Chapter 594
Standing Before Love
The atmosphere was heavy. At this hour, there werenât a lot of people waiting to board a flight. The lounge exuded a mild refreshing scent that seemed like it was barely even there. It instilled a sense of familiarity in Heather, as though she had smelled this scent somewhere before.
âDo you smell this fragrance?â Her question was so sudden that Matthias wasnât able to make the switch yet.
He tried his best to sniff, but he didnât pick up any unusual scents. Getting up from his shoulder, Heather looked all around but did not notice anyone suspicious.
âA perfume fragrance?â He only smelled perfume. When he tried his hardest, he even smelled a fusion of several different perfumes.
Looking around, he figured that it was probably coming from the person next to him; even a man was wearing perfume.
âNo. Maybe I was mistaken.â She brushed it off. It seemed the mild scent was also gone now. She reckoned she was just imagining things.
He looked at her with a worried gaze and suspected that the heavy burden weighing in her mind must have led to this scenario.
âWeâre going to board the flight in a bit. Stop overthinking.â He spoke nonchalantly, but he had his guard up. It was possible that Heather wasnât mistaken.
He also had a feeling that they were potentially being followed. Thinking about the phone call earlier, he was certain that someone was following them in secret. Otherwise, why would that person behind all of this know them like the back of their hand?
Even with both of their heightened senses, they couldnât find their stalker. It seemed the stalker disguised themself very well. Only a few people were scattered around the lounge. On the surface, they all looked like social elites. If the two really had a stalker, then it would be one of these people here.
When it was almost time, people started pouring in one after the other. They were most likely on the same flight as the two. Matthias was on high alert, trying to determine the most suspicious person.
Compared to him, Heather was a lot calmer. Her facial expression gave nothing away; it didnât look like she was interested in uncovering the identity of the stalker just yet.
âNo one here looks suspicious,â she murmured in his ear.
This sparked his curiosity. What criteria did she use to judge that these people werenât suspicious?
Nevertheless, she never made up nonsense. Since she made that statement, she definitely had a rationale behind it.
âTheyâre challenging us. If they sent someone at this time, thatâd increase the likelihood of them exposing their identity,â she analyzed. At first, her mind was in a mess because of Myra, but with the sudden turn of events, she was back to her senses.
Someone was following her in secret. She was not a saint and was going to pay them back for it.
Currently, she was waiting for the day when she could counter-attack.
There was one thing, however, that she couldnât figure out. Why did this person have to go through Matthias? What was their purpose? She had yet to figure that out. Perhaps once she went abroad and eased her mood, she would naturally figure some of it out.
Even though Heather didnât say a word, she agreed with Matthias. She was too oppressed in Bradfort City. Ever since she came back to the country, nothing good had happened, so indeed, she needed a distraction. Her problem with Myra was not going to be resolved for a while either.
It was better if she stayed rational. If her rationality crumbled, the outcome would only be less favorable. She boarded the flight with a weight on her mind, but before going on the plane, she asked Matthias to give Robert a call.
âOld Master Langston,â he greeted warmly.
âMatthias! What made you think of me?â They joked around with each other. Robert had already taken Matthias for his own grandson-in-law, so he was a bit more affectionate toward him.
Shortly after, Robert came to the realization. Itâs clearly Heatherâs phone, but why am I hearing Matthiasâ voice? Are they together this late in the night?
âIs Heather with you?â Robert asked directly.
âYes. I have something to tell you, but I donât know how to.â Matthias was in a tough spot, but Heather was placid next to him.
âSpeak your mind. Is Heather giving you a hard time again?â Robert had a feeling that Matthiasâ phone call was not good news.
âNo. Iâm at the airport with her now. I want to apologize to you for not getting your permission beforehand and bringing Heather here of my own volition. I would like to borrow her for a few days.â
Matthias spoke in one breath. He was truly in a tough spot. He had never done something without authorization before, which made him very apologetic toward Robert.
âWhere are you guys planning on going?â Robertâs voice became lower, and he clearly sounded upset.
Matthias looked over at Heather with a troubled look. It was troublesome now; he had left a bad impression on Robert, which wasnât the outcome he had hoped for.
âHeather wants to go to Iceland for a few days. Iââ Even through the phone, the stiffness in Matthiasâ
voice was clear. Why does it feel like Iâm doing something illegal?
Without giving him a chance to finish, Robert interjected, âPut Heather on the phone.â He had complaints about Heatherâs recent behavior.
âGrandpa.â Her voice came through the phone into Robertâs ear.
âIs Bradfort City not cold enough for you that youâre going to Iceland in the middle of winter?â Robert felt like Heather had already overstepped her boundaries before. Now, she had come up with another strange idea; it felt like she was eloping overseas with Matthias.
âGrandpa, I felt an urge to go to Iceland. I want to go somewhere no one can stop me.â She spoke in a gentle voice, but her tone was still persistent.
Robert couldnât stop her. Doing something first before telling him would catch him off guard. Even if he opposed, she was still going to go to Iceland.
âYouâve been causing more and more trouble these days,â Robert reprimanded.
Heather turned around intentionally and lowered her voice. âYou always wanted me to be around Matthias more. Isnât this the situation you wanted to see?â With Matthias by her side, she naturally became more bold. At least, Robert would feel more at ease.
âWhatever. Go and come back sooner. Donât delay the opening of the company.â Robert could tell that she was getting more and more distracted from the business, and he didnât know what she had in mind either.
âOkay.â She almost forgot that Robert was constantly keeping an eye on her from behind. It was going to be a bit difficult to act capriciously.
If it werenât for this phone call, she would probably continue to delay the opening of the company. When the call with Robert ended, she decided to rush back before the New Year and proceed with opening the company as planned.
âHow did it go?â Matthias asked.
âHe told me to come back before business opens. He hopes that I put work first and stop messing around,â she said nonchalantly. She almost forgot about the responsibility on her shoulders.
âAre you done with all the preparations for opening the business?â he asked out of concern. It was clearly written on her face that she was reluctant.
âEverything had already been prepared before I returned to the country.â She brushed away her gloominess from before. It looked like she had to get back on track again.
While they were talking, the announcement to board the plane was made, whereupon they followed the crowd out of the boarding area. They had bought first-class plane tickets. Upon getting on the plane, they realized that there werenât a lot of people in first-class.
It was ideal as well. It was quiet, so they wouldnât get disturbed by other people. Heather consciously nestled up against Matthiasâ shoulder. Since she had done it once, the second time came a lot more naturally.
Lowering his head to look at her, he was filled with happiness. If only there was no end to this trip. Not long after, she was about to fall asleep. She didnât know whether it was because she had stayed up all night, but she felt especially drowsy today.
The last time he watched her this sound asleep was when they were pitted against each other not long after she returned to the country. Indeed, time had flown by and changed their hostile encounter with each other. In the present, he only wanted this happiness to last forever.
The moment the plane took off, he also felt exceptionally comfortable. They were leaving this place to Iceland, where no one knew who they were. Perhaps in Iceland, there werenât that many people out to get them.
By the time Heather woke up again, it was already bright out. Even though Matthias felt like his shoulder was about to break, he didnât dare to move out of fear that he would wake her up.
âDid you sleep well?â he asked in a caring tone, worried that she didnât get enough sleep.
During this time, Matthias also dozed off for a moment, and the two fell asleep with their heads leaning against each other. When he woke up, he felt a pain in his neck, but he didnât wake her up.
âAre you hungry?â He was worried that she would be hungry since she didnât really eat the day before.
Her body wasnât able to endure such torment.
âI donât have an appetite.â She still didnât want to eat anything. Previously, he thought that she was starting to feel better, but her emotions were still a wreck.
âHave something to eat at least so you donât get stomach pains.â His concerned appearance made him look like an elder. It reminded her of how Robert cared for her.
âI want to have some porridge.â She would probably be able to eat if it was porridge.
He stood up. âIâll go take a look.â Perhaps he would be able to find what she wanted.
After a long while, he returned with empty hands. It looked like he wasnât successful.
âItâs fine. Once we get off the plane, we can go have some.â Looking at the time, she saw that they were about to land soon.
âThereâs no porridge in Paris,â he lamented. They had the best porridge back home.
âI might have more of an appetite when we get off the plane, but right now, I really donât,â she explained to him kindly. He could be really stubborn sometimes that she wouldnât know what to say to him.
On the other hand, he didnât know what to do with her either. If she says so, then so be it.
âArenât you hungry?â she asked in return. He was concerned about her hunger the whole time, but he did not tend to his own stomach.
âIâm not,â he replied.
Looking at him in dissatisfaction, she said, âItâs not good to have double standards.â Why is he becoming more and more like a nagging mother? Why didnât I notice he had these qualities in the past?
âA certain someone doesnât want to eat, so how could I have an appetite?â He pushed the responsibility to her again and was making it seem as though she was absolutely wicked.
âSo youâre blaming me!â she bantered.
As they talked and laughed together, the atmosphere loosened up. It seemed as though they had really put Bradfort City behind them. On the surface, Heather looked completely fine, but Matthias knew that she was hiding it from him; even the smile on her face carried some pretense.
âSince you left Bradfort City so suddenly, did you inform the people at Locke Group?â It wouldâve been fine if she had acted on impulse by herself, but she was feeling disconcerted now for dragging him along.
âIâm the Executive President of Locke Group; I donât need to inform anyone there.â His expression shifted slightly, as if she had crossed a line with him.