The Age of Love (Book #1)

15. Departure Day

Song for airplane scene:
Rain Over Me - Pitbull ft Marc Anthony

"Shanghai?!" Julia shouts.

"I know how crazy it sounds..." I say trying to ease her concern "But why not? I mean I've always played safe Jules, it's gonna be an adventure and a good one!" I promise her excited.

"Madison dating a 42 year old is already an adventure." She protests.

I roll my eyes, you're supposed to help not critize me.

"I'm just saying, it's the other side of the freaking world!" Her tone is heavily dramatic. Jules stops me from packing. "Madison I'm just worried you don't know him well enough and you're gonna disappoint yourself."

"I've heard this speech before with my father." I chuckle.

"Well, wow, look at me agreeing with your dad, but your dad is right." Julia says dropping her hands dramatically on the bed.

"Julia, I'm not backing up. I wanna go!"

"And when are you leaving?"

"In 2 days." I reply.

"Ok let's pretend Theodore is everything he is but what about his world? I mean look at him, he lives a totally different life there. Do you really think people like us would ever fit in?" She manages to get into my head. "Not to mention, deep down, I still think he's a sugar pops wanted criminal."

"Me and the wanted criminal haven't fucked yet." And from the looks of it, probably never will.

"Besides weren't you the one calling him Hot Asian Stuff a few weeks ago? Oh! And what couldn't you stop thinking about again?" I raise my eyebrow playfully to her deep scowl.

She rolls her eyes defeated.

"I hate how you use my words against me."

"I love how you talk so much crap and I get to use it against you." I laugh at her. "It's just Shanghai, one event, just me and Theodore getting to know each other on a new level."

"New levels, new devils... They say... and what does your mom think about this?" Julia changes the subject.

I chuckle. "They don't know."

She blinks incessantly.

"See Jules, I will need you to disappear for a week.. two-ish." I shoot her a pretty please face. "I said we were going to Kommetjie beach in Cape Town."

Julia's face goes pale.

"WHY DOES EVERY DISASTROUS PLAN OF YOURS INCLUDE ME?"

(...)

2 Days Later.

O.R. Tambo International Airport
Departure Day

I think I've never seen Julia flip out the way she did when I told her what I lied to my parents, it was wrong, very wrong but there was no way they would let me go to Shanghai.

Thank goodness despite constantly feeling like a paranoid parrot, Julia agreed to lie for me.

I do feel bad for lying but summer vacation was coming around the corner and it was the perfect opportunity. I had been convincing them to let me go to Kommetjie Beach for a very long time now, a 2 day drive to Cape Town.

We took Julia's car early in the morning, said our goodbyes and drove to Johannesburg, spending the day looking for a proper dress for Theodore's event because according to Julia my wardrobe looked like a low budget 80's party.

And next morning, I was ready.

"I can't believe you got me into this." She says squeezing me in a tight hug.

"I knew you'd agree." I smile.

"Maddie are you sure?" She asks me one more time.

"Jul, we live for the memories we make when we're young." I meant it.

"In my heart I'm praying for this work out because if not..." Julia laughs nervously.

"I'm following my heart and it says I'm doing the right thing! I trust him." I say, looking at my best friend one last time before heading out to check in and the departure lounge.

"I hope so! Bring back something nice." She demands, giving me one last hug, "Hope everything goes well and text me everyday."

"I will." I promise her wholeheartedly.

"Bring back a souvenir." Julia gestures on her ring finger, winking at me making us both laugh.

I get in line for the check-in and give him a quick call while I wait.

"Good morning my baby."

I bit the smile off my lower lip, this is so unlike him, but I love it.

"Morning charmer, I'm at the check-in line waiting for 17 exciting hours ahead." I laugh hearing him giggle.

"I'm sure you're gonna enjoy the flight." I can sense his smile on the other side of the line.

"Uh.. What's so lovely about economy cla... Oh Theo, gotta go, it's my turn." I quickly say goodbye to him.

"See you on the other side beautiful."

I arrive in the check-in desk handing my papers to the lady. After a long minute she frowns looking at my ticket and looking back the computer screen.

Shit, I did something wrong.

It's my first time leaving the country.

Shit, shit, shit.

"Is there a problem miss?" I ask calmly.

"Hum, well Mrs.Swanepoel looks like you're in the wrong check-in desk." She says in the most natural way making me even more nervous.

"What? What do you mean?"

"Your ticket has been upgraded, follow my colleague to the piaggio please." She smiles widely at my confusion. who is the piaggio?

Another woman in a impeccable uniform escorts me through security check and a different lane than what I was used to seeing in movies, all I noticed was everyone's eyes on me and a weird expression on their faces, or maybe I was becoming paranoid? This was starting to look like one of those episodes of Banged Up Abroad.

"I'm sorry miss... Anna." I read on her tag. "Where are we going? Did I do something wrong? I thought they said my ticket was upgraded?"

She smiles kindly to me, walking in a fast pace. "It was Mrs.Swanepoel, this is common procedure for special passengers. Well here we are, take this shuttle van and he knows where to take you!"

Thank you? But you didn't answer me?

The van drove around the airdrome between airplanes, people and cargo, my heart started pumping in my chest, it was starting to become real this whole experience.

A minute later, away from all the hustle and bustle of the airfield, there's a private jet with big bold silver letters on its body: Obayashi Corporation.

"Holy mother of fuck." I murmur in shock.

So has anyone ever heard the song "Like a G6"?