Twenty six

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Lima pov:

As we stepped off the plane and made our way towards the airport, the familiar chaos of the paparazzi assaulted us immediately.

Their fits

Billie, ever the seasoned pro, groaned in annoyance at the flashing lights and cameras

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Billie, ever the seasoned pro, groaned in annoyance at the flashing lights and cameras. She shot an exasperated look in my direction before reaching out to grab my hand.

"Here we go again," she muttered under her breath, her tone laced with resignation. She squeezed my hand, drawing comfort from the contact.

I squeezed back reassuringly, offering her a small smile. "We got this," I reassured her, trying to help her shake off the initial irritation.

"I know, I know," she sighed. "It just never gets any less annoying."

Maya and Finneas trailed behind us, used to the chaos that came with Billie's fame but still maintaining their cheerful demeanor.

"Hey, think of it as free promo," Finneas chimed in. "You're a hot celebrity, Billie. Everybody wants a piece of you."

Billie rolled her eyes at Finneas, the annoyance still evident in her expression. "Yeah, well, sometimes I just want a piece of peace and quiet."

"We can start yelling at them again if you want," Maya offered with a mischievous grin. "They love that."

I chuckled, picturing the headline we'd make with that. "No, no, don't give them more ammunition. We're here to work, remember?"

"Right, right," Maya sighed dramatically. "Work, work, work. Where's the fun in that?"

We were driven away from the airport in a sleek, black van, the tinted windows providing us some much-needed privacy from the prying eyes of the paparazzi.

Settling into our seats, we relaxed as the city of Montreal passed by outside, the scenery a pleasant distraction from the earlier chaotic welcome.

The interior of the van was spacious and comfortable, with plush leather seats and a quiet, serene atmosphere. It was a stark contrast to the clamor outside and provided us with a brief respite before diving into our busy schedule.

As I leaned into Billie's side, a wave of guilt washed over me. I couldn't help but reflect on the past year, the year that I had spent away from her. The weight of my decisions and the pain I had caused loomed heavily in my mind.

Why had I left? Why had I allowed myself to drift away from someone who meant so much to me? I was a dumb ass bitch that's why.

The question played on repeat in my head, echoing louder with each passing moment. Every beat of my heart seemed to emphasize the time wasted, the distance I had willingly placed between us.

I glanced at Billie, taking in her features as she gazed out the window, her expression serene. There was a pang in my chest, a mix of longing and regret that coursed through my brain.

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