CHAPTER 146: - TURBULENCE -*

"Welcome."

Standing by the airstair, was a bald middle aged man and young woman in cordial pilots uniform.

Politely shaking hands with the moms,and the single dad in their midst.

"Hey Max." Drawing his attention, Max turned to see Olivia and her group of two other girls wave at him before entering the jet.

Clueless, Max shook his head, walking just behind Noah, who was behind Daisy, Blake at the front, they got into the luxurious private jet.

Vast and exquisite, it had a climate controlled cabin equivalent to a luxury penthouse, engineered for privacy and indulgence.

The interior stretched wide and long, divided into three distinct zones.

Up front was a sleek galley kitchen with dark marble countertops, a stocked wine cooler glowing softly behind smoked glass.

Surprisingly there was a personal flight attendant who moved with practiced grace, placing several crystal glasses on a silver tray.

Just beyond the galley was the main lounge area. 18 leather club seats—snow white, diamond-stitched, and reclining—were arranged in alternating singles and face-to-face pairs. Each one had its own walnut table, touch-screen console, and

The floor lighting glowed a soft amber underfoot, outlining a deep gray carpet that ran the length of the aisle.

To the right, a massive 60-inch OLED screen displayed a muted news channel, embedded seamlessly into the wall opposite a long L-shaped sofa that could seat six. A low glass table held a deck of luxury playing cards and a rare bottle of Japanese whisky. Without doubt, Max knew it belonged to his father.

"Over here." Ava called pushing, to her side, Olivia and Annabelle held back Blake from sitting in their midst.

The seats were a facing pair of four, a narrow space in between. Two to each side.

Accounting for Ava, Olivia and Annabelle, there was one last chair remaining.

When Blake saw him, their eyes momentarily clashed. However, Blake didn’t seem intent on bickering or showing hostility towards Max anymore.

Throwing a grudging look at the girls, he moved to sit with Daisy,Noah and Daniel. Making space for Max to move. Sitting at the last end.

Unlike before, Max knew how clever the three girls were and why they chose such a strategic location.

’Seems the ride is going to be all fun.’ Max thought as he moved to sit on the last seat, opposite Annabelle.

"You’re such a scarcity these days Max." Olivia jumped in right after he took his seat. Apparent from her tone that they had missed a certain part of him.

"Been busy." Meeting her gaze, Max inwardly smirked.

"Oh, it seems to me that you’ve been dodging us."

"Dodging?" Max asked, slightly surprised by her boldness to hint at something else why everyone else could hear them.

"What an idiot, he has such beauties like us yet all he does is try to stay indoors."

Revealing her middle finger, Olivia huffed.

About to reply, Max was interrupted.

" Good afternoon, everyone. This is your captain speaking. We’ll be taxiing shortly for takeoff. Please ensure your seatbelts are fastened, seats are upright, and all devices are in airplane mode. Our flight crew will now conduct a short safety briefing."

A flight attendant in a uniform moved down the aisle, giving a warm smile. She demonstrated the use of seatbelts, pointed to the emergency exits—two in the front, two in the rear—and explained the oxygen mask protocol with practiced ease.

As the briefing ended, engines hummed to life with a low, powerful roar that caused the Riders family members to hold steadfast to their seats.

Watching the once grand and imposing airport building become increasingly farther and smaller.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we’ve reached cruising altitude—10,000 feet. Feel free to move around the cabin and use any approved devices. We recommend keeping your seatbelt fastened while seated for your comfort and safety."

Unexpectedly they all released a relieved breath at the time.

"Wait, did you also encounter a storm on your way the previous time?."

"Yes." Max replied, casually turning away from the window, towards Ava and the rest of the girls who suddenly became silent.

"... Guys sure take things casual. I had a nightmare after that, even now I feel slightly terrified of encountering another storm." Ava commented with a solemn look. Flipping out a comic magazine, she placed it in a way Olivia who sat opposite her would be able to read by using the table in-between.

"Sure, sure. You guys are already about to read a comic. Max, what do you think we should do?" Annabelle quickly changed the topic, resting her chin on her palm while slightly revealing a peek of her cleavage with a smile on her face.

"Pool?"

"Sure, how do we play it though. There’s none in here." Annabelle asked in confusion, winking at Olivia who quickly stuffed a headphone over her ears. Ava did the same.

"Here, we take turns. It’s offline." Turning his phone screen for her to see the ’8 pool’ icon, he eventually handed the phone to her when she wanted to crane her neck.

"Nice. You start" Swiping her fingers across the screen for a moment, Annabelle handed it over.

On the screen was a billiard table with cue balls arranged into a triangular rack. By the edge of the screen was a powered meter screen, a two player mode.

Setting his shot, Max swiped the powered meter to the limit.

One, two, three... three balls were pocketed in a single instant, causing Annabelle to grip his hand out of immediate unwillingness. Claiming she tricked him into playing first, it was supposed to be her turn.

And so the lovely atmosphere between them both grew fun as the flight flew on.

However, they had been too engrossed in the game to notice the lightening coming from the window beside them had grown dim to some extent.

Until suddenly, a deep rumble shook the aircraft, sending a tremor through the polished wine glasses on the lounge table.

The sleek lighting overhead dimmed briefly, casting momentary shadows over them as everyone visibly froze.

Regaining their senses a moment later, they all turned to face the wide oval windows close to them.

Only then did they notice the sky had turned hostile—thick, churning clouds closing in, as lightning branched like veins across the bruised sky.

From what Max could see, almost everyone had been putting on headphones and were each absorbed in whatever they could do to pass time.

A second later, the low chime of the intercom sounded, presenting a calm but clipped voice came through the speakers.

"This is your captain. We’ve just hit the edge of a storm cell—strong turbulence incoming, with moderate wind shear and lightning ahead. Please also put on your headphones."

Another tremor rolled through the jet. And his father’s loud curse could be heard. Apparently his special bottle of wine had taken a fall, shattering.

"Return to your seats and please buckle up. Cabin crew, secure the lounge and galley—no exceptions. We’re adjusting our course now to minimize impact, but it’s going to be a rough patch for the next fifteen to twenty minutes."

The announcement ended with a soft click. Overhead, the seatbelt sign glowed a steady amber. And two guys in attendant uniforms appeared, quite surprising. Regaining their footings, they quickly moved to strap down carts.

The female attendant from before didn’t shy away but took the half finished drink on his father’s table, sitting directly opposing aunt Raven.

Seeing this, Owen finally sat down and clasped the buckle. Tightening his jaw as he caught a flicker of lightning split the clouds outside.

Inhaling a mouthful of air, he had just regained his calm when he saw that Annabelle had unbuckled her seat belt, her hands stretched towards him as she grabbed his shoulders and sat on him.

To the side, Olivia who had her eyes solemnly closed gape in shock as she opened them.

Because strandling Max was Annabelle who had her eyes closed with one palm over her mouth to stop herself from moaning out loud.

H h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h H h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h H h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h H h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h H h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h H h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h H h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h H h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h H h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h