Someone Else

Chapter 31

There's a roar from the engines jolting me awake. Sitting up in the extremely uncomfortable seat, I glance out the window, watching as the runway comes into sight. I glance to my left to see Adam watching me.

He smiles, rubbing my knee with his hand, "Nice nap?" He teases. "We're about to land."

"Did you get any sleep?" I frown at him, knowing it had been such a long flight and the time difference was going to fuck us both up.

"I couldn't get comfortable enough." He shrugs.

From the plane I watch as the tires below collide with the asphalt on the runway. A single rough bump causes me to reach out, gripping Adam's hand that still rests on my leg, and he squeezes it in return. Soon after, the plane slows before coming to a halt.

As we de-board the craft, I stretch my neck side to side, awakening my muscles. I inhale deeply, fillings my lungs with the familiar scent of the city; glad to be back on New York soil once again. The scent of fresh baked bagels mixed with what I would describe as a damp subway tunnel fill my nostrils.
Home Sweet Home.

As soon as we exit our terminal, I freeze, overwhelmed by the sight before me. There's massive crowds of screaming fans and flashing photographers littering the airport. The only thing blocking them from us is a thin piece of security rope. I suddenly feel as if I've shrunk down to a mere few inches.

Adam notices, stepping closer to me, "Stay close, okay? We'll be out soon." He reassures me just as two large men approach us. Adam greets them and I realize they must be body guards.

One man begins to lead the way through the crowd, followed by Adam then me and then the second body guard. My sense are filled with shouting and bright lights as people crowd closer to us in an attempt to get a picture or ask a question.

"Adam! How do you think Joanne feels about your mistress!" One paparazzi shouts at us.

"Miss! What's your name? Miss! Were you aware Adam was married when you began your affair?" Another one shoves toward me, catching me off guard and causing me to gasp as I retreat back into the second body guard behind me.

"Don't talk to her." Adam growls, his voice low and stern. He reaches behind for my arm, grabbing my wrist to keep pulling me through the crowd.

The flashing lights from their cameras are nearly blinding combined with the roaring in my ears. An overwhelming sense overcomes me and I keep my head low as we push our way through, trying to drown out everything around me. I'm breathing more rapidly, trying to control the emotions beginning to flood my senses.

Before I'm able to process what's happening, there's a loud commotion from beside me, and I look up just as a woman pushes past the security ropes toward us. She raises her fist and before any of us can react, there's a sudden gush of pain that surges through my face.

I stumble backwards, my hand flying to my nose- gasping for air as I try to process what just happened. The metallic taste of blood drips down, touching my tongue and I remove my hand from my nose, seeing red painted across my skin.

My head shoots up, catching the rushed scene of security grabbing the girl who just hit me, shoving her back through the crowd as Adam and one of the body guards hurry to me. Adam's hands grab at me, panic set across his face as he tugs me forward. His mouth is moving as he glances down at me, but I don't hear a word he says.

In fact, I don't hear anything now. Adrenaline is coursing through my veins and the crowded, deafening airport is now silent. The only noise is the thumping of my heartbeat in my ears.

I'm oblivious to everything going on around us now as we force our way through the last portion of people. The bright light flooding in from the exit is visible and just a few feet away.