New York

I sit in the seat, headphones on and listening to Bob Marley and Lauryn Hill Turn Your Lights Down Low.

I know it's an old song... well more like ancient but I love it.

It was one of my mom's favourite songs; she used to sing it to me when I was little and let's just say she had the most melodic voice ever. I used to nag her to bring me to the Bob Marley Museum when we came to Jamaica and being the loving mom she was she brought me. So that's where my love for these old songs came from.

You could say I am an old school kind of girl. I love the rhythms, the fact they remind me of her plus they are calming. And I need to stay calm. I've been in the damn plane for a while and I am starting to get restless. My ass is aching from sitting too long and my legs are a bit numb. To sum it up I feel uncomfortable.

I hate airplanes! Like how the hell do people stand sitting around for hours in a packed, uncomfortable airplane? I was alone in this damn thing trying to calm down.

I have enough room to move about but I am scared as fuck to get up. I am scared of heights for one - I don't really have it that bad because years of traveling for my job kind of dulls it but I have never moved around in an airplane while it was in the air. The feeling of the ground jerking, moving or swaying under my feet - while I was so far up in the sky - made me sick to my stomach.

When I'm sitting it kind of numbs the effect but I still need something to distract me thus, the music.

I sigh as I look at the interior of the jet; it was beige and had gold trims here and there, a replica of the exterior. It had a wine cupboard, snack cupboard, mini-fridge and a damn bedroom in the back.

"Juan, are we there yet?!" I yell.

"We will be there soon Ms. Hase. Hold on a little longer," the captain's voice replies from the speakers.

"Okay!" I yell back a bit jittery.

Juan is the captain of Blake's jet, the guy I am entrusting with my life and the guy I will come back to haunt if I ever die in this dead trap - that's if he doesn't die with me.

No Tina, think positive thoughts.

The jet suddenly jerks and I grip the seat holding for my dear life. Roxie who is in a pet carrier whimpers as it shakes with her. If it isn't for the seatbelt strapped over the carrier, it would have dropped out of the seat. She looks at me with fear in her eyes and whimpers again.

I know how you feel girl.

"Sorry, minor problem with the steering. It's all okay now," the captain's voice assures.

"Oh, lord... Please make this flight be over and I'm on the ground safe and sound," I whisper as I loosen my grip on the seat.

Right now I would prefer to be in an airplane with annoying passengers instead of Blake's damn private jet. Yes, you heard me, he sent a private jet for me. No, not any private jet but his big, well decorated, fully stocked and expensive jet. I don't know who he's trying to impress but it can't be me. I have seen bigger jets than these - even if it is in movies - and I'm not so easily impressed by big things... but it is huge not even our company jet isn't this big.

I can't say the same about Lexi though. When she saw the jet her mouth fell to the ground and her eyes were as wide and round as Christmas ornaments. She was like 'Tina if you don't take this guy send him to me. I'll try that BDSM fuckery if this is what I'll get'.

I mentally laugh at her statement. She's young and foolish to think that this shit is easy until she can feel pain - excruciating pain and project that pain unto someone without feeling an inch of regret or feelings at all, she will never know the true meaning of this BDSM fuckery.

I've felt the pain, I know how it feels to show no emotion towards someone while you make them feel the anger, the pain that you hold inside and I've seen it first hand or rather lived it.

"Ms. Hase, we are now preparing to land," Juan says knocking me out of my thoughts.

"Thank goodness!" I scream as I throw my hands upwards.

I hear chuckles from the cockpit and I could imagine Juan shaking his brown locks at me.

The jet slowly lands and I release a breath of relief.

**

I step out of the jet pet carrier in one hand, handbag in the other. The sky is cloudy, no sun insight and it's one o'clock in the afternoon.

The New York atmosphere greets me with a cool breeze and I inhale the fresh scent. I look at the pine trees at the far end of the landing strip and smile at the sight. They look beautiful covered in a thin layer of snow.

As I look around, I start to think that I'm a bit underdressed for the climate. I'm in a blue pencil dress that hugs my curves and ends above my knees. It has sleeves that extend to my elbows and a thin, gold belt around the waist. I match it with black stilettos, gold earrings, watch and necklace and my hair is curled and falls on my shoulder.

I shrug and descend the small steps, the wind blowing my brown curls in all directions.

It is freaking cold.

A shiver runs down my spine and I shake it off. New York is cold but it isn't something I can't manage. I mentally shun myself for not remembering to take up my coat off the bed this morning.

As I descend the last step, a wave of relief washes over me. I practically want to go on my knees and kiss the safe, sturdy ground but I'm in the presence of people and I am more mature than that.

I place Roxie's carrier on the ground, resting the black Michael Kors bag on it. Taking out my phone, I use it as a mirror to check my appearance. My makeup is okay and my lipstick is a bit faded but I can work with it.

I return the device into my bag before looking tonto the carrier and smiling at Roxie.

"Hey girl, enjoy your flight?"

She looks at me as if saying 'you're joking right? That flight scared the fuck out of me!'.

"Me too girl," I reply.

She barks enthusiastically and licks the bars of the carrier indicating that she wants out.

I work the lock on the carrier, taking out Roxie and thank god when I see no messes for me to clean. I place her against my breasts and she tilts her head giving me, wet sloppy licks.

"I missed you too," I giggle, tickling behind her ear.

Juan comes towards me with the bags and I thank him. He nods before retreating to the jet and manoeuvring it farther down the runway, leaving me alone on the strip.

"Guess we are here Roxie... We are in New York!" I yell as I lift her towards the sky.

I spin around with her and as I come to a stop I see a man dressed in a suit approaching me. I straighten myself and put on a professional face.

"Ms. Hase?" He asks.

He was tall - about 6ft has long blonde hair which is in a low ponytail and a playboy look.

"Yes," I state, shaking his extended hand.

He eyes my Roxie quizzically before returning his eyes to me, a glint of amusement flickering in those grey eyes. He smiles curtly, releasing my hand and I eye him as he takes me in.

"I'm Evan Andrews... and it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Same here. So, are you Mr. Blake's driver?" I ask and he nods a smile playing on his lips.

"Yes ma'am... have been for the last two years. Anyways, Mr. Blake has informed me that you are the overseer from Cali Design for a business deal and has sent me to drive you to the hotel... and accompany you to his suite where you will resign for the remainder of the project."

I freeze for a second, thinking I've just misheard what he just said. Johnattan didn't think I was going to stay with him, did he? No, I must be hearing things.

"I'm sorry, where?" I ask for clarification.

"His suite," he repeats.

Yeah, he did.

"I'm sorry... Um Evan," he nods. "I'm staying at a hotel... The Star to be exact and I have already made a reservation. Me and my Roxie will be staying there," I reply as I lift Roxie slightly.

He chuckles and I look at him quizzically. What's so funny?

"Did I say something funny?" I ask.

"No ma'am but what is funny is that you think that your pup will be allowed into The Star," I look at him curiously as he speaks." The Star ma'am is a very classy hotel and it has a rule against animals."

I look at him absorbing the new information that I am presented with. I hadn't seen any rules that said no pets on the website, and I am sure I read the whole thing top to bottom.

Maybe he was just messing with me, trying to get me to go to Johnattan's suite instead. It is possible, Johnattan is demanding and when he doesn't get his way, he may pull certain strings.

I smile at Evan and grab my handbag in my hand. "Call me stupid but I'll rather check if that is true before I head to my doom... if you don't mind."

I walk away from Evan and towards the white Mark X behind him. He shakes his head with a grin and grumbles something under his breath as he grabs the bags.

I enter the car, sitting in the back with Roxie – who's finding it fun to lick my fingers - in my lap and place my bag on the black leather seat.

I wait patiently as Evan finishes placing the bag in the trunk. He makes his way to the driver's seat and starts the car. He looks at me in the mirror as if asking where to.

Maybe he was hoping I would change my mind?

"The Star," I confirm. "And go slow. I'm in New York I've got to take in the scenery."

He nods, looking a bit amused at my choice and pulls off of the runway.