Prologue

Prologue

He saw her walking towards him. She was arresting. This he considered was a woman on a mission. There was something about her that kept his eyes on her. For sure she was stunning, tall, long dark hair and slender.

The airport was busy, yet Natalie saw him just seconds before he had even noticed her. Her feline, green eyes focused right on him. She increased her pace, her heart racing. She could do this; she knew she could. She had to. He was not going to know what was coming next.

She had worked hard on herself for a long time; she could not let anything go wrong. Everything, literally everything hung on the next few seconds and nothing that was going to stop her. Not this time.

“Flight UA199 to London Heathrow is boarding now.” The announcement came through. Jonathan reached for his rucksack, peeling his eyes away from her and did a quick sweep of where he was sitting. He made a quick mental check for his passport and mobile. He had been away for quite some time and now it was time to go back and face the music.

Natalie increased her pace, she had to get to him before he boarded, damn heels she muttered to herself. The adrenalin pumped through her veins, her heart was racing so fast, she could hear the pressure in her ears.

“I’m so sorry!” She exclaimed as she fell towards him. Jonathan grabbed her arm. “Are you ok?” He asked.

“I’ll be fine. Rushing to get this flight and my damn foot came out of my shoe. God, I think I’ve sprained my ankle.” She looked stressed and in pain, Jonathan smiled at her. “Listen, why don’t I help you? You’re boarding the UA flight to Heathrow?”

Natalie exhaled; she just had to him in time. She needed to calm down and collect herself. She had been waiting years for this and now she was finally here. “Yes.” She nodded. “Yes I am.”

“Sorted then. I’ll take the carry on for you.” He took the handle from her hand and began to pull it along. “Thanks ever so much.” Nathalie smiled her most I am so grateful, woman in distress smile that she could muster. “No problem.”

“Where are you from?” She asked him as they passed through and began to put their belongings in the trays for scrutinization. “London.” He was not going to give too much away. Jonathan was a very private man.

Nathalie appeared satisfied with the one-word response. She waited for him to ask her the same question but he did not. He was through to the next side and waited politely for her. She put her heels back on and deftly took her stuff out of the crate. “You appear to be an efficient traveller.” He said.

She stopped herself from smirking. “Not really. Listen thanks so much for your help. I think I’ve got it from here.” She told him as she began to wheel the bag behind her.

Jonathan was not sure whether to ask for her number or not. Did he really want to get into something new right now? His life had been uncomplicated for the past four years, he liked it that way. However, they were going to be on the same flight and he was certainly attracted to her.

He deliberated something he rarely did. He looked at her again and thought he had seen her before. Something came across him, déjà vu he told himself.

Nathalie knew she almost had him. “Listen why don’t we swap numbers?” She asked coyly. “Or actually what seat are you in?” She asked him.

“10A.” He offered.

“Oh my gosh, I’m in 10B!” She exclaimed. “How bizarre is that! I can’t believe it.” Her excitement was almost uncontrollable. There it was again he thought that déjà vu. “That is somewhat bizarre.” He responded.

“Fantastic, we can get to know each other much better.” She linked her arm in his. Jonathan was cautious. This was all a bit too strange for him. There was something he didn’t like about this entire situation, not that he didn’t want to spend nine hours on a flight with a simply stunning woman. He tried to put is scepticism behind him. It was just a flight with a bizarre coincidence he told himself. What could possibly happen?

“Thank you for coming on board with us today. Our flight will be nine hours and we will be leaving as scheduled. Please keep your seatbelts on until you see the sign go off. “

“Drinks?” Asked Lucy their hostess, as she approached their seats. “Yes please, champagne.” Replied Nathalie. “Jonathan what are you having?”

“I’ll just have water thanks.” He smiled at Lucy. He hoped that the woman sitting next to him did not intend to make a spectacle of herself on the free drinks.

“Don’t you drink?” Asked Nathalie. He shook his head.

“Rarely.” He responded. He turned to look out the window and tried to calm himself down, he was not the best flier he knew that, and the last thing he wanted was to make small conversation with her right now. He tried to ignore her for a few seconds. Once they were up in the air, he would be fine he told himself.

“Oh right. Are you ok?” She asked. “You seem somewhat stressed?” She began laughing. “Oh my gosh, you aren’t scared of flying, are you?” He looked directly at her. His own green eyes did not have a smile in them. “Crikey, sorry have I offended you?” She asked and bit her lip. “Me and my big mouth.”

“It’s fine.” He said. Nathalie nodded and waited for her champagne. This she thought was going better than she had imagined. Small steps she had told herself from day one, small steps, then strides and then run. That would come and they would both know it. She had begun her journey and she was going to see it through to the very end.

The drinks arrived and Lucy set them down for the both of them. “Enjoy the flight and please don’t hesitate to ask for anything.” She told them. Nathalie smiled broadly at her.  Lucy left them to attend another passenger.

Jonathan sipped on his water then stretched his legs out in front of him and rested his head back waiting for the plane to take off. He had a lot to think about. He let his mind wander to the past, his eyes firmly closed.

Nathalie kept silent very silent, the last thing she wanted to do now was make him open his eyes.

Slowly she bent forward to reach for her shoulder bag and took out a sleeping pill. Jonathan tried to ignore her; he’d be in better humour in an hour. Nathalie slipped it in the glass of water and watched as it slowly dissolved, she took a sip of her champagne and closed her eyes her past floating behind them. A different time, a different world, a different person.

The games had just begun and so far, she was the only player, but she knew in not so much time he would be joining her, and then it was going to be one on one. She was patient, she was strong, and this time, this time she told herself we are going to win.