However, when they finished packing and headed to the airport, they received unexpected news: the plane had been taken half an hour ago and had already departed.
"How is that possible?" Al Nadeem was furious. "That's my plane. Who could use it without my orders?"
The person on the phone also sounded puzzled, "It's your fiancée, Miss Faiza."
"Faiza?" Al Nadeem was immediately infuriated by the name. He was utterly fed up with her, the woman who was constantly by his side, trying to sabotage his work. He even believed that she was partly responsible for his androphobia (fear of women)!
He grabbed his phone and immediately called her, unleashing a torrent of anger before she even had a chance to respond, "Faiza, who permitted you to use my plane? Do you realize that I needed it?"
On the other end of the line, Faiza smirked; she didn't just take it; she got it from his father on purpose.
However, she couldn't say that at this moment, so she used a more panicked tone to explain, "I really didn't know you needed it today. I bought some larger items, and your plane is more spacious, so I borrowed it. You know, I like cute and compact things, and that applies to planes too."
"Enough of that nonsense," Al Nadeem couldn't be bothered with what she liked. "I need it urgently now. Get the plane back for me!"
"But it has been gone for quite a while now," Faiza pouted, "If you need a plane, you can use mine. It's right there at your airport. The fuel is full, and the crew is still here; you can board it immediately."
Al Nadeem used the speakerphone, so everyone around could hear Faiza's words.
"What should we do? Should we use her plane?" Laila didn't mind whose plane they used; she just wanted to get back as soon as possible. She couldn't help but wonder what other troubles might arise if she stayed longer, considering how things had escalated in just one or two days after her departure.
"Alright, I'll take you to her plane." Al Nadeem and Faiza had been childhood friends, so he knew exactly where her plane was located.
When they arrived at the aircraft, Laila finally understood the meaning behind Faiza's "cute and compact" statement. The plane before her was indeed cute and compact, with a pink design on the fuselage. It was several sizes smaller than the other planes nearby.
"How many people can fit in this?" Laila asked in amazement. This was the first time she had seen an aircraft with such a petite body, except for helicopters.
Al Nadeem felt somewhat embarrassed, "This is Faiza's toy. Besides the crew, probably not many others can fit in."
He was downplaying it because this aircraft was custom-made and decorated according to Faiza's preferences. Essentially, it was designed for her to fly around the world, and it was challenging for others to board it.
"But it doesn't matter; she has several other planes. You can split into two groups and fly back together," he said, pointing to a nearby hangar.
"(￢_￢) The wicked tycoon," Laila couldn't help but grumble in her mind, completely forgetting that she was now in the high-roller class with a net worth of several billion.
"Well, let's wait for my plane to come back," she said. She had a feeling that it wasn't a good idea to board Faiza's plane, and she wasn't desperate enough to use it.
"What's wrong? Are you afraid to fly even on a plane?" A sneering voice came from behind, and Faiza stepped out of a luxury car driven by her chauffeur.
"Kidding! Am I afraid of flying? Do you know how high the grass on the graves of people who said that about me has grown?" Laila added in Chinese for the last part, making sure those around her didn't understand.
However, Roy understood what she had said, and he couldn't help but laugh. He didn't expect her to make such a fierce remark. He had been studying Chinese for two years now, and his language skills had improved significantly. He was comfortable with common dialogues and vocabulary.
Moreover, he could sense the forced bravado in Laila's words. No one better understood Laila's dislike of flying, which she didn't want others to mention.
Sarcastically, Faiza said, "Well, you didn't say that earlier. Did you see how she changed her tune?"
Faiza's change in attitude and her use of Al Nadeem's plane was all too deliberate. She didn't want to give them any chance to use the luxurious plane. So she manipulated the situation to her advantage, ensuring that they had no other choice.
Al Nadeem looked at Laila with a bit of helplessness, "What should we do? Wait for my plane?"
Considering the news she had heard, Laila bit her lip and reluctantly said, "Let's not wait. Let's take it back!" She looked at Faiza intentionally, receiving two big eye rolls from her.
With two planes available, the luxurious one clearly belonged to Laila and Roy.
No wonder it was Faiza's personal aircraft. Upon boarding, they were greeted by several handsome and attentive flight attendants. Some helped with their luggage, while others served them juices. The service was overly enthusiastic.
Laila was hopelessly into eye candy; she had that kind of reaction when she saw handsome men. Her previous frustration disappeared as she basked in the attention, making her feel refreshed.
Roy's lips twitched slightly, and he extended his arm to pull her to his side, covering her eyes. "Are they that good-looking?"
"Ah?" Laila's eyes were covered by his big hand. She immediately understood his displeasure and quickly reassured him with a smile, "They are not as handsome as you."
"Got it," Roy responded with an air of arrogance.
Knowing and doing were two different things. A beautiful face was always pleasing to the eye, and it could even whet your appetite. Although Roy had the upper hand in terms of looks, there was nothing wrong with admiring other attractive people, right?
Once inside the cabin, Laila realized that although the plane was mini, it wasn't too narrow. The interior was lavishly decorated, and it had a girlish charm, leaving Roy unimpressed.
Laila happily enjoyed the juices that the flight attendants served. Seeing her enjoying it so much, Roy handed his juice to her. He didn't trust Faiza and didn't want to risk having digestive problems after drinking her beverage.
Al Nadeem watched the two planes take off smoothly, quickly disappearing into the distance. His sense of loss was clearly visible on his face. They hadn't seen each other in so long, and now that there was finally an opportunity to meet, she was leaving before he had a chance to form a closer bond with her. He couldn't even fathom when they might meet again.
He was consumed by his own melancholy and didn't notice Faiza behind him, gazing in the direction the planes had departed, her eyes gleaming coldly.