Secrets and Lies

Chapter 19

Hello Readers,

I'm back! I will try and post every week but bare with me if it's a little longer. Enjoy. 

~*~

The rest of the week dragged on as I waited for my dad to call. I started to wonder if maybe I was just being impatient. He did say it would take some time to plan the ceremony, but how long would that really take?

When Sunday arrived, my phone rang that morning. I looked at the caller ID and was happy to see Dad on the screen.

"Hello," I answered.

"Hey, Mina. I'm sorry I haven't been in touch all week. Things have been a little crazy around here," my dad explained.

"I can imagine," I said sympathetically.

"So, what are you doing this coming weekend?"

"Nothing,"

"Good because I'm going to fly you and Josh out here for the ceremony," he said.

"Really, you'll be ready by next weekend?" I asked in disbelief.

"Yes, everything's almost ready. I just have a few more things to arrange but it will be done before you get here."

"I can't wait," I said happily.

"Great, see you Friday."

"Friday," I confirmed. "Bye Dad."

"Bye," he said and then hung up.

~*~

Friday morning I woke up early, going over my packing list for the tenth time. I wanted to be sure one last time that I wasn't forgetting anything. When the doorbell rang, I zipped up my suitcase.

Josh was already standing in the hallway chatting to my mom when I made it downstairs.

"Thanks again for taking her to the airport," my mom said. "I just couldn't take off work."

"It's no problem," Josh assured her.

What I hadn't told my mom when I informed her about the trip was that Josh was actually coming with me. I knew she'd object to him going, but I needed him there so I just told her he was taking me to the airport.

"You ready?" Josh asked when I made it to the bottom of the stairs.

"I think so," I replied.

"I'll put your suitcase in the car," he offered, taking my suitcase from me and going out to the car.

"Be safe and call me when you get there," my mom instructed.

She gave me a tight hug. This was the first time I was traveling long distance without her and I could see the worry etched on her face.

"I will," I reassured her. "I'll be fine, Mom."

"I know," she said, mostly to herself. "I love you."

"I love you too, Mom," I said breaking the hug.

I met Josh in the car and we drove to the airport. It was about a twenty-minute drive which gave me time to settle my nerves. I had never flown before and the closer we got the more my stomach dropped.

We arrived at the airport and were immediately greeted outside by a tall middle-aged man. It took me a moment to recognize him as one of the men that came with my dad to Josh's house.

"Mina Williams. My name is Michael, your father's Beta. He sent me to ensure you arrive safely," he informed me. "His plane is this way."

"I can't believe he sent his private plane," I whispered to Josh as we followed along. "Do you have one?"