chapter 2

She woke up quite early the next morning.

Probably because she did not want to miss her flight or the joy of having a bit of fresh air for some time.

Pearl slipped into a jean and an over sized polo. She didn't want to wear something too fitting as she was already a slim lady.

"Good morning Dad"

She greeted immediately she got to the living room.

"Morning"

He replied nonchalantly.

"Won't you at least have breakfast before leaving? I don't want you falling from the plane"

He said in a sarcastic tone.

Her eyes narrowed as she looked at her father.

Well, she hated to address him as that because he never behaved like her father. They were a bit closer when her mother was still alive, but her mother's death broke the shackles that binded their father-daughter relationship.

"I won't, and besides, I am in a hurry"

She replied.

He didn't bother to look at her again as he focused on his phone.

She was about stepping out with her luggage when she heard him speak

"You are alone this time. You do not worth my securities. Do whatever you want with your life while you are there, but one warning... Don't do anything that will make this name I have worked hard to develop crash... Else, I will crush you Pearl... I will"

He said in a threatening tone, but she wasn't fazed by whatever he had to say.

It wasn't the first time he was threatening her and it won't also be the last.

"Yes father"

She replied to receive a scoff from him.

"I am sorry... Yes Mr Yates"

She sighed then stepped out of the house.

Sometimes she wondered if he was her biological father because of his always aloof attitude.

'If only mother was here, at least I know I would not be alone'

The tear she had been holding fell off one by one.

'No, father doesn't deserve my tears'

She wiped it off immediately, but it was too late as the tear had already ruined the little makeup she applied.

'I'll work hard... Hard enough to be able to survive on my own.. And I will leave you father. I will start a life of my own. And maybe, you would never see me again'

She balled her hands into fists as she got into her car and drove out of the house.

She got to the airport an hour before the time of departure.

After doing the needful, she waited patiently for the designated time.

She sat on one of the metal chairs made for waiting passengers and visitors.

She was so lost in thought to even notice someone sitting beside her.

"Your bracelet.. It fell off"

A deep masculine voice jolted her.

Looking beside her, she saw a man sitting beside her. Not just a man, a handsome man. Even though she was seeing his side view, it was enough to judge his beauty.

His dishevelled hair rested on his face adorning his pale face as he rested his straight chiseled jaw on his fist.

He looked charming.

'Stop this Pearl.... He'll only distract you'

She bit her lip slightly.

"Thank you"

She softly murmured and picked up her bracelet from the floor.

It was one of the precious things her mother gifted her.

In less than twenty minutes, it was time. She stood up and walked away, but that was after stealing a glance on the charming stranger.

Her father was so mean. He didn't reserve a private plane for her, instead he made her go through public flight.

No one would believe that the daughter of a wealthy and influential CEO would be taking a public transport.

She sighed as she rubbed her temple.

Getting to the plane, she sat down but not less than a second of her sitting, she heard a voice.

"Get up, that's where I want to sit"

A blonde cocky girl said to Pearl.

Pearl's brows furrowed. She had met many girls like this who were just too pompous. But she knew exactly how to deal with them.

Pearl could have easily claimed to be the daughter of Mr Yates and the issue would die down, because there was hardly any body that did not know of the well to do CEO, and well his rival.

But she wasn't proud of that name and there was no need using it as it would only cause unwanted attention.

"Well, I don't see your name written on it"

Pearl retorted.

"I said get up you poor bitch"

The blonde girl said gritting her teeth.

"Well you have to beat me to it"

Pearl replied with a smile.

"What's going on here?"

A flight attendant asked and in no time settled the scuffle by directing Pearl to a different seat and making the blonde girl sit there. Probably the blonde girl was a big shot so she'll be treated with special privileges.

Pearl rolled her eyes irritated by the girl.

She was so annoyed that she failed to notice the person beside her.

"Flight attendants, prepare for take off"

And after that, some other words were said but she didn't pay attention as her heart clenched.

It didn't take much time for a tear to roll down her cheek.

The locket on her neck... It contained a picture of her mother and herself. They took the picture on her mom's birthday and ever since then, she promised to keep it forever hence, making a locket for it.

She sniffed as she wiped her tears holding the locket in her hands

.....

His brows furrowed as he watched the girl beside him. He didn't know if it was coincidence, but this was the same girl he picked up her bracelet.

And here he was sitting with her again in the plane.

If not for the underground mission he had to do, by mixing himself with the poor so he wouldn't be spotted, he would never had taken a public flight.

He internally rubbed his temple as he ignored the girl beside him...

But that was almost impossible as her frequent sob was making him furious..

He closed his eyes focusing his mind on other things ignoring the crying girl beside him.

'''''''''''''''''

Getting to the destination, Pearl was one of those who quickly ran out of the plane. She needed a bit of fresh air as the plane was suffocating her.

She couldn't get her mind off all the memories she shared with her beloved mother..

Sometimes it made her wonder if memories was a good or bad thing.

It made you remember the precious things they did together and also haunted you.. It made you miss them so badly that you had to blame yourself in so many ways for not stopping death.

Getting out of the plane, she heaved a sigh. Before going back home, she'll make sure to cruise a bit in London Maybe it will take her mind off her mother's death, even though it felt like yesterday.

After all her father had given her the permission to do certain things here.

She shrugged her shoulders as she moves her legs to get a public transport. She would he spending her night in a hotel since it was late... But fate had other plans.

...

He stood up and was about walking when his legs hit something. Scrunching his face, he bent down to pick something.

Her locket and her identification card.

He opened the locket to see her and an older woman who shared a striking resemblance with the girl.

He shrugged his shoulders.

'If I see her, then she is lucky... But if not.. I have no use for them anyway'

He thought.

He walked out of the plane lazily and decided to check her ID card when he saw the name written on it --

'Pearl Yates'

His lips curved up into a small but noticeable smile.

"Seems like this mission wouldn't be so boring after all"

He deadpanned