Chapter 5 FIVE

Marissa awoke with an unfamiliar sensation bubbling in her chest-excitement. The kind she had never felt in years.

For the first time in years, she didn't wake with dread or silence gnawing at her. Rather, she woke up with a longing in her heart. She sat up slowly, surprised by the energy in her limbs, the lightness that wrapped around her like a breeze.

She bathed and carefully dressed herself in a soft summer dress and wore a small heeled sandals. As she brushed out her hair in the mirror and applied a little lipstick and powder, she chuckled at the silly thought that danced in her head. The thought that suggested she must be feeling like a girl going on a date.

Staring starkly at the little make up on her face through the mirror, she gave herself a little smile. When was the last time she thought of looking good?

Dragging in a raspy breath into her lungs, she gave herself the last appraisal and stepped out of her villa.

Her heart fluttered, again, with no real warning. And then she saw him.

Lazar, standing near the lounge entrance, his back to her, hands tucked into the pockets of his charcoal slacks, a crisp shirt rolled at the sleeves. Effortless.

He turned before she could call his name. Maybe he had sensed her approach. "Marissa, good morning." His eyes flicked across her face, then down her length.

There was a glint that flashed in his eyes.

"Good morning," she simply responded, suddenly lacking words.

Lazar's eyes returned to her face. "You're right on time," he said, smiling.

Marissa blinked. "For what?"

"A surprise," he said and started backing out.

She followed him and they walked past the resort gates to the road out front, where a sleek luxury car idled at the curb. Black, polished, humming quietly. Lazar opened the door for her without a word. She speared him a questioning look, hesitated briefly before slipped into the seat, already feeling the bout of nerves.

Swiftly, he got in beside her and glanced her way. "We're going into town, but not the way most do."

She frowned. "Am I getting kidnapped?" she asked lightly, trying not to let her nervousness show.

Lazar chuckled but didn't answer.

The engine purred to life, and the car glided smoothly through the narrow roads leading out of Bevin. Marissa glanced at him, intrigued, and he merely offered a small smile.

He turned on the radio, and the country song that came on relaxed her, even thought they sat in comfortable silence. In fifteen minutes later, they pulled into a private clearing. Beyond the trees, a flat concrete helipad waited, and beside it, a helicopter. Sleek, dark gray, blades stilled. The pilot stood by in a black flight uniform, headset resting at his shoulder.

Marissa's mouth parted in disbelief as the car came to a halt. "Are you serious?" She asked disbelievingly.

It can't be real.

A helicopter? This was what he meant? Of course, most people don't tour in a chopper! She chided herself.

Lazar stepped out and opened her door, his face beaming. "Absolutely."

She stared at the helicopter, her feet rooted. "You didn't say flying was part of this."

"You said no questions. I assumed that included itinerary complaints," he teased.

A man in suit appeared before them and Lazar handed him the car keys. The pilot greeted them with a nod when they approached. Marissa noted how they both didn't exchange words, just nods and knowing smiles.

The pilot climbed in and Lazar helped her into the helicopter, guiding her toward the rear-facing seat just beside the wide glass panel.

Inside, it was cooler than expected. Leather seats lined both sides. The cockpit gleamed with switches and dials. Her heart thudded.

Lazar sat beside her, close enough to share warmth. The pilot helped them with their headsets.

Marissa blinked at the controls. "So many buttons." Her heart won't also stop pounding.

"Don't touch anything," Lazar whispered through the mic. "Unless you want us upside down," he joked.

She laughed nervously. It all seemed surreal to her.

The blades began to spin, a slow whir at first, building to a deep rumble. Wind rushed around them, dust lifting in spirals outside. Then the helicopter lifted.

Marissa gripped the seat edge. Her stomach dipped as the ground fell away. But then, magic.

Deswany sprawled beneath them in ribbons of green and gold. Rolling hills, red-roofed homes, glittering streams, endless fields of sugarcane and wildflowers.

"It's beautiful," she whispered. Her eyes were dazed as though she was in a trance. Or was she?

Lazar leaned close, voice soft in her headset. "Not as beautiful as the woman beside me."

She turned to him slowly, their eyes locking for a breathless moment. Her pulse danced.

Marissa was losing it, she could tell as her heart drummed.

She turned her head away to distract herself by enjoying the view beneath her. She had never flown in a helicopter, but this was a luxury she would want to explore again.

After twenty minutes, the helicopter descended near a quiet field where another car, a convertible this time, waited.

How rich was this man and how did he get access to a helicopter, and now another car, in few hours?

They switched vehicles seamlessly, another man handing her the key to the convertible. Lazar took the wheel and she settled in beside him in the passenger seat.

This road curved through villages and markets, locals waving, goats trotting lazily across sun-warmed paths. Here, seemed like a place where people with no troubles escaped to and lived life one day at a time.

Marissa watched everything with wide eyes. Children playing with sticks, women with baskets on their heads, roadside stalls lined with jewelry, wood carvings, fruit stands.

He stopped often. Bought her handcrafted earrings from a smiling old woman. A silk scarf dyed in wild colors. Mangoes sliced and dusted with chili. Ice cream from a roadside.

Each gesture was small, but it built something inside her she didn't know how to name. And it terrified her.

There was something about Lazar that made her relaxed and comfortable around him. She found herself taking his lead, hanging on his every word, smiling and laughing alongside him. She even ate whatever he offered her without questions, as though they were lovers.

Lovers. The idea of it danced in her head, messing up her thoughts.

By sunset, they returned to Bevin. The sky flared with fire-orange and coral-pink as they pulled into the resort.

Lazar walked her to the villa entrance. The silence between them was full, but not awkward, like music holding its last note.

She turned to him. "Thank you. For today. I enjoyed every bit."

His eyes were warm. He smiled. "I'm glad you did. I bet we're friends now.," he said, voice low.

Her breath hitched. She couldn't respond. Her fingers tightened around the paper bags she carried.

"The helicopter..." she hesitated briefly, but continued. "Who are you really? Lazar." she added his name as though it was an afterthought.

He scoffed, his eyes never leaving his face. "No personal questions, remember?"

Marissa's face blanked immediately and Lazar chuckled.

He was about to say more when a sound cut him off.

His pager beeped-sharp, urgent. His face changed. He checked the code, the smile slipping just slightly.

"I have to go," he said gently.

She nodded, a strange ache spreading through her. "Okay."

He hesitated, like he wanted to say more. But then he just said, "Good night, Marissa."

And he was gone.