Eight Weeks Ago

Sunday Morning

The masquerade party last night was totally unexpected.

The world is so much bigger than I ever thought. People are into some crazy extracurricular activities. Never thought I'd be one to participate in anything like that.

I sit back and lounge on the red sectional on Phoenix's private balcony. The early morning sky meets the ocean, as it swims in swirls of blue, peach, butterscotch, and French vanilla. I'll miss South Beach and their wonderful bathing suit weather.

It's the last morning of our getaway. Phoenix and the guys stepped out to get groceries. They're making breakfast for us girls. I couldn't ask for a better ending to such a phenomenal vacation. Feeling the need to capture this incredible feeling of love and gratitude, I grab my journal.

Journal Entry 320:

He Loves Me

I float without trying

My feet won't touch the ground

Everything around me hovers

Surrounded by fluffy clouds

My entire world is weightless

And gravity is null

He's won a huge part of me

Shot straight to my soul

And here we are, we two

The laws of physics don't apply

I'm filled to the brim, elated

To give in and to oblige

To be the world's first exception

To gravity's strict rule

I'll gleefully take the bait

And become Love's mule

Effervescent and bubbly

And lovely and light

The world and everything in it

Is right and in it I delight

In the world and everything in it

Because all is right

____________________

Phoenix and I walk with our fingers interlaced. We're leaving Miami, a premier couple more in love than ever. A warm breeze presses my flouncy, white sundress against my behind and thighs. Holding my brand-new straw fedora to my head, I glance back to see Mia and Penelope's content smiling faces.

"Aren't your cheeks rosy!" Mia pokes at me.

"What a beautiful day! Who wouldn't be smiling on a day like this?"

"Yeah, but there's something extra in that smile of yours." Penelope eyes Phoenix. She mouths, "He put it down, didn't he?"

"Huh?" I ask, faking my own ignorance. Turning around, I give Phoenix a sweet peck on the cheek.

"Uh-huh," I hear them both say simultaneously followed by girly giggles.

JC, Riz and Nixon snigger. Sheila huffs.

Phoenix turns around confused by all the noise. "What?"

Getting no response, just snickering, he turns around.

The jet looms in the near distance, getting larger and larger as we approach. Finally, the behemoth is towering over us. The flight attendant greets everyone as we board the private jet.

"Welcome aboard. Did you have a lovely trip?"

"We did, Brianne. Thanks for asking. How long till we get back?" Phoenix checks his Breitling watch for the time.

"A little under three hours, sir. Should be a smooth ride. Can I get you anything to start off?" She looks around at all of us.

"The usual is fine."

"Sure thing, Mr. Prescott."

Brianne takes everyone's order. We spread out. Everyone seems to want privacy.

After last night, I can imagine.

Phoenix and I take seats in the middle. Penelope and JC sit towards the front at a table. Mia and Riz sit near the front in the corner by a window. Leon sits closest in front with Brianne behind the cockpit and Nixon and Sourpuss Sheila sit behind us, closest to the restroom.

Not sure if she's feeling any better today, but I'm steering clear.

Turning away from the window to face Phoenix, I pull up the armrest and hook both of my legs onto his. "I've got my hooks into you and I'm not letting go."

"Good, I don't want you to."

Just as he's about to kiss me, his phone rings. He looks at the screen to see who it is and immediately, his demeanor changes. Getting a quick glance of the screen myself, I see a name. Nora. He unhooks my legs. "Gotta take this. Be right back." He gets up and walks away.

Nora? Who is that? Rolling my eyes, I'm really starting to hate that phone. A little peeved, I get up and head for the restroom.

It's occupied.

Someone is heaving this morning's breakfast and yesterday's lunch and dinner.

What a shame, Sourpuss Sheila.

The toilet flushes. Water runs. The green vacant sign is back on.

Sheila comes out, wiping her mouth with a napkin. She looks up and is startled by me. For a brief second, her guard is down, and I feel pity for her but then, she straightens out her hair and that evil glint returns to her eyes.

"It's back to reality. Will he still be into you, now that the party's over? Remember my words," she taunts me as she takes her seat.

Ew! That woman! What's her problem?

When I return Phoenix is sitting rubbing his goatee, seemingly lost in deep thought. "You heard what I said to you last night in the throne room?"

"Everything alright?" I ask confused by his question. I grab my phone off the armrest near him. I could've sworn I left it sitting near the window. There's a new text.

"Can I see you? We need to talk." – Troy

Hmm. I wonder what that's about. When I look up and into Phoenix's eyes, something has changed.

A hood now covers his vulnerability. He hides behind a forced smile. "Yeah, it's fine. Just some things I gotta take care of once we touch ground."

Suddenly, he seems distant. Was it the call? Or could it be the text from Troy? "Are you sure you're alright?"

He pats me on my leg. "I'm fine."

Only it doesn't feel like it.

____________________

A/N: Hey Guys and Gals! Sheila can be a real b*tch, but do you think there's any truth to her cryptic conversation with Aria? Please Vote, Comment and Follow! Love you guys!