Business by day, Romance by flight

Chapter 10

Tiffany’S POV

Wednesday - 4th December 2025, Sydney.

‘Oh my god, oh my god. Why the hell am I doing this?’. My brain was in overdrive. I’m actually more amazed that I was able to actually get my a** on the plane in the first place, but just the thought of it taking off already had me shaking like a maniac and my fingernails digging into the expensive looking leather seats. Thank god that there wasn’t that may witnesses on the plane. As far as I knew this was Cains’ private plane. He had mentioned on the drive over that there would just be the two of us, the two pilots and a couple of stewardesses. So hopefully not to many witnesses to see my meltdown. What is more annoying, is this has all started and we haven't even left the ground yet.

“Come on Tiff, you can do this. Don’t let this stupid fear win. Your stronger than that”. I whispered encouragingly to myself. Jumping from the sudden reply.

“Yes you are. I have noticed that a lot in the last day”. Cain rounded my armchair shaped seat and took the seat next to me. A smile on his face. I bet he was greatly amused; the j**k. I couldn’t say I was impressed, he has known my fear of planes for forever, if it hadn’t been for this fear I wouldn’t be here now. I felt tears spring to the back of my eyes. My grip tightening more. I shook my head. I had to fight this.

I jumped at the sudden contact as Cain’s hand caressed over mine. He pried my hand away from the seat, and interlaced his fingers through mine. I felt my cheeks heat.

“Just breath. I promise, you will be fine”. He gave me a calm, encouraging smile. But that wasn’t going to help me much.

I tried to breath, trying to focus on something else. I looked around the plane. Other than the fact that we were in leather like recliner seats in front of a table, with two matching seats on the opposite side, making for a nice little dining area. The carpet floors were a grey with red and green flakes or squares. The plane was definitely a lot bigger on the inside then it looked from the outside. Round windows looked out, which I was trying to avoid, since looking down was not helping. I wasn’t the greatest with heights either. The table was a mahogany wood, quite beautiful in design, and fixed to the floor. Wouldn’t want it moving in the air now would we….

I was really fighting not to hyperventilate, this was not working. I could see a tonne of not so great, scenarios occurring. I knew one thing, I think Cain regrets taking my hand now. I’m pretty sure my nails were digging into his. I snuck a glance, I could see the white of his skin from the pressure I was placing and yet he didn’t look fazed. He just rubbed the back of my thumb with his thumb. It was soothing, but I was sure I needed a faster solution. Maybe a hammer, something that would knock me out for a few hours.

“What’s the chance of getting some sleeping pills or something.” I asked, my voice low and shaky. Cain gave my hand a slight squeeze. Before leaning in closer. I could feel my cheeks redden slightly, but my body was to in shock from fear that I didn’t even care what he tried to do at this moment.

Cain didn’t advance to close he just wanted to look out the window as some people hurried to start moving things out of the way. More fear hit me as I heard the engines roar to life. It was like my heart stopped, then started pounding against my chest with the force of a sledge hammer. I visibly shook like the chihuahua on the Wendy’s add. This was ridiculous.

“Your condition is called aerophobia“. I blinked, looking towards Cain, who had turned his chair to face me more. His hand still holding mine. He seemed slightly concerned otherwise he just seemed to think I would just miraculously get over it. I was slightly ticked off. Possibly comes with the phobia.

“That’s nice, what do they call the people that force someone into facing that phobia”. I stated sarcastically. By this time I could taste blood. I bit my bottom lip, but the pain from the constant biting pressure was helping a little, maybe. I felt Cains hand grip mine tighter.

“A j**k, I know. I’m sorry, but if I could have gotten you to where we need to go any other way I would have done that”. I glared at him.

“So you did have this all planned out. There was no chance at all that anyone else would have gotten this job”. I just watched him shrug.

“I may have planned this job just for you…”. I was p****d. He s**t-*p quick as I pulled my hand from his and stood up. The plane lurched, making me grab the table. Dam I guess that means it’s too late to get off this dam thing. Cain grabbed my hand again pulling me back down into my seat. I was not impressed.

“This is the time to sit down, the plane is moving, it will be taking off soon”. No s**t Sherlock. I was really not impressed.

“I think I can tell that. I just don’t see why I have to be next to a manipulative a*****e right now”. I watched him flinch. It may have hurt, but even though I had the feeling this was the case from the beginning, it was also my fault for falling for it in the first place. But a part of it still hurt. It wasn’t a competition, it wasn’t about the qualifications I worked so hard for, its all so his ego can feel like it capture me. There was no feelings of me in there at all.

I forced myself to stand again, plane moving or not, and pushed past Cain. Heading towards the back of the plane. I hadn’t noticed but behind me there was like a lounge area and TV, with a coffee table. Of cause all connected to the plane in one way or another. Then there was two doors and a hall. One was the bathroom the other a bedroom.

I went over to the lounge, there was seatbelts available on it also. So sitting I strapped myself in tight. Then as best I could I scrunched up. I took off my high heels, and placed my feet on the couch, and death squeezed my arms around my legs, hiding my face. I could feel the tears streaming down my face silently. I tried to ignore the movement of the plane, I even drowned out the voice of the stewardess talking. I squeezed harder as the plane took off. I wanted to scream, but all I did was sit, crying my eyes out. Even as the plane steadied. I was still not moving. Even when I heard the stewardess say it was safe to move around the cabin, I refused to move. That was until I felt someone unbuckle my seatbelt. I freaked out, throwing my head up at the intruder, just as he grabbed my wrist and basically dragged me off the couch and through the bedroom door. It was only a small room but it had a bed and built in wardrobe, even some built in bedside tables with draws.

Cain aimed me at the bed. I stumble onto it. I was even more p****d. He was seriously going to get his a** kicked if he tried anything stupid. Childhood sweetheart or not, I won’t tolerate this c**p. He just stood there, staring at me. Is expression unreadable. While mine possibly stated I wanted to kill the b*****d at this moment. What the hell was he thinking.