The Arrangement

Chapter 17: Tess POV

It was time to leave Rio De Janeiro. I would miss the beautiful forests, smell of sizzling meats in the street, and the vibrant life of the natives here. But it was time to go back home to my mother and my life.

Declan studied me and saw my disappointment. "We'll be back, Tess. You're forgetting I own an island."

"I know. It's just that I'm not ready to leave yet," I protested. I closed my eyes and inhaled the scent of the salty sea into my lungs. I could taste it in the back of my throat. Just five more minutes, I thought to myself.

"Come on. We have a plane to catch," Declan's voice snapped me out of my reverie, as he gently touched my arm.

*****
This time the plane was a billionaire's plane. The exterior was an ivory white color. The interior was home to golden, leather seats with brown, wooden trays in front of each seat extending from the side of the plane. There were two rows with three seats each. The seats were neatly compiled in a single file line on both sides of the plane. The floor was a light gray carpet, extending the full length of the jet.

Up front was the cockpit. The pilot stood in front of it and smiled at us as we made our way on board. "This is Mr. Barry. He has been a pilot for us for over ten years," explained Delcan. Mr. Barry had graying black hair and dark brown eyes.

"It is my pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Scott. Declan tells me great things about you!" I blushed and told him it was nice to meet him, too.

I looked around. Something didn't seem right, then it clicked. "No co-pilot?" I asked confused.

Declan smiled and said, "I am the co-pilot."

"No way," I exclaimed.

Declan nodded. "Got my license a couple of years back."

"You owe me a ride, Captain Scott."

Declan's lips twisted into a mischievous grin. "You bet, Angel."

We took our seats and soon the plane began driving down the runway. I settled comfortably into one of the golden seats. "Now, this is more like it," I said. I ran my fingers down the smooth seats.

"Thought you might like it."

"It's definitely an upgrade," I agreed, referencing our first trip on a normal plane.

I closed my eyes and drifted off.

*****
We had finally arrived home in the middle of the night seventeen hours later. Declan and Mr. Barry took turns flying. I could tell the difference between who was flying easily. Mr. Barry's flights were much more structured and cautious. Declan breezed through the sky, racing the wind.

The limo was, of course, waiting at the airport where we landed to drive us home. The ride seemed shorter than usual. The small, yellow brick house came into view to greet us. And, boy, did I miss it. I missed my mother. A part of me was glad to be back, even though I knew the magic was over, the honeymoon phase was over literally, and real life would begin.

I realized I hadn't told my mother we would be arriving shortly while we drove from the airport. She was probably still sleeping. I decided to let myself in. I fumbled for the key under the welcome mat in front of the front door.

"You know, you better not let me see where you keep that. Otherwise, I might let myself in while you're sleeping," Declan said with a smirk. He rolled the suitcases behind us.

"Creep."

"You know it."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help but let out a little laugh. I shoved the key in the keyhole and turned it, effectively unlocking the door. I put the key back under the mat and pushed my way through the front door with Declan following behind me.

I was surprised to see the kitchen light on and my mother sitting at the round table. She was sipping on a cup of hot tea. "I figured that was you!" She exclaimed. "But just in case, I brought this down." She gestured towards a metal baseball bat.

"Should I run?" Declan asked behind me.

My mother laughed. "I don't think so. Unless my daughter gives me a reason you should." She squinted her eyes. She was only half-joking. She knew I wasn't thrilled about going on the honeymoon, and I knew she didn't completely trust him yet. Little did she know, I had the best time of my life.

"He's okay, mom. Really. We had a good time, and he looked out for me."

"That's what I like to hear," she replied back, taking another sip of her tea. "Tea?"

"No thanks," Declan and I responded in unison.

"I should really get going," Declan said. I looked at him in disappointment. For once, I didn't want him to go. He saw this and quickly added, "but don't worry, I'll catch up with you tomorrow." He gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. "Why don't you show your mom the pictures we took?"

He said goodbye to my mother and took his suitcase and walked out the door. He got into the limo and it pulled away. I took my seat across from my mother at the table.

"So, did you end up having fun after all, sweetie?" I nodded. I pulled out my phone and we spent the next half hour sharing and discussing the pictures I took. Then, she noticed the scarred over cut on my head.

"Oh, honey! What happened? You're hurt!" She tried to touch it with her hand but I pushed her away.

"Mom, stop it! I'm fine. Really, it's just a scratch."

"What happened?" She demanded again.

I knew part of her thought Declan was to blame. She never really fully trusted him, and was hesitant to go along with this whole arrangement thing from the getgo. She only relented when I told her it was this or we might end up homeless.

"I tripped down a flight of stairs and hit my head on the table at the end of it," I lied. "It doesn't even hurt anymore." I could tell she didn't believe me but she let out a sigh and dropped the conversation. I hated lying to my mother, but there was no way I was telling her what had actually happened.

My mother yawned. "Well, now that you're back home," she began. She stood up from her seat. "And in one piece," she added. She took the empty teacup to the sink and began washing it. "I ought to head back to bed."

I could tell by her bloodshot eyes that she hadn't really slept much in these eighteen days. I felt a twinge of guilt that she was worried sick about me while I was out galavanting around Rio. Out of everyone who deserved a break from the stressors of life and a relaxing vacation, it was her.

She turned off the sink and put the teacup and teapot in the drying rack. "Good night," I told her, hugging her before she turned and started up the small stairway.

At the top she turned and looked over her shoulder at me. I could tell she was deep in thought, but I couldn't tell what she was thinking. She turned around without a word and continued to her bedroom.