"So, where did you and Serena go to play this afternoon?" Lucas couldn't help but feel uneasy, noticing how much more time Elora seemed to spend with Serena than with him recently.
"What's the matter? Are you upset?" Elora teased, her gaze landing on the awkward Lucas.
"No, not at all. You're overthinking it. I was just asking casually." It seemed that Elora had struck a nerve, and Lucas, for some inexplicable reason, felt a hint of guilt.
"By the way, doesn't your company recommend outstanding employees for overseas training?" Elora thoughtfully tapped her chin. "I think Serena has great potential."
"I've seen her plans; they're impressive, full of ideas, and she's willing to work hard. Though she's still a bit green, with the right guidance, her future is limitless," Lucas replied, despite his frustrations with how much time Serena had been spending with Elora. He couldn't deny Serena's capability in her work. "So, I've already recommended her for the program."
"Just as I thought—someone with great potential!" Elora suddenly kissed Lucas. "You did well too, this is your reward."
"Is that all?" Elora could distinctly feel the dangerous energy radiating from Lucas. She nervously swallowed. "Then what do you want?"
"Naturally, something like this." Lucas swiftly closed the distance between them, pulling her into his arms and kissing her passionately, pressing her against him until she could barely catch her breath. Only then did he release her. "Now, that's what I call a reward."
"I've realized... you really have thick skin." Elora suddenly remembered something she had forgotten to tell Lucas, though she couldn't quite recall what it was.
...
"Lora, I've packed your things." Elora's mother had already begun her usual morning lecture. "Be careful and take good care of yourself while you're away, balabala..."
"Wait, what things?" Elora was confused by her mother's words.
"Your business trip today—your father mentioned it to you a month ago, remember?" Her mother suddenly paused, setting down her flowers and looking at Elora with a raised brow. "You didn't forget, did you?"
Elora was completely stunned. After wrapping up her work at the company, she'd been spending time with Serena, and the remaining moments with Lucas. No wonder she had that nagging feeling that something was amiss. She had completely forgotten to tell Lucas that she was going on a business trip today.
"Wait, why didn't Sylvie mention it?" If it were a business trip, Sylvie would definitely have reminded her.
"Heh, I saw that you had unread messages from Sylvie yesterday!" Her mother laughed.
Elora quickly checked her phone, and indeed, there were messages from Sylvie. Well, that was careless of her.
"Never mind, this isn't the time for that. You'd better hurry and get ready or you'll miss your flight."
Realizing the urgency of the situation, Elora quickly sent a message to Lucas and then rushed to catch her flight.
...
Finally seated on the plane, Elora let out a relieved sigh and leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes to rest.
"Vixen, wake me up when it's time. I'll take a nap now."
"Okay."
Elora soon drifted off to sleep. Perhaps it was the cool air, but she wrapped her arms around herself. A soft blanket was gently draped over her, bringing warmth. With a smile, she peacefully drifted into a deep sleep.
"Dear passengers, we will soon be landing at City B International Airport. The bathrooms will be closing. Please return to your seats, fasten your seatbelts, stow your tray tables, and turn off all electronic devices. The outdoor temperature is 22°C with clear to partly cloudy skies. We thank you for flying with us today and wish you a pleasant journey." The soft voice of a flight attendant roused Elora from her slumber.
Elora removed her eye mask.
"…Ladies and gentlemen, we will land in City B…"
The announcement continued, but Elora reluctantly opened her eyes. When she turned her head, she was startled to find a familiar, handsome face just a few centimeters away from hers. She froze, overwhelmed by the unexpected proximity.