RUNAWAY

/ 60 \

💪HERCULES💪

Once the clock struck seven, I dashed to my car, flooring it to the airport. It's a thirty-minute trip there, plus ten minutes of parking and getting to baggage claim. While for Ver, it'd only be thirty minutes before she could get off the plane. This was the plan, so I'd be at baggage claim ten minutes before her. Throughout the short drive, I felt jittery. Verity is very pretty with a spitfire personality. I don't know if her personality will mesh with Ax and I's. Or the girls, though they claim to love her just from the video calls. There was also another factor to consider, at least from Ax's end.

You can't forget that Ax doesn't only see her as our potential nanny. He's been blatantly open about it. Now, Verity, I could be wrong, but she reminds me of Mandy. The last week before she left, she was tense with a bouncy-like energy. While her eyes were always scanning her phone and she'd jump if anyone spoke or touched her. At least when Ax was absorbed into the twins. I've chosen not to warn Ax because he's too hyped to listen. Not that doesn't mean I'll allow him to delude himself. But it'll be a few days before I can bring it up.

After paying the parking fee, I grabbed my 'WELCOME TO NEVADA VERITY!' sign before taking the elevator. At the ding, I exited and went past baggage to the double escalators. So as not to be in the way of people, I kept a four-feet distance. After a few minutes, I tucked my sign under my arm and pulled out my phone to check the time. The clock showed it was five minutes till eight o'clock. I tucked my phone away and patiently stared at the downward escalator.

How should I greet her? Definitely not a hug. What woman wants a hug from a semi-stranger? Handshake then? Nah, she's not a CEO come to visit. A simple wave and smile should be enough.

As I was anxiously debating with my subconscious, I noticed a girl who looked like Verity coming down. I honestly couldn't help staring, as she was so pretty in person. With her red hair and aura, she looked like fire in human form. My eyes didn't stop following until she was suddenly brought closer. Her nearness jerked me out of my daydream and I held up my sign. She looked towards me and I noticed she had an amused grin on her face. I hurriedly glanced at myself but after not figuring it out I looked left and right. She chuckled as she walked until she was standing in front of me. While I was frozen in place, like a dummy teenager meeting a celebrity. I watched her attempt to control her grin as she suddenly but gently took my sign. I stupidly watched her flip the sign upside down and hold it out to me. Though I was confused I took it and grinned.

"Not a bad greeting, but it was upside-down."

"Oh." I continued to stare in puzzlement.

Does she mean my smile?

"Your sign," she mentioned as she pointed to it.

I glanced at it and finally, the wheels began turning.

You were holding the sign upside-down stupid. Idiot. There goes trying to impress her.

It's okay. Just make up for it by smoothly introducing yourself, Garren.

"Garren, or Hercules. It's nice to finally meet you in person, Verity." I grinned as I held my hand out towards her.

You damn Idiot! What happened to no handshake?

"It's great to finally meet you, Garren," she sidestepped my hand and went in for a hug.

Caught off guard by this short girl, I froze again. I attempted to move my arms, but they wouldn't obey until she'd already stepped back.

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah...I'm just a little overwhelmed by your beauty and aura." The words just tumbled out of my mouth before I could properly process them.

SHIT. FUCK GARR.

"I'm not all that. But you, you're the most attractive mountain I've ever seen." She winked and I felt my heart skip a beat before hurriedly thumping.

"Ugh..thanks. Umm, baggage?" I dumbly jerked my thumb behind me.

"Let's go." She grinned as she walked past me, but only managed to freeze me once again.

Move your legs! At this rate, she's gonna have to take a taxi and leave your ass.

"Coming, Mr. Mountain?" Her voice magically unfroze me and I was finally able to at least turn around.

"Yeah..Coming. Sorry." I mumbled as I took quick strides to catch up with her.

She chuckled and patted my arm before taking the lead toward the baggage carousel. We found an empty spot and waited for the luggage to be released. As we stood I tried to think of something to say to relieve the awkwardness I felt.

"Ugh, how was your flight?"

Well done, idiot.

"It was fine. It gave me the chance to watch a drama my sister-in-law has been nagging me to watch."

"Ahh. How was it? The drama."

"It was pretty good. But it was so long I only had time to watch one episode." She jokingly pouted as she stepped up to grab her suitcase.

"That's a bummer. I'd say you'll have plenty of time now, but I honestly don't know if you will. Between Ax, and the twins who knows." I chuckled sheepishly as I lunched forward to grab it before she could.

"Thanks. That'll be fine though, I don't mind the busyness."

"You might rethink it once you're in the thick of it." I chuckled as I motioned for her to lead the way to the exit.

"Eh, I've got a secret weapon."

"Can you let me in on it?"

"Let's just say I'm an natural disaster that'll shake things up." She winked at me before walking through the automatic doors.

"I look forward to seeing it in action." I whispered and shook myself so I'd follow after her before she got out of sight.

💪💪💪💪