The days after their argument felt like a lifetime for both Adrian and Gia. Neither of them reached out to the other, the silence between them thick with unresolved tension. Adrian buried himself in preparations to leave New York, while Gia wrestled with the conflict in her heart.
Mia, despite being away at college, did her best to mediate. She juggled her classes and long-distance phone calls, trying to get both Adrian and Gia to understand each other's perspectives. However, every attempt at a group call ended in frustration. Their stubbornness created an impasse Mia couldn't break, no matter how hard she tried.
Finally, the day Adrian was set to leave arrived. His bags were packed, and the car was scheduled to take him to the airport. That night, Laura decided to have a heart-to-heart with her daughter.
Sitting on the edge of Gia's bed, Laura brushed her hair back gently. "Gia, I know how much you care about him," she began softly. "And I also know how hard it is to let go of everything you know. But life isn't always about staying in one place. Sometimes, the most wonderful opportunities come when you step out of your comfort zone."
Gia sighed, looking down at her hands. "But, Mom... what if I'm making a mistake? What if it doesn't work out?"
Laura smiled warmly. "That's a chance you have to take, sweetheart. It's not about abandoning what you've worked for; it's about building something new, something that could be even better. You'll never know unless you try."
Tears pricked Gia's eyes as she leaned forward and hugged her mom tightly. "Thank you, Mom," she whispered.
The next morning, Laura was already helping Gia pack her things. They moved quickly, racing against the clock. Once her bags were packed, Gia tried calling Adrian, but her calls went straight to voicemail.
Panic set in. "What if I'm too late?" she asked, pacing nervously.
Laura gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Then you run, Gia. You don't let him leave without knowing how you feel."
Gia grabbed her bags and sprinted out the door. She hailed a cab and gave Adrian's address, her heart pounding with every passing second. When she arrived, he was standing at the front door, his suitcases neatly lined up by his side.
Adrian turned at the sound of her footsteps, his brows furrowing in confusion. "Gia?"
Before he could say another word, she dropped her bags, ran up to him, and kissed him. It was sudden, passionate, and filled with every emotion she hadn't been able to put into words.
When they finally pulled apart, she looked up at him, her cheeks flushed. "I'm going with you," she said firmly. "But we're not allowed to fight like that ever again."
Adrian chuckled softly, relief washing over him. "Deal."
They both let out a dry laugh, the tension between them melting away.
"You ready to get on that plane?" Adrian asked, a playful smile tugging at his lips.
Gia opened her mouth to respond, but a sudden realization hit her. "Wait... I don't have a plane ticket!"
Adrian smirked. "I thought you might say that." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small envelope. "I got one for you. Just in case you changed your mind."
Gia stared at him, stunned. "You're impossible, you know that?"
"Yeah, but you love me anyway," he teased.
They arrived at the airport with time to spare, going through check-in smoothly. Gia had expected a regular flight, but instead of heading toward the standard boarding gates, they were led to a private section of the airport.
Adrian took her hand as they approached a sleek private jet. The family crest and name were emblazoned on the side in gold.
Gia stopped in her tracks, her eyes widening. "Adrian... what is this?"
He grinned, clearly amused by her reaction. "Our ride."
"This is your family's jet?" she asked incredulously.
"Yep."
She looked at him, her mind racing. "Just how rich are you?"
Adrian chuckled, leaning in close. "Very."
Gia shook her head, a mixture of awe and disbelief on her face. As they boarded the plane, she felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. She didn't know what awaited her at Adrian's home, but one thing was certain—her life was about to change forever.