Been you

Departure

CHAPTER ONE

**Third person’s P.O.V**

“Okay, that’s the last one. Now, remember to call us when you land and again before you go to bed. Also call or text every day otherwise I’m going to come that side and hunt you down myself got it?” “Geez Dyl, you sound like mom right now,” Thalia laughed as she gave her big brother a hug. “Well he is his mother’s son,” Henry, Thalia’s father chuckled as he came to the truck to also bid his daughter farewell.

“We’re going to miss you baby girl,” Henry said as he gave her a hug. “I’m going to miss you all too. If only I could pack you guys in my bag and take you with,” Thalia said, as she hugged her father back. “Gee Thal, I don’t think that’s possible considering how light a packer you are,” Dylan chuckled from behind her. “I will be back, won’t I?” Thalia replied as she let her father go, turning to face Dylan. “One can only hope so,” he scoffed.

“Are Azalea and Brian here yet?” Grace, Thalia’s mother yelled from inside the house. “No, they haven't!” Dylan yelled back. Brian and Azalea were to drive Thalia to the airport and bring the truck back home with them after dropping her off.

“Mom! They’re here!” Thalia shouted when she saw Brian’s car take a turn at the corner.

“Mom, you still haven't said bye to Thalia, yet you're anxious for Brian and Azalea to arrive, do you really want her gone that much?” Dylan asked his mother. “Of course, I already wished her a farewell, I just didn’t do it in front of you two because you say I cry a lot,” Grace rolled her eyes as she said the last part of her statement. Thalia couldn't help but laugh at the exchange between Dylan and Grace. She was sure to miss them as soon as she left.

“Hey everyone, sorry we’re a little late,” Brian, Azalea’s brother, said as he hopped out his car and went to fetch the keys for the truck from Henry. “It’s totally Brian’s fault this time I swear,” Azalea, Thalia’s best friend said as she went and hugged her best friend. Everyone chuckled at Azalea’s words as she was always the reason why they were ever late to anything but she'd always blame Brian.

“Hey Thal, are you ready to go?” Brian asked Thalia. “Of course, let’s get going before I miss my flight. Bye everyone,” Thalia bid her family as she got in the back seat of the truck with Azalea riding shotgun and Brian taking the driver.

Brian pulled out the driveway and with a final wave to her family, they were off to the airport. The ride was silent as Thalia was thinking about how her new life would be like in a different country all by herself. It was sure to be a learning experience and she was both excited and nervous about it.

***FLASHBACK***

“You are selfish! How could you even think of going Italy and leaving me behind? What will happen to our relationship if you go?” Zane, Thalia’s then boyfriend, sobbed as Thalia told him about her acceptance in the college. “We can always video chat every day and you can come visit me there. I will also come back home and see you and everyone,” she tried to explain things to him.

He simply was not having of that as he said, “Don’t think that you can fool me Thalia Sayeed! I know very well that this was your plan all along. You came into my life and stole my heart, but now you think that you can just leave me and that I will silently sit back and watch you get a boyfriend elsewhere? No Thalia. I am not one to be walked all over and played with,” Thalia was confused at his words. He made it sound as if she was breaking up with him and that was not at all what she had in mind.

“I don't understand what you are saying. I'm just going away for college, not breaking up with you.”

“No, but that is exactly what I am doing Thalia. I will not let you ruin my life Thalia Sayeed!” Thalia couldn't believe what Zane was saying. He had always been a jealous boyfriend, but that never really bothered her, and he had never done anything to harm her or anyone else before. She felt that he was letting his jealousy and imagination run wild and that was not a good thing at all. “Zane, baby, please calm down. You are scaring me,” she sobbed.

“I will get you back for this Thalia! You will not get away with this. NEVER!!” With that, Zane left in a fit of rage.

***END OF FLASHBACK***

‘I will get you back for this,’ ‘you will not get away with this.’ These words kept echoing in Thalia’s head and she couldn't help the stray tear that fell.

Brian noticed her cry in the rearview mirror. “You okay there Thal?” he asked, catching both Thalia and Azalea’s attention. “Yeah, I’m fine Bee,” she sniffed in response. “OMG Thal, hun what’s wrong?” Azalea asked when she noticed Thalia wipe away that stray tear that trickled down her cheek.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just thinking about what Zane said to me that day,” she sniffed. “Did you guys talk again after that day? You know, to try and sort things out with him?” Brian chimed in.

“No, we never spoke again. I mean, I tried calling him, texting… hell I even went to his house, but he won’t take my calls, respond to my texts nor come out,” she sighed in defeat.

“Hopefully, he just needs time to think about what he said to you. I mean, he did overreact. Maybe he just needs some time to process, he’ll come around,” came Azalea’s response. “Yeah, I mean he’d be really stupid if he never came back to you Thal. You’re a catch and that douchebag did not deserve you to begin with,” Brian chimed in once again. “Thanks, you guys. That’s why I love you,” Thalia said as she started to smile once again.

“Yeah, yeah, we love you too,” came Azalea’s voice as she was trying to sound nonchalant.

***

Brian went to park the truck at the airport once they arrived. They went and helped Thalia with her luggage and through customs. “Take care of yourself Thal, and remember to stay in touch,” Azalea said, as she pulled Thalia in for a tight hug. “Yeah, travel safely Thal, we’ll miss you. Maybe we’ll come visit some time,” Brian said, as he pulled them both into his arms for a group hug. Thalia sobbed into Azalea’s shoulder as she thought about the type of people that she is leaving behind and wondering if she would ever get the same people in her circle again where she is going.

“I am going to miss you guys so much. Please come visit me as soon as you are able to,” Thalia continued to sob into Azalea’s shoulder. “Hey! That’s enough, you’re wetting my shirt and I still need to leave this airport in this shirt,” Azalea teased. Brian just chuckled at the two best friends as he detached himself from the group embrace.

“Flight 104 non-stop to Rome leaves in 15 minutes at gate 2. All passengers boarding that flight should get to gate 2, thank you,” came a voice through the airport speakers. All this was getting too real, too quick. “That’s me,” Thalia said as she detached herself from Azalea’s embrace and wiped her tear stained face. “Take care Thal,” came Brian’s voice.

She gave a single nod before she started walking to the gate to board her flight.

She turned around one last time and waved her friends goodbye. She went through the gate, got onto the plane and looked for her seat. Once she found it, she sat down and put in her earphones. She sure was going to miss her family and this beautiful city of theirs, but she would back to visit soon. Right?

**Adrian’s P.O.V**

“Flight 104 non-stop to Rome leaves in 15 minutes at gate 2. All passengers boarding that flight should get to gate 2, thank you.” “Mr. Raines, our flight is ready to board,” Reece,  Adrian’s CFO said. “Yes Reece, I heard,” Adrian chuckled, “and you know not to call me that when we’re not at the office or in work mode.” “Should I call you Alpha then?” Reece joked.

“No, dammit Reece you’re not only my CFO or my Beta but you’re my best friend and brother as well aren't you? We grew up together man, and I’m only a year older than you,” Adrian chuckled. Reece laughed, “Yes that’s true. But you know I enjoy messing with you. shall we leave now? Otherwise we will get left behind. I don’t know about you but I would like to get back home to Avery’s cooking,” Adrian laughed at that.

They made their way to the gate to board their flight.

Once they got settled down, Reece put in his earphones while Adrian took out his laptop to work on some paperwork. When he suddenly got hit by the most scrumptious smell of citrus and vanilla. What is that smell? Adrian started looking around to see where the smell came from.

“Logan, what’s wrong buddy?” Adrian asked his wolf as he could feel him getting restless. “I don’t know, I just feel restless,” Logan told Adrian.

“Can you try to calm down please? I’m trying to work here,” Adrian shot back and blocked Logan. It’s a pity I can’t smell that scent anymore, it was making me feel so relaxed after the crappy meeting I just came back from. Adrian thought as he continued to furiously type away at his laptop. Could it have been her though? No, that can’t be possible. Logan would have said something if it was.