Somewhere Only We Know

VI - Surprise, bitch!

Newark Liberty 08:23 PM

A cool hand gently tapped my shoulder. "Good evening, Ma'am. Did you sleep well?" The flight attendant offered a warm, professional smile as she spoke. You would think these people ought to give this holier-than-thou act once the plane lands. I gotta give it to her though.

"Um, yes," I replied, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. "Have we landed yet?" I glanced out the window, trying to orient myself.

"Yes, Ma'am. Welcome to New York." She smoothly raised the blinds on the window across from my seat, revealing a breathtaking view of New York's skyline gleaming under the afternoon light. Well, not breathtaking, just much, much better than North Carolina.

I scanned the empty seats across the aisle. Jesse was no longer beside me. "Miss? Where are the people who traveled with me?" I asked, sort of already knowing the answer. But it's nice to speak to someone else.

"Mr. Davidson is currently in the restroom, and your friend is conversing with our pilot. It appears he has a keen interest in aircraft," the attendant said, her voice light with an amused giggle. "In any case, all of your luggage is secured in the trunk of the car awaiting you."

"Ah, alright. Thanks."

I rose and stepped out onto the plane's stairs, sitting down to take in the atmosphere. "Hey, Em, have you ever been to New York before?" Chase asked, settling down one step above me.

"No, I haven't. How about you?" I kept my gaze fixed on the two vehicles parked in front.

"No, never imagined I'd set foot here. Too much of a fashion scene for my taste," he said with a slight chuckle. "Anyway, we should get moving. The flight attendant mentioned we're starting with a stop at a mall."

We climbed into a sleek car where the driver promptly greeted us with calm professionalism.

"Good evening, Ms. Maxine, Mr. Chase. My name is Kinsley, and I will be your chauffeur for your time here. Welcome to New York. I've been instructed to take you to a mall to shop for clothing and essentials. Afterwards, we will proceed to Mr. Davidson's residence."

"That sounds good. Mr. Kinsley, is it true that Jesse really owns a huge mansion?" Chase asked, leaning in with curiosity.

"Mr. Davidson owns several large properties outside New York, but presently he lives in a two-story apartment here in the city," Kinsley responded smoothly.

"So, he's pretty wealthy then, yeah?" I asked, my eyes drawn to the passing cityscape outside.

"Indeed, Ms. Maxine, he is quite affluent." the driver said with a soft chuckle.

A sudden, irking laugh burst from Chase, "Hah! Never heard that word. 'Affluent'!" He continued, shifting his gaze from me to the view outside the window.

After a long day of shopping, we finally arrived at what was supposed to be home. The word felt strange on my tongue. It looked like a home, but I wasn't yet ready to fully embrace it as such. I suspected Jesse's generosity was an obvious effort to make me stay.

They assigned me a room furnished simply with a bed, a desk, a chair, and a private bathroom. Chase's room was directly across the hall, practically a mirror image. I kept reminding myself this was all strategy — not a genuine offer of family, though I wasn't ruling out that possibility someday. For now, though, Jesse and Chase were the only family I could trust.

The first morning in New York

I had already been awake for hours before Jesse's knock. Around 4 a.m., I found myself restless, pacing quietly in the dim light of the apartment. Outside the window, New York's city lights flickered endlessly—a tangled web of white and gold stretching into the distance. I couldn't tear my eyes away. The buzzing hum of a city that never truly sleeps was almost comforting, but my thoughts were anything but.