CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR - *HELICOPTER DATE*

As Anna lay back down, her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. She had come so far from that night in the restaurant when she first met Erik. Now, she stood on the precipice of a new life, a new identity. The question was, was she ready to take that leap? With that thought lingering in her mind, Anna drifted off to sleep, the warmth of Erik's body next to her a comforting presence as she faced the biggest decision of her life. As the helicopter lifted off from the helipad, Anna's heart raced with excitement. The city sprawled beneath them, a tapestry of lights and shadows in the early evening sky. Erik sat beside her, his hand resting comfortably on her knee as he pointed out various landmarks. "Look over there," Erik said, gesturing towards a cluster of gleaming skyscrapers. "That's where I closed my first major deal. I was so nervous I thought I might pass out." Anna laughed, leaning in closer to get a better view. "You? Nervous? I can hardly imagine it." Erik chuckle