Chapter 4 4. The Crash

Paris POV

I never knew pretending to be asleep could be this hard. I've been trying to force myself to sleep for over an hour plus now, yet it didn't work. The worst part is how my nose keeps itching. Damn the hormones.

I tried focusing on my breathing if that would work. Despite my curiosity about the man seated next to me, I had no desire to engage in conversation with him after his rude behavior. However, I am determined to find out who he is once I return from this trip, because, no one has ever spoken to me in such a manner before.

The sound of him scoffing jerks me out of my pretense and I snap my eyes open.

"Did you just scoffed?" I asked but he refused to reply to me

For real? Now he's ignoring me. For real?

"Do you have a habit of being talked to and not answering?" I asked, anger brewing up inside me at his nonchalant behavior

He sighed and quoted my previous statement, "I hope you don't plan on speaking to me during this flight; I can't stand the sound of unnecessary conversations"

I settled back into the seat of the helicopter. Wow! I'm dumbfounded. I got myself a smartass, didn't I?

Eyeing him, I noticed he was still wearing those shades. I wonder what color his eyes are and what emotions they hold right now

"Why on Earth are you wearing a sunshade, anyway? Planning on crashing us without seeing the keys properly?" I sarcastically asked, watching his expression. However, I couldn't read it with his eyes shaded. He just looks aloof and bored

"Well, princess," he starts mockingly,

I clenched my fist in anger. I hate that stupid endearment he gave me. I am aware it's not an endearment but an insult. I'm not that stupid

"I just don't want to be blinded by your dazzling personality"

I rolled her eyes and scoffed, God knows I've been doing that frequently for just a few hours with this annoying man

"Very funny. I hope your flying skill is better than your joke."

He smirks, "Trust me, flying with you is more challenging than navigating this helicopter."

"I can't believe I have to endure your presence" I retorted, irritated

Can we just get to the island so I can get away from this jerk

"Believe me, princess, the feeling is mutual"

"Don't you fucking...." I saw but I was cut off when the chopper suddenly swerved to the side making me hit my head on the side window.

"Ouch!" I wince at the sharp pain and snap my head towards him. Glaring at him with my hand rubbing the part that had hit the window

"Did you..."

The same thing happened again, but it hurts more this time. More than the slap my father gave me yesterday. I turn my blazing eyes towards him again. I know he did that on purpose. He can't fool me with his blank expression. I can feel a devil lurking beneath his calm demeanor.

"You better stop or I swear.."

"To do what? Sue me? Fire me? Ruin me? What other threats do you have under your sleeve?" he retorted, his gaze not leaving the controls

How much I hate this man. I don't think I've ever hated someone like I do with this guy right now. Okay, maybe a second to my step-monster and her daughter. I continue glaring at the side of his face before giving up. Let's just pretend he's not here

With a huff, I turn away from him to look out of the window. Silence fell as my attention was caught by the landscape view. I have been so distracted that I didn't take notice of the beauty beneath me.

Quickly, I grabbed my phone to take some pictures. This would surely get me plenty of likes on my social media. Not like I'm desperate for their likes but it gives me joy seeing my pictures having a million likes in a few minutes of posted. I took some pictures of the landscape then I decided to show my audience my dazzling face.

Ignoring the infuriating man beside me, I arranged my hair and then applied a lip gloss to make my lips pop. I don't do makeup as it irritates my skin. After perfecting my look, and taking some shots with different poses, I select the ones to be posted.

Just as always, my phone started buzzing with likes and comments. A smile curls up my lips, temporarily forgetting the danger beside me. I was lost in my world until I heard another scoff again

Seriously? Again?

I shot him an irritated look, "What's your problem?"

He turned his gaze briefly towards me before directing it back to his front. Ignoring me again.

Cool, I can pretend he's not here too if only he can stop scoffing and annoying me. Is it that too much to do

A sudden jolt rattled the helicopter making me hit my head on the side window again.

Shit! It fucking hurts

"What the hell is wrong with you?" I see, shooting him a deadly look as I rub the same part again

He didn't reply to me again and I was going to say something in annoyance when suddenly the alarm blared and I sat up immediately, now alarmed myself. I glanced around nervously, "What's going on? Are you doing this on purpose?"

"It's not me. We might be having technical issues" he replied, keeping his composure

What? Technical issues?

"Then fix it" I shouted

"I'm trying!" He retorted immediately, his hands shaking as he struggled with the controls as the situation worsened.

Okay, now I'm scared.

I squeezed my eyes shut as my heart thrummed loudly in my chest, "Oh my God! Oh my God! Am I going to die?" I cried out

"Will you just shut up and allow me to focus" he shouted

"Don't you fucking tell me what to do, you idiot" I retorted again, tears running down my cheeks in waves. I didn't know I was crying until I tasted the saltiness.

I was hurtled forward, barely catching myself with my hands as screams erupted from me. Oh my God. I can't die here, I'm just 25 for crying out loud. The helicopter rattled and rocked, sending me and our bags forward again, triggering all sorts of alarms in the helicopter.

I turned to see him continue struggling with the controls, his shade nowhere to be found but now wasn't the time to talk about that

As the helicopter rapidly descended, I clung to my seat with a death grip, my knuckles turning white. My mind raced with thoughts - if only I had known, I never would have decided to go on this trip. If only I had known, I never would have hired this useless helicopter. If only I had known...

"We need to brace for a rough landing," he shouted over the loud noise. His forehead glistening with sweat

"What?"

My heart thrummed erratically in my chest and I began to sweat

Is this it? Is this how people die?

My eyes caught the view of the outside through the side window, witnessing the ground rush towards us as the helicopter descended with speed and I let out a deafening scream, ignoring my burning throat.

Death is inevitable, it's certain, I'm going to die. No, I'm dead.

A tear trickled down my cheek. Would it hurt? Would death come quickly, or slowly? Or worse, would animals feed on my remains?

Just as I questioned my death, everything went black and...silent