Shaken, Not Stirred
803 Words
A Moment of Stillness
For a while, neither of them spoke.
Ezra had settled into his seat, one hand resting lazily on the armrest, his fingers tapping a slow rhythm—a habit, Tyla noted, that he did when he was thinking.
Tyla, on the other hand, had turned her focus to the window, pretending that the conversation from earlier hadn’t unsettled her.
She wasn’t the type to let people get under her skin. She was in control. Always.
And yet, Ezra had chipped at her walls with nothing but words.
Unacceptable.
She needed to regain control of the situation.
Control is an Illusion
“So,” Tyla said, breaking the silence. “How does it feel?”
Ezra blinked at her, his head tilting slightly. “How does what feel?”
Tyla smirked, leaning back in her seat. “Being famous. Loved. Adored.”
Ezra let out a soft chuckle, stretching his arms. “Are you expecting me to say it’s exhausting?”
“Isn’t it?”
Ezra’s gaze sharpened, but his lips still curled into that lazy smile. “Would you believe me if I said no?”
Tyla studied him for a moment. “You’re either a really good liar or you actually like it.”
Ezra shrugged. “I don’t hate it. I like performing. I like acting. And I like my fans.”
Tyla raised a brow. “That easy?”
Ezra smirked. “You think I’m supposed to be miserable?”
“No,” Tyla mused. “I just think most people in your position would have some kind of complaint.”
Ezra’s smile didn’t waver, but there was something unreadable in his eyes.
“Maybe I just don’t see the point in complaining,” he said lightly. “It’s a privilege, isn’t it?”
Tyla hummed, watching him. “So obedient,” she teased.
Ezra chuckled, tilting his head slightly. “You sound disappointed.”
Tyla smirked. “I thought you’d have more bite.”
Ezra’s gaze flickered to her lips for a fraction of a second before meeting her eyes again. “I bite when necessary.”
Tyla’s smirk faltered for just a second.
Damn him.
Turbulence Hits
The conversation was cut short when a sudden jolt shook the plane.
Tyla instinctively gripped the armrest, her body tensing as the seatbelt sign lit up again.
Another sharp drop.
The cabin lights flickered slightly, and a few passengers gasped in surprise.
Tyla wasn’t scared—not exactly. But she didn’t like being at the mercy of something she couldn’t control.
Ezra, on the other hand, barely flinched.
“Relax,” he murmured, his voice calm. “It’s just turbulence.”
Tyla exhaled sharply. “Easy for you to say. You’re not the one trapped in a metal box being thrown around by the wind.”
Ezra chuckled. “You really don’t trust anything, do you?”
Another sudden drop. This time, Tyla’s hand reacted before her mind did.
She reached out—grabbing onto Ezra’s arm.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Ezra glanced down at her hand, then up at her face. His expression didn’t change, but there was something dangerously soft in his eyes.
Tyla realized what she had done and immediately let go, clearing her throat. “Don’t say a word.”
Ezra’s lips twitched. “I wasn’t going to.”
Another jolt, and this time Ezra leaned slightly toward her.
“Do you want me to distract you?” he asked, his voice lower now.
Tyla narrowed her eyes. “And how exactly do you plan to do that?”
Ezra smirked. “I could tell you a story. Or maybe you’d prefer a song?”
Tyla scoffed. “I’m not one of your fans, Sinclair.”
Ezra chuckled. “That’s a shame. I sing better than I tell stories.”
Tyla shook her head, but the turbulence was still making her uneasy.
Ezra must have noticed because he shifted closer, his voice softer this time.
“Close your eyes,” he murmured.
Tyla blinked. “Excuse me?”
Ezra tilted his head toward her. “It helps. Trust me.”
Tyla hesitated.
Ezra raised an eyebrow. “Or are you scared I’ll run off with all your money while your eyes are closed?”
Tyla huffed. “Funny.”
But she did it anyway.
She closed her eyes.
The turbulence didn’t stop, but she could hear Ezra’s breathing—calm, steady, unbothered.
She focused on it.
And for some reason… it worked.
When she finally opened her eyes, Ezra was watching her, his gaze softer than before.
Tyla cleared her throat. “That was stupid.”
Ezra smirked. “Worked, though.”
Tyla rolled her eyes, but she didn’t argue.
Because it had.
And that was the most infuriating part.
- Writer
