Chapter 37
Chapter 37
VENUS
“I don’t want to die. I haven’t even tried Nigerian Jollof Rice yet p>
Aaron turned toward me, one brow raised like I’d just confessed to murder. Unbothered. Untouched. Like the plane wasn’t shaking like a coin in a tin can. Of course he was calm. He probably rode out turbulence over the Himalayas with a scotch in hand and didn’t spill a drop.
“What p>
That’s all he said. What. Like the cabin lights didn’t just flicker. Like the plane didn’t just drop two feet and take my soul with it.
I gripped the armrest with one hand and his wrist with the other, maybe even his whole damn hand. I couldn’t tell. My brain had switched to full survival mode.
“This is it. I can feel it. I haven’t even repented properly,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “My mom-oh God, she’s gonna think I disappeared! Just like that p>
He didn’t flinch. Of course not. Devil himself. Probably had a seat reserved in hell with a view.
“Venus p>
“I knew marrying you was a mistake,” I snapped, my pitch rising like a siren. “You’ve lured me into a metal deathtrap at 30,
000 feet. I’m twenty-two! I haven’t lived yet. I haven’t kissed a stranger on the street. I haven’t gone skinny-dipping. I haven’t
Another hard lurch cut me off.
I squeaked. Like an actual squeak.
Somewhere along the way, I’d stopped holding the armrest and started clutching Aaron’s hand like it was the last parachute on board.
“Make it stop,” I whimpered.
“You’re fine,” he said evenly. Like he wasn’t moments away from losing circulation in his fingers.
“I’m not!” I shot back, cracking one eye open. “Gianna my baby! She’ll spiral. Jude’ll be devastated! And who’ll take care of my houseplants p>
… I didn’t even have houseplants. And I’d moved in with him weeks ago.
Then-just as fast as it started-the turbulence stopped. The lights steadied. The cabin settled into that steady hum again, like none of it ever happened.
I blinked.
Aaron glanced at me. Still composed. Still infuriating.
“You done?” he asked.
I looked at our still-joined hands, then back at him. “I blacked out, didn’t I p>
“Oh, fully. You gave a eulogy, dragged our marriage, and mourned houseplants you don’t even own p>
I yanked my hand back like it burned. “I was vulnerable. You’re supposed to comfort me p>
“That was me comforting you p>
“You’re an asshole p>
“And you’re a drama queen p>
wash
We stared at each other. My heart still racing but now, for a completely different reason.
“Still want that Jollof rice?” he asked, a slow smirk tugging at the edge of his lips.
“Don’t make me push you off this plane p>
He chuckled, unbothered as ever, and turned back to his laptop. I faced the window, heartbeat still frantic, but chest a little lighter.
I survived.
Barely.
Successfully unlocked!
1/2
Chapter 37
I don’t know how long we’d been in the air at this point. The flight to Rome was supposed to be seven, maybe eight hours. But time felt weird up here, like it paused and stretched in the same breath.
I turned to him. “How long left p>
“Few hours,” he said without looking.
“Why don’t I see any flight attendants? Or like… people p>
“I wanted privacy p>
Of course he did.
I was just about to fire off another question when he reached into the compartment beside him and dropped a small black bag onto my thigh.
I blinked at it. “What’s this p>
“Open it p>
So I did and immediately shut my mouth. The bag was stuffed with snacks. Doritos, Oreos, gummies… even juice boxes. Not soda, but hey close enough.
Memo received: shut up.
It worked. For like… ten minutes. Which is practically a lifetime in Venus years. Once the sugar hit, I was buzzing again.
“Sooo…” I started, dragging the word like a warning shot.
I swear I saw his jaw clench.
“Can I go to the pit? I want to se p>
“No.” That got his attention. He looked up briefly, deadpan. “I love my life. I’d prefer my pilot not be distracted p>
I huffed and crossed my arms. “What are you even working on anyway p>
“Work p>
“Wow. Insightful p>
He didn’t dignify that with a response.
Fine. Two could play that game.
I leaned back, reached for my phone, and unplugged it. A quick Google search later, the word Rome glowed on my screen.
Our destination.
And just like that, the butterflies came back.
2/2
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Ruby Walker
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.