A Little Bit Like Heaven

Chapter 8: A Foreign Place Called Home

CORNELIA

The plane landed with a jostle. I was supposed to feel relief or a light feeling like any normal person would feel when they come back home but me? I felt dread, fear, and exhaustion coming on. In America I could pretend just for a second that I was fairly normal but here everywhere I go people recognized me.

"Thank you for boarding with us Ms. Dagenham." The stewardess said as she opened the door for me. I thanked her on my way out the door.

"Welcome Stephanie." I smiled back.

"Hope to ride with you again." She said.

The sky was overcast but wasn't raining and in the open field I could smell the aroma of the summer air an ambiance that I couldn't enjoy. No, how was your trip or did it go well? For him it was all business and no pleasure. There was only one person in London whom I considered family although she wasn't technically a relative.

"Caroline!" Sarah Markby waved to her enthusiastically.

Sarah has been with me throughout the years. She was my mom's best friend and proving herself as a true friend she took care of me and sometimes even my father. At age 42 she's already been divorced twice with a very successful fashion business. In other terms she was my fairy godmother.

"Aunt Sarah!" I squealed and raced up to her in my six inch heels.

"Now, Caroline what did I say about manners?" She put a hand on her still shapely hip and looked at me. Under her gaze I felt like I was a little kid again.

"Grace and poise before boys." I smiled chanting her motto. She nodded and gave me a wink.

"That daddy of yours I swear he'll be the death of me! He's been over working himself again!" Sarah protested.

"You know how daddy is." I said.

Aunt Sarah led me towards the car waiting for us at the front of the airport wordlessly. We were driving off to my dad's office for a thing he wanted to discuss. Sometimes I wondered why my dad and she never got together. They were perfect for each other! Aunt Sarah was the only one who could talk dad out of a tantrum and they were obviously close friends.

"Sooooo."Aunt Sarah said as we went inside the car. "How was your stay in the US?"

"It was fine you know, business and stuff." I said.

"Did you meet a guy?" She said smiling widely.

"Aunt Sarah!" I protested.

"Please, dear, you're no longer fifteen. So did you?" She nudged me lightly.

"Yes, I did." I sighed. There was really no point in lying to Aunt Sarah, she could see right through me like I was clear glass.

"I knew it!" She jumped. "You have that glow in you."

"What glow?" I asked nonchalantly although I was a bit curious.

"You know, the glow when you meet a new guy." She said.

"It was nothing Aunt Sarah, it was just for one night." I said with a hint of sadness.

Although it could have been more I just didn't choose to do that. It wasn't good for me or for Zayn. We were just two busy people who happened to catch a few hours of break that night and happened to come across each other. It wouldn't work even if we did try.

"Ohhh, a casual fling I didn't know you had it in you, darling." She drawled out.

"We were both drunk and one thing led to another and the next thing I know I woke up at St. Regis the following morning." I said.