I Got This

Her arms trembled as she drew back the ceiling to floor designer drapes. Torrential rain cascaded down the window panes in glistening sheets so thick she could barely make out the stone facade on the brownstone across the street. Chicago storms could be brutal, yet their beauty was exquisite--especially from twenty three stories above the city. The winds had soared to double digits, and she was mesmerized by an umbrella thrashing through the air with the grace of an injured kite. It validated her fears as it whipped in the wind with no control of its own. Anticipation churned inside her, causing a shriek to escape her lips as Sean crept up from behind.

“I want you to calm down, Alyssa.” Sliding his arms around her waist. “Why do you put yourself through this every time we have a flight booked?”

“You think I do this on purpose? For the love of God, Sean, flying is traumatizing to me on a good day, it should be illegal to travel at all in this weather.” She continued studying the ominous clouds that hovered too low for comfort. “You're the one who insists I go on these business trips, so in actuality, it's you that puts me through this.”

“So you don't enjoy the garishly expensive shopping trips I indulge you with, is that what you're saying?”

“Of course I do, I just don't enjoy what I have to brave to get there.” A new dress, complete with matching stilettos, wasn't worth flying across country to claim the reward. Swiping her credit card at Blake's downtown was less distressing, and, a few thousand dollars later, she could walk out looking like a million bucks without her feet ever leaving the ground.

Turning her around to face him, he smirked. “Seriously? You're so theatrical sometimes.” Lowering his glasses, he stared at her for so long she actually thought he might be considering letting her off the hook, until he stunned her by saying, “You have the most sensual blue eyes I've ever seen.”

Studying his odd expression, she wondered what kind of freakish omen was responsible for his out of character behavior. He was looking at her as though he was seeing her for the first time in his life--or maybe the last, she couldn't tell, but it unnerved the hell out of her.

“If your agenda is distracting me with flattery, it won't work.” Rolling her baby blues, she continued to plead her case. “Traveling in this weather is unconscionable. Honestly Sean, I just want to stay home.”

Back and forth he wagged his finger an inch from her nose, dictating his authority. “That's not going to happen.” Leaving no room for argument he drove his point home. “Had you not abused your happy pills last month, right about now....” Glancing at his watch, “You'd be in naw naw land instead of behaving so irrationally. So darling, this is your own fault. Now, pull yourself together like a good girl, you have no other choice.”

She'd see about that. Their flight was scheduled for takeoff in two hours. If the weather was uncooperative by then, she'd think of something. Screaming “bomb” in the crowded airport should get her grounded and not even the great Sean Matthews could do a damn thing about it. Of course it would also get her an escort to the local mental ward. She was amusing herself with thoughts of how he would handle that scenario, when he gave her a nudge, pushing her down the hall and into the bedroom.

“Don't defy me, finish packing. I've called for Charles to pickup our luggage so he should be here any minute. By the time we reach the airport the storm will have passed.”

She had her doubts, but she finished zipping her Louis Vuitton, secured the combination lock, and wheeled it down the hallway. As she grabbed her raincoat from the hall closet, the doorbell chimed out its harmonic melody: Charles had arrived. Short of faking a seizure, she was going to be on the much dreaded flight from Chicago to Houston.