BRIANNA

“We will be landing in a minute!” The booming voice of the pilot woke me from my nap. The sudden jolt of his voice made me blink several times as I raised my head from Adrian’s shoulder, rubbing my eyes sleepily to clear the drowsiness lingering in my mind. I blinked again, still adjusting to the dim lighting of the cabin, and glanced around. Adrian was still asleep, his head resting back against the seat, eyes closed. His calm, steady breathing made him seem entirely at ease. I gently tapped him on the arm, trying to wake him without startling him too much.

“The pilot said the plane will be landing soon,” I muttered softly to him, and he stirred a little, slowly blinking his eyes open.

“Mmm... okay,” he murmured sleepily, nodding as he stretched his arms above his head. His hair was slightly tousled from the nap, but he still looked incredibly handsome, even without trying. I smiled at the sight, feeling a warmth in my chest.

“Flight attendants, prepare for landing please. Passengers, sit tight and buckle your seatbelts. We’ll be landing now,” the pilot’s voice crackled through the speakers once again, this time with a more serious tone.

A few seconds later, I felt the familiar pressure of the jet moving downwards, the slight dip in the air as we descended. My stomach flipped, and I instinctively gripped the armrest tightly. It had been the same when we took off. Turns out, I was still scared of flying—something that I hadn’t realized until the plane was in the air. The thought of being thousands of feet above the ground was still unsettling for me, no matter how many times I flew.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to A.C. Private Airport. Local time is 3:26 a.m., and the temperature is a warm 22°C,” the pilot continued, his calm tone oddly comforting as the descent continued.

“For your safety and comfort, please remain seated with your seatbelt fastened until the Captain turns off the Fasten Seat Belt sign. This will indicate that we have parked at the gate and that it is safe for you to move about. At this time, you may use your cellular phones if you wish, and they may only be used once the Fasten Seat Belt sign has been turned off,” the pilot’s voice said, making the process sound almost routine.

“Please check around your seat for any personal belongings you may have brought on board with you, and please use caution when opening the overhead bins, as heavy articles may have shifted around during the flight.” The instructions continued, as if they had been rehearsed countless times. I wondered how many flights the crew had worked, how many times they had delivered the same lines.

“If you require deplaning assistance, please remain in your seat until all other passengers have deplaned. One of our crew members will then be pleased to assist you.”

The announcement continued on, droning in the background, but my mind wandered. I couldn’t help but think about how it felt to be so far from home, in a new country, surrounded by the hum of the plane and the soft murmurs of fellow passengers.

“On behalf of AC Private Airlines and the entire crew, I’d like to thank you for joining us on this trip, and we are looking forward to seeing you on board again in the near future. Have a nice day/evening/night/stay!” The pilot wrapped up his monologue, and I exhaled a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding.

“Wow, that was a long announcement,” I breathed out, feeling a little disoriented from the sheer amount of information he’d crammed in there. Adrian chuckled, his lips curving into that familiar smirk of his.

“Yeah… They’re usually like that whenever the plane is about to land,” he replied, clearly more accustomed to it than I was.

“So… It’s morning here in Madrid?” I asked Adrian in mild disbelief, still processing the pilot’s announcement. I glanced at the clock in front of me, showing 3:26 a.m. “I heard the pilot say that the local time was 3:26 a.m.”

“Yes, Madrid is nine hours ahead of California. It will be evening back at home, around 6 p.m.,” Adrian answered, offering a small smile that made me feel oddly reassured.

“That’s awesome,” I grinned, my eyes lighting up. “It’s amazing how we all live on the same Earth and have different time zones.”

“Yeah, that’s right,” he agreed, nodding slightly, clearly indulging my curiosity. “The world is a pretty big place when you think about it.”

We shared a brief, contented silence as the plane continued its descent. Then, just as the wheels made contact with the runway, I felt the sharp pull of gravity as the plane slowed. I gripped the armrest again instinctively, my heart racing with the thrill of landing.

“Time to alight from the plane,” Adrian said, his voice warm as he stood up, stretching his long limbs before turning to face me. He motioned for me to follow, and I grabbed my bag—the only thing I had brought onboard with me—and stood up.

Adrian walked ahead, and I followed closely behind him as we made our way toward the door. The sounds of people gathering their belongings filled the cabin, and in a few moments, we were on the tarmac. The cool night air hit my face as I stepped outside, and I closed my eyes, taking in a deep breath. It smelled different here, fresh and slightly damp with the early morning chill. A smile spread across my face as I realized that I was finally in a place that wasn’t California for the first time in my life.

“Let’s go,” Adrian said, stepping to my side and gently taking my hand in his. His touch was comforting, grounding me in the midst of all the newness. We walked together toward a sleek black Bentley parked nearby, and a man stood beside it, waiting for us.

“Mr. Adrian! Good to see you again!” the man greeted, a broad smile lighting up his face as he walked over and shook hands with Adrian.

“Miss Brianna, welcome to Madrid. I’m Wilfred Owen, Mr. Adrian’s driver here in Madrid,” the man introduced himself, extending his hand to me.

I took his hand, giving him a brief, polite smile. “Thank you, and nice to meet you, Wilfred,” I said, my voice warm with appreciation.

Wilfred seemed to be in his forties, with salt-and-pepper hair and a scruffy beard that gave him a rugged, approachable look. His posture was relaxed, and his eyes sparkled with kindness.

“Let’s get into the car,” Adrian said, opening the back door for me. I slid into the plush interior, the soft leather seats molding to my frame comfortably. Adrian followed me inside, and the door clicked shut behind him.

As we drove away from the airport, I glanced out the window, unable to stop looking at the streets of Madrid. There were few cars on the road at this hour, and everything looked so clean and vibrant, bathed in the soft glow of streetlights. It almost felt like the entire city was awake, even though it was early morning.

Several minutes later, Wilfred pulled up in front of a stunning mansion, and my jaw dropped in awe. The mansion was sprawling, beautiful, with intricate architecture that reflected an old-world charm mixed with modern luxury. I couldn’t help but wonder who owned it.

“We’re here,” Adrian said with a smile as he got out of the car. He came around to my side, opening the door and offering me his hand. I took it gratefully and stepped out, my eyes wide with amazement at the place we had just arrived at.

We walked toward the house, with Wilfred following behind us carrying our bags. Adrian kept a gentle hold on my hand, guiding me up the stairs that led to the front door. It was an electronic door, and as we approached, Adrian pressed in the code. The door slid open with a soft hum.

Inside, the house was dark, but Adrian spoke the word “Lights!” and immediately, the lights came on, revealing a stunning living area. I couldn’t help but gasp. It was breathtaking. The space was vast, with high ceilings and opulent decor. A grand chandelier hung from the center of the room, casting soft, shimmering light across the polished floors. To one side of the room was a beautiful bar, and everything seemed to have been designed with impeccable taste.

“Woah, this is beautiful,” I gasped, turning to face Adrian, who was watching me with a soft, amused smile.

“Yes, it is. This is one of my many mansions,” he said casually, and my jaw dropped for the umpteenth time today.

“You own this place?!” I shrieked, unable to contain my surprise. Adrian chuckled and gave me a knowing look.

“Yes, what did you think?” he asked, a playful edge to his voice.

“I thought it was rented or something,” I admitted, still in awe. “You’re full of surprises, Adrian.”

“I have this mansion here in case I come for business or a vacation. It’s far better than staying at a hotel. And I have housekeepers who take care of the place when I’m not around,” he explained, and I was once again floored by the luxury that surrounded us.

“Wow, that’s awesome,” was all I could manage to say.

“Wilfred, thanks for your help,” Adrian said, turning to the driver who had been standing at the door, waiting for us to settle.

“Of course, Mr. Adrian. I’ll be in the car if you need anything,” Wilfred replied, giving a small nod before retreating toward the driveway.

Adrian and I entered the house, and I felt the weight of exhaustion settling into my bones after the long flight. Despite the overwhelming beauty of everything around me, all I wanted was to rest.

“Let’s get you settled in,” Adrian said, leading me down a hallway lined with paintings and sculptures that I could only describe as art pieces from another world. It was clear that no expense had been spared in creating a luxurious atmosphere.

As we reached a large, open room, Adrian motioned for me to enter. The bedroom was stunning, with a king-sized bed draped in soft white linens and a view of the city visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The moonlight illuminated the room in a soft glow, adding to the serene atmosphere.

“Here we are,” he said softly. “I’ll leave you to get some rest. You must be exhausted.”

I nodded, my eyes half-lidded. The jet lag was beginning to take its toll, and I felt my body aching for the comfort of the bed. “Thank you,” I murmured.

Before he could leave, I hesitated for a moment. “Adrian… this place is incredible. I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything,” he replied with a gentle smile. “It’s nothing, really. Just a place to crash when I’m here.”

I took a deep breath, still overwhelmed by everything—by the beauty of the mansion, by the fact that I was in Madrid, by how easily Adrian seemed to navigate this extravagant lifestyle. Yet, somehow, his humility made it all feel less daunting. I smiled up at him. “Still, thank you for everything.”

He gave me a soft, reassuring nod before leaving the room, closing the door behind him with a quiet click.

I let out a long breath, finally alone in the luxurious space. My mind raced with everything that had happened in the past few hours. This trip, the plane, the mansion… it all felt like a dream, like I was living someone else’s life. But this was real, and it was my new reality. As I slipped into the bed and pulled the covers over myself, I closed my eyes, ready to fall into the sleep I so desperately needed.