"Sir, wake up. We're already in the Philippines."
I quickly opened my eyes when I felt someone tapping my shoulder. Without thinking, I slapped the hand away.
I frowned when I saw the startled expression of the stewardess.
"What?" I asked in an annoyed tone.
It's her fault anyway—she scared the hell out of me.
"I-I'm sorry, sir. You're the only one left inside the plane, so I had to wake you up," she said gently, though her fear was still evident.
I looked around. She was right. I was the only person left.
I rolled my eyes at her, got up from my seat, and didn't say another word as I stormed off the plane.
When I opened my phone, the wallpaper greeted me, and a smile immediately formed on my lips.
I quickly opened the message app, eager to see if he had replied.
But my smile faded when I saw that he hadn't. Not even a single message.
I had sent him a text before my flight… he didn't even bother to open it.
Did he change his number?
Impossible. I got his latest number from Stacey, our high school friend.
I stared at the screen, reading my message over and over again:
Ravi: My flight is today, I'm staying in the Philippines for good. Wanna fetch me up?
I typed again and hit send:
Ravi: Got here already. I'm waiting :(
I sighed deeply. I had no idea if he was actually coming, but I was still hoping.
I'd wait for him no matter how long it takes.
But maybe fate was testing me because I had been waiting at the airport for four hours now, and still no sign of him.
I bit my lower lip—a habit of mine whenever I felt anxious.
Does he not care about me anymore?
My chest tightened at the thought. I ran my fingers through my hair and blinked rapidly to keep the tears from falling.
This isn't the right time for negative thoughts.
Maybe he is coming. I'll just wait a little longer.
I leaned back in the chair, eyes gazing at the ceiling. Even if I had to wait all night, I wouldn't leave.
I wanted to show him that I wasn't the same Ravi he used to know. I had changed—for good.
But my train of thought came to a halt when I suddenly felt someone standing in front of me.
My heart skipped a beat, and I immediately looked down to see who it was.
But I was only disappointed.
"What the fuck? You were here all along? I've been looking everywhere for you," snapped a guy I didn't even know, glaring at me.
What the hell? Who is this guy?
I frowned. "Don't curse at me. I don't even know you," I replied, mimicking his expression. I was annoyed too.
He clicked his tongue in irritation, still glaring. His whole demeanor pissed me off.
"Well, brat, I know your dad. He's the one who told me to get you out of here. So before I lose my temper, you better come with me."
Brat? Did he just call me brat?
I was relatively calm earlier, but now I was getting seriously irritated.
I looked him up and down without shame. If it weren't for that intense face, he could probably sweep any girl off her feet here at the airport.
He was six feet tall, tan skin, thick eyebrows, and a sharp nose. There was a noticeable mole near his upper lip and an ear piercing that added to his bad boy image.
Not gonna lie—he's a catch.
But I'm not tolerating that attitude. I hate guys like him.
I glared. "If you're trying to rob me, I'll just give you my money. How much do you want?" I said as I reached for my wallet.
He didn't really look like a thief, but better safe than sorry. He was still a stranger.
He stared at me with disbelief.
"Unbelievable," he muttered, then quickly pulled out his phone.
He tapped on it for a few seconds and then showed me the screen.
I squinted at the messages—and then my eyes widened in shock.
"Now do you believe me?" he asked smugly.
It was my dad's number. How the hell did he have it? Who is this guy? How does he know my dad?
"Now that you know I'm telling the truth, let's get out of here. I have more important things to do than babysit you," he added, which only confused me more.
But I didn't have time to figure it out—I just needed him gone.
"No," I said firmly, still glaring.
"What?" he asked in disbelief, his frown deepening.
"I said no! I'm not going with you!" I snapped.
"Don't be a brat! If it weren't for that old man, I wouldn't even be here!!"
"Then leave! I didn't ask you to come!"
"As if I had a choice?! I should've left you here!"
"I don't care! I'm not coming with you!"
"And why the hell not?!" he shouted, veins popping from his neck in frustration.
"Because you're ugly! U-G-L-Y!" I yelled, sticking my tongue out at him. Take that, you piece of shit.
"What the—ME? Ugly?! Are you blind?" he asked, clearly offended.
"I'm not blind. You're just plain ugly!" I shot back, even if it wasn't true. I just wanted to piss him off enough to make him leave.
He took a deep breath, probably trying to calm himself.
But I wasn't calming down.
"You're really getting on my nerves, brat," he muttered, now seemingly composed.
—or so I thought.
Both our eyes widened when he suddenly grabbed me by the wrist.
Shit. Good thing I was holding onto the armrest.
"Let me go! This is harassment! I'll sue you!" I shouted, gripping the chair for dear life.
"Let go, or I'll drag you out of here!" he threatened—and I gulped. He wasn't joking.
"I don't want to! Help! This guy is harassing me!" I yelled, hoping someone would intervene.
"Don't mind us, we're just having a lover's quarrel," he explained to the onlookers. My eyes went wide.
They looked at us—some were smirking, others frowning, some laughing, and a few actually recording us.
You've got to be kidding me—THEY BELIEVE THIS GUY?!
I was dying of embarrassment, but even if I looked like a fool, I still wasn't going with him.
I'll wait. I know Lhiam will find me.
This guy is just being annoying.
"Let go, damn it! You're so persistent!" I screamed as he kept pulling.
It felt like my arm was about to snap.
"I don't want to! Ugly, ugly, UGLY!" I yelled just to spite him.
"Fuck you, brat!"
"Fuck you too!"
We both froze when his phone suddenly rang.
He let go of me and answered the call. I let out a breath of relief but didn't release the armrest—just in case.
"Where are you now, Elijah?" said a deep, old voice on the other end.
So his name is Elijah? Sounds holy, but he looks like a criminal.
"Still at the airport," he answered flatly.
"What? Where's Ravi? Is he with you?"
"Yeah."
"Good. Make sure to take him to your condo safely."
My eyes narrowed. Condo?
"Yeah yeah, bye," Elijah muttered and hung up.
I stood frozen for a moment.
What was that?! Take me to his condo?
Is this my dad's doing?
Before I could grab my phone from my bag, two strong arms wrapped around my waist and effortlessly lifted me like a sack.
"What the fuck?! Let me go, you ugly shithead!" I yelled, squirming violently in his grip.
"My head's not ugly, brat. It's pink," he said with a smirk.
My mouth dropped open in horror.
"Pervert!!" I screamed.
And he just laughed like a maniac.
Then he slapped my ass.
I hate this guy.