Chapter 2
Chapter Two
London
“Jerk,” I mumbled to myself as I walked away.
It didn’t matter that he was hot, like the hottest guy I’d seen in a long time.
Six foot two, nice build, short dark hair, five o’clock shadow, deep brown eyes, designer suit.
Uptight, cocky, rude, arrogant, egotistical, no respect.
I overheard his phone conversation. Who couldn’t?
I got the impression that he was all business all the time and that his life was nothing but work.
I had a gift for reading people, and I was never wrong.
Since I had some time to kill, I decided to grab a bite to eat.
Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge was near my gate, which was pretty crowded, but I managed to get the only small table they had left.
I saw that rude man arguing with the hostess while waiting for my breakfast.
“Hey.” I waved.
He glanced at me and walked over to my table.
“You’re more than welcome to sit at my table,” I said. “It is the only available seat in the place.”
“Breakfast with you?” His brow arched. “If you’re hungry, sit down.” His eye steadily narrowed at me for a moment.
“No thanks. You’ll expect something in return.” He turned and walked away.
I rolled my eyes and pulled out my phone.
After I finished eating, I figured I better use the restroom before boarding the plane.
There was a line, so I stood and waited.
After I was finished, I walked to my gate and noticed they had already started boarding.
I got in line, waited my turn, and boarded the plane.
Oh no. Dear God, no. He looked up from his phone as I sat down next to him.
“Oh, hell no. You’re on this flight?”
“Yes.” I smiled.
“In first class?”
“Yes. Would you like to see my ticket? When I checked in, they gave me a free upgrade. I was supposed to be in the main cabin.”
“Of course, they did.” He sighed and went back to looking at his phone.
I ignored him and began talking to the older woman that sat in the aisle seat across from me. We chatted about her family, astrology, and her jewelry business. She handmade jewelry and was in Tennessee selling her pieces at a jewelry show.
“May I?” She extended her hand to me.
“For fuck’s sake.” I heard the man next to me mumble.
I gently placed my hand in hers as her fingers wrapped tightly around mine. She looked at me, and her eyes widened while a hint of tears started to form.
“It’s okay,” I whispered, giving her a small, heartfelt smile.
She let go of my hand, reached into her bag, and pulled out a beautiful silver chain. Attached to the chain was a charm: a circle with a picture of the Tree of Life engraved on it.
“I want you to have this, dear.”
“It’s beautiful, but I can’t accept this for free. Let me pay you something.”
“No. That won’t be necessary. Just your kindness was payment enough. May you grow stronger and continue striving for greater knowledge and the new experiences you are seeking.”
“That’s so sweet of you. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I’m going to take a nap for a short while. We’ll chat later.” She smiled.
I put the necklace around my neck and traced the outline of the tree with my fingers.
“Okay, that was weird,” the man beside me spoke.
“What was?”
“Who the hell just randomly gives a total stranger something like that?”
“A nice person who cares about others,” I spoke.
“Whatever. Anyway, I overheard you tell her that you came to Tennessee to see Graceland and the Grand Ole Opry?”
“Yes.” I smiled.
“Why?” His brows furrowed. “That sounds utterly boring.”
“It wasn’t. It was an experience.” I laughed. “Plus, I like Elvis Presley and old country music.”
“Okay, then.” His brows raised like he was repulsed as he looked back at his phone.
“You know what’s sad?” I asked.
“If I don’t say what, I feel you will tell me anyway.”
“It’s sad that your work is your life, and it consumes you to the point that you don’t notice anything around you.”
“Excuse me?” He looked at me.
“Never mind.”
“No. I won’t never mind. What the hell do you mean by that?” he angrily asked.
“I can just tell you’re a workaholic, and your work consumes your life.”
“Damn right it does. Where there’s money to be made, you go after it. I love my job, and it makes me a lot of money.”
“Is that what’s important to you?”
“Of course. Who the hell doesn’t like or want money? Isn’t money what paid for your little fantasy trip to Tennessee?”
“Yes. But it shouldn’t be your life's only and most important thing.”
“Well, it is. I need to get back to my emails, so please stop talking.”
I rolled my eyes and took my laptop out of my bag. Opening my Word document, I began writing about my Tennessee adventures. I could see him out of the corner of my eye, stealing glances at what I was writing.
“I’m writing about my trip,” I spoke.
“And? Why are you telling me?”
“Because I saw you looking.”
“No, I wasn’t.”
“It’s okay.” I smiled at him. “I know you’re curious.”
“I am not curious. To be honest, I could care less.”
I was really starting to think that this man was the most awful person I’d ever met.
The plane finally landed in New York, and I was on to my next adventure. I stood up and let him get out first.
“I know you’re in a hurry to go yell at some more people, so please, you go first.” I motioned with my hand.
He shot me a look. “I can’t say it’s been a pleasure flying with you,” he spoke.
“The pleasure was all mine, sir.” I grinned.
He shook his head and exited the plane. I looked over and noticed his wallet was sitting on the seat. Shit. I grabbed it and tried to push my way through the people who cut in front of me.
“Excuse me. I need to get off right away. The man next to me left his wallet. Excuse me,” I said as I squeezed through.
I ran as fast as I could down the boarding bridge.
When I finally made it into the airport, I looked around.
I didn’t see him. Baggage claim. Yes! That was where he’d be.
I followed the signs to baggage claim. I had no idea where I was going because I’d never been to this airport or New York.
Found it. I looked around and didn’t see him.
Looking up at the screen, I noticed which carousel our luggage was going to be on.
I ran over, and he wasn’t there. The luggage hadn’t been loaded yet as passengers from the plane stood and patiently waited.
Perhaps he didn’t check a bag. I sighed as I held the wallet in my hand.
Tossing it in my purse, I grabbed my suitcase when it came around and left the airport.