Summary: The engagement tour is on its way to New York and things take unexpected turns for Drake inside King Liam’s private jet.
Warning: There’s a series spoiler here, so if you never watched How To Get Away With Murder or haven’t finished its second season, you might want to try to ignore one of Madeleine’s comments 😅
Drake sat quietly, his forefinger running in circles inside his whiskey glass. He was certain he couldn’t endure a 14-hour flight with Jade, but he never felt so bored. Flying in Liam’s private jet had many more perks than the rented one for the Beaumonts, but at least we would have fun with his friends silly jokes and games. In the king’s jet, his only friend there was Liam and he was constantly working, either on the phone talking to politicians or businessmen or looking into documents.
But this time he remembered himself of downloading the last season of one his favorite series. That could keep him occupied. Opening his backpack, he pulled out his laptop placing on the chair tray, opened the Netflix app and started to watch How To Get Away With Murder. The level of drama in the episode was huge. His attention was so focused on his laptop screen he didn’t realize he had company.
“Ugh… Laurel deserves better than Waitlist.” A female delicate yet brash voice grumbled. Of all the people in this plane, the last person he expected to see in the seat next to his was Madeleine. He paused the app and stared at her confused.
“What?” She cocked one of her perfectly shaped eyebrows and pursed her ruby red lips. “You’re not the only one who’s bored here. At least, you had some good idea of what to do in your time.”
A compliment from Madeleine? Normally, they’d barely exchange more than three words to each other. Wow… She must be really bored. “I never took you for an HTGAWM fan.”
“Interesting storyline, great plots twists, good photography and Viola Davis. What’s not to like?”
“Good point.”
“Enough with the chit-chat, Drake. Press play.”
He thought about making some smart ass comment, but he just obeyed. She was his best friend’s fiancé, he’d have to tolerate her presence if Liam did marry her. They binge-watched six episodes eventually making comments and sharing their own theories about it. The servants walked past them leaving a tray with snacks quietly. No one was allowed to disturb the queen-to-be unless it was urgent. But she could interrupt anything if that’s what she wanted. “Pause it now, Drake!”
“What now?”
“I have to go freshen up.”
“No! They’re about to find evidence that the victim was shady!” Drake protested.
“I’ve sat here for six hours straight, I need to go. Don’t you dare to press play. I’ll be right back.” She stood up and marched to the airplane bathroom.
“She’s actually being nice to you, you know,” Kiara said as she sat down on Madeleine’s seat. “Last week, she made me order eight pairs of pumps from the last collection of a designer who had just presented the shoes in the runway because she said she needed them immediately and she hasn’t worn a single one of them.”
He felt bad for Kiara. She’s a nice person and she shouldn’t go through this. “You don’t have to fulfill her every whim, Kiara.”
“I do if I want to find a good match for marriage.”
“You’re smart, gorgeous and poised. How did you not find it yet?”
“Some people say I’m too distracted, that I’m not paying attention to the noblemen around me.” Her cocoa brown eyes were fixed on his as she spoke.
Drake took her hand and kissed her knuckles. “I guess you need to find a way to focus on your goals, my lady.” He smiled slyly as he saw her nibble her bottom lip.
“Oh, mother, stop it! Why do you always have to make a fool of yourself in front of everyone?”
Drake grimaced at the sound of Madeleine yelling at Adelaide. “Can you see it now? She’s being nice to you. That’s a rare moment. You should enjoy it while it lasts.”
“I have other ideas when it comes to enjoying myself.” His thumbs caressed the back of her hand making circles on it. “Maybe you can join me some time. It might help you focus.”
Kiara leaned in and inserted her hand in Drake’s pants pocket, pulling his phone out of it. He was pleasantly surprised by her bold move and watched her manicured fingers dial and save her phone number and place the phone back where it was. “Let me know when once we land?”
“Will do,” he gave her a half smile.
“Magnifique.” Kiara uncrossed her legs, stood up and walked away. Drake took his phone, studied the image of his brand new contact and smiled to himself.
“It’s good to know you can obey orders, Drake,” Madeleine snapped.
“And now that you’re here, can you sit down? I’ve waited long enough.”
“Settle down, I just need my drink.” She turned to the flight attendant coming in her direction. “What took you so long? It’s just a mimosa!” She took the drink in a single gulp. “Now you’ll have to make more. Go!” The attendant bowed and left.
“Are you done chastening the poor woman? We were in the middle of a court jury here.”
“Fine.” When she was about to sit, someone bumped into her, pushing Madeleine into Drake’s direction. In a swift move, Drake grabbed her by the waist as she circled her arms around his neck. Their faces were inches apart, her eyes met his. The closeness of their bodies, the softness of her skin, the sweetness of her perfume fragrance clouded his judgment. But the moment didn’t last long. A very tipsy and embarrassed Penelope tried to help Madeleine up.
“I’m so sorry, Madeleine, I didn’t mean to push you, I just had too many Champagne mojitos with Adelaide and-”
“I’m fine, Penelope. No thanks to you, but I am. You can go now.” She waved her hand dismissing her clumsy lady in waiting. Moving away from Drake’s lap back to her seat, Madeleine’s hand traveled from his neck to his broad shoulders and strong arms until she adjusted herself on her chair, sending a shiver down his spine. “Thank you, Drake,” she looked at him through her lashes.
He cleared his throat. “You’re welcome. Good thing the armchair was lifted, otherwise, you’d get hurt.”
“Yes, it is. Shall we go back to the HTGAWM marathon?”
“Sure.”
…
Drake walked out of the jet and went straight to the hotel. He wanted to go to the gym before walking around New York looking for a wedding gift to his friend. Opening his suitcase and changing clothes quickly, he closed the door, took the elevator and headed to gym. On his way, he crossed paths with Liam in the lobby. “Hey,” Drake patted his shoulder. “I thought you had that press conference thing this morning.”
“I do, but right now I have one hour and a half of free time. I’m going for a walk at Williamsburg.”
“Isn’t that outside Manhattan? As in across the bridge where a certain noblewoman used to live?” Drake taunted.
“I’m not meeting her if that’s what you meant. She already left to jog at Central Park. But she mentioned that the street art there is fascinating and I was curious. I’m going to take a look at it and have a breakfast there. I’d call you to join, but you seem to have other plans,” Liam smiled, looking at Drake wearing his other favorite outfit: sports clothing.
“Yeah, I need to run, lift some weights, do some pushups. But have fun at Bourbon’s turf.” They were about to say their goodbyes when Madeleine passed by and greeted them briefly, drinking the sight of Drake in a sleeveless shirt.
“I see you got a new admirer, my friend,” Liam smirked.
“What are you talking about?”
“I saw you with her. You spent the last fourteen hours with her and I can tell you enjoyed her company. Judging by the way she just looked at you, I’d say she feels the same.”
“Liam, she’s your fiancé.” He narrowed his eyes.
“Much to my disdain, but yes.” Liam placed a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Drake, Madeleine and I have an agreement about extra-conjugal flings and relationships that works both ways. So if you wish to be with her, I wouldn’t mind.”
Drake tilted his head to the side. “Really?”
“If you both want it, go for it. She probably needs it and she knows she isn’t getting anything from me. Plus, who am I to judge?” Liam shrugged.
“I bet you wouldn’t be that generous with Bourbon,” Drake retorted.
“That would require being engaged to her, which I’m not.” Liam frowned. “Anyway, think about it. You have many options in and outside court, Drake. You always did and you used to like it. It’s time for you to embrace it again.”
He didn’t know how, but it seems like Liam was reading his mind. He did have options. He had many girlfriends and flings over the years and he loved it. He can’t even count how many times he snuck out of parties or ditched plans with Liam to hook up with any lady who smiled coyly at him.
“I have to go now. I’ll see you later, my friend.” Liam smiled and walked towards the main entrance of the hotel, where the Royal motorcade waited outside.
Drake did not see this coming. The possibility of having something with Kiara and now an arrangement with the future Queen? Perhaps flying on Liam’s plane wasn’t such a bad idea after all.
