Saving Brownie | ✔

Chapter 27 : The Future Me

"Where all have you been in your vacations?" Ian asked me and I snickered haughtily. 

Clark, Ian and I were lingering outside the airport and finally sat down on one of the benches since we arrived way early. This was because Clark didn't trust me and thought that I would somehow delay the flight with one of my antics. How could he not have trust in me!

"I have been to several places in Asia, Australia, Africa but nowhere in Europe or South America," I said wistfully, recollecting all the lovely memories. "Each vacation mum used to plan a perfect holiday for us and we used to have so much fun. She was such a travel enthusiast. We have done scuba diving, paragliding . . .  have eaten different kinds of crabs and even insects, they're so crunchy! Now it's . . . erm all gone."

Ian and Clark remained silent, not knowing what to say. They had this weird glint in their eyes- one which showed sympathy and perhaps . . . guilt. Ian suddenly nudged me and cheerfully said, "I bet we'll have fun too."

"Of course!" I said blithely, my entire demeanour changing and swung my arm around Clark's shoulders. "It's always fun hanging around with you rich asses. I'm sure you both would have travelled twice as much as me!"

Ian laughed, not denying and Clark's face was stoic. Sometimes I felt that I couldn't understand him. Ever since we arrived in the airport, he seemed duller than usual.

I said softly, "Brownie, what's up with you?"

Suddenly, Clark's head whipped straight towards someone and my eyebrows furrowed in confusion. My gaze darted to where he was looking and I blinked rapidly. Was I seeing right? I rubbed my eyes . . . But I still could see my dad standing a few feet away from us.

"Good god you're not in the airport, or else I would have to somehow produce a boarding pass," my dad muttered and I hopped on my feat.

I dusted my jeans and asked in astonishment, "What are you doing here dad? You should be at work."

"I was George, but that's the problem. I didn't even say good bye to you," he said woefully and lowered his eyes in guilt.

I gripped his arm firmly and said, "You did say good bye on the phone and I'm just going on a holiday. It doesn't matter. Really."

"I'm sorry for neglecting you---"

"No, dad. After mum's death, you did every thing you could to keep me happy. You're the best," I said sincerely, my voice faltering and before I got sentimental, I hugged him tightly.

I pulled away and ruffling my hair, he said, "You're the best daughter a father could ever ask for."

"Hehe thanks. But I'm sure you must be tired of my shenanigans. There's a limit that I tend to cross sometimes."

"I miss that actually, you have stopped fooling around."

"I might start again," I said with a hint of mischief and winked at Clark.

Clark and Ian got up quickly when my dad approached them. I followed my dad as he quietly stood in front of them, as if trying to intimidate them. Typical of him.

"Dad." I rested my hand on his shoulder.

He threatened them as if that was the most natural thing to do, "Don't you dare ever---"

"Dad!" I interrupted desperately. "Don't go all 'I'm your overprotective father who would kick any dude's ass,' because you're not. You never were the overprotective father and I don't want you to be. I'm a big girl. Besides, if any body needed protection - it's the other way round. These poor boys should be protected from me."

"Yes, that's my girl! I'm so proud of you!" He patted my back warmly. He then glanced at the boys. "She better be the same when she gets back here."

"Of course, we'll take care of her Mister Brooks," Ian said sweetly.

Clark didn't say anything so I glared at  him. He grudgingly mumbled, "Yeah."

My dad simply nodded and took a glimpse of his watch. "You three should go in now, there are long queues for immigration."

"Alrighty then." I put my bags in the trolley. "I'll call you as soon as I reach. Bye, dad- I'll miss you."

I kissed his cheeks and he left, not before sparing one long last look to Clark and Ian.

"My dad's really not a fan of you both," I said as a matter of fact and Ian only smiled.

Clark and Ian owned a private jet each, but I told them that I wouldn't travel in that. My dad didn't know that they were rich (like super rich) and I would like to keep it that way. My dad had insisted on checking with my tickets and stuff, so we were compelled to board a commercial flight. Clark and Ian didn't mind as long as we reached London safely.

Clark was busy putting all our baggage for security check and I was narrating to Ian about some action movie of which I didn't remember the name.

"That movie was so much fun, the heroes all fighting like they were Bruce Lee. And the best part was when the bomb exploded!" I exclaimed loudly and Ian tried to hush me.

"B-Bomb!" I heard a shrill voice behind me and saw an old almost toothless, wrinkly, thin lady with wide eyes screaming loudly. All the passengers froze on their spot when the lady pointed towards me and continued screeching like a mental case, "BOMB! BOMB!"

Clark who heard the commotion, turned around and I quickly hid behind him. Ian was trying to calm everybody when the security guards came rushing. What the fucking hell I got myself into? That bitch!

"Don't move," one of the guards warned and pointed his gun at Clark since I was hiding behind him, everybody thought that Clark was the one responsible.

I found this situation hilarious since Clark was the one suffering. I muffled my laughter and quietly witnessed the entire scene unfold. All the people were now backed away, at least keeping a distance of two meters from us. Ian was trying to explain the guards about our innocence while the old lady continued to create absolute mayhem.

Finally, the old lady was pulled away and we three were taken for a personal security check. I thought that we would delay our flight and I was just about to start worrying, when Clark pulled out his billionaire card. I was unable to gather information of Clark since I was standing with the female guards a few feet away from him. He probably showed his ID containing his real name, etc. Ian too showed his ID proof and explained the entire incident, so the guards released us with a warning.

"Thank god we didn't miss our flight," I murmured as we entered the plane.

"We're not even in London yet and you already got us into shit," Clark said wearily and I punched his arm.

"Hey! It was not my fault! That old hag just had to ruin everything," I complained and saw the same old lady seated in the business class with her shades on, her hairy chicken legs stuck out with the finest white sneakers on, coolly listening to outrageous, loud rap music blasting through her neon coloured headphones.

"This is the future you Georgia," Clark said and I glowered at him.