Invest In Me

Chapter 8

Did she love him? That was the hardest question to answer and it was definitely not meant for a cold floor in a bathroom. But the situation was as it was and Bella had to accept it. The answer, though, was clear and doubtless.

“Of course, I do, Tom. I love you more than anything. I only don’t know if love is always enough for everything,” she said lifting her head to look at him.

Thomas stared at her dark eyes and softly kissed her on the lips. “That’s all I wanted to hear, dear. I love you to the sky and back and I would do anything for you. You know that…”

“I want to go home, Tom.” And just like that she blurted it out. Her only wish haunting her the previous days. Now that she said it out loud it became clear that that was the main problem torturing her. “When I came to this city, I thought that I’ll stay for a month or so and then go back to my life. However, with our wedding and these events I… I got lost in this huge maze and I lost myself. I simply miss my house and my fields and Amy…”

They sat in silence together, their breathing the only reminder of their mutual presence. It was obvious that their minds were far away from the bathroom and the fundraising gala. Traveling somewhere they didn’t dare to say. As for her, she was floating above her small hometown, seeing familiar faces and cooking in her small kitchen. A faint shadow of her mom’s face passed before her, too, when she sensed warm hands on her face. Thomas captured it among his fingers, gently fondling her cheeks.

“I never wanted you to be unhappy. Never! And I’m sorry that everything turned out this way. Forgive me…” Thomas began.

“No. You forgive me. I ruined the gala and now everyone must think that I’m some lunatic and that we married just for the money and…”

“Shh… Don’t interrupt me. You know I don’t give a damn about those people inside and this circus we’re at… You’re the only thing that matters to me, Bella Graves. You and I,” Thomas said as a tear slid down her cheek again. He wiped it. “Just give me some time. A little more time and I’ll take care of everything. Okay?”

Bella nodded embracing him tight. He really put so much effort in them and their marriage. She scolded herself for not noticing that before and for even thinking that he forgot about her.

“Now I think it’s time for us to go home!” he added, helping her stand up. He observed as she washed her face and repaired her make-up, before they exited the bathroom hand in hand. To her surprise, Thomas didn’t lead her inside the gala’s celebration again. Instead, they went outside and in the car.

Without a word, he started the engine and drove off the parking lot. Instrumental music was playing on the radio, creating a relaxing atmosphere for the both of them. At better thought, driving across the busy streets had never been more pleasant to Bella. For a brief moment, she let go off her troubles and let her man lead the way. She was too tired, so her head involuntarily lowered down and her eyes closed.

*****

Bella didn’t know how much time had passed or where she was. The voices of Thomas and some other man were lulling her into a deeper dream. For some reason, she couldn’t and didn’t want to open her eyes. She just wanted to sleep. And her whole body felt like it was floating, so she let those feelings overwhelm her and focused on the words.

“Thank you, John,” Thomas was saying. His voice was mingled with some noise so it was hard for her to shape everything they talked about.

“You think that I’ll leave you alone. Silly you,” John told him and Thomas smiled. His adorable smile was impossible to ignore.

“No one needs to find out. You hear me? No one.”

“Even the investors?” John asked.

“No. Especially not them. Make up something. Lie to everyone. I don’t care,” Thomas insisted.

“Okay, okay, mate. Anything for you. Look… Here’s everything you asked for. I brought it from the house… And the documents…”

Wait. The house? What was happening? Where were they now? Were they still in the car?

“I will never forget this. I owe you a lot,” Thomas spoke closing the door. The door to what?

Bella slowly separated her eyelids, but the sharp pain in her head didn’t let her open them completely. She rubbed her temples grunting and that seemed to attract her husband’s attention.

His warm breath was on her face as he whispered in her ear. “The alcohol doesn’t do you any good, Mrs. Graves. Here. Have a drink of this.” He lifted the top of her body a little so that she could sit. Her head was still killing her.

Without looking at him, she grabbed the cup he offered and drank the liquid in it. Herbal tea that burned her throat and she liked it. Just when she wanted to ask what was happening, she sensed something in her stomach. Like it was rising and her guts were turning upside down. Instinctively, she clutched Thomas’ hand and glued to his body.

“W-w…” she muttered.

“I hope you’re not afraid of flying.” Thomas smiled from next to her capturing her body in his embrace. “I’m here, don’t worry. It’ll pass any minute now.” And it truly did a moment later, leaving Bella all sweaty and panting.

“Am I dreaming? W-where are we, Tom? What…” It was then that she looked around her for the first time. She was in a cabin, with Thomas sitting on the small couch next to her. A buzzing sound was deafening to her ears and the whole place was moving. They were indeed flying.

“Welcome to one of your helicopters, dear,” Thomas said excitedly, placing the cup of tea on the stand beside them.

“I have a helicopter? But what the hell are we doing in a helicopter? Tomorrow we have to be at the mayor’s birthday and…” Bella said frantically as things were coming back to her all at once. She guessed that she was playing the game for so long that she had memorized all the upcoming events.

“I’m kidnapping you,” Thomas teased her, laughing. “We’re running away! Far, far away from everything and everyone! Did you forget what I told you back at our first date? I hate the city as much as you. Maybe even more!” He clapped excitedly and she couldn’t help it but laugh herself.

He had gone crazy. Or was he drunk, too? How could they run away just like that and for such a short time?

“I told you to give me some time. And you did and then you fell asleep in the car. With John’s help, bless him, I arranged everything, packed our stuff in three suitcases and boarded us on the helicopter. It’s as simple as that…” Thomas explained waving his hands. He looked so different. Like he was relieved of some huge burden that didn’t allow him to rejoice at anything.

“You’re serious? Oh my God, you’re serious. I can’t believe that you did this for me, honey. I… I never knew that I meant so much to you. I thought…” she muttered.

“You are my world, Bella. And besides, didn’t I tell you back in the bathroom that it’s time for us to go home? I meant the real home. The south,” he exclaimed opening his hands wide and Bella screamed from happiness, throwing herself over him.

“You’re… You’re… I have no words. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” She planted kisses on every part of him she could reach making him giggle and hug her tighter. She was so happy. Happier than she had ever been before. Thomas made her dream come true. She was with the man she loved most going to the place she loved most. Could it get any better than that?

“Who knows what the pilot thinks about us? Shouting here like children!” Bella said, still smiling. Her headache was long forgotten.

“He’s our employee. He’ll think whatever we like.”

“You’re so mean,” she said playing with his hair.

“Want to see how mean I truly am?” He grinned gently pushing her down on the sofa.

However, all good things must come to an end, and the knock of the pilot on the cabin’s door reminded them of that. By the looks of it, it was time for landing.