Beyond The Lie

Chapter 59: Hello, Paris!

Adeline.

Friday, June 22nd, 3:30 AM (EST)

I gazed out the dimly lit airport lounge window, watching as the dark sky slowly gave way to a hint of dawn. The air was thick with the smell of freshly brewed coffee, and the soft hum of quiet conversations filled the room. My stomach was a jumble of nerves and excitement, fueled by the lack of sleep. Tomorrow was the big day – the launch of my gown with Elite Fashion House in Paris.

"Addie, are you ready?" my sister Emily called out, breaking into my thoughts.

I turned to see my family and friends huddled together, sipping coffee and trying to shake off the early morning grogginess. Mom was sitting on a plush sofa, gently cradling one of Emily's kids in her arms, while Ryan held the other sleeping child in his. Emily was rubbing the sleep from her eyes, while Liv and Soph were quietly chatting over coffee.

I glanced at my watch, feeling a surge of gratitude toward Elena, the head of Elite Fashion House. She'd taken a chance on me and my designs, and now we were launching my gown together in Paris. The luxurious lounge access and priority boarding were just the icing on the cake.

"Time to go, everyone!" I announced, gathering my belongings. As we made our way to the gate, the airport slowly came to life around us. I felt my excitement building, despite the early hour. Tomorrow was going to be huge. I was ready to take on the fashion world.

***

As we boarded the plane, I yawned, still trying to shake off the sleepiness. The dimly lit cabin was quiet, with only a few murmurs of conversation from the other passengers. Outside, the dark sky was just starting to lighten, with a hint of mistiness clinging to the windows.

I stumbled slightly on the stairs, but luckily, Ryan caught my arm, steadying me. "Whoa, careful there, Addie," he whispered, smiling.

My family and friends exchanged sleepy grins, but no one had the energy to laugh or tease me. We settled into our seats, still rubbing the sleep from our eyes.

As the plane taxied down the runway, the flight attendants began their safety demonstrations. I pulled out my phone to send a quick text to Elena. "Hey, Elena! We're on our way to Paris. Can't wait for tomorrow's launch!" I hit send and leaned back in my seat, feeling a sense of anticipation wash over me.

Emily, who was sitting beside me, snuggled into her blanket, already dozing off. I smiled, feeling grateful for this moment, and the adventure that lay ahead.

As the plane soared into the sky, I felt a mix of emotions. Excitement for the launch, nervousness about how my designs would be received, and gratitude for having my loved ones with me. But as the plane leveled off, the early morning exhaustion began to catch up with me. I gazed out the window, watching as the dark landscape below slowly gave way to a hint of dawn. The sky was a deep shade of indigo, with the stars still twinkling like diamonds.

Liv and Soph were trying to stay awake, chatting quietly in the row behind me. But their voices were laced with sleepiness, and I knew it wouldn't be long before they dozed off. My family was already relaxing, reading or sleeping – Mom had fallen asleep with her head on Dad's shoulder, while Dad was trying to stay awake, reading a book.

I pulled out my tablet, but my eyes felt heavy, and I struggled to focus. Elena had sent me a detailed schedule, outlining rehearsals, media interviews, and the launch event itself. But as I tried to review the preparations, my eyelids began to droop. The hum of the engines and the gentle rocking of the plane were making me drowsy.

The flight attendants offered us a selection of snacks and drinks, but I opted for a cup of strong coffee, hoping it would help me stay awake. Emily chose a glass of juice, and we sat in comfortable silence, watching the sky lighten outside.