Business by day, Romance by flight

Chapter 13

Cain’s POV

Wednesday - 4th December 2025, NYC

The descent to the runway felt like it took forever. I couldn't help watching Tiffany the whole time, she had snapped at me once again because I wanted to comfort her. ‘You are my boss, I can manage this on my own’. Was her reaction. I thought we had started establishing some trust after our long talks this flight, yet she appears to still be keeping me at arms length. Even though I couldn’t really blame her for it.

Watching her cringe and hold her breath, while her nails dug into the seat, leaving claw marks. I watched as she chewed on her lip. If I wasn’t concerned about the stress she was under right now, I would really hate to admit that she was turning me on. That made me feel more like a sadistic j**k.

Once we landed and the plane slowed to a stop, Tiffany finally released the breath she was holding. The relief just washed over her. She giggled slightly embarrassed.

“You would not believe how much I would like to kiss the ground right now like in those cartoons’. I chuckled.

“I’m proud of you. You made it through your first plane ride. It was a bit rocky at the start but you managed”. She nodded, worry still etched onto you face.

“Hopefully I can handle it better next time”. I raised an eyebrow.

“So you want there to be a next time?” I asked.

“Don’t actually have much of a choice do I, especially if I want to go home”. She stated as a matter of fact. I nodded, it was a good point.

All our stuff was being offloaded by my crew, so we just had to worry about ourselves and our small carryons. When it was safe to exit the plane, I ushered Tiffany to exit first. Amelia and Jessica waited just behind us and the pilots, Jacob and Darren, where behind them. Jacob still looked p****d at Jessica, even though she gave him back the money she stole and was forced to apologise for her stupidity, he was still not convinced. Truthfully neither was I.

Jessica was acting antsy. I started to follow Tiffany out the exit and onto the platform stairs. A limo was already parked and our items were being transferred into the boot. Tiff took in a deep breath and started to descend. I was right behind her when I heard Amelia yell. I turned but only just caught a glimpse of Jessica push past me and shove Tiffany. Tiffany lost her footing and started to fall forward. Thankfully I was quicker. I managed to grab Tiff’s wrist and flung her back into my chest, but that percussion had its disadvantages for Jessica. The sudden movement on my part made her loose her footing instead, and she tumbled the last seven steps to the ground. Tiff covered her mouth in shock, not knowing what to do. I was shaking. That was too close. That could have been Tiffany down there. My heart was racing. I didn’t have much more time to ponder when Tiffany pried herself from my chest and rushed the last few steps to the ground to help the girl that just attacked her.

Amelia rushed behind me, saying she called the ambulance and that the cameras would have caught everything, plus Jacob had his video on his phone going. Something about trying to get her to apologise again. We all reached the ground. Jessica appeared fine, but she had bruises and a sore leg and ego from the looks of it. She still had the indecency to shove Tiffany and yell at her.

“This is all your fault, why did I have to fall. It should have been you. You b***h! If you hadn’t been on this plane I could have gotten in good with Mr. Serdon”. I raised an eyebrow. She was definitely wishful thinking there.

“Well if you hadn’t been a conniving smart a** from the beginning you may have had a chance, but here you are”. Tiffany commented, her lack of enthusiasm for this conversation seemed to roll off her shoulders as she stood and continued.

“If you don’t want my help, then that is fine. I’m sure an ambulance will be here soon”. Thats when Amelia stepped up next to Tiffany, taking her hands.

“Yes an ambulance and the police have been called. This is inappropriate behaviour and I apologise Miss Barona for her cruelty this trip. Would you like to press charges for this harassment”. Tiffany seemed taken aback, while a look of utter shock washed over Jessica’s face, as she painfully tried to stand. I seen Jacob standing close to me, his phone still trailing on the women. I gave him a confused look, he just shrugged, before whispering.

“I apologise Cain, I didn’t expect her to do that, I just wanted her to apologise to me again. I told her I didn’t believe her last one and just wanted to know that she was actually sorry. I had my phone in my pocket with the recording on and facing in her direction. I don’t think she noticed it, she just huffed at me and said ‘why should I care what you think’ then pushed past us all and did this”. I nodded, Jacob was a old friend which is why he could get away with the first name basis.

I was directed back to Tiffany. She was shaking her head at Amelia.

“It’s fine, I was just lucky that Mr. Serdon managed to catch me in time”. My heart deflated she still didn’t use my name again. She hasn’t since her outburst in the bedroom.

The sound of sirens blared towards us. Jessica was trying to stand, and rush away. But some of the airport security had now joined us and apprehended her before she hobbled to far. She was yelling back at me, tears streaming down her face as she begged me to help her. I felt my anger rise.

“Why should I help you after what you have done, I gave you the chance to redeem yourself and yet you still went out of your way to harm a colleague. Miss Barona is my assistant, so she is still a part of my personal staff. She hasn’t done anything to warrant this treatment. It is you that has been in the wrong with your misdeeds. A full report will be given to the police and a copy of all the video footage will be supplied. If Miss Barona will not press charges than I will in her stead. Your behaviour has been pathetic. The previous deal that was made for your termination has been revoked, it will be given to Miss Tiffany Barona and Mr Jacob Toron as compensation for your committed crimes.” Her face fell as she slumped in the security guards hold. Turning to them.

“Please see that she gets a checkup for here fall then is handed over to the authorities. Please also pass on my details to them for my statement. I’ll have all evidence sent over as soon as possible”.

“Yes sir”. They both announced in unison, then escorted Jessica away. I could feel a headache coming on.

I turned back toward where Tiffany and the others were. I hadn’t noticed that one of ambulance ladies was checking on her also. I rushed over.

“Are you alright?” I asked. She nodded.

“We are just doing a quick check, we heard what had happened and wanted to make sure she was alright. Nothing but slight bruising on her wrist, possibly from when you saved her, and a slight bit of swelling in one ankle from her high heel getting snared in the step when she was shoved. If not for you though her injuries could have been more severe than that ladies”. Tiffany looked slightly drained. I nodded to the women who gave Tiffany’s shoulder a squeeze before walking off towards the ambulance and commotion with Jessica. The authorities were with them now and talking to Amelia and Jacob.

“Are you alright?” I ask offering an arm to lean on. Tiff was sitting at the bottom of the steps, her shoes now off and the visible swelling and bruising of her ankle showing through the welted strap marks from her high heel. Who would think that something like that could be dangerous. Tiffany just laughed nervously.

“Well I think I have learnt that high heels are not the ideal choice for a plane. And I nearly got to kiss the ground after all. I’ll be fine. It’s just a sprain”. She gave me a smile as she stood, carefully lowering her toes to the ground. I hadn’t seen her limp when she rushed to Jessica. Unless it was adrenaline that made it unnoticeable at the time.

“So lets go. I think I have had enough for one day.” Tiff mentioned starting to hobble towards the limo, her heels in her hand. I couldn’t take it. Coming up behind her, I scooped her up in one quick motion. Tiffany yelped grabbing for my neck and staring at me in disbelief. I just managed to avoid getting hit with the flying shoes in her hand as she grabbed for support.

“What the hell is this for? I’m fine. I can walk”. I stared at her in my arms as I carried her towards the limo. Her face was red and she was trying to look away. Her grip had loosened on me now.

“You were taking too long. I can get you there much quicker”. I gave her a slight smirk. She rolled her eyes squirming for release. So I pretended to drop her. She snaked around my neck again with another yelp.

“Thats more like it, now just be a good girl and I’ll put you down soon”. She gritted her teeth, her face almost resembled a cherry at this moment. But she did as she was told.

Slightly disappointing actually I wanted to toy with her some more. Feeling her in my arms. Carrying her bridal style. This was something I had dreamed of forever. I tightened my grip slightly, the closer we got to the car the more I didn’t want this to end. But I knew I had too. As we approached, I seen Martin my chauffeur standing at the door. A slight smile on his face. ‘Sir, Madam’ he stated as he opened the back door. I was reluctant, but I lowered Tiffany into the back seat. My arms feeling empty once she left them. I paused a moment when I heard Tiff’s voice.

“Thanks Cain”. She whispered as she shuffled across. My heart skipped a beat.