AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter three
Paige
Ican feel myself unwinding. I’m not nearly as panicked as I was back in LA. The last few weeks I’ve been on pins and needles, just waiting for my father to send me away. Now that I can see the Nebraska cornfields out the window, I can finally breathe. If I’m lucky, my parents are going to assume I’m still in bed. I know they won’t bother me.
Unless, security let them know about my grand escape hours ago. I had to hope and pray they didn’t know I was missing yet. I wanted to reach for my phone and see if there were any texts or phone calls. I was so used to spending my time scrolling Instagram. I had thought to sleep on the flight, but I was too anxious. One of the reasons I opted to fly out of California was because I didn’t want to risk anyone following me. But weirdly enough, I found myself constantly looking out the window to make sure no one was following us.
Yes, I was being ridiculous, but this was my life. I had lived a very spoiled life. I was pampered and given everything I wanted. I never had to worry about money. I was my parents’ princess. I suppose that’s why I never questioned their control over my life. I still got to do whatever I wanted. I spent my late teens and early twenties partying, clubbing and shopping. No one encouraged me to work. I wish I could have seen what was happening. But I had been in the moment surrounded by my rich and famous friends who all had similar lifestyles. We were the offspring of movie stars, CEO’s and wealthy families that doted on us. My friend group was shrinking by the day. Some had overdosed, a few were in rehab, and others had simply disappeared into thin air. It was like we were living in a bubble that was bound to burst at any moment, and I needed to get out before it did.
My parents weren’t interested in removing me from the bubble. They just wanted to shift my role in the bubble. When I understood what was happening, reality came crashing down. That’s when I knew being a pampered princess came with strings. Someone else would be in charge of me. I would be a puppet and my future husband the puppet master.
I shudder thinking about it. I need to keep focused. My half-baked plan could implode at any second. This is not something I’ve ever done. I know there are probably loose ends that I left dangling, but I can only hope they don't unravel anytime soon. I need a little time to put some distance between me and LA. I know my life is going to look very different, but I tell myself it’s better than what happens if I stay home. I did try and find a way out of the country. Unfortunately, that was tougher to pull off than the movies implied. Although, I wasn’t going to dismiss it altogether.
I feel the plane dipping and look out the window once again. We’re landing. The airport I found to be flown to was pretty tiny. That was the idea. I had spent a lot of time looking for a place my parents would never think to look. A place I could land and disappear without worrying about cameras everywhere. It was in the middle of the country. Even if they did track me to Nebraska, which I knew was pretty likely once they hired an investigator, they had to find which way I went. It made me smile thinking about them chasing their tails.
The plane bounced, but not the typical jerking action I had come to expect from landings. He was a good pilot. The plane slows and eventually comes to a stop. I let out a sigh of relief and unfasten my seatbelt. The pilot appears, standing in front of the cockpit door. “Fifteen minutes early,” he smiles proudly. “How was the flight?”
I assume he’s asking how the flight is because he expects a tip. Am I supposed to tip a pilot? I’ve never been responsible for any of this. The family has a jet and a pilot that flies us around. I don’t know the protocol. When he rejects my tip, I don’t know if I should be offended or if I offended him.
I don’t care. It’s not like I’m going to ever see him again.
I grab my bag and half-carry, half-drag it towards the door. The bag is obnoxious. I try to get it down the narrow exit stairs but I’m bouncing off the railings. I nearly lose my balance more than once. I debate tossing it over the side and picking it up when I get down there.
“Can I please help?” Hunter said from behind me.
“I’m fine.”
“I don’t think you are,” he sighs. “Think of it as a safety issue. I can’t have you falling face first down the stairs. Once you’re on the tarmac, you’re not my responsibility, but until then, I’m going to insist you let me take your bag. You paid for the service. Just let me do it.”
I reluctantly hand over my bag to Hunter, feeling a strange mix of gratitude and annoyance at his persistence. As we make our way down the stairs, I steal a glance at him. His strong, capable hands easily handle my cumbersome bag. His confidence is evident in the way he moves, like he's used to taking charge of situations. I can't help but feel a twinge of curiosity about him.
Once we reach the bottom of the stairs, Hunter sets my bag down and turns to face me with a warm smile. "Welcome to Nebraska," he says, gesturing towards the vast expanse of land surrounding us.
“Thanks.”
As we walk through the small airport terminal, I can feel the weight of scrutiny from the few businessmen in suits waiting for their flights. The handsome pilot beside me exudes confidence, his presence commanding attention, while I do my best to appear calm and collected.
I slip on my oversized sunglasses, using them as a shield against the curious stares. It's a habit I've developed over the years—a way to hide behind a façade of indifference, even when my nerves are fraying at the edges.
I glance over at the pilot once again—Hunter. He’s very tall. The crisp white shirt he wore was tucked into the black slacks that were part of his uniform. He’s attractive. If I met him out at the club, I would absolutely hit on him. His blue eyes are ridiculously blue. His tanned skin and black hair make them look even bluer. I bet he’s the kind of guy that has a lady in every city. The flight attendants probably fight to get on his charters with the hopes of hooking up with him.
I suddenly realize what I’m thinking and stop myself. I sound like a jealous girlfriend. I don’t even know the man.
We step outside into the crisp morning air, the sun casting long shadows across the pavement. It smells like—dirt. And it could just be in my head, but I swear I can smell corn.
“Have a nice day,” Hunter says.
“You too,” I say with a tight smile.
I scan the area and spot my rental car. It’s a nondescript sedan from one of those private rental places. It's all part of the plan—to throw anyone off my trail in case they discover the false identity I used to book the flight.
I paid a hefty price for that ID. I got it from a sketchy dealer with a reputation for selling forged documents to desperate souls like me. The package deal came with two credit cards, both untraceable and ready to use. It's a risky move, but one I had to make in order to escape the life I once knew.
I look around, searching for any signs there might be someone waiting for me. I casually walk towards one of the other cars, testing to see if anyone is going to approach me. No one does. I glance back to the front doors and see the pilot on the phone as he leans against the wall.
Taking a deep breath, I walk towards the car. This is the final step. I’ll get in the car and drive like hell. With my suitcase trailing behind me, I quicken my pace, my palms slick with sweat. The car is my lifeline, my ticket to freedom. If I can just make it to the highway, I'm convinced everything will be fine. No one will find me. The car is reserved under my new name, paid for with my new credit card.
“Almost there,” I whisper to myself. “Just get in the car and be cool.”
