment his companion woke up so they could eat together.
