Page 1 of Seaside Hideaway

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Piper Emerson leaned back in her plush leather seat as the wheels of her private jet touched down on the sun-baked tarmac of LAX, a gentle bump signaling their arrival. As the aircraft decelerated, the late afternoon sunlight poured through her window, bathing the cabin in a rich, amber glow.

“Welcome back to Los Angeles, Ms. Emerson,” the pilot’s voice crackled over the intercom.

Piper glanced at Natalie, who sat across from her, already tapping away on her phone. “Glad to be home?”

Natalie looked up, a small smile playing on her lips. “So glad.”

As the jet taxied to its private hangar, Piper felt a mix of relief and anticipation wash over her. The past few months had been a whirlwind of filming on location and traveling across Europe for promotional appearances. She loved her work, but the constant travel and pressure had started to wear on her. She always tried to catch herself before she could complain, even to Natalie, because it wasn’t that long ago that she was dreaming of having a schedule as insane as the last few months had been.

The plane came to a stop, and James, one of her security team members, was already on his feet. Piper gathered her things, slipping on her oversized sunglasses - a habit born from years of dodging paparazzi.

“Ready?” Natalie asked, standing and smoothing out her blazer.

Piper nodded, following her friend and chief of security towards the exit. The blast of hot July air hit her as soon as the door opened. As she descended the steps with Ryan, the third member of her security detail, ahead of her, Piper could already feel herself beginning to relax. If the traffic wasn’t awful, she’d be home in no time, where she could focus on something other than her next scene or interview.

Inside the private terminal, Piper was greeted by the familiar faces of the VIP staff. The air conditioning washed over her, a welcome respite from the sweltering heat outside.

“Welcome back, Ms. Emerson,” said a cheerful blonde woman behind the counter. “How was your flight?”

Piper smiled, genuinely pleased to see her. “Thanks, Melissa. It was smooth sailing all the way. How’ve you been?”

As Melissa chatted about her recent vacation, Piper could see Ryan looking fidgety out of the corner of her eye. Piper knew her security team would prefer to whisk her in and out of places, but she never wanted to be above talking to staff or fans, and she tried her best to remember as many names as possible.

“Your car is ready whenever you are, Ms. Emerson,” another staff member informed her, handing over some paperwork.

Piper nodded, signing where indicated. “Thanks, Tom. It’s good to be back.”

As she made her way towards the exit, Natalie fell into step beside her. “Ready for the gauntlet?”

Piper took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders. “As I’ll ever be.”

The moment the doors slid open, a barrage of flashes erupted. A group of paparazzi had somehow gotten wind of her arrival. Their rapid-fire clicks filled the air as Piper stepped out into the fading sunlight.

“Piper! Over here!”

“How was Europe, Piper?”

“Any comments on the rumors about your affair with Evelyn Coleman?”

The questions were always the same, and Piper lifted her hand in a brief wave to the fans she saw amongst the photographers, her practiced smile firmly in place. She was so tempted to stop and give that lost photographer a piece of her mind, but she kept going, knowing that if she denied those rumors, she’d only be adding fuel to the fire. It was best just to ignore it.

Piper could feel James and Ryan flanking her, their presence a comforting barrier between her and the cameras as they kept moving.

Natalie’s voice was low and steady beside her. “Car’s right there. Ten steps.”

Piper kept her pace measured, neither rushing nor dawdling. She’d learned long ago that sprinting to the car only made for more dramatic photos. Instead, she maintained her composure, focusing on the sleek black SUV ahead.

As they reached the vehicle, James smoothly opened the door. Piper slid inside, the tinted windows instantly muffling the shouts and camera clicks. She let out a long breath as Natalie settled in beside her.

Piper watched through the tinted windows as James and Ryan loaded the bags into the trunk. Piper noticed how they seamlessly blended their tasks, keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings while handling the luggage. It was a dance they’d perfected over the years, and Piper felt a surge of gratitude for their dedication.

As the last of their luggage was added to the trunk, Piper caught sight of a photographer trying to sneak closer for a better shot. Before she could even tense up, Ryan smoothly intercepted, his body blocking the camera’s view.

Piper never took for granted how lucky she was to have the three of them. They were some of the best in the business, but she could also relax with them over a few beers, and even though she was technically their boss, Piper considered the three of them friends.

Natalie glanced at her as James and Ryan hopped in the SUV. “You okay?”

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