Bella couldn't believe that they were on a plane which was about to take off, she had her heart in her mouth. The car ride from the village into the city had been one hectic one, she didn't enjoy it. Not even a bit. She didn't enjoy anything, not even the view, because she had spent the past two hours, preventing herself from throwing up in Jackson's 'expensive' car.
She couldn't have him scold her. She had her hand over her mouth most of the time, and even at that, Jackson paid her no mind, he just kept himself busy on his phone. That was her first time in a car, and her stomach wasn't taking it well. To top it up, it was a long bumpy ride.
When they got to the airport, she had all but stumbled out of the car to find a place to throw up after she had managed to open the car door, and all Jackson did was stare at her through his dark-colored shades, so she couldn't tell what his expression was as he watched the whole scenario unfold. The guard that drove them had handed her bottled water which she was grateful for, and she had taken it from him, muttering a small 'thanks'. To say that she was utterly embarrassed was the understatement of the day. Jackson watched her retch her guts out all in the name of vomiting, how embarrassing! She was sure that he felt even more repulsed by her after all that.
"Was that your first time in a car ride?" He asked, looking straight ahead as they entered the airport.
"Yes." She muttered quietly, walking slightly behind him. He didn't bother to respond. They got everything checked and waited for their flight to be called. She didn't even know how she'd say she was pressed and would like to take a piss, not after the embarrassing ordeal that had taken place not too long ago.
However, she was sure that if she didn't find a way to relieve herself soon, she'd take a piss on herself, and that would be more embarrassing.
"Is there anything wrong? Do you want anything? Why are you looking at me like that?" She snapped out of the inner battle that she was having with herself at the sound of his voice. She hadn't even realized that she was staring at him.
"I want to pee." She murmured, burning with embarrassment. She didn't know why she was feeling so embarrassed. He was quiet for some time, taking his time to just stare at her, making her on edge. The worst thing was that she couldn't decipher what exactly his expression was because of the shades he had on.
"Can you wait for a few more minutes? We'll be called in three minutes from now," He stared down at the watch hugging his left wrist. "There are restrooms on the plane, you'll be able to use one after the take-off." He assured her. She was surprised that he wasn't scolding her, or worse, ignoring her. Could it be possible that this honeymoon or whatever the queen called it would be in her favour? She hoped so. She still didn't even know where they were going.
"Ok. I will." She smiled nervously, before tightening her thighs together to keep her pee in. Not even twenty minutes from then, she'd be on air, peeing was the least of her problems.
There they were, strapped in, as the plane got ready for take-off. The pilot and hostess' voices as they took turns in talking, was like a distant ramble, because all she could think about, was not peeing herself from the number of overwhelming nerves wracking her whole being.
She closed her eyes breathing heavily as she maintained a tight grip on the armrest, whimpering when she felt the plane lift from the ground, she was more than tempted to scream like a banshee in distress, but Jackson's sudden hold on her hand had the temptation dying out. Her eyes shot open to stare at him like he suddenly grew horns out of his head in front of her very own eyes. He was holding her hand, she wasn't dreaming, was she? He was obviously trying to make her calm by holding her hand, such a shocker. She didn't know that he had a caring bone in his body. Maybe it was a dream.
The air hostess' voice ranting on and on, on how they could now move about, brought her out of her shock, only for her to realize that the plane had already fully taken off, and was now going steady, and Jackson retrieved his hand immediately like she has burned him.
"You can go take a piss now. Ask any air hostess you find to direct you." He grunted out before putting on a wireless headphone, simultaneously closing his eyes and slumping on his seat. After managing to remove the seat strap, she got up from the seat, practically running to a hostess, and age asked for the direction to the restroom.
*
They landed about an hour and twenty-five minutes later in another airport. The flight from Imo state to Lagos State, Nigeria, had been hectic for Bella. When the plane had been about to land, another battle ensued within her. It had felt like she was falling from the sky.
Her International passport, visa, ticket, and every other thing needed for the journey was ready, there was nothing money and connections couldn't do in the modern world.
They were scanned and checked, and then asked to go to the waiting area, and all through, neither of them said anything to each other which was awkward.
"I have the right to know where we're going." She blurted which caused his eyes to turn on her. "Please." She added when he said nothing, but just kept staring at her with an expressionless look on his face.
With his glasses long gone, she could see every details of his beautiful eyes. Those eyes were now fixed on her, and were making her skin tingle sweetly all over. No matter how intense his eyes were, no matter how much he stared, and no matter how expressionless his eyes always were if irritation, anger, and hate wasn't swimming in them, she loved the feel of his eyes on her. She wanted him to always look at her, without any negative emotions of course. She couldn't deny that she had a crush on her husband. Yes, she did.
"Paris." He grumbled out before putting on his headphone possibly to avoid more questions, and drown the background noises out.
"Paris."
Ella tested the word in her mouth. She had read of it a lot of times in school books and some romance novels that she had read. Though she knew nothing much, she definitely knew that it was a place anyone would be happy to visit.
Her curiosity was piqued. She wanted to see what the place 'Paris' really was like. Was it as beautiful as stated in those books? Was it as lovely as her imagination had made it?
She would find out, she was going there after all.
*
Staying calm as the plane took off was a huge problem for Ella, and it had her feeling like she ran a marathon. Jackson didn't make a move to hold her hand this time, neither did he spare her even a glance. Despite the cool condition in the plane, sweat matted her forehead, and she felt suffocated. She struggled to breathe and stay quiet. It was not good for her health. When the airplane was finally balanced on air, she let out a deep exhale in relief, before rubbing her temples to drive back the building headache in her head, and a small whimper escaped from between her lips.
Who knew traveling by plane could be that exhausting, or was it just her? Every other person in her visuals including Jackson appeared unaffected. Maybe it was just her. She felt utterly and completely sick and imbalanced, maybe it was because she had never been on a plane until that day. Heck, she had never even been on a car ride until that day. Back in the village, there was never a need for a car. Those people who used vehicles as a means of transportation back in the village were either farmers who had a truckload of farm produce to carry or hunters who also had big games to carry from the forest. And of course, the royal family, and people who were going out of the village, like her. She was sick of everything, the car ride, being on a plane, everything!
It all came so fast, too fast. She felt like curling up into a ball and calming her nerves which were still all over the place. Once she successfully got out of the plane, she didn't wish to be back on it.
**
Bella woke with a jolt. When had she fallen asleep? She stared through her blurry vision at Jackson who had woken her up. She then yawned loudly into her cupped hands, before rubbing her eyes. When she stretched wildly, her arm was suddenly yanked, bringing her attention back to Jackson who looked like he'd murder anything In his sight, starting with her, and she gulped slowly.
"Stop showing everyone how stupid you are and answer the poor woman." He whispered harshly in her ear so only she could hear. His warm breath which smelt faintly of mint fanned the exposed skin of her neck, making her shiver involuntarily, and goosebumps appeared on her skin.
Jackson seemed to have noticed this reaction, because he let go of her immediately with a look of disgust on his face, while she stared with wide eyes at him, looking like a deer caught in the headlight.
"Good afternoon, my name is Ashley, would you like a drink?" The feminine voice had her gaze moving away from Jackson. She blinked repeatedly at the lady before smiling softly. Oh, she was the woman he was talking about.
"Yes." She chirped with a smile, just then noticing how thirsty she was.
"And something to eat too....that's if you have that." She mumbled the last part, wishing that Jackson was not paying her any attention, just in case she had just made a fool of herself. They serve food in planes, right?
"Yes, we do. What would you like to drink? We have r-"
"Why don't you bring the menu over so she can see for herself all the available options, you don't need to list them out." Jackson cut in sharply with a small glare directed at her.
At least, he wasn't rude to only her. But damn, he was intimidating.
"Yes. I'm sorry about that. I'll be right ba-"
"No, do not bother, water will do." Ella cut in with a polite smile before the embarrassed hostess could say any other thing.
"Do not mind....him, he's always cranky." She smiled at Ashley, and received a smile in response. Ella knew she had put herself in trouble when she felt his gaze bore a hole on the side of her face.
"Would you like a complimentary snack? The food is finished. When I came the first time, you were sleeping." Ashley smiled in apology. Just how long did she sleep for? Why did Jackson not wake her up earlier? She bit down on her lower lip in deep thoughts.
"Ooh. If you have meat pie, that will do." She had been craving that particular snack for a while, it was in fact her favourite. Her brother always bought it whenever he visited home, and she didn't fail when it came to flaunting it around to make her mates jealous whenever she went to the village school back then. She'd then eat it in front of the hungry eyes of her friends, bits by bits, without sparing any for them. She loved it too much to.
She smiled as she reminisced the good old days, and she wanted to laugh at her child-like behavior. She was but a child after all.
"Ok. I'll be right back." Ashley offered a smile before excusing herself, purposefully increasing the sway of her hips. Ella didn't take note of it, but it didn't go unnoticed by Jackson.
When Ella had gathered the courage to look at Jackson, she almost choked on her spit when she found him staring at her. Again with that blank expression.
"What was that for?" He frowned. "You don't have to be rude to everyone, Jackson." She murmured , staring over his shoulder to avoid his gaze. He said nothing, but continued staring at her. Was there something interesting on her face?
"How long did I sleep for?" She asked as she bit down on her lower lip, but quickly released it when Jackson's gaze followed the movement. Why did she always do that? She made up her mind to not do it in front of him, at least not frequently.
"Three hours, twelve minutes, and two seconds. Had me wondering if you didn't sleep at night." He stated quietly, staring down at his wristwatch, before taking his attention back to the book he had in his grasp which Ella hadn't taken note of. He counted the time in such a detailed manner after her? She couldn't help but gape in bewilderment. Did he have nothing else to do.
"How could I sleep when you wouldn't tell me where we are traveling to?" She murmured underneath her breath so lowly that she was sure he didn't hear her.