Day 239
Arriving at the airport, I noticed Melbourne turned on the weather for my departure. It was Spring, which meant it would be warmer in Sydney.
Sometimes, Melbournians complain. We have the worst weather in the world. But then we get to Sydney and realise that we need every single type of clothing just to survive their unpredictable weather system.
Though I shouldn’t have needed it, I didn’t resist packing my trench with the oversized hood.
As I kissed Cooper goodbye, my gracious chauffeur this morning, I could feel myself already longing for him.
I felt calm around him. I felt sensible, and yet he challenged me, entertained me, and kept me on edge with his extreme lifestyle. He provided me with this wonderful balance of feeling safe yet being pushed to where I needed to go.
It didn't hurt he was easy on the eye, too. It also didn't hurt that he managed to make me scream every time my legs wrapped around his body, something I would wait impatiently for until my return.
Stepping into the airport, looking for the desk to drop off my bags, I opened up my Qantas app to find that my humble little spot on the flight was a business class seat.
From Melbourne to Sydney was about an hour. Travelling business class seemed rather over the top. But it was Angela who had booked this. She was Douglas's personal assistant.
Her entire job description was to make sure Douglas maintained his lavish lifestyle, albeit unnecessary at times. And so far, she was doing a very good job of it.
After rushing through security, I found Douglas reclining in a private space in the business lounge, away from everyone else. Unlike the shared tables for everyone else, Douglas’ looked as if he was in a private restaurant, with an array of beverages and a full breakfast.
I didn't even know they offered meals like this, but when this man entered a room, he got what he wanted.
I recited to myself as I saw him indulging in his men; he wasn't going to get me.
“Morning. Are you hungry?”
“No. I might just get some fruit.” I didn’t notice until I joined him that there was already a platter on the table, overflowing with a rainbow of bite-sized pieces. “There's going to be enough food at the symposium; you will need to roll me out at the end.”
“I didn't realise you knew anything about these types of tradeshows. It’s not your scene.” Douglas pushed the platter toward me with his index finger, like I needed his help.
“I went to one earlier this year. You were there with James. Looking mighty comfortable, by the way.” I watched as Douglas's eyes lit up. Underestimation of me had become his new pastime. I was enjoying proving him wrong.
“When the plane is ready, they will come and get us.”
“That's not usually have his commercial flights work, you know. They usually call out boarding, and we go to them.”
He let out a bellowing laugh. “Oh, you don't you remember what it was like to do things with me? We don't do things the way everyone else does them.” Much like the way he ran his business, I mused.
“You know, when we were dating, you used to act normal. Like, relatable. Now that we're not, now that we're colleagues or boss and employee or whatever this is, you seem to act like you’re too arrogant for school. If you acted like this when we were dating, I wouldn't have fallen for you in the first place.”
Douglas checked himself. I saw him quickly button up his suit and straighten himself in the chair. "Well, being around you brings out something in me.”
“Don't blame me for this performance,” I quipped, pushing the platter back to him.
Day 240
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