I do not like plane rides at all. Even with my AirPods stuck in, I couldn't wave off the discomfort rising in my stomach.

Meanwhile, Xavier sitting across me looks like he's having the time of his life. Headphones, music, eyes closed, curly black hair shielding most part of his face.

Even at that, he has a smirk on his face.

"Take a picture, I won't sue."

Scrunching up my nose, I scoff. "I'll pass."

He cracks open a eye. His left one, the multi-coloured one. "You look ready to pass out."

"I don't like flying." I look around, the couple of people seated in the first class part of the plane are relaxed, most even sleeping.

Xavier pushes his headphones down to rest around his neck. "Let's play twenty questions then." He suggests.

"Fine. No stupid questions are allowed though."

"Agreed. What are your major turn-offs?" He starts.

"Pride, chewing with your mouth open, tight spaces, tiny holes, dog-eared books, e. t. c. What about you?"

He stretches his legs. "Loud people, foul language, indecent dressing."

Good to know.

"Foul language? You look like the type to swear a lot." I note.

Xavier nods. "Don't judge a book by its cover, Hazel. Any allergies?"

"Pollen grain, onions, peas, curry... there are about twenty of them."

His jaws drop open and I try not to focus on his appealing lips for too long. "That's a lot of things."

"And another thing I'm allergic to, is bullshit. "

That sends him into a laughing fit and I join him.

Fifteen questions later, my eyelids could barely stay open and I surrendered to a deep sleep.

Next time I wake up, it's to the pilot's voice announcing that we had landed in Canberra, Australia.

The walk from the plane to the main airport terminal takes about twenty minutes. And waiting for our bags takes an extra fifteen.

By the time we're done, Xavier leads me outside to a waiting luxury car with tinted glasses. He puts our bags in the trunk and as soon as we settle in, the female chauffeur steers out of the airport.

"You must be Hazel." She says, looking at me through the rearview mirror.

I offer a polite smile. "Hazel. That's me. And you are..."

"Diana. Xavier's personal driver and best friend." She explains.

Shocked, I glance at Xavier for confirmation but he only rolls his eyes.

"Yes, he can be a tool and a jerk some times, so you better watch out." Diana jokes.

Now that I look, I identify her youthful features. Vivid red hair in a bun, mesmerising eyes the colour of maple syrup and an oval brown  face dotted with freckles, graced with full glossy lips and a pinched nose.

"This is your first time in Australia right?" Diana questions me.

I nod, staring outside at the unfamiliar environment. "Yep."

My phone dings with notifications and messages yet unopened.

"Once you're rested, I could take you on a small tour."

As I would notice, Diana love a good chat. Never a quiet moment with her.

"Better keep her away from the giant spiders and kangaroos." Xavier adds, checking on my horrified expression.

I lick my lips. "Giant spiders?"

Diana grins. "Don't be scared."

I'm one second away from canceling my stay in Australia.

Xavier shoots me one last judgemental look before raising his phone to talk to someone who just called. "Yeah. We're almost home."

My eyes widen. I was supposed to call my friends and family.

My fingers work so fast in messaging all of them instead, dad, mum, Blake and then the group chat.

Gemma sent me a picture of all four of them seated on my bed and looking miserable together.

hAzE: you guys look awful  😖 (6:35p.m)

DetectiveBradley: that's because we miss you, stupid

Gemma: Shawn has been moping like a puppy since you left.

I wipe a wandering tear drop with the neck of my shirt. I miss all of them already.

Xavier snickers and I fling him a glare.

"What's funny?" I demand.

He shakes his head. "You're such a girl."

Okay, I'm not going to waste my time exchanging words with this one. Because, I'm tired, hungry and homesick.

"Fair warning, Xavier. Do not talk to me whenever I'm hungry, I could claw your eyes out." I advise him, amused by how he pales and Diana starts chuckling.

"Sounds like something Desdemona would do." She says.

Desdemona?

One of the names I utterly detest.

"Who's Desdemona?" I query, out of curiousity.

"Xavier's cat. She's a feisty little beast-" As soon as Diana got this statement out, Xavier stretches his left leg and pokes her in the head.

Diana grins. "-like her owner."

♀♀♀

It's already dark when we arrive at Charleville, and at the Bergdahl territory.
It's a large stretch of land, I could estimate using the light from several lamp poles illuminating the estate.

Finally, Diana parks in front of a glamorous black glass house.

I give it to the designers of this magnificent structure.

"So, Hazel, do you have a bucket list?" Diana asks, coming to the trunk and helping with my boxes.

Xavier groans. "Do you never stop talking?

Diana grins, doing a stretch. "Ah!  The weather's so moist this evening."

I scrunch up my nose, not fully understanding the change of topic. Xavier looks revolted.

"Diana..." He warns.

She grins. "What? It's so moist, moist, moist."

Xavier groans and storms off inside the building. I stare at Diana for an explanation.

"Xavier doesn't like the word ‘moist’ ”

I chortle, following her up to the automatic sliding doors and into a lobby where we leave our shoes.

Underneath my feet, the wooden floor radiates a welcoming warmth.

Just as we're walking past the spacious living room with comfy looking black sofas that look more like beds, a tall man emerges from somewhere on our right.

He looks like he's in his thirties, and utterly handsome.

"Hazel, right?"

I manage a smile. "Yes?"

"My name's Tony, I'm Xavier's brother. You're welcome to Australia." He says, holding out a hand which I accept.

“Thanks.”

Oh no, I think the temperature went a bit off right there.

okay, another one dropped.
what are your thoughts?