Chapter 17

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I was woken up by the sound of my alarm, signaling that we had only an hour left before we had to be at the airport. Knowing that Willa had set her alarm too, I assumed she was already awake. Deciding to give her some space, I stayed in the room to get ready in the bathroom. I brushed my teeth and completed my morning routine. Opting for a natural look, I applied light makeup and left my hair straight as it was. I opened the wardrobe and picked out a pair of my own grey joggers along with one of Mase's oversized t-shirts, aiming for a simple and comforting outfit. My suitcase was already packed and waiting for me by the entrance. With everything in order, I made my way downstairs and found Willa already dressed and waiting for me on the couch.

"Good morning, fav," I greeted her, giving her a warm cuddle.

"Good morning, Palms," she replied, hugging me back.

"I had planned for us to swing by Starbucks quickly to grab some breakfast. What do you think?" I asked.

"Sounds great! Should we head out then?" she responded.

"Yes, I'm ready. Let's go," I told her. We both stood up from the couch and grabbed our suitcases and cabin bags, carrying them out to the trunk of the car. Once everything was loaded, I locked the house and we set off for Starbucks. Pulling up to the drive-thru, we placed our orders for drinks and food. Willa opted for a grilled cheese sandwich and a latte, while I chose a chia pudding topped with various fruits and a cappuccino.

With our breakfast in hand, we hurriedly made our way to the airport as we were running a little late. Following Mase's instructions, I drove through a back gate and crossed the runway, parking the car near the private jet. The airport staff would then handle transferring it to a designated parking lot for private jet users. The airport staff efficiently loaded our luggage into the airplane while we made our way inside. Stepping onto the private jet, both Willa and I were amazed. It was our first time experiencing such luxury, and I felt incredibly grateful for Mason and all that he does for me. His care and affection always make me feel incredibly happy.

We chose seats opposite each other, allowing us to engage in conversations and spend quality time together during the flight. As the cabin door closed, we fastened our seat belts, ready for takeoff. The flight was remarkably smooth, and after some enjoyable conversation, we delved into the card games, I had packed to keep us entertained. However, as time passed, both of us began to yawn, signaling that it was time for that much-needed nap. With two hours remaining of the flight, we settled into our seats, ready to rest. We had woken up early in the morning, and with tonight's plans ahead, we wanted to conserve our energy.

As the plane touched down in Porto, we both awakened, surprised at how quickly the flight had passed. Feeling refreshed from our nap, we were energized and ready to embrace the day ahead. Stepping out of the plane, we were greeted by the sight of a car arranged by Mase, ready to take us to my family's place. Taking our seats in the back, we embarked on a 30-minute drive from Porto airport to our destination. The driver had already been informed of our destination, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free journey.

The landscape outside was breathtaking, capturing my attention as I gazed through the window. The mountains and natural beauty were a sight to behold. Since I was a child, this place had been our holiday destination, offering a respite from the demands of daily life. As we arrived at the driveway, bidding farewell to our driver, I made my way to the familiar spot where the key was hidden. Retrieving it, I unlocked the door and stepped inside, overcome with a sense of closeness to my family. It had been six long months since I last saw them, and I couldn't help but miss them sometimes. So spending a few days here filled me with happiness, as I have core memories from here with my family.

I gave Willa a tour of every corner of the villa, showcasing its beauty and charm. Afterwards, we retreated to our rooms to freshen up, knowing that we had planned to go down to the harbor to find a delightful spot for dinner. As I began unpacking my luggage, searching for the perfect outfit for the evening, I suddenly heard the familiar sound of my phone receiving an incoming call. Curiosity piqued, I made my way over to the bed and noticed that Mase was attempting to Facetime me.

Facetime call between Mason and Palma

"Hey gorgeous, how is everything?" Mase asked with a smile.

"Everything is great, thanks for arranging the car at Porto airport. How are you doing?" I replied, reciprocating the smile.

"No problem, I'm good, just chilling in my room," Mase replied.

"We just arrived at the house about 10 minutes ago, and I have to say, the private jet was the coolest experience ever!" I exclaimed, still amazed by the journey.

"I'm glad you liked it. Get used to it," Mase said, smirking.

I playfully shot him a look. "It's weird not being around you 24/7," she confessed.

"I know, I can't wait to see you tomorrow. What are your plans for tonight?" Mase inquired.

"We're heading to the harbor soon to find a place for dinner. Mase, help me out here. Should I go with this top and bottom or this dress?" I asked, showing him the outfits, I was considering.

"I'm more engrossed by the shirt you're wearing right now," Mase replied with a cheeky smile.

"You know what? I haven't worn anything else but your shirts since you left, and I brought a few with me too," I admitted, laughing.

"Can I expect you to do laundry when we get back home then?" Mase teased.

"Mason, you're so silly. But back to answering my question, please," I said, chuckling.

"Yes, I would say you should go with the dress," Mase finally answered.

"Thanks, Mase. What have you guys been up to today, and do you have any plans for tonight?" I asked curiously.

"We just chilled by the pool since it's game day tomorrow, and no, no plans for tonight. I think I might go to bed early," Mase replied.

"I can't wait to see you and the game tomorrow. But Willa is waiting for me, so I gotta go. Bye, babe," I said.

"Bye, see you soon. Miss you," Mase replied, as I was ending the call.

I quickly changed my outfit and joined Willa in the living room.

"Sorry, Mase just called," I explained with a laugh.

"No problem. Are you ready to head down to the harbor now?" Willa asked.

"Yes, let's go," I replied, and we walked out. The house was located on a hill, making the walk down to the harbor easy. However, they anticipated a workout on their way back, as the steep incline would demand a lot of effort. As they reached the harbor, they strolled through the streets lined with colorful apartments. Taking in the beautiful view, they continued walking along the harbor until they found an inviting Italian restaurant where they would enjoy their dinner. Opting for an outdoor table, they had a view of the impressive yachts, and fortunately, the sun began to set, painting the sky in shades of pink.

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