Phyre Sparks

Chapter Six: Paparazzi!?

Calming himself down, he gave a show of respect.

“I will gladly follow your orders.”

"Thank you, Rick."

Rayla didn't know how to express her appreciation for the elderly butler that had been by her side since the night that she had lost everything but she sure was grateful for him.

“Anything for you and the children, Miss Rayla. After all, your grandfather entrusted me with your safety."

"Then I guess that I have no choice but to rely on you."

The wit in her voice caused the butler to chuckle.

“But all joking aside, thank you Rick for everything. I don't mean just being there for my kids but for myself as well. If you guys had not believed me in the beginning, I'm not sure where we would be. All I know is that it wouldn't have been good.”

“Miss Rayla, may I say something?”

“You know you don't need permission to say what is on your mind around us. We would actually like you to be more outspoken than hold it in. Right guys?”

She asked her children.

“Whatever you say mom.”

Her daughter Jewel said as James nodded in agreement. Jesse on the other hand, clicked his tongue before muttering a yes. The butler was almost drawn to tears but quickly collected himself.

“Thank you for your kindness. Now, if you don't mind, I will go check to see if your luggage has been collected."

Rayla had a hutch that he was trying to escape but she didn't mind. If he didn't want to show something that he considered inappropriate, who was she to stop him?

"Very well. As for the children and I, we shall wait here for your return."

With a motion of her hand, the children went towards the seating area as Rayla followed not too far behind. Rick hurriedly left the area, heading in a direction where she presumed the luggage would be. Taking a seat, she reaches into her bag and pulls out a novel. She opened the book and crossed her legs, relaxing while keeping an eye on her kids. A mother's job is never done after all. She won't know how long Rick will be gone for, so she may as well make herself comfortable as they wait for him to return. As for the children, they were having fun among themselves, darting in and out between the seats. She was apprised that Jesse was playing. Usually, he would sit out and watch the other two go at it.

If she had to guess, Jewel managed to convince him to join in. Oh the power that little sisters held over their older brothers, how terrifying. Normally, she would ask them to calm down and play quietly but since there was no one else but them here. She didn't see any need to stop them. Losing herself in the story, time flew by until she heard the sound approaching footsteps. Putting the book away, she turned to see Rick returning.

"How was it?"

"The luggage is ready whenever you are."

"Well then, no time like the present as they say."

She said before shouting over her shoulder towards her children.

“Alright you three, time to go!”

“Coming, Mommy!”

They rushed over, slightly sounded due to consent chasing back and forth. Checking them over real quick, she grabbed her things once she was satisfied that there were no bumps and bruises.

“Rick, are our bags at the entrance?”

“Yes, Miss. They are currently waiting for you next to the exit with a bellman currently watching over them.”

“Really? I thought that they don't provide those kinds of services here.”

“Oh, they don't unless it is a very famous or important client.”

Rayla could feel a migraine building.

“I'm sorry. Did I by the unusual, unlike the chance of faulty hearing, misunderstanding you?”

“I am afraid not, miss.”

She wanted to groan. When they first arrived here, they had all planned not to draw attention. With her originally coming from a very powerful family and abandoned by the same family to reunite with an even now powerful family from her grandmother's side, anyone who found out would have a field day worth social media and that was the last thing that the armadillo family needed right now.

“Do they know who we are? “

“No. Rest assured, I made sure that anything that had the potential of leaking your identities has been dealt with.”

This gave her a bit of relief but didn't completely clear her worries.

“Well, there isn't much that we can do now. Can you please lead us to the exit? The sooner we are out the better.”

“Of course, Miss.”

Turning around, he directed them towards the main entrance of the airport. It wasn't long before they reached their destination when they spotted the bellman that Rick told her about standing next to a bell cart that held familiar looking bags. Rick was about to walk up to the young man but Really stopped him.

“Miss?”

Rick looked worriedly at her, but she wasn't paying attention to him. Something had set her instincts off and she was moving until she located the cause. Scanning her surroundings, she couldn't spot anything out of the norm. People were heading in and out of the airport, the receptionist was helping clients, and the bellman was standing patiently as he waited for the luggage’s owner. Nothing stood out of pla- Just then, a brief flash appeared. If she wasn't paying attention, she would have missed it.

A second flash caught her attention, directing her focus to a particular corner where a huge plant resided. Airport lights shifted and twisted with the incoming crowd, casting shadows into that corner. When light was allowed to reach out for a brief moment, a shimmer caught her eye. Peeking out from in-between the leaves, was a camera lens and behind it was a shady man dressed from head to toe in black clothes. The camera was pointing in the direction of the bellman and the cart.

“Rick, hold off for now.”

“What's going on, Miss Rayla?”

“Rick, do you see that plant over there in that corner?”

“What about it?”

“Take a very close look at it. Use your enhanced senses and you will see what I am getting at.”

Side-eyeing her, he narrowed his eyes as they took on a golden hue. Looking around to see if anyone was paying attention, the tension in her shoulders relaxed upon seeing that no one was paying attention. Just to be sure, she covered her mouth. Speaking into her hand, knowing that Rick would hear her clearly.

“Do you see them?”

“There is someone hiding out over there.”

“I doubt that they are the only ones here. For them to be here, someone turned traitor. It wouldn't make sense otherwise, seeing how we made sure to use the economy option to fly over here.”

“Miss, do you think that maybe it could have been someone who recognized you on the flight.”

“My name might be very famous back home, but my face isn't. No, someone deliberately released information about our arrival.”

“What should we do then?”

“Seeing that there is one person that we know of, we can safely assume that there are more paparazzi in the area. They are probably waiting for the person who will approach the bellman. They would then follow that person to locate their true target. So here is what we will do. Am I correct in assuming that you have arranged a car for us”

Sweat appeared as Rick nervously admitted his answer.

“Yes young miss. May I ask what you are trying to get at.”

“Using that car of yours to our advantage. Does that car happen to include a driver?”

“Yes.”

A predatory smile made its presence known.

“Why it's time to play predator and prey.”