The workers moved efficiently, loading the last of the luggage onto the private jet as Simon and Stella made their way up the steps. Stella carried a book in her hand, her fingers absentmindedly flipping through the pages as she followed Simon inside. Once they settled into their seats, Simon pulled out his laptop, scanning through emails while Stella curled up beside him, engrossed in her book.
For a while, the cabin was quiet except for the faint hum of the engines. Then, as the flight leveled out, Stella closed her book and glanced over at Simon, who was still focused on work. With a small smirk, she nudged his arm.
"How about we watch something instead?" she suggested.
Simon glanced at her before sighing and shutting his laptop. "Fine. But no romantic dramas."
Stella rolled her eyes playfully. "As if I was going to pick one."
She scrolled through the in-flight entertainment and selected a comedy. Within minutes, laughter filled the cabin. Stella giggled at a particularly ridiculous scene, her laughter light and carefree. Simon, despite himself, let out a chuckle, shaking his head at the absurdity of the movie.
Just as they were settling into the moment, Simon's phone buzzed. He sighed and reached for it, glancing at the caller ID before answering.
"Yeah?" he said, his voice slipping into a more serious tone.
"Did you guys board the plane?" Rocco's voice came through the speaker.
"Yeah. Another hour, and we'll be on the runway," Simon replied, rubbing his temple.
"I'll be there to pick you up," Rocco confirmed.
"Good. Any updates?" Simon asked, his voice lower now, more controlled. Stella, who had been watching the movie, subtly turned her attention to the conversation, sensing the shift in his demeanor.
"No, both are still hiding. We'll look into it once you get back," Rocco said, his tone equally serious.
Simon exhaled sharply, his jaw tightening. "Alright. See you soon."
"What was it about?" Stella asked, her voice steady but laced with curiosity.
Simon exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Milo and Nora are nowhere to be found," he said, watching her reaction carefully.
Stella sighed, leaning back against her seat. "Living on the island made me forget reality," she murmured. "But I know I can't keep running from it. Sooner or later, I have to face them—it's inevitable."
Simon reached for her, rubbing gentle circles on her arm. "Hey," he said softly, tilting her chin up so she would meet his gaze. "It's not just you. It's us. Whatever happens, I'll be right there beside you, standing by every decision you make."
Stella searched his face, finding nothing but unwavering devotion. She nodded slowly.
"Are you upset?" Simon asked, his brows drawing together in concern.
Stella hesitated, furrowing her brows in thought. "I don't know if I'm upset or not," she admitted. "It's just… that feeling of facing something you wish you never had to."
A mischievous smirk tugged at Simon's lips as his fingers trailed down her arm, his touch featherlight. "Then how about I erase that feeling?" His voice dropped into a deep, seductive tone. "Replace it with something better—peaks of pleasure, euphoria…"
Stella chuckled, shaking her head. "No need. If I keep having sex with you at this rate…" She trailed off, playfully narrowing her eyes at him.
Simon leaned in, his voice teasing. "Do you know that nearly half the population has sex almost every hour? I'm very good at persuasion, you know. The bedroom is just a few steps away—we could slip in for a while."
Stella rolled her eyes, smacking his arm. "First of all, your statistics are completely wrong. And second, I am not in the mood."
Simon opened his mouth to argue, but before he could, the pilot's voice crackled through the intercom.
"Sir and Ma'am, there is a slight turbulence ahead. We advise you to put on your seatbelts."
Stella quickly uncurled herself from Simon's lap, sliding into her seat and securing her seatbelt. She turned to him with a triumphant grin.
Simon, still glaring at her, sighed in defeat. "Convenient timing," he muttered.
Stella smirked. "Seems like the universe is on my side."
Simon grumbled something under his breath but fastened his seatbelt anyway. He reached for her hand, giving it a small squeeze, and despite the turbulence, the warmth between them never wavered.
Milo sat in his dimly lit room, a cigarette dangling between his fingers as he exhaled a cloud of smoke. His mind was restless, trapped in a cycle of thoughts he couldn't escape.
The door creaked open, and Nora strode in, a glass of wine in her hand. She took a slow sip, her red lips curving into a smirk.
"I come bearing good news," she announced, settling onto the couch beside him.
Milo barely spared her a glance, his expression blank.
Nora checked the clock on the wall and let out a quiet chuckle. "Since you've been stalling for so long, I decided to take matters into my own hands," she said, her tone dripping with amusement. "I even convinced your friend to join me."
Milo sighed, uninterested in whatever scheme she was brewing. But before he could dismiss her, she leaned in slightly, her smile turning cruel.
"Stella will be dead in twenty minutes."
Milo, who had just taken a drag of his cigarette, froze. The smoke burned in his throat as his fingers tightened around the cigarette.
His voice was sharp when he finally spoke. "If she dies, how the hell do you plan to take her powers?"
Nora's eyes gleamed with dark satisfaction. "There's an ancient spell that allows us to extract her abilities from her corpse," she said smoothly. "So, it's time to say goodbye to your dear little niece."
She swirled her wine, took another sip, and stood, striding toward the door. "You should thank me, Milo. I'm simply doing what you couldn't."
With that, she walked out, leaving the room in eerie silence.
Milo sat there, his cigarette burning between his fingers, but his breath had stopped. His heart pounded violently against his ribs.
Twenty minutes.