Chasing Sunset

Chapter 3

Lena stood outside her house, the morning air crisp against her skin. Her small suitcase sat by her feet, barely packed with more than the essentials. She didn’t need much, just enough to get her from one sunset to the next.

A deep, purring engine pulled her attention to the street. A sleek black Rolls-Royce Phantom rolled to a smooth stop in front of her driveway, its polished surface gleaming under the sunlight.

Mia let out a low whistle. “Damn. If this is just the pickup, I can’t wait to see what first class looks like.”

Lena shook her head, half-amused. She knew Wolfe Lux Travel prided itself on seamless, white-glove service pickups, private flights, five-star accommodations, the works.

But none of that mattered to her. She just wanted to get there.

Her mom wiped at her already damp cheeks, sniffling. “Are you sure about this, sweetheart?”

Lena turned to her, reaching for her hands. “Mom, I need this.”

Her mother swallowed hard, nodding, though her grip tightened. “I know, I just…” Her voice broke, and she shook her head, pulling Lena into a tight hug. “Be safe. Check in when you can.”

“I will,” Lena whispered, hugging her back just as fiercely.

When they finally pulled apart, Mia stepped forward, crossing her arms. “I still think you should’ve let me come.”

Lena smiled. “You have a job, Mia.”

Mia scoffed. “Ugh, capitalism.” But her teasing faded into something softer as she nudged Lena’s arm. “I’m proud of you, Lenny.”

Lena felt her throat tighten, but she grinned through it. “Don’t get sappy on me now.”

Mia huffed. “Fine, but only if you promise me one thing.”

“What?”

Mia smirked. “Take the hottest, most ridiculously aesthetic sunset pictures and send them to me. I expect cinematic vibes.”

Lena laughed, nodding. “Deal.”

The chauffeur stepped out of the Rolls-Royce then, giving a polite nod. “Miss Carter, we’re ready when you are.”

Lena exhaled, stealing one last look at the place she had always called home.

Then she picked up her suitcase, squared her shoulders, and stepped forward.

This was it.

The beginning of her journey.

The drive was smooth, the hum of the Rolls-Royce Phantom almost soothing as it glided through the city streets. Lena tried to focus on the passing scenery, but her mind buzzed with anticipation.

She was finally doing this.

The car eventually pulled into a private airstrip, where a sleek Wolfe Lux Travel jet sat waiting under the morning sun. The whole place screamed exclusivity. Not a crowded airport, no long security lines. Just pure, effortless luxury.

As the car rolled to a stop, the driver stepped out to open her door. Lena grabbed her small suitcase, adjusting the strap of her bag as she stepped onto the tarmac.

That’s when she saw him.

A tall man stood near the base of the stairs leading up to the jet. Dark suit, crisp white shirt, no tie. His posture was relaxed yet commanding, like someone who was used to people following his lead without question.

His sharp blue-gray eyes landed on her, cool and assessing, but there was something else there. Curiosity, maybe even intrigue.

He stepped forward, offering a hand. “Lena Carter?”

She blinked up at him, momentarily thrown by how intimidatingly good-looking he was.

“Yes,” she said, shaking his hand. His grip was firm, his skin warm.

“I’m Damian Wolfe.”

Lena tilted her head, studying him. The name sounded vaguely familiar. Maybe he was just another Wolfe Lux Travel employee?

“Nice to meet you,” she said, offering a polite smile. “Are you my travel guide?”

A flicker of amusement crossed his face.

“Something like that,” he said smoothly.

She nodded, oblivious to the way his lips twitched in amusement.

To her, he was just another part of the service.

To him, she was a puzzle he hadn’t figured out yet.

From the moment they boarded the Wolfe Lux Travel jet, it was obvious.

Damian Wolfe was arrogant.

Not in the loud, obnoxious way most rich men were. No, his arrogance was quiet, effortless, woven into the way he carried himself. The way the flight crew snapped to attention the second he stepped inside, their greetings crisp, deferential.

"Welcome aboard, Mr. Wolfe," the flight attendant said with a polite smile. "Your usual setup is ready."

His usual setup? Of course, he had one.

Damian merely gave a small nod, like this level of service was expected, and turned to Lena. “Take whichever seat you want.”

She glanced around the insanely luxurious interior. Plush leather recliners, a fully stocked bar, even a private suite in the back. Most people would probably gush over it, but Lena just folded her arms. “Wow. You’re not even going to pretend to be nice about it?”

His lips twitched. “I said you could sit wherever you want. That was me being nice.”

Lena exhaled through her nose, already unimpressed.

They took their seats she settled into one by the window, while Damian chose the one directly across from her. The flight attendant returned a moment later, offering drinks.

“Miss Carter, would you like champagne? Or perhaps a fresh juice selection?”

Lena hesitated. She wasn’t used to this level of pampering. “Uh… just water is fine.”

The attendant nodded, then turned to Damian. “And for you, sir?”

“Macallan, neat.” His voice was smooth, confident like he was ordering the world to bend to his will.

Of course, he drinks expensive whiskey mid-flight.

The moment the crew stepped away, Lena leaned back in her seat, watching him with a raised brow. “You must be used to people doing whatever you say.”

He met her gaze with zero shame. “It’s efficient.”

She scoffed. “It’s pretentious.”

Damian smirked, lifting his glass when the whiskey arrived. “Is it?”

Lena rolled her eyes and turned toward the window, ignoring the way his presence commanded the entire space.

She had met rich men before. But Damian Wolfe wasn’t just rich, he was powerful, and worse… he knew it.

The flight was smooth, but Lena spent most of it pretending not to be annoyed by Damian’s arrogance. He, on the other hand, seemed completely unbothered, sipping his whiskey, working on his tablet, and answering only when spoken to.

By the time they landed, Lena was already unbuckling before the Wolfe Lux Travel jet had fully taxied to a stop.

The soft chime of the intercom signaled their arrival, and just as she was about to ask where they were, Damian beat her to it.

He unfastened his seatbelt with the same ease he seemed to do everything and turned to her. “Welcome to Santorini, Greece.”

Lena blinked. Santorini?

She hadn’t been given an itinerary, no list of destinations, no clue about where she was going. Just an agreement that Wolfe Lux Travel would handle everything.

She was starting to realize that secrecy was part of the package. The element of surprise.

“You don’t tell your clients where they’re going?” she asked, standing as the flight attendant approached with their passports.

Damian took his first, tucking it into his jacket. “Not when they sign up for the ‘Luxury Mystery Experience.’”

Lena frowned as she took hers. “I don’t remember asking for that.”

He smirked. “You didn’t. I chose it for you.”

Before she could argue, the door opened, and a warm Mediterranean breeze rushed in, carrying the salty scent of the Aegean Sea.

They descended the stairs to the private terminal, where a discreet but efficient customs officer checked their passports.

“Welcome to Greece, Mr. Wolfe,” the man said with a polite nod before scanning Lena’s. “And Miss Carter. Enjoy your stay.”

Lena was still processing the fact that she was standing in Greece when a uniformed airport staff member approached, handling the next part of the process.

“Your luggage has been transferred to the villa, sir,” the man informed Damian. “Your car is ready.”

Of course, it was. Everything was seamless. Controlled.

Lena, still adjusting to the suddenness of it all, looked around. “So, where exactly are we staying?”

Damian slid on his sunglasses, glancing at her. “You’ll see.”

And just like that, she was swept into the unknown, wondering if this whole thing was a dream, a mistake, or the best decision she’d ever made.