Chapter 357 All Aboard

Ella

Boarding the plane should have filled me with a sense of accomplishment and relaxation from knowing that we had made it and only needed to lay back now that we were on our way, but it didn’t.

I had never been an easy flyer. Ever since I was a kid, airplanes-and the thought of those airplanes crashing to the ground from thousands of feet up in the air-had freaked me out more than anything else. I never had any issues when it came to climbing trees, scraping up my body, training, or the dark, but airplanes? That was a whole different beast in and of itself.

My parents often had to bribe me with treats and promises that everything would be okay in order for me to get on an airplane, and despite the fact that we flew at least once a year in comfortable first-class seating, I had always been anxious.

Pretty much up until I hit twelve or thirteen, I had to spend flights being held by either my father or Moana. And once I was too old to do that, I still often found myself gripping both of their hands like my life depended on it. Thankfully, neither of them ever complained, and I always appreciated their support.

But I always envied Daisy, who never batted an eye at flights. While she would spend the flights gazing out the window in wonder at the clouds and mountaintops, I was sitting there with my stuffed duck clutched tightly to my chest and my eyes squeezed shut so hard you would need to use a vise to pry them open.

This time was no different. With age, I had managed to refine the art of pretending not to be perturbed even though I was utterly terrified. Squeezing my eyes shut was replaced by a silk eye mask covering my fear. Gripping my parents’ hands was replaced by gripping the armrests in such a way so as not to appear tense.

But as the flight attendant waved me toward my seat, the terror only began to mount even further.

Meanwhile, Logan trailed effortlessly behind me in his usual manner, seemingly unaffected by the sense of fear that was crushing me from all sides. He looked around, appreciating the luxury with an approving nod as if this were all completely normal to him-which, given his affluent upbringing, it probably was.

He joked with the flight attendant, who he instantly referred to by name-Monica-and his charisma was infectious. I, however, stayed silent, wholly focused on my legs not giving out from my fear.

2A and 2B. I let out a soft sigh as I fumbled with my seatbelt, my hands betraying a slight tremor

fine,” I lied, gently swatting his hand away. “I’ve

look before continuing to fasten my seatbelt. With his hands this close to my body, I felt a tremor work its way through my muscles. I had to quickly look away to hide the flush that was creeping

wore that impish grin like armor, deflecting any actual

of times,” I retorted, feeling a flicker of annoyance.

“If you say so.”

life, a cheerful voice announcing our imminent departure. My heart began to race as the engines roared, a

could stop myself, my fingers dug into Logan’s arm with a vise-like grip. He chuckled. “Easy there, Ella. You’re gonna leave

flushed with embarrassment as I realized what I had done, and I quickly withdrew my hand,

getting us these first-class seats, you know. Least you could do

looking as though she had just stepped out of

glasses of red wine, please,” Logan said with

This early?” I murmured as

“Don’t complain.

two crystal glasses filled with ruby-red liquid. I took a sip, hoping the wine would act as liquid courage, or at the very least, a temporary placebo. It was rich and smooth, trailing warmth down my throat and into my stomach.

button, and a privacy partition rose up between our seats and

said, looking ridiculously pleased with himself. “Now you can take out your stuffed duck. I promise you’ll be

a deeper shade of crimson. “I don’t know what

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