Chapter 26: Right Here Right Now
Naomi froze, immediately regretting her words the moment they left her lips. Why had she said that? She hadn’t meant to voice her thoughts, but the curiosity slipped out before she could stop herself. The things Zylan did weren’t normal, not by any measure she could imagine. She couldn’t picture any human, not even someone completely reckless, being at ease with his behavior. Why was she even considering that? Then again, she wasn’t exactly "normal" herself, was she? She knew that far too well.
She felt Zylan’s steady gaze settle on her, a silent anchor that rooted her in place. His lips curled into a slow, deliberate smile, one that sent a flicker of unease through her. "Convince me, then," he said, his tone carrying a faint edge of challenge.
Naomi shifted her gaze, feeling a rush of uncertainty color her cheeks. "Don’t mind my words," she murmured, trying to dismiss the weight of what she had let slip. She felt foolish, exposed.
Before she had a chance to get her bearings, the car came to a sudden stop. Her eyes darted to the window, and she blinked, seeing the illuminated façade of an airport. Were they taking a night flight? An unexpected thrill mixed with a pang of anxiety stirred within her as she processed this twist.
Zylan had already stepped out of the car by the time she reached for the door handle. Just as she was about to push it open, the door swung wide, and to her surprise, he stood there, hand extended, waiting for her. Naomi’s breath caught, hesitating a fraction of a second before placing her hand in his. His hand was warm and steady, an odd comfort in the night’s chill.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible, though he caught it. He gave her a subtle nod, his gaze never wavering, before leading her forward, his hand guiding hers as they entered the airport.
Hand in hand, they walked toward the entrance. The fluttering sensation in her stomach grew with each step, her heart pounding a relentless rhythm. She knew it was simply the feel of his hand in hers, but somehow, it seemed to affect her more deeply than she’d like to admit. Just before they reached the doors, she caught sight of several attendants loading boxes onto motorized carts, which they then wheeled toward an airplane. Naomi noticed that Zylan was leading her to a different lounge—one far more private and secluded than the first-class lounge she was accustomed to when traveling with her sister.
Did he own this lounge? The thought alone made her mind reel. She shouldn’t have been surprised, but the scale of his wealth was overwhelming. She couldn’t help but wonder just how powerful he was, how much influence he wielded. Without a word, he guided her into the private space and then onto the plane.
The moment she stepped on board, Naomi felt her breath catch. She’d seen luxury before—her family’s wealth ensured that—but this was something else. The plane’s interior was unlike any she had ever imagined, more like an opulent penthouse suite than an aircraft. There was a large bed draped in silk, plush seating that looked made for royalty, and an ambiance that seemed to radiate his distinctive taste and presence.