Her Soldier

Chapter 12

I couldn't sleep the night before. I was wide awake all night unable to calm the zoo that was in my stomach. I made up these insane scenarios that would one hundred per cent most likely not happen, but I didn't stop fantasizing. This was all so new and foreign to me. I don't know what I'm doing and I don't know why my mum's letting me do this.

I was the first one up, and I took a long hot shower, building up my confidence to finally face Zack Ryder. It was like I was going on my very first date with the way my heart was banging against my chest and the way I kept looking through my wardrobe to see what would be the most suitable outfit for today.

First impressions mattered. I had to look my best, even though I was simply going to the airport to pick him up. I needed to look my best. That's why I went to the salon the day before to make sure my hair was fresh and styled perfectly, and I even went as far as going shopping for clothing.

I sat in front of the mirror and did my makeup, making sure my eyebrows were coloured in perfectly and applied everything else to the best of my ability before I got dressed in a blue designer jeans that hugged my figure, a simple black long sleeve top and threw on a brown leather jacket. I finished off the look with a pair of leopard print boot heels and let my hair loose.

"How are you feeling?" my mother asked me as I sat in the passenger seat of her yellow Lamborghini Urus as she casually sped through the streets making our way to the OR Tambo International Airport.

I had my phone connected to the radio as I blasting out DJ Zinhle's Umlilo, as an attempt to calm my nerves and it was working. This song was my mum's favourite song at the moment and we played it all the time, especially when we were driving somewhere.

My mother loves to speed but unlike with Fricky, Liesl's boyfriend, I feel safe when she's behind the wheel because I know she wouldn't risk our lives. Being in the passenger seat as my mother drives is when I have the most fun, because she does silly things, like skip robots (oops, shouldn't have said that) and cusses out at slow drivers and skilfully overtakes cars, spiking up my anxiety levels as I shout for her to go faster.

"Nervous," I answered as my body moved to the beat, and I watched as she tapped her fingers against the steering wheel as her eyes concentrated on the road. She looked as good as she always does, like myself she was wearing blue designer jeans that cost a leg and a half, a long sleeve red wrap t shirt that showed off her cleavage and a pair of sparkle red velvet Chanel heels.

"Don't be," she responded after a brief moment of silence as she weaved through three different cars, "everything will be fine."

I looked at the backseat seeing the white board where I had the name Zack Ryder neatly written on it with permanent marker so he would see us.

I let out a breath and nodded, watching us quickly approach the airport.

~~~

When we arrived in the parking lot, my mother hopped out of the luxury suv, making sure that the doors were locked as I held the board and we headed into the airport. There were already groups of families and the place was filled with bodies. Some had traveling bags and some were talking animatedly with family members.

"What time is he landing?" my mother asked me as she looped her arm through mine to make sure I didn't somehow get snatched.

"In ten minutes," I told her as I looked down at my Rolex watch, "which is really soon."

We walked further in and I tapped my feet clad in expensive heels, waiting anxiously to see him. We were standing with many people, all of us looking at the same thing- for those doors to open and I wondered if they were here for their lovers. Were any of them in the same situation as myself? I highly doubt it. People aren't as stupid as I am.

I waited while my mother was typing away on her phone, blushing and grinning at it and I let her because I was drowning in my thoughts.

I watched as a huge group of people started heading our way, "mama," I gripped her upper arm in excitement as I pointed towards the people who were entering suddenly.

She took the board, "well then we should hold this up," and that's what she did. She held it up while I struggled to swallow the saliva accumulating in my mouth. I watched, waiting to see him. I suddenly forgot what he looked like, did he have eyes? Of course he had eyes...he had two... And a nose, lips as well.

"Do you see him yet?" my mother asked me as we looked at the people who suddenly filled up the airport.

I shook my head, looking at the people, "no, I don't se-" I stopped, I see him! I see him, "Zack!"

"Yes I know his name," my mother said like I was being stupid.

"No, Zack," I rushed out as him and I made eye contact and of all the scenarios that I had made up in my mind none of them turned out the way that this moment turned out. I couldn't help myself. I literally walked past my mother and pushed through the throng of bodies as I quickly approached him. When the bodies automatically opened up for me I broke into a run, a huge smile on my face as I threw myself right into Zack's massive figure.

"Zack!" I exclaimed in glee as I wrapped my arms around his neck, and stood on my tippy toes holding myself close to him.

I held onto him like I'd known him my entire life and he was my lifeline. In that moment, he didn't feel like a stranger- but felt like family who meant the world to me. He towered over me and with my arms wrapped around his neck; my feet weren't touching the ground as he returned the hug with a slight hesitation and gentleness. I could tell that he wasn't used to it but I didn't care.

"Zack," I sighed in a happy voice as I finally pulled away from his neck and looked up at him, meeting his eyes for the first time and I got lost in the pool of green.

It felt like time had come to a standstill as I met the intense gaze that belonged to the brightest pair of green eyes I've ever seen in my life. I felt like I was swimming in an ocean, getting lost in his orbs that showed nothing but endless possibilities. How could someone so damaged have such beautiful eyes?

"Hey," he greeted, his eyes scanning my face as his lips broke into a broad smile and I blushed, realizing that I was still holding him before I let go, my feet gently touching the ground.

"Hi," I mumbled softly as I tucked my hair behind my ear shyly before I heard a throat being cleared and I turned to notice my mother. My eyes slightly widened when I thought about how I had embraced Zack. I hope my mother doesn't mind.

"Mama," I said with a smile as I took her hand and pulled her to me, looking up at Zack who peered down at me with interested eyes, "meet Zack Ryder," I told her as he immediately extended his hand that had dropped his dark green duffle bag carelessly on the floor, "Zack, meet my mother, Miss Nkosi."

My mother accepted his hand and they shook hands as she looked up at Jim, "you're pretty tall, Zack Ryder," my mother told him apprehensively like he was doing it on purpose.

I rolled my eyes but laughed and he chuckled, "it's lovely to finally meet you, Miss Nkosi. I've heard only great things about you from your daughter."

She smiled as she looked at me as I placed my head on her shoulder, playing the good daughter act, "I'm sure you have. Come on, we should get going, Zack must be tired," my mother said and Zack bent down to pick up his duffle bag.

"I could help you with that," I suggested, wanting to accommodate him as best as I could but he shook his head.

"There's no need. I can carry it. It's a bit heavy."

My mother didn't wait for us and was already walking out of the airport as Zack and I followed feet and bodies behind from her.

"How was your flight?" I asked him as I looked up at him as he looked straight ahead, his eyes scanning over the people rigidly and strictly. I giggled, "Zack, what's with the serious eyes?"

He stopped what he was doing before glancing down at me and he smiled, "it's a habit. I have to always survey my surroundings for any threats," he told me and I shook my head, nudging him with my elbow as I resisted the urge to rest my head on his arm as we walked side to side.

"There's no threat in South Africa, except for those young men who pull up to you unexpectedly with a gun or knife and take your phone," I told him matter of fact, "and as scary as that is, they're not terrorists so relax. It's South Africa," I told him as we stepped outside and made our way to the parking lot.

"What do you think of the country so far?" I asked him as he looked at the cars in the parking lot and I pointed him into the direction of my mother's Lamborghini.

"I haven't seen much of it," he told me, his voice gruff and sexy and butterflies let loose in my stomach with every word that he said.

"Don't worry," I smiled up at him, bearing my white teeth for him to see, "you and I are going to explore as much as we can of this country!" I sang for him as I outstretched my arms dramatically which earned me a light chuckle from him.

~~~