When There Is Nothing Left But Love

I tried to push him away and told him sternly, “Be good and turn in early. We still have a long journey back to J City tomorrow.”

He did not budge and continued to keep me inside of his embrace.

“No funny business, Ashton!”

The man held on, but stopped misbehaving.

We stayed that way for a while more before he made his way into the washroom. He looked more like himself after he reemerged.

Perhaps it was his presence, that enabled me to sleep soundly. I awoke the next morning, greeted by an M Country shrouded by thick layers of snow.

I had half-expected that the flight would be delayed, but my concerns proved to be unfounded.

Joe did not seem happy to see me at the airport with my hand in Ashton’s. “You both are together twenty-four seven and could not even be apart for just a few days’ work-trip. You’re practically joined at the hips. Anyone would have mistaken you for Ashton’s mistress had they not known any better.”

My lips were pursed in embarrassment.

Ashton shot him a look. “If you have so much energy to expend, might as well use it to find yourself a wife.”

Joe pulled a long face before he turned to collect the air tickets.

Ashton led me straight to the boarding gate. The timing of our arrival was perfect as we did not need to wait long.

Once inside, we made our way to the spacious seats in first-class. He then asked the flight attendant for a blanket. Concerned that I might be bored, he had also the screen for in-flight entertainment lowered.

The man wrapped his arms around me while his body laid next to mine. “The flight would take ten over hours. Is there anything you would like to see?”

was not much into show binging, but one particular series did come to mind. It was one that Macy would stay up all night

watch some Koandrian drama? How

perked up. “Well,

and started from the first episode. It was a rarity that he would watch

and get a room, you

Do in the elevator when I redirected my attention onto Joe. “We’re watching a

upon Ashton as he twitched his lips. “You

eyes into a glare. “Stop bothering

Joe offered no retort.

too turned on his own screen. He looked

Star,” went

That made Joe pause.

for an alien? No way this is going to end well.” His cynicism

made it easier to pass the time over the ten-over-hour

the scene where Professor Do

passed along a piece of tissue. “Don’t worry. They’ll be

with eyes reddened. “How do

raised an eyebrow. “That’s how these stories

had me positively

J City

wee hours when we stepped outside the terminal. As my eyes were glued to the screen throughout the flight, I found myself overwhelmed

had already arranged transport beforehand. I could barely keep my eyes open when

how we got to

was not