Chapter 23
994words
We arrived at an airport and boarded a private jet. Silly me for thinking that we would have a long drive. I forgot my boss was a billionaire; he had it all.
'Buckle up,' Halley said to me as she did hers.
I struggled with the seat belt for a bit utnil Mr. Hollen leaned in and did it correctly.
'Thanks,' I said coldly, feeling like a complete fool. I couldn't even put on a seat belt.
I hope I don't embarrass myself or Mr. Hollen at his company's auction this weekend. I was so inexperienced with such things. Do you go around greeting people? Do you bring them drinks? Do you shake hands with everyone there? What do you do?
'Are you okay?' Mr. Hollen asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.
'Yes, I'm fine.'
Then it dawned on me also that I was in a freaking plane. I had never been in a plane. I remembered how panicked I was in the elevator when I went for the interview at his company; now I was in his plane. If I was so scared of the elevator, shouldn't I be even more scared of the plane? I held my chest and swallowed hard as fright took over my body.
Halley noticed and smirked at me. 'First time flying Emma?' she asked in a teasing voice.
I nodded.
Mr. Hollen looked at me with what seemed like concern or confusion, I wasn't sure.
Thanks a lot Halley. She just had to put me on the spot again. But wasn't it obvious enough when I couldn't even put on the seat belt?
'Please fasten your seat belts and prepare for take off,' a voice spoke smoothly through the plane's intercom.
An air hostess walked towards us. 'Hello, may I offer you a drink?' she asked while resting her hand on Mr. Hollen's shoulder in a seductive manner.
So unprofessional.
Mr. Hollen looked up at her. 'Do you like this job?' he asked her calmly.
'Yes, I love it,' she smiled.
'Well, I suggest you take your hand off of me before I fire you.'
She held her mouth opened with surprise as she pulled away.
'I'm sorry E... I mean, Mr. Hollen,' she said, covering her embarrassment. 'Can I get you something to drink?' she asked again, putting back on a smile.
'What would you like to have?' he asked us.
'Ginger ale for me.'
'A glass of pinot noir,' Halley requested.
'Same as Halley,' Mr. Hollen said with a smile.
Now I felt like the odd one out. What the hell is pinot noir? It had to be a drink, but what exactly? I wanted to try it too if they both were having it but I was too afraid to change my order.
The hostess came back with three drinks. She served us then disappeared towards the cockpit.
'I love this wine,' Halley said taking a sip.
Oh so it's a wine.
'I like my ginger ale,' I said as I took a sip.
Mr. Hollen laughed lightly. 'Emma. Would you like to try it?'
'No, I don't like alcohol.'
I was amazed it only took us two hours to get from New York to Miami. How fast were we flying?
The plane ride was exciting. Mr. Hollen bonded with us as if we were his friends, not just his maids. He told us stories about his trips to different countries, the different aspects and cultures he'd learnt and the different languages he spoke. Halley even communicated with him in French, and I was impressed how fluent they were. I had no idea she spoke French, though I did realize she had a bit of an accent.
We arrived at a lovely beach house. Very modern, designed like the mansion, it was very welcoming. It was cute and just the perfect size, not too big or small.
'Welcome to my beach house. This is Vero Beach, by the way,' he said with a big smile as he unlocked the door and ushered us inside. I looked around in amazement like I did when I first got to his mansion in New York.
'So, Mr. H, the house is so nice, but it's not like you,' Halley said, setting down her luggage.
I thought it was rude of her to say such a thing.
'Why?' he asked as he checked the lights to make sure they were working.
'This house isn't too small for you?'
I gave her a small tap on the arm. She mouthed something to me.
'This is my get away Halley. All my life I had a standard to keep up and an image to protect. Everyone expects great things because of who I am and what I represent, but, contrary to popular belief, I'm a simple person. I love this beach house even more than I love the mansion.'
Halley looked at him with a bewildered look as if he had to be crazy to say that.
There wasn't a pool or a Jacuzzi like at the mansion. It was a simple cute beach house with a nice outdoor environment. I felt at peace with the house. It reminded me of myself. It was simple; it didn't need anything expensive to make it beautiful. It was beautiful on the inside and unique on the outside.
'Where are our rooms?' I asked, remembering I should work on my shyness.
'Upstairs, follow me.'
He showed us to the rooms.
I had a lovely view of the beach which was like right there. It was so awesome. And I had a view of the front yard on the other side.
Halley's room was at the far end and Mr. Hollen's room was right in the middle.
I looked at my phone: 2:00 p.m. I was hungry. I went down to the kitchen to prepare something to eat but there was a chef there preparing something that smelled so delicious. I greeted her and she gave me a warm smile.
