My Hainan

Chapter Two

Chapter Two

Lilah

I’m so grateful this is my last flight before my holiday. Lately, things have been chaotic in my life. I need a break—one last flight. I can do this.

I’m standing in the back of the airplane, getting ready for the passengers to arrive. The other hostesses and I chat, drink coffee, and check off checklists. The passengers are starting to board the plane, and it is noisy as usual. I have to put a smile on my face and start my duties, walking down the aisle, row by row, to check that the passengers are safe. Halfway along, I look down at a passenger and I freeze. His ice-blue eyes lock into mine. Gosh! I have never felt this; I’m totally mesmerized. I feel like such an i***t, just staring at this man. I have to do something, so I say, “Hi.” couldn't I have thought of anything else? I’m being dense! After I give him my name, which is clearly shown on my nametag, I feel stupid and have to walk away, but what now? I want to know who this guy is!

As the flight goes on, I’m making mistakes, which isn’t like me at all. I’m not concentrating on my duties and feel like I’m in a daze. This cannot be love at first sight. I need to collect my thoughts. FOCUS. The next time I speak to him, I need to sound collected and professional. I walk up the aisle to his row.

"John, would you like beef and noodles or chicken and rice?"

With his response, I can tell he’s also a little dazzled by my presence, and I enjoy seeing it. Although I have no idea what this attraction is, it will most likely be short-lived because the flight will end in a little over an hour. Then, whatever this is will leave with him.

The flight ends, and he disembarks with the rest of the passengers. Such a pity I didn’t find out who he is. I know I can take a look at the manifest and try and search for him, but it’s a near to impossible task with the limited information we get.

I take my belongings after finalizing all the duties and we disembark the plane in line formation as we always do, the captain leading. As I walk through the final set of doors, something catches my eye and I look up. HE’S HERE! WAITING FOR ME! OH MY WORD! What do I do now? I can’t control my face from blushing and my hands feel sweaty, but I’m grinning from ear to ear, and my cheeks feels like they’ll break if I smile wider. I notice he’s holding a piece of paper in his hand, and he walks toward me. I don’t know if he doesn’t want to make it obvious, but it’s quite clear what he’s doing. I take the paper, shove it into my pocket, and walk off, still smiling. I assume it’s his phone number. In the staff minibus, I hear about it for the whole ride.

"Ooh, Lilah has an admirer."

"Will you contact him?"

"Your smile will wrap around your head if you continue like this."

I have to painfully listen to the comments all the way to the drop-off point. But now, I don’t want to seem too eager, I can’t contact him immediately, and it’s late. I’ll think about it tomorrow.

The next morning I wake up, well rested, and think to myself that this guy is so smooth. I wonder if this is his modus operandi or if this was a spur-of-the-moment way to get me to contact him. Although he can't be a player, he seems too decent for that. I scan his code but don’t press "add contact," I only want to stare into those eyes again! I hold my breath and press the button.

An hour later I walk into Starbucks, nervous as hell but brave enough to meet a stranger. After all, it’s only coffee in public space. It should be safe, right?

I spot him immediately, and his eyes lock onto mine, the connection makes me feel whole. My heart is beating like a hammered drum, the same as on the plane yesterday. I never knew I had a missing piece, but somehow it feels like his presence contributes to me in a way I didn't realize I need to be filled. I can't place it, but it’s fun and flirtatious. It’s diametrical to anything I have ever experienced.

The only question now is what I will wear to dinner. It can't be formal. It can't be too casual or too revealing.

This is my opportunity to explore all my hopes and dreams. I want to see if this exhilarating feeling can get better, because he is f*****g handsome! He mesmerizes me every time I see him, and I can’t get enough of it.