Chapter 36 - #36

Chapter 36: First Flight Together

"So, what color do you want?" I asked Summer happily. As I promised, I'll take her with me to help me decide what car should we buy.

"I want that one." She pointed to the maroon one. 

Actually, that one is kinda cute. We walked towards it and the salesman explained the details if we want to get an installment. 

"This car doesn't have a minimum down payment, Ma'am. But you can pay for it a maximum of eighteen months," he briefly said. He then opened the car and let us look inside. While I was sitting in the driver's seat, I realized something.

I don't know how to drive.

And I think that is a major problem, buying a car without even knowing how to drive even just the basics of it.

"How is it?" Summer asked me while sitting on the front seat. She burst into laughter when she also remembered that I don't drive, neither does she. "You should learn how to drive first. I mean, Alice is there."

She's right. Maybe Alice can give me some time and help me learn. Damn, that thing didn't come into my mind earlier.

…

The device on my table lit up, which means that Mr. Parker is calling me. I stood up and went to his office to ask him if he needs anything.

"You called, Mr. Parker?" I formally said.

"Yes," he said then leaned on his chair. "I don't want you to be unaware so I'll advance it for at least a week."

What's with the news? He's trying to make a thrill on it.

"I'm listening, Sir," I said while still standing in front of his desk, waiting for him to say it.

"You'll go with me to Chicago next week. I'll be attending a seminar and I need you there. Sounds great, right?" 

Is he kidding me? We'll go to Chicago?! Oh my God, that's fantastic! I would love to go there!

"C-Chicago?" I asked just to make sure I'm hearing it right.

"Yeah, Chicago," he answered. "Why? You don't like it in there?"

"No, no. I mean yeah, I do." It was hard for me to say a thing when I'm very excited. "I do love Chicago. And I would really love to go there… for work, of course."

Of course, I won't tell him that I wanted to go there because I want to. I didn't want him to think that I'm taking advantage of it, even I am a little.

…

Several days have passed and I'll assume that tomorrow will be one of the greatest things that ever happened to me. Imagine, going to Chicago with no fees!

From: Mr. Parker

Have you packed your things already?

I saw Mr. Parker's message on my notification bar while I was browsing my social media.

To: Mr. Parker

Yes, sir. I'm ready for tomorrow.

From: Mr. Parker

Someone is having one of her dreams come true.

I smiled when he said that. He might have noticed that I would really love to go to Chicago with him. Why wouldn't he? I keep asking what time or where will we go specifically every time we talk.

Honestly, I think it's a great start for us to rebuild our relationship as a boss-secretary. I did miss the "not having awkwardness and guiltiness" around us.

I then checked my things if I packed everything correctly and completely because Mr. Parker said that we will be staying there for three days which made me even happier. I chose my clothes wisely because I'll take a lot of pictures. I mean, for the memories, of course. Because I might not be able to go there for a long time. I'll maximize the chance that was given.

"Looks who's going to Chicago," Summer said, entering my room while I was closing my bag. She had this look on her face like she wants to go with me, I know she does.

"I'll take pictures, I promise." I smiled at her before she sat on my bed and leaned on the headboard.

"Even I'll have the chance to go with you, I can't go anyways. I'm very busy at school right now," she said, hugging one of my pillows. I sat beside her before getting a pillow for me too.

"School is really important to you, huh?" I said.

"Of course. Mom, dad, and you taught me that," Summer answered. "But someday, I promise that we will go around the world without thinking anything. And that's my treat in exchange for your hard works for me."

I gave her a genuine smile before we hugged each other. My tiredness fades away whenever like this happens, where she appreciates everything that I do for her. And I will keep saying that it's all worth it.

"Hey," I said when I saw her crying. "Why are you crying, Summer?" I asked her while wiping her tears with my thumbs.

"Nothing, it's just, I'm so lucky. Even I'm not your real sister—"

"Shh." I did not let her finish what she's saying. "You are my sister, Summer. It doesn't matter if not by blood but we're sisters, okay? Always remember that."

She slightly nodded to agree with me. My heart aches whenever she cries about this. It doesn't matter who her real family is, what matters is that I'm here for her no matter what while her real family isn't. We slept together in my room while we're hugging each other for her to feel that my love for her is just like how a real sister loves.

…

I woke up at 3:30 AM because Mr. Parker told me that he and Rowan will pick me up at 4:30 AM. Our target time to arrive in Chicago is before dinner. I got out of bed carefully so I would not wake Summer up. I went downstairs to make a sandwich for myself, serving as my breakfast. After I eat, I took a bath and dressed up until I was ready to leave.

"Take care of yourself, Summer," I whispered and I think she heard it. "I'll be back three days." I kissed her cheeks before getting my bag. I'll also send her a text message later.

I opened the door because I heard someone knock. I was expecting Rowan but I saw Mr. Parker in front of me.

"Good morning, Sir," I greeted him.

"Good morning," he smiled. "Shall we?" he asked and I nodded.

Rowan helped me put my bag inside the compartment before I went into the front seat. It took more than thirty minutes before we arrived at the airport. We're now walking towards his private plane. To be honest, this is just my second time on experiencing riding a plane. It was years ago when I did.

"Kellen, it's good to see you." The pilot hugged him. Oh, they know each other.

"It's good to see you too, uncle Will." Okay, I do think that their family lives luxuriously. Mr. Parker's parents have a lot of businesses, his cousin is the vice president of the company, and now, his uncle is a pilot.

…

I'm sitting in front of him while the mini table is in front of us. The chef made us pick our food on the list. I didn't expect this plane has a lot of food in it because the menu has a long list, especially on beverages.

"So, what do you want for breakfast?" he asked. I'm not that hungry because I ate a sandwich like an hour ago.

"I'll just have a cup of tea, sir," I said.

"Just tea?" he curiously asked. "Have you eaten already?"

"Yes, Mr. Parker," I answered and he nodded.

"I'll have a clubhouse sandwich, a brewed coffee, and her tea, please," he requested to the chef.

"Right away, sir," he answered before Mr. Parker handed him the menu. The chef went back inside to prepare our food.

"So, you like Chicago, huh?" he raised a brow. He's teasing me because I looked so excited.

"How can I like a place where I've never been before?" I sarcastically asked.

"Well, the internet is popular, you know. You can see pictures through your phone," he said. Yeah, I know how the internet works.

"I mean, Chicago is a beautiful place, I guess. Do you love it in there?" I asked him to change the topic. Our food was served which I think was fast before I realized that we're the only ones whom the chef is cooking for.

"I've been there twice. And I can agree that it's a beautiful place. It's perfect for a beautiful woman like you."

I almost blow out the tea I was drinking. Fortunately, I did not.

"Don't tell me you haven't heard that from anyone yet," he said before drinking his coffee with on hand.

"Heard what?" I asked innocently.

"That you're beautiful. I don't think someone won't notice it," he said before a smirk rose from his lips.

…