Dev walked toward the helicopter. It was white and incredibly sleek. The name "Bella Xander" was written in gold on its side. Dev was amazed to see that one of his favorite modes of transportation actually belonged to Bella.
"You can fly a heli, right? I want to go for a ride with you," Bella requested, now standing right next to Dev.
Dev didn't answer, his eyes still fixed on the helicopter in front of him.
"Dev? Why are you being so quiet?" Bella asked.
"How did you find out I can fly a heli? If you want to know something about me, you should ask me directly," Dev said.
"What's wrong with me finding out about you on my own? Isn't it the same thing? Besides, if I ask you directly, you won't necessarily answer my questions."
Dev sighed and then said, "If you ask directly, we can actually talk about things. It helps us get closer."
"That's true." The thought had never crossed her mind before. Bella then added, "So, you want to get closer to me now too, huh?" Bella cheerfully wrapped her arms around Dev's arm.
"Not really. Actually, I'm not interested in getting close to an odd girl like you." Dev pulled his arm away from Bella's grip and walked toward the helicopter door. Bella pouted at Dev's words.
Dev opened the helicopter door and extended his hand to help Bella up. Bella smiled and took his hand, stepping inside her helicopter. Dev walked around the nose of the chopper and climbed into the pilot's seat. After putting on his seatbelt and headphones, checking all the instruments, and communicating with the ATC (Air Traffic Controller), the white helicopter began to lift off.
The aerial view of the city started to unfold.
"Dev, you are so cool! I thought you were lying about being able to fly a heli," Bella said in awe, speaking through her headset microphone.
"I often act as a freelance pilot. You probably already know that," Dev said, keeping his focus on piloting the helicopter.
"Can you really fly a fighter jet too?" Bella asked.
"Yes," Dev replied shortly.
"In that case, I'll rent one later, and you have to take me up in a fighter jet. I want you to perform maneuvers with me. That sounds so exciting!"
"You really fear nothing for a girl. Not everyone can just ride in a fighter jet, let alone rent one. If you want to feel the thrill of a fighter jet, you can rent a glider plane. Gliders don't have engines; they're towed for takeoff by another plane and then released to fly using wind power. But you don't have to worry because there's still a pilot in control. You can experience the climbs, drops, and flips just like you're in a fighter jet."
"Oh yeah, I think I saw that in the movie Fifty Shades of Grey, right?"
"What movie is that?" Dev asked, completely unfamiliar with the film Bella was talking about.
"You're such a nerd, how could you not know it? It's an old movie. It's about a guy who has a sort of kink in enjoying sex. When they're having sex, he likes to inflict pain on the girl, like whipping her, tying her hands, things like that. I watched it in a theater in Singapore because it didn't pass censorship in Indonesia due to all the sex scenes."
"So it's basically like watching porn."
"No, it's not! The movie actually has a storyline. In one part, the guy takes the girl for a ride in a helicopter and a glider plane. The movie is actually fun; it's not just about the sex scenes."
"Is that so?" Dev teased.
"Yes, seriously. Don't go thinking I have a dirty mind. Besides, it's only human for people to enjoy things related to sex."
"Yeah, it's human nature. Just remember that it should be done with someone you truly like and have a commitment with. Not suddenly stripping down and sleeping at a house belonging to a guy you barely know," Dev said, taking a jab at Bella's erotic behavior in front of him the other day.
"I did that because I like you, that's why I dared to take off my clothes in front of you," Bella replied, feeling targeted by Dev's comment.
Dev's face flushed as he recalled the moment Bella stripped off her clothes piece by piece right before his eyes.
"But I'm nobody to you, Bel."
"That's why I said I want to marry you. I'm not even asking you to be my boyfriend. I mean marriage, Dev!" Bella emphasized her words.
"You seem to ask guys to marry you a lot. You ask to marry someone you just met way too easily."
Bella grabbed Dev's chin and guided his face so he would look at her.
"You're the only guy I've ever asked to marry me. Because you're the first guy I've ever liked. Do you get it?" Bella said.
Dev looked into Bella's eyes for a moment before focusing back on the path ahead.
"This is the first time you've ever liked a guy at your current age? Are you sure?" Dev asked, still unable to believe Bella's feelings for him.
"Seriously. I'm not lying. You're the only one who can make my heart race and make me giggle to myself like a crazy person. Just looking at you makes me so happy. Especially when you kissed me and gave me a hickey. I even uploaded a photo of my neck on Instagram so everyone knows I'm not single anymore. Have you seen it?"
"You uploaded it on Instagram? Aren't you embarrassed? People will definitely think poorly of you."
"Good, that way other guys out there will leave me alone! I'm tired of being hit on by boring guys who only know how to annoy me. Just you wait, your photo will be the next one I upload on my Instagram," Bella said brightly.
"I don't want to be on your Instagram! You better watch out, because I'll hack your IG account if you do."
"Why? You're my future husband. Plus, you're incredibly handsome and cool. People will definitely say we look good together."
"No way. Who said anything about being your future husband? I never said I wanted to marry you," Dev said in his usual cold tone.
"The more you say no, the more I want to win you over. I'm sure it won't be long before you say you like me too," Bella stated confidently.
Dev didn't reply. He was at a loss for words against Bella's antics and her frequently out-of-the-box thinking.
"Dev, how long have you known the Black Panther guys?" Bella asked, changing the subject upon noticing Dev falling silent.
"A long time. Abbas was my high school friend. He's the one who started Black Panther back in high school."
"So Abbas has always been a bad boy since back then? Why didn't you join the gang then?"
"I didn't want to get involved. Someone once told me that I had to be a good person. I needed to be physically and mentally strong so I could help the weak."
"Who told you that? Your parents?" Bella asked.
"No. It was someone I met when I was in the seventh grade. It was because of her words that I decided to join the Military Academy (AKMIL)," Dev said.
"Who was it? A girl or a guy?" Bella asked curiously. That person must be very important to Dev.
"A girl," Dev said, smiling as he remembered the figure who had been so influential in his life.
"A girl?! Who? How could she make you decide to enter the Military Academy?!" Bella shouted jealously.
Dev laughed seeing Bella pouting now.
"Never mind, let's not talk about it," Dev said.
After about half an hour in the air, Dev began guiding the helicopter toward the helipad on the rooftop of the Xander Corp building. The helicopter descended and made a smooth landing on the pad. Bella and Dev stepped out of the chopper, and someone else took over the aircraft.
Bella entered the elevator, and Dev followed behind her. Dev glanced at Bella, who stood silently with her arms crossed over her chest, still wearing a deep pout. Dev could only smile at the sight.
"Tere didn't get the right information. Who is that girl anyway? To think she made you decide to become a soldier. She must be really important to you," Bella said, looking at Dev with annoyance.
Dev ignored Bella's grumbling. He focused on the changing numbers displayed on the elevator panel.
"Dev!" Bella yelled.
"Why are you shouting?" Dev asked.
"Who is that girl? I thought you've never had a girlfriend?" Bella demanded.
"She wasn't my girlfriend. But you're right, she is very important to me. I still remember her words to this day. She was the one I kept in mind all through my time at the Military Academy. Unfortunately, I never got the chance to prove to her that I've become a strong man because I ended up leaving the military early."
Bella grew even more furious upon hearing Dev's words.
"So you love that girl?!" Bella asked angrily.
The elevator arrived at the first floor. Dev looked at Bella before stepping out and said, "Yes. I've liked that girl since the seventh grade, up until now."