The Aftermath

Chapter 14

The view was unimaginably stunning—the entire city sprawled beneath me, a sea of lights in constant motion. Cars zipped along like tiny streams of light that never stopped flowing. I was absolutely happy at that moment. A smile stayed on my face as I gently looked at Alex. We spoke through our headphones, his voice comforting, like a dispatcher guiding me through this experience.

"Alex, thank you so much for this surprise. No one has ever done anything like this for me," I said, my voice soft with gratitude. "I'll always be grateful to you for this, no matter what happens in the future."

"Jennifer, look at the city. You'll have plenty of time to look at me," Alex replied, pointing out landmarks. "There's Manhattan, and over there, the Upper East Side. We had dinner there today with our parents."

We were flying, but I felt as if I was soaring even higher than the helicopter. A childhood dream was now real, all thanks to someone I barely knew. Despite that, I believed in him, and I wanted us to succeed. I wanted him to be mine. I didn't want to think about other women or anything else. I needed him. I loved him... I just hoped those were my thoughts and that I hadn't said them out loud.

When we landed, I wasn't afraid anymore. Alex kept his eyes on me, and I on him. He was divinely handsome—green eyes, curly hair, those hands with rolled-up sleeves, a strong chest, and that intoxicating scent that might have been cologne, or maybe just him.

I wanted to fall into his arms and stay there forever. It was hard not to, knowing he liked me and wouldn't refuse a hug.

Jennifer, are you really falling this easily? He took you on a helicopter ride, and now you're ready to give him your soul? Think rationally, the pragmatic part of me warned. You don't know him well—what if he doesn't have good intentions?

"But I really like him," the real me argued back. His eyes, his soul, his care—they speak for themselves. This wasn't just a flight. I could have flown over New York with Charlie, but I don't have the same feelings for him.

Alex knew me, or at least it felt like he did from a past life. It was like I already believed he was from the future, and I wanted to give in to this game, no matter where it led. He was with me tonight, and I wanted this moment to last forever. No tomorrow, just us in this helicopter, happy. Crazy thoughts—passion, love, sweet pain. I would go anywhere with him, just to be with him. In his eyes, I saw a deep, tender reciprocity. It felt like love, as if he loved me too. I was intoxicated by everything—by him, by the dream, by the night sky, by life, by the summer warmth. And I didn't want it to end.

"Alex, I don't want to go to the hotel. I don't want to leave you..." I started, then caught myself. "Did I say that out loud?"

"Jennifer, we don't have to leave. We'll go to my place and continue this wonderful evening."

I felt a little embarrassed, like I had been too forward, but my feelings overwhelmed me. I decided I'd think about all the questions and potential shame later. Right now, it was just us, and we had the night. And as they say, the biggest miracles happen at night.

We arrived at his home, which was spacious, with a large kitchen filled with high-tech white furniture. I thought I had a big kitchen, but his was something else. He opened a bottle of Pinot Grigio. I didn't know much about wine, but he assured me I would like it. I felt so relaxed, like I could tell him anything. Everything except my secret, which was long gone. I was just being myself, free from fears and insecurities. It felt like my soul had been set free, and I didn't want to think about the moment it would have to come back down.

We talked about everything. He mentioned how he spent a lot of time in Hawaii, where his cousins live, and promised we'd go there someday. I loved hearing about it, even though deep down, I doubted it would happen. I just wanted to close my eyes and enjoy his embrace, his touch. Then, out of nowhere, he asked: