Chapter Twenty-Three: Fly Away

It was in the middle of the night and people just come and go.

I'm starting to become a little worried about Luke not showing up.

I've been waiting for his call but there's nothing.

I already placed my duffel bag together with my purse inside the coat closet under the staircase just a few minutes ago, taking a breathe and calming myself. My mind was racing with combined horrid and happy thoughts and probabilities.

"You still not leaving?" Calum asked, getting impatient as I am.

I shook my head, "Not yet."

Im worried that Luke might've forgotten about me but that can't be. I'm just over thinking. Give him a little time, Tatum.

I took in a seep breath and let out a sigh. I finished my third glass of champagne before sitting back on the empty bench.

I feel like I'm going insane. I'm worried and stressed out.

"Mr. Luke Hemmings, what a pleasure that you acknowledged my invitation by showing up." I heard my mother say and it felt like my body was on full alert as my head shot towards her direction to really see if Luke was there.

And he was.

I can feel my heart leaping in joy like I was in cloud 9.

I hear him laugh, "Of course, I wouldn't deny something like this. Where is your daughter? I would like to congratulate her personally-"

I immediately pretended that I didn't knew about his presence as I reluctantly look away.

I heard foot steps coming closer to where I'm at. The mushy sound of leather shoes being pressed by weight against the freshly cut lawn.

"Miss Beck." He exclaimed and I looked up at him like I just saw an angel saving me from hell.

Literally.

"Mr. Hemmings." I stood up to where he was,

"My, how you look ravishing." He complimented leaning close to my ear, "You don't have any idea how I want to rip you out of that dress and fuck you badly." He whispers,

I felt my body tensed up like I was being electrified.

He smiled before handing me a thin black velvet rectangular box.

"Congratulations on your graduation."

"What's this?" I asked.

"I'd be a bad boyfriend if I don't give my girlfriend anything for graduation, right?" He whispers,

Wait. What the fuck what?! Boyfriend!???

"Go on open it."

I obliged.

It was a silver necklace from Pandora and it was shaped like a wishing bone?

I didn't know what to say. It was beautiful.

"But you d-didn't have to give me anything." I exclaimed I'm suddenly beginning to be emotional as fuck.

He took the necklace out of the box and placed it on his hand. He made his way behind me and silently wore the necklace around my neck.

It was the perfect fit and it was really beautiful.

"There's a deep meaning behind that necklace." He started as soon as he clasped the locks together.

"And that is?" I asked, looking at the pendant and started rubbing it with my thumb and index finger.

"Its one of a kind since I designed it. A wishing bone fits your personality very well. You're smart and sexy, and I want all of your wishes to come true, and as long as you're wearing that I'm always going to be with you." His words felt surreal, hearing him say things like this is very unexpected.

I looked around to see if anyone was watching us, luckily nobody was except for Calum who looked shocked with what he was seeing.

He caught my attention and once he knew he did as I looked at his direction he gave me a confused look.

"Him??" He mouthed, brows knitted together.

I nodded and placed my index finger on my lips motioning him to keep quiet.

He just stared at us still trying to cope up with the fact that Mr. Hemmings is the one I'll be eloping with.

"You ready?" Luke's calm voice exclaimed making me loose my focus with my staring game with Calum.

"I am." I answered looking at his eyes, "Please take me somewhere far." I begged as I walk with him ballistic about thinking that this is it, I'm finally leaving this place, I'm finally going to be free off my mother. I'm finally going to have a choice.

"Wait" I exclaimed as I walked faster than him towards a different direction, towards the coat closet.

I grabbed my duffel bag and quietly shut the door.

Luke just stared at me like I'm being crazy as I carry my bag.

"What?" I whispered after looking around if anyone was looking at us.

He shook his head while smiling, "Nothing, you just...never fail to surprise me, Miss Beck." His voice was quiet as he grabs my hand, lacing our fingers together.

"What do you mean? Did you find me packing my things funny?" I asked as he takes the bag from me, "And be careful with that bag, its more expensive than the hospital bills paid when I entered this world." I laughed as I watch him just throw my Louis Vuitton duffel inside his car trunk.

"Women and their bags." He teased. "I didn't need to pack. I always have clothes inside my car trunk, just in case."

"Hmm, a boy scout." I exclaimed opening the passenger car door for myself.

"Well, I have my ways." He smirked turning the key and making the engine roar.

"Is this a new car?" I asked feeling the leather seat underneath me.

"I have a lot of cars, Miss Beck. You'd be surprise." He sped off.

Cocky..yet hot.

"Fuck!" He smiled,

"What?" I asked facing him,

"I just cant believe that I have you all to myself from now on." He exclaimed licking his lips every now and then, "And that fucking dress, I can't focus. I need to fuck you before we arrive the airport."

I felt my throat go dry. Just months before all of this a random guy started hitting on me, telling me that he likes me even though he is already married, he fucked me until I can't remember my name, then he label himself as my boyfriend after he gets a divorce with his wife and now I'm in his car, running away from everything I've known. How did we end up here?

"Where are we going?" I asked, trying to change the subject.

"Australia." He exclaimed like it wasn't a big deal.

Australia. I've never been there before, I haven't even thought of that place.

You said you wanted to go somewhere your mother wouldn't find you, you wanted this. I agreed with what my subconscious was telling me, this was the first.

The stereo was playing an old love song that I found amusing listening to, it sounds weird but listening to it felt good, I'm never the kind of girl who listens to music, I'm that type who locks herself out and mope.

I noticed that it was already 12 midnight but it doesn't feel like I'm tired, if I could describe myself right now, I'd say I'm a ball of fucking sunshine for being so hyped.

Around a solid 15 minutes more we arrived the airport, the whole place was still filled with people like its day time.

Luke took both of our bags, and we made our way in after he placed our things on a cart and pushed it around. He looked hot tho, a guy wearing a tux-pushing a cart around. What a great time to be alive.

The guards inspected our bags with ease since it doesn't have anything much in it except clothes for a week.

I plan on just buying more clothes when we get there I'm pretty sure there's loads of stores in Australia.

"Where's your passport?" Luke asked,

"Here.." I handed him mine after getting it inside my purse.

I sat on one of the chairs and waited for Luke to run errands and after awhile I found myself seating on my designated seat in the airplane.

Were flying First Class seats, seats A12 and A13. Of course, I get to seat by the window.

It was now 3 in the morning and the flight steward in front of us is giving us instructions about the air bag and how to wear the life vest that was under our seats.

I didn't pay much attention through all of it because, who ever does listen to those, right?

My mind is occupied with so much thoughts right now to even add knowledge on how to breathe inside an air bag.

I felt a warm hand on my knee.

"Hey, are you okay? You haven't been talking, I'm worried. Are you having second thoughts?" Luke whispered on my ear, placing a soft kiss on my cheek.

I looked at him and smiled, "You don't know how happy I am."