❥SARAH❥

"Up early, aren't you?" Sam yawned, sauntering into my room.

After the regrettable one-night stand and the mortifying aftermath of calling 'he who must not be named,' after the boring sex. I made a swift exit from his apartment, refusing to look back. Three months would be the next time our paths crossed.

"I got a call from Alex," I announced, retrieving the remaining items from my closet.

"And?" Sam stretched her arms, padding over to my bed and settling in, her sleepy eyes betraying her reluctance to fully wake.

"I need to head to the airport," I paused before continuing, "My contract starts today."

She sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. After a moment of silence, she inquired, "Need a ride?"

I shook my head, "No," gesturing for a hug, "I need a goodbye embrace."

Without hesitation, she rushed to me, wrapping me in her comforting embrace. "This isn't a goodbye hug," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion, barely holding back tears.

I felt my own emotions bubbling to the surface, "It isn't?"

Her nod was firm, "Absolutely," she chuckled, "Think of it as a SYITMAYGTM Hug."

Pulling back, I chuckled along with her, "A what?"

"A 'See You in Three Months after You Get the Money Hug,' obviously," she clarified.

We shared a moment of laughter before I shook my head, "You're crazy."

"Of course, I'm your crazy," she teased, wiggling her eyebrows mischievously.

"Obviously," I replied, rolling my eyes. I zipped up my luggage, grateful there were only two bags. If need be, I could always splurge on more clothes. After all, I was headed to a palace; perhaps a ball gown would be necessary? I'd consult Alex later.

Sam hailed an Uber, and within minutes, we were outside our apartment. "Call me once you're there, and take lots of pictures," she reminded me as the driver helped stow my bags in the trunk.

Something important came in mind."Oh, and don't forget to—"

"See James once a week," she finished my sentence, a smirk playing on her lips. "I know, I'm not that forgetful," she teased.

She anticipated my next thought before I could voice it, "Okay, maybe I am a little forgetful, but not that much. I promise I'll visit him; he's my brother too."

I smiled, "Of course he is."

Glancing at my watch, I noted it was 7:30. With any luck, it would only take another thirty minutes to reach the airport, provided the city's notorious traffic cooperated.

But alas, that was wishful thinking in this city.

"I have to go; see you later," we shared one last hug before I climbed into the Uber. A heavy sigh escaped me as I settled in, realizing I was about to be thrust into a world of royalty and political intrigue.

And undoubtedly, drama.

"This better be worth it," I murmured to myself, gazing out the window and relishing the brief moment of tranquility before the chaos of my new reality unfolded.

.....

It felt like an eternity. An entire hour spent in the Uber, the fare leaving me reeling. I practically bolted out of the car, hastily transferring the exorbitant sum to the driver's account. A sharp intake of breath escaped me as I surveyed my surroundings, seeking any indication of opulence. And then, there it was.

And oh, my.

"Saraaaah!" A familiar voice pierced through the crowd, accompanied not only by the sound of her shrill scream but also by the imposing figures of her guards.

This was unmistakably royal territory.

Summoning a facade of confidence, I forced a smile despite the creeping panic. Clutching my luggage tightly, I made my way toward her. My steps faltered when I noticed two burly men, unmistakably similar to the guards I had seen before, silently taking hold of my belongings and guiding them away from the airport.

"I thought we were leaving now," I ventured, perplexed, as Alex approached.

"Of course," she replied with a smile, "but first, we need to head to the hangar."

Hangar? What on earth was a hangar?

As it turned out, a hangar was where they housed airplanes and, more importantly, private jets. I didn't need Google to inform me of this; Alex's guidance sufficed as she led me toward the expansive warehouse behind the airport. Inside, the scene was nothing short of astonishing: planes, helicopters, jets—all waiting for their next adventure.

I couldn't help but marvel at one particular jet, its dark green hue exuding an air of mystery that captivated me.

"Isn't it breathtaking?" a deep voice startled me from behind. I spun around to find Christopher, his gaze fixed on the jet with an unmistakable pride.

"The jet? It's stunning, isn't it?" he remarked, his eyes alight with enthusiasm. "It took some maneuvering to acquire it, Sarah. You have to be quite resourceful in this world to get what you desire."

His gaze bore into mine, sending a jolt of confusion through me. Fuck. The way he said my name had my head spinning momentarily before my contract obligations snapped me back to reality.

"Indeed, Christopher," I managed, blinking rapidly as I turned to Alex, who appeared visibly weary of her brother's flirtatious demeanor.

"Sarah, shall we?" she interjected, her tone conveying impatience. I nodded, stealing one last glance at Christopher before following Alex toward the jet.

What harm was there in admiring him from afar? After all, she only warned me against sleeping with him.

As we approached the private jet, my nerves started to intensify. How was I supposed to tell them that I had never been on a plane, let alone a private jet? My entire life had been confined to this city, and while I had dreams of traveling, the reality of the situation was hitting me hard.

My eyes widened as I stepped inside. It exceeded all my expectations. Polished wood accents gleamed under soft lighting, while plush leather seats beckoned with irresistible comfort. Crystal glassware adorned mahogany tables, adding a touch of refinement to the opulent surroundings. It was more than just a mode of transportation; it was a sanctuary of extravagance, a glimpse into a world of wealth and privilege.

It felt like I transported into the movie 'Crazy Rich Asians'

I found the nearest seat and strapped myself in, trying my best to appear calm and collected. Christopher, who had been preoccupied with the jet earlier, took a seat across from me. His eyes met mine, and a flicker of recognition passed between us. It was as if he saw something beyond the facade I had constructed.

The engines roared to life, and the jet taxied down the runway. My heart raced as the plane accelerated, and soon we were airborne. The feeling of weightlessness and the sight of the ground falling away sent a mix of excitement and fear coursing through my veins.

I had always been a creature of habit, comfortable in my familiar surroundings. The thought of being thousands of feet above ground in a metal tube was unnerving.

"Breathe, Sarah," I heard someone whisper, my eyelids fluttering open. The room seemed to spin for a moment before settling into focus. Christopher, the source of my trepidation, was beside me. I half expected him to notice the fear that had gripped me moments ago and tease me mercilessly, setting the stage for a playful revenge. But instead, his expression was one of genuine concern.

"I am," I managed to reply, my voice a fragile thread of sound.

He chuckled softly, his laughter washing over me like a warm breeze. His teeth, gleaming white in the dimly lit room, were strikingly attractive. Yet, despite their allure, I couldn't help but feel a sense of caution.

His laughter subsided, and he cast a quick glance around the room. Alex was nowhere to be seen, and the guards stationed at the periphery stood rigidly, like statues. It was clear that we were alone.

Raising an eyebrow, Christopher wore a mischievous grin that danced on his lips. "Oh really?" he murmured, his voice deepening. The sound sent shivers down my spine, igniting a fire within me.

In an attempt to regain my composure, I averted my gaze, fixating on the glass of red wine before me as if it held the secrets of the universe.

I had to stay focused. This was no mere dalliance to be taken lightly.

But my thoughts were abruptly interrupted as I felt a gentle touch on my face, coaxing it back to his direction.

I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat making it difficult to breathe. This had to be some kind of test or game.

"Why did you turn away from me, Sarah?" he asked, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. Leaning in closer, his hand still cupping my chin, he held my gaze captive.

"Maybe I grew tired of looking at you," I retorted, mustering a smirk and leaning toward him, my voice laced with defiance. "You know, girls get tired of seeing things that annoy them, and you..." I paused, letting the tension hang in the air, "...are hella annoying."

A flicker of surprise crossed his face, but he quickly recovered, withdrawing his hand from my chin and letting it trail slowly down my neck. My breath caught in my throat, my body ablaze as his piercing gaze remained locked with mine.

His hand came to a halt, hovering over the space between my breasts, teasingly close to where desire pulsed within me. The temptation to moan was almost unbearable.

"Should I show you just how annoying I can be?" he whispered, his voice laced with a promise that sent a delicious shiver down my spine.

"Okay who wants a drink—"

Then daydream snapped.

This is absolutely torture.