It Started that Night

Part 7

"What's the time, Dad?" asked Dex, loading his parents' bags into the back of the cab. This was his second trip to Milan airport today after taking Lucie to catch her flight back home this morning. Now it was his parents' turn to go home.

"It's 3.15pm, Son," replied his dad, lifting his shirt sleeve to look at his super-expensive designer watch, a present from Dex when he got his first number one single.

"We'd better get going," Dex replied. He helped his mom into the back of the cab before getting in the front.

Mac was very nervous, he was letting Dex take them alone at his request. Not a request Mac would usually fulfil, but he got the feeling Dex was really struggling at the moment and could probably do with a bit of space. But still, he didn't feel comfortable with it. If anything happened to Dex he knew it was on him.

"I'll be back as quick as I can, man," Dex shouted to Mac.

"Yeah, call me if you need anything" Mac shouted back. Dex was on stage tonight in Milan and needed to be back for sound check at 4.30pm. He was feeling pretty down that his parents were leaving already, he'd barely spent any time with them, but he was desperate to find the girl as soon as they left. For the entire 20-minute journey to the airport Dex felt anxious. His mom could tell something wasn't quite right but she knew she couldn't ask, she knew she had raised a good man and that whatever it was he would find a way to figure it out. She gently rubbed his knee. He turned to her and smiled, he knew that was her way of saying; It's okay Son, you'll be okay. He might be 31 but god he loved his mom.

The cab pulled up outside the terminal and Dex handed some money over to the cab driver to help his parents out of the car and carry their bags in for them. Dex couldn't get out of the car, he had no security with him and would be mobbed. He knew he would end up stuck there for ages signing things and posing for photos when all he wanted to do was get back to the hotel so he could find her.

He turned around in his seat and gave him mom a kiss.

"Bye, Son, we'll see you when you come home. Take care of yourself," she said with a smile.

"Yeah, I'll miss you, Mom, but I'll be home soon," he smiled back and his eyes began to well up. She ran the back of her hand down his cheek and pinched his chin as if he was five years old again.

He leaned over the back of the seat and gave his dad a hug.

"Bye, Dad, safe flight."

"Goodbye, Son. Take care, see you soon," replied his dad.

The cab driver opened the door and gave his dad a hand out, then went around to help his mom. Dex felt bad he couldn't help but his parents understood, his mom worried about him so much and would have never let him get out anyway. Plus he wanted to say goodbye to them alone without a crowd of people surrounding them, pushing and shoving to get to him. He feared for his parents' safety, they were getting old and didn't need the drama that came with being Dex Rose!

He lifted his sunglasses for a second and watched as they disappeared inside the terminal building. As soon as they were out of sight he slumped down in his seat. Wiping away tears he closed his eyes. Five minutes' rest was bliss whilst he was waiting for the cab driver to return. A cab pulled up behind his.

Ricco got out and opened the door, putting his hand out to help Millie out of the cab.

"Hang on a second," she said, swinging her legs out of the car door to change her heels for trainers. Leaving her to I, Ricco pulled their bags from the boot and carried them into the terminal building. Millie slammed the cab door shut and ran to catch him up. Dex jumped and opened his eyes.