Life Of Imani

chapter 23

Iman and Nassim had been making slow progress in their relationship. The little conversations here and there helped break some of the tension between them, though things were still far from perfect. One evening, Iman was sitting in the parlor, relaxing, when Nassim walked in, his expression neutral.

"Get ready," he said abruptly, his voice commanding but not as cold as usual. "We’re going to the UK. Our flight is by ten."

Iman raised an eyebrow, surprised. "So, it’s now that you’re telling me?" she asked, trying to keep her tone calm, though she was slightly irritated.

"I didn’t know if—" Nassim started to explain, then caught himself mid-sentence. "Why am I even explaining myself?" he said instead, his voice trailing off with a bit of annoyance.

Iman didn’t push further. She just got up, went to her room, and grabbed a suitcase. She carefully packed the clothes she would need for the trip—some casual outfits, a few nicer pieces, and her essentials. After packing, she took a quick bath and dressed in a dark blue top paired with a crisp white shirt. She threw on a light blue jeans jacket for the flight, completing the look with her Burberry bag and brown loafers.

By the time they arrived at the airport, they headed straight for the private wing. It wasn’t long before they boarded Nassim’s private jet, the luxury and quietness of the space surrounding them. Iman settled into her seat, slightly amazed by the convenience of private travel.

A flight attendant came by, offering drinks. Iman accepted a glass of juice and sipped it slowly, feeling the exhaustion of the day catch up with her. After a while, she leaned back in her seat, her body relaxing into the soft leather, and before she knew it, sleep overtook her.

As the jet soared through the night sky, Iman drifted off into a deep sleep, the hum of the engines lulling her into comfort.

*******************

As the private jet cruised smoothly through the night sky, Iman remained fast asleep, unaware of the passing hours. Nassim, sitting across from her, glanced at her a few times, his face expressionless. He had noticed how tired she looked, and a small part of him wondered if it was from the stress of their situation or the suddenness of the trip.

He didn’t dwell on it for long, though. Nassim picked up his phone and began working, replying to emails and checking on business matters. The flight was long, but he remained focused. After a few hours, the jet began its descent, and the captain announced that they would be landing soon.

Nassim looked at Iman, still asleep. He debated whether to wake her up gently or let her be startled by the landing. In the end, he opted for the former. Standing up, he walked over to her seat and leaned down slightly.

“Iman,” he called softly, nudging her shoulder.

She stirred, her eyes fluttering open as she realized where she was. She sat up quickly, rubbing her eyes and adjusting her scarf. “Are we there?” she asked, still groggy from sleep.

“Yeah, we’re about to land,” Nassim replied, his tone neutral.

Iman nodded and straightened her clothes, trying to shake off the drowsiness. She glanced out the window and saw the lights of the UK below them. They were landing in London, and she realized this trip was probably business-related, though Nassim hadn’t given her any details.

As the plane touched down smoothly, Nassim got up and grabbed his bag. Iman did the same, making sure her things were in order before following him out of the jet. The cold, crisp London air hit her as soon as they stepped out onto the tarmac, making her shiver slightly.

A sleek, black car was already waiting for them. Nassim didn’t say much, as usual, and gestured for Iman to get in. She settled into the back seat, and Nassim joined her shortly after. The car pulled away from the airport, heading toward the city.