An inconvenient attachment

Chapter 46

When I reach the top of the stairs to enter the plane, Max is already sitting down in one of the chairs. We are flying with Max his private plane, it is beautiful. Each side has two seats, facing each other. I don't want to sit opposite Lando for the whole plane ride. I quickly take a seat opposite Max, before Lando can say anything. I hear him mumble something, but he sits down in the other row. He sits across from me now, which makes me feel like I can breathe a little. I put on the seatbelt and pull my knees up to my chest, the watch still in my hand. I hold it so tightly it probably left a mark by now.

"What have you got there? Max asks when we are in the air. I feel Lando's eyes focused on me. "A watch" I mumble, not sure if he even heard me. "Is it broken?" Max asks. I nod, not wanting to speak again, because I'd probably cry. "I know someone who is very good at fixing watches, I could bring it to him" he offers. "It's ok" I say, I don't want to let the watch go. "Let me know if you change your mind."

I click open the belt so I can pull my knees up higher. I rest my head on my knees. Lando stands up to grab something. When he returns he puts a blanket over me. Only now I realize how cold I am, my hands are still trembling. My phone keeps buzzing, I take it out and see I have a lot of missed calls and messages.

Missed call from Dad 2:23 p.m.

Missed call from Unknown 2:49 p.m.

Missed call from Addison 3:15 p.m.

Missed call from Addison 5:46 p.m.

I scroll down a bit, I have a lot more missed calls, all in the time Noah was with me. I delete them all. I go to messages.

Lando 5:34 p.m.: Almost finished babe, see you soon

Addison 5:47 p.m.: Call me back asap!!

Pierre 8:11 p.m.: Hope you're doing ok. x

Charlotte 8:22 p.m.: How are you? Call me when you have time, luv yah

Pierre 8:23 p.m.: Are you ok? x

I chuckle when I read Charles his messages.

Charles 8:35 p.m.: What a fucking dickhead, absolute wanker

Charles 8:36 p.m.: Sorry, didn't mean to send that last one.

Charles 8:36 p.m.: Hope you're ok.

Charles 8:37 p.m.: Call Charlotte. If you have time. And want to. Please do.

Pierre 8:57 p.m.: Please let me know if you're ok. x

I don't respond to anyone and turn off my phone. Lando sighs when his phone buzzes again. "What Pierre" he says annoyed. Max chuckles at Lando's face. "No, she hasn't seen your messages" Lando says as he rolls his eyes. "Yes, I'll tell her." Lando sighs again. "Pierre hopes you'll feel better soon. See, I said it. Now I'm going to hang up" Lando says as he ends the call. He looks very annoyed. Max tries to hold in his laugh.

"Idiot."

"Oh come on, he means well" Max says. I snuggle into my blanket. Suddenly I feel so tired. I close my eyes, but can't seem to fall asleep.

"Fucking dickheads!" Max says loudly. I almost open my eyes, but I don't want to engage in this conversation.

"Shus, she's sleeping" Lando says.

"Oh fuck, sorry."

"What's it?"

"They fucking posted a fucking photo for gods sake." Max sounds really angry.

"No way" Lando says. I hear him walk over. "Are there more?"

"Not that I see" Max says, "I'll make a call and have them delete it."

"Don't bother, it's probably everywhere by now. But you can't see much, just me carrying her" Lando says, "and you looking freaking angry." Lando sits back down.

"Yeah well." They're silent for the next couple minutes.

"Hi babe" Max says. I figure he's on the phone with Kelly. He stands up and walks away. I hear him saying he'll explain it later, he doesn't want me to hear.

A few moments later I hear Lando stand up. He walks over to me. Softly he removes the blanket and closes my belt. "Wake up, babe. We're landing" Lando says as he softly strokes my hair.

When we land there is already a car waiting. I sit down in the back seat. Max drives and Lando sits in the passenger seat. "Where should I drop you guys off?" Max asks. "I'll give you directions" Lando says. About half an hour later we arrive at my home. I missed it. Lando grabs our bags out of the trunk.

"Thanks Max" I say as I grab my keys. "I'm staying in an hotel just around the corner, may you need anything or just some space" Max says in our mother language, pointing his head towards Lando. "Thanks."

I open the door and walk into the hallway. "Finally! I haven't seen you in ages" Kate yells from the living room. While I take my shoes off Lando walks past me with the bags. "Oh great, it's you" Kate says sarcastically. I hear Lando mumble something to Kate. When I walk into the living room Kate immediately jumps up.

"What happend?" She looks at my face and wrist. I probably look like shit, but I don't even care. When I don't answer Kate walks over to Lando. "What the fuck did you do?"

"Oh fuck off, what do you think of me?" Lando sounds angry. I don't have energy for this. "I'm going to bed" I say as I walk past them. Lando wants to walk after me, but Kate stops him. I'm not even bothered to get into my pyjamas and lay down fully clothed. I wrap the covers around me. A few moments later Lando opens the door to my room. He puts the bags on the ground and sits down on the side of my bed.

"Are you ok?" he asks. When I don't answer he moves a little closer to me. "Muppet?" he asks as he strokes my hair. Tears roll down my face again. Well, i'm not even sure the tears stopped. I roll over, so Lando doesn't see me crying. Lando lays down beside me and snuggles up to me, stroking my hair until he probably thinks i'm asleep. For a moment I let myself enjoy it, him holding me. But not for long, not when I realize he probably won't want to hold me much longer. Because I know Noah won't leave it here. He won't stop until he gets what he wants.