PINK MIST 2 ½

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER THREE

"Are you ready to board?"

Jake's voice seemed to be so distant. I could barely understand what he was saying while my eyes were scanning desperately in the crowd to see a familiar face. As if that would be possible...

He had no clue I was about to leave Manhattan. Even if he did, his pride and selfishness wouldn't allow him to chase me. I gasped deeply, as if I was trying to regain control of my thoughts.

"Valeria, are you ok? Do you need a glass of water?"

"No, no, I'm fine. Thank you, Jake," I smiled softly. "I'm sorry you got caught up in this. Dante can be a little... stubborn."

"A little?" He giggled while cocking his eyebrow.

"Shush!" I laughed. "He's a good man. More of a decent human than I'll ever be."

"You're really putting yourself down, gorgeous. Why are you doing this?"

Caught off guard by his question and not willing to put myself in a thinking process in order to reply to him I just smiled and nodded towards the our boarding gate. Jake didn't push it, he smiled back at me and we finally headed towards our flight.

A very calm and relaxing flight later, we were landing to Boston. I was so tired that I didn't even understand how fast I fell asleep, throughout the whole flight. If Jake didn't wake me up, I would probably be returning back with the same flight!

"Hey gorgeous, we're here," he whispered as he carefully brushed my cheek.

"Already?" I mumbled as I stretched my limbs like a feline, yawning.

"Short flight... plus, you slept the whole time!" Jake giggled amused to my sleepy face.

"Coffee..." I growled as I picked myself up.

"Come on princess. I'll buy you one on our way to Mr. Jonas's office."

"Such a spoilsport!"

"Hey, someone needs to keep you in line. Come on now!" Jake picked every bag I had with me easily as he started to move towards the airplane's exit.

"Fine! Jesus, I'm coming!"

I shook my head giggling to the failed paternalistic attempt of Jake. I couldn't deny though that his try was rather cute. After some really crappy days, I was finally feeling a bit optimistic.

I was rather enthusiastic about my new job, even if it was feeling just like an internship, and even if it was for a limited time. A new place far from... Nathan. Even Dante, too. It was time for me to finally detoxify from my life back in Manhattan.

It was time for me to take care of the little pea that was growing inside me. Mist was threatening my eyes when my thoughts started to wander towards Nathan. Once again, with the wave of a hand I had send away the image of the man I had loved more than anything.

"Ready?"

I turned my head abruptly towards the source of the voice. Jake was holding the door for me and I had barely noticed... once again. I need to stop this. I have to keep my head in the game and my thoughts clear.

"Are you okay? You look pale," Jakes fingers brushed on my forearm gently, while his worrying gaze was scrutinizing me.

"Morning sickness," I presumed with a smile. "Let's meet Mr. Jonas, shall we?"