Chapter 18 - THE AIRPORT OF RECKONING
Life had a strange sense of humor regarding full circles.
Seven months after that fateful February morning,
business required Alexander and me to fly to New York for an emergency merger acquisition meeting.
As our chauffeured town car pulled up to JFK Terminal 4,
the familiar glass facade loomed into view.
My heart gave a strange,
nostalgic lurch.
Alexander noticed the sudden shift in my breathing.
He reached across the leather seat,
intertwining his large fingers firmly with mine.
“Are you alright?
” he asked softly,
his thumb rubbing soothingly over the back of my hand.
“I am,
” I confessed,
looking out the tinted window at the bustling terminal entrance.
“It’s just strange standing here again.
The last time I was at this exact terminal,
my entire life was shattering into a million pieces.
”
Alexander opened his door and stepped out,
walking around to open mine.
He offered me his hand,
helping me out onto the pavement.
“That woman died right here on this sidewalk,
Eve,
” Alexander said,
his voice deep and resonant as he looked down into my eyes.
“The woman standing here today is a brilliant senior executive,
a powerhouse strategist,
and the owner of my heart.
”
A radiant smile broke across my face.
“You’re getting dangerously romantic in your old age,
Mr.
Sterling,
” I teased lightly.
“Only for you,
” he replied smoothly,
pulling me close for a quick,
possessive kiss against my temple.
As we walked through the sliding glass doors of Terminal 4,
surrounded by hurried travelers,
barking announcements,
and rolling suitcases,
I didn't feel the phantom ghost of my past heartbreak.
I felt invincible.
We breezed through the private TSA checkpoint,
heading toward our gate.
As we passed baggage claim section C,
I caught a glimpse of a young woman standing near a pillar,
sobbing openly into her phone while clutching a suitcase.
My footsteps slowed instinctively.
I watched her for a brief second,
feeling a pang of deep empathy.
Alexander noticed me pausing.
He stopped,
turning back to look at me.
“Do you want to go give her a hug?
” he asked quietly,
a faint,
understanding smile touching his lips.
I looked from the sobbing stranger back to Alexander in his immaculate black suit.
I smiled,
shaking my head.
“No,
” I said,
sliding my hand securely into the crook of his arm.
“Some lessons you only have to learn once.
Besides,
I have my own personal billionaire for hugs now.
”
Alexander chuckled softly,
May you like
pulling me closer against his side as we walked toward our gate,
leaving the ghosts of JFK far behind us forever.
