𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤 [𝐓𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐬]

14

Aria and Maliah stepped off the plane in London, excitement buzzing between them as they navigated through the airport. Their laughter echoed as they made their way to the exit, with Aria feeling a surge of freedom as she finally stepped into the city of her dreams.

“Welcome to London, future student of the year!” Maliah exclaimed, twirling around with her arms spread wide.

Aria laughed, “And to you, my fabulous chaperone!”

They grabbed their luggage and hailed a cab, chatting non-stop about all the places they wanted to visit. The cab driver, an elderly man with a thick Cockney accent, entertained their enthusiasm with stories of London’s hidden gems.

As they approached their hotel, Aria noticed a sleek black car parked nearby. “Wow, someone’s riding in style,” she remarked.

Maliah nudged her. “Maybe it’s royalty! We’re in London, after all.”

They paid the cab driver and walked into the hotel lobby. Just as they were about to check in, two burly men in suits approached them.

“Miss Aria and Miss Maliah?” one of them asked, his voice gruff.

Aria and Maliah exchanged confused glances. “Yes, that’s us,” Aria replied cautiously.

“Please come with us,” the other man said, gesturing toward the black car outside.

“Uh, why?” Maliah asked, her eyes narrowing suspiciously.

“It’s a matter of urgency,” the first man said, not offering any further explanation.

Before they could protest, the men gently but firmly guided them to the car. Aria and Maliah found themselves seated in the back, the doors locking automatically.

“This is so not how I imagined our first day in London,” Maliah muttered.

Aria's eyes widened as the car started moving. "Are you sure this isn’t a kidnapping? I think we’re getting kidnapped—oh no, we’re getting kidnapped! I can hear my father’s ‘I told you so’ all the way from India.”

Maliah, ever the calm one, shrugged. “I mean, we aren’t tied up or gagged, so…”

“But what if they’re taking us to some underground lair? What if they sell us to some black-market organ harvesters? Oh no, Maliah, I haven’t even finished my latest book! I can’t die knowing I haven’t finished it!” Aria’s voice grew more frantic with each word.

Maliah gave her a sideways glance, unfazed. “Which book?”

"Abducted by the Ruthless Mafia.” Aria replied, ready to dive into the full summary as if it were the most crucial part of the conversation.

Maliah snorted, “How ironic.”

“Right?! And the worst part is, I was just getting to the part where the Mafia boss falls for the kidnapped girl and—”

“Okay, let’s focus on our own kidnapping first,” Maliah interrupted, though the amusement in her voice was undeniable.

The car sped through the streets of London, making sharp turns that had Aria clutching her seatbelt for dear life.

“This is just great,” Aria muttered sarcastically. “First day in London, and we’re already starring in our own horror movie.”

“At least we’re together,” Maliah quipped. “Kidnapped in London—sounds like the start of a great adventure.”

“Or a really bad day,” Aria countered.

The car eventually pulled into a private airstrip where a small, luxurious jet awaited them. Aria’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Oh no. They’re going to fly us to some remote island where no one will ever find us!”