Anise

"Dante?" I called puzzled and began a race after this stranger who was pacing fast.

"Anise! "It's time for our flight!" Becky yelled, running after me. I sauntered through the crowd, my eyes fixed on the man fading with the hoodie.

The airport's intercom crackled to life, and a smooth, melodic voice echoed through the terminal:

"Attention, passengers, flight 124 to London is now boarding at gate C27. This is the final boarding call."

"Anise!"

"Dante!" I cried harder, running out of the terminal. He was an inch close, and I had almost gotten a grip of this stranger in a hoodie when Becky obstructed me, panting.

Her breath was caught in her throat as she gave me a daring glare.

"I saw Dante, he came, he wants me back" I announced, scared and in a haste to push her aside.

I was confused, acting crazy and peeping through her shoulder if I could steal a glimpse of that stranger.

However, a sudden slap landed on my face from Becky.

She held my shoulders and shook me, causing me to jerk back to reality.

"Wake up Anise, he left you, and that man is never coming back for you!"

It was the harsh reality that I was forced to accept. Silent tears drool from my eyes as it must be my hallucination.

My thoughts were distracted by her constant grunt as she was making calls while I sank at a corner, speechless and broken.

We'd missed the flight and booking another would seem almost impossible.

"Ms Anise?" a voice broke the silence. Curiously, I threw my gaze at whosoever called my name.

I was staring at a man who was dressed in a polished suit. He gave me a bow which made me stunned.

"Yes?"

Becky stomped closer to us, acting like my secretary and quickly questioning him about what he wanted.

However, he ignored her and was just addressing me.

"Please come with me, a private jet has been booked for you."

I narrowed my eyes at him, jinxed while Becky scrutinized him from head to toe.

"I think it's the wrong person" I pointed out, but Becky gestured to me to keep quiet while faking a smile.

"To whom do we owe this sudden kindness to?" She questioned as we curiously stared at him.

He took out a card to hand over to me, but Becky snatched it to read. She widened her eyes and then swallowed hard.

"Who is it?" I questioned anxiously as a sudden fear gripped me, but she grimanced at me and shoved the card in her bag.

"It's nothing, we shouldn't miss this flight either. Let's go chase those dreams of yours" she concluded, and gestured to the mysterious man to lead the way.

I took one last glimpse at the airport and swallowed. I might be gone for a while or might never come back.

I'd give him the space he wants and start a new life, but then, I left something behind that no one would ever know.

Besides, a promise that serious shouldn't be broken.

We arrived at mayhem in the heart of Central London, within the borough of Westminster.

It pulsed with refinement and luxury. However, my soul wasn't there. He directed us to a mansion which stood guard.'s elegant facades radiate prestige.

Becky kept taking pictures, amazed by the beautiful scenery before us. We were treated like elites and royals, which felt bizarre to me.

I don't know anyone who is this wealthy to regard, let alone wants to help me.

We were at the curved stairway leading inside the mansion and, while Becky was distracted, I paced behind the stranger, who I guessed was a butler.

"Can I know who is behind all this?" I requested, feeling dizzy as I clasped my hands on the banister to support me.

He almost gave a reply when my phone buzzed. I swallowed hard and shoved my face away from him.

Hastily, I took to the side of the stairway to respond to the call.

"Anything positive" I whispered, clearing my throat.

My eyes peeped to and fro just not to be bothered by Becky.

"We're in ma'am and plan B is about to be executed"

I shook where I stood tensed and gulping hard.

"No one's dying, right?" I whispered in a low tone as my fingertips had turned cold and my breath deepened.

"Anise! "He is here," Becky yelled from what seemed like a distance and I took a peek at her. She was standing on the balcony waving excitedly at me.

"My team and I can't guarantee that, any threat that comes in, we terminate..." He muffled in a rugged tone on the phone and a gripping sensation held me.

Just as I was about to give a response, Becky tapped me on the shoulder and I quickly terminated the call.

"Are you alright?" She asked and swept a bead on my forehead.

"Where's he?" I replied, divulging her question and walking ahead of her.

I was feeling nauseated, and my breath was heavier.

"Inside and you won't believe who it is" she announces, studying me. It felt as though a sudden fever had consumed me and I wanted to throw up.

Once I got inside, I was greeted by the exquisite and top-notch design of this building.

Everything spoke of wealth, far more than the man I still wanted to see. It seems she was already acquainted with this place and was directing me to where he was.

"Anise, you're turning pale", Becky's voice muffled as I grabbed the doorknob, leaning my head on the door and suffocating.

"Stress," I confessed, pushing the door and just as I stridled inside. My body rammed on something hard.

I let out a soft sigh, I could feel a growl and whimper from inside me. It was something unusual that left me dumbfounded.

I felt a strong arm around my waist, holding me from falling. I could feel a heartbeat, a familiar cologne and a thought that left me wondering if it was another illusion.

Slowly, I tilted my head to meet brown eyes staring at me. I could feel every touch of him.

His breath, his warm body, thick muscles and I couldn't think straight.

"Daven?" I muttered and then gasped as I pulled out of his mild grip. It's not true, he is dead.