Past in Eyes, Future in Her Eyes

Eloise's POV. The plane was cold. I sat by the window, my arms crossed as I frowned. I did not want to be here. I did not want to go on this trip. There were so many thoughts running through my head. "Why me? Why always me? I was supposed to go on a date eight Mark this week. He has been complaining that I'm always working, that I don't make time for him. I was supposed to be with him. But no, Father said go to Paris, Father said attend the meeting, Father said it is important. What about me? Am I not important? I hate this!!!" I let out a small sigh and looked at the seat beside me. A young man sat on it, his jacket neat, his hair slightly messy. He had a tattoo on his wrist, it looked like a medium sized spider…it reminded me of my boyfriend Mark, he has a similar tattoo. He did not look at me at first. He just put on his seat belt and stared ahead. I rolled my eyes. "Great! A stranger. Just what I needed. This trip keeps getting worse." The young man glanced at me. His eyes were sharp, quiet, but not unfriendly. "Hi," he said simply. I forced a thin smile. "Hi." Silence again. I turned to the window, my thoughts still storming. "I am the heir. That is what Father calls me. The heir. Not his daughter. Not his little girl. Just the heir. All my life it has been the same. Lessons, rules, meetings. No choices for me. No freedom. Just duty. Just business business business!" I bit my lip and whispered under her breath, "I do not want this life anymore." The young man beside me shifted slightly. I figured he had heard me, but he did not say anything. The plane shook a little as it started to move. The sound of engines filled the air. People chatted. Some laughed. Some prayed. I only sank deeper into her seat. The stranger spoke again. "You do not like flying?" I turned, a little surprised at the question. "What makes you say that?" "You look tense." I gave a short laugh. "I just do not want to be here. I did not choose this trip." He nodded slowly, like he understood. "Sometimes life chooses for us." I stared at him. His words made my chest tight. I looked away quickly. "Why am I even talking to him? He is just some stranger. He does not know me. He does not know my life. He does not know how it feels to always be forced. He does not know how it feels to lose everything normal just because you were born into wealth." I thought to myself. My fingers tapped against my knee. "Mark would have made me laugh by now. He would have held my hand. He would have told me to calm down. But I am here alone. Alone with Father's plans. Alone with a stranger. Alone with my thoughts." I let out a loud sigh. "Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. I want to inform you that flight 227 is ready for take off." I felt my stomach twist. I shut my eyes and muttered, "Please just let this be over fast." The stranger beside me looked at me once more. He seemed like he wanted to ask something, but he stayed quiet. Minutes passed. The flight attendants rolled carts down the aisle. The smell of food drifted through the air. I shook my head when they asked if I wanted anything. I was not hungry. I was only angry. I leaned back, pulled out my phone, and stared at Mark's last text. "I will miss you. Be safe." My chest burned. Safe. If only he knew how much I hate this. If only he knew how much I just want to run away. If only I could choose my own life. My own love. My own path. But Father would never let me. Never. He will tie me to that company forever. I swallowed hard and whispered, "I cannot do this forever. I will lose myself." The stranger finally spoke again. His voice was calm. "Sometimes when you feel trapped, the sky gives you an answer." I blinked and turned to him quickly. "What do you mean?" He gave a small shrug. "I just believe every trip has a reason." I stared at him for a moment, unsure what to say. After a moment I frowned a little and asked softly, "And who are you?" He looked at me and replied, "I am Vincent." I gave a small nod and said, "I am Eloise." The engines hummed louder. The plane shook again, this time harder. Some passengers gasped. A baby cried. I gripped my armrest. "What is happening?" I whispered. Vincent's jaw tightened. "It's probably a turbulence. Stay calm." But I could not stay calm. My heart pounded. My chest rose and fell too fast. No no no. Not now. Not like this. Father sent me here. I did not want to come. I cannot die like this. I cannot end here. I have so much I have not lived yet. The plane jolted again, this time sharper. Luggage shifted above their heads. A loud c***k echoed. People screamed. "What's going on???" A lady in the airplane shouted. "Everyone please stay calm and tighten your seatbelt" I heard the air hostess say The lights flickered. People started screaming and praying, babies cried loudly, bags began falling out from the overhead compartment. The voice of the pilot came through the speaker, strained but trying to be steady. "Ladies and gentlemen, please fasten your seat belts. We are experiencing unexpected—" The plane dropped suddenly. I screamed. People shouted prayers. My hand flew out and I quickly grabbed Vincent's arm. I did not even think. I just held on tight. His eyes met mine. For a brief second, there was silence between us, silence inside the chaos. Then the plane roared again, tilted, and began to fall. Everything was screaming metal and breaking air. My last thought before the world turned white was simple. "God please, don't let this be the end".