Business by day, Romance by flight

Chapter 12

Tiffany’s POV

Wednesday- 4th December 2025, NYC.

It was about time Cain actually sat down and explained what the actual job roll was about, he kept a lot of it hush hush at the office, either that or he was making it up as he went, but at this time I couldn’t sense any untruthfulness. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see.

I had lost count on how long we have been on this plane for, I know its a long flight; since its about a twenty hour flight, and it’s felt like forever. My nerves had settled a lot thanks to the distractions from the briefing, they really helped, and now I just sat trying to relax. Occasionally a small bounce of turbulence would make my heart race but otherwise I think I was getting used to it. I dozed occasionally, but time seemed like a blur. I wasn’t game to look at the time, just in case it makes me lethargic. Cain had left me a while ago to go into the room he had dragged me to before; possibly taking a nap. He apparently didn’t sleep much last night. I was feeling my restless night also, between not being able to settle completely, and the workouts I did, plus packing, then the tossing and turning after that once I was finally in bed. Yer, I was buggered too, but I couldn’t bring myself to close my eyes for long, when I did, something would scare me awake. The attendants have brought us a couple of different types of refreshments and meals throughout the trip so far, and each have been fantastic so far.

I was staring at the closed window beside me. Wondering how brave I was. I sat just contemplating, I was curious but at the same time I didn’t want to be reminded that I’m thousands of feet above land or sea.

I took a deep breath, what’s facing one more fear. I reached out slowly opening the pulled down blind. Then my heart stopped. It was like I had been transported to a fairy tale kingdom. I was mesmerised. Flying above the clouds, it looked like you could step out and go for a walk. Clouds built up into shapes that almost resembled buildings, it looked heavenly. I felt a couple of stray tears creep down my cheeks. It was beautiful, the slight rays of sunlight that shone through the gaps of the clouds just made you imagine what this world up here could behold. In fact at this time, I really wouldn’t be surprised to see some otherworldly creatures jump out and start playing. It was just so breathtaking. Seeing this made me wonder what I was scared about. Yes my parents had died in a plane crash, so that was one of my main reasons for fearing them, but my fear went back even before that. It’s because of this fear that I wasn’t on that plane with them. Otherwise I should have been. Some days I regret it; not being there with them, at least we would have been all together. I felt guilty that they died and I was still alive. I … just didn’t know how to feel.

I swiped at the stray tears. I just hope that my parents were somewhere beautiful. They deserve happiness, even at rest. I felt a hand touch my shoulder making me jump.

“Are you alright?” It was Cain, I hadn’t even heard him come out of the room. I done another wipe of my face with my sleeve and pulled a smile.

“Yes, sorry. I was just admiring the beauty up here. To think my fear has kept me from seeing something this unique”. A smile twitched at his lip, but concern was still etched into his eyes. He wasn’t completely buying it. I sighed turning back to the window.

“That and I was thinking about my parents…” I heard Cain take his seat next to me, then felt my chair spin around to face him. I just blinked in confusion.

“What happened to your parents was a freak accident. It should never have happened. More people die in car crashes then they do plane crashes”. I nodded, I understood that but it still didn’t make it any easier.

“I just wonder what would have happened if I had gone with them, whether I would have changed their fate at all or whether I would have died with them. If I had just wanted to go, they would have left a day later. If I hadn’t have been so scared of flying, then maybe it wouldn’t have happened”. I stopped. I hadn’t even notice the tears streaming down my face. This guilt has been eating at me for years. Cain reached over and wiped the tears from my face with his thumb. To think if I wasn’t still p****d at him, then this show of affection would make my heart reel.

“Tiff, what happened happened there was nothing anyone could do. It was a freak accident that could not have been avoided. If those birds hadn’t been migrating, or the pilot had kept his distance from the flock, even though that wouldn’t be fair to him either, they possibly came out of nowhere, he may not have even had a chance to react. It’s always a risk sharing the skies with them, thats why planes tend to get up high quickly and descend quickly to try and avoid any flocks”. I nodded, I understood it, but it still didn’t make things easier.

“Now why don’t we get a drink and something to eat, we still have about an hour or so before we hit New York, so I suggest you try and get some rest. I’ll just get the girls to serve us some lunch”. I nodded, just going with the flow. I still wasn’t sure I was ready to eat anything yet, but if it gave me some space again then ok. I was seriously hating myself for showing my weak side so easily. He patted my knee before standing and walking towards the front of the plane. I watched as he spoke to one of the stewardesses, she was pretty and seemed nice. She had come up to me a little while ago and offered me a glass of water, and asked if I was alright. She had been concerned about my phobia, and had offered me some Panadol, I had gladly taken it, since my head was throbbing from the high stress and emotions I have been feeling in the last twenty-four hours so far. Not something I normally take, but if you need it, you need it. The other stewardess wasn’t as nice, she seemed like a bit of a b***h actually. She has been walking past me every so often, especially when she believes no one else is around and saying things like ‘sook’ or ‘geez she must be good in bed if Mr. Serdon thinks a wuss like her should be with him’. I was going to let fly a couple of times but I kept my cool. I could only imagine how pathetic I looked at the moment, so it’s my own dam fault for looking so weak. So I just ignored her. Not my circus after all.

I turned my head when I heard a commotion coming from the front of the plane. I could see Cain and the nice stewardess standing in-front of the other stewardess, the nasty girl looked to be throwing a fit over something. I couldn’t see Cains reaction but the other ladies wasn’t impressed.

“But I haven’t done anything wrong? I’d like to see proof of these injustices that you are accusing me of”. I tilt my head to the side, wondering what was actually happening. I heard Cains’ voice then.

“This plane has full video footage, with voice over. We have full evidence of all your snide remarks and comments towards our guest, as well as you have been caught on camera going through the pilots personal belongings. There is also evidence of you smoking in the bathroom. These are all breaches of your contract, so as of now your duty will be terminated. You will receive your final wages and also some added travel expenses to get you home. Your services are no longer needed with this flight”. Oh, ouch. Well couldn’t have happened to a nicer person I guess. I turned away. I didn’t want to be dragged into this, it wasn’t any of my business. The argument continued on for a while longer. I just focused my interests out the window at the ever changing cloud kingdom scenery that I seem to have come to love. Hopefully I still think the same way after the plane starts coming down to land. I turned when I heard Cain return and sit in his chair with a sigh. I raised my eyebrow at him. He just chuckled.

“She is new and hasn’t worked out at all. I would like to apologise to you for her remarks and behaviour”. I just shrugged.

“It’s no skin off my nose. It was slightly annoying but everyone is entitled to their opinion, besides I know I would have looked atrocious”. He shook his head, a serious look on his face.

“That is not the point, she has a job to do. It is amazing who I bring on this plane, I need to know that my staff are trust worthy and can deliver the respect that I expect them to give to my guests. What is more disbelieving is how she thinks she can get away with it all, but to also take things from her colleagues”. I nodded in understanding.

“How do you know she was smoking in the bathroom”. I haven’t been in there so I wouldn’t know.

“Amelia went looking for her, and she could smell smoke coming out from under the door, and could hear a handheld fan going. When she knocked she could hear Jessica panic and flush something down the toilet. When she stepped out she was trying to cover up the scent of the smoke with deodorant, a lot of it. I choked in the bedroom as she walked past. On inspection, Amelia found ash on the floor and photographed it, along with the floating butt, it never flushed and she didn’t notice. It was collected also. The video footage also shows some of the smoke coming from the vent at the bottom of the door. I’m actually amazed the fire alarm never went off”. He took a breather, while swiping a hand through his hair. Undoubtedly frustrated.

“Then to think stealing”. I thought about it for a moment.

“Let me guess she stole the pilots smokes”. Cain chuckled.

“Yes, and about two hundred in cash out of his wallet”. I shook my head. How stupid.

“So where is she now if she is relieved of duty?” I asked, curious.

“She is in the staffed area, confined to her seat. She has given back what she stole, minus the smokes she has had, and has been warned that any more wrongdoings will have the police waiting at the airport to escort her to station, and her final pay will be revoked. So hopefully she’s not that stupid”. I nodded, just as Amelia showed up carrying a couple beautifully displayed meals and placing them in-front of us. My stomach did a cartwheel, I couldn’t eat all this. There was an array of vegetables, with lobsters and prawns. She also laid down a napkin with two different sets of knives and forks, and a dessert spoon. All laid out nicely like a basket. These were actual napkins too, not paper ones. I couldn’t help giving Cain a side glance, noticing that he was watching my reactions with a smile on his face.

I snorted in disbelief. He just shrugged and smiled devilishly.

Amelia gained our attention with a slight cough.

“Would you like some champagne with her lunch”. She directed the question at both of us.

I looked to Cain and he nodded.

“Yes thank you”. I stated with a smile. She returned the gesture and walked off to collect the bottle and a couple of flute glasses. Returning she filled them, and left. Leaving the bottle in a ice filled champagne bucket that she had brought over at the same time.

“Try and eat something alright”. Cain mentioned turning back to his own plate. I nodded, not sure if I could do this justice, no matter how good it looks.