Whispering Obsession.

3

He picked his grandma’s bag swiftly while locking his arms with hers in an attempt to assist her off the seat— the one she was sharing with Naomi.

He’d gently shut off every avenue for his grandma to introduce them but this was the third time and she was going to have her way.

Taking advantage of their now interlocked arms, she pulled him into the seat.

“This beautiful lady here has been my company for all the while you wandered off”

“I’m sorry, grandma, I had a few things to tidy before the flight” he apologized cupping her arms.

He understood that it didn’t end there. He knew she wanted him to acknowledge the presence of her “company” but it was also very evident he didn’t want to but then he would have to explain what he could possibly have against this woman who had offered nothing but help to his grandmother.

“I appreciate your kindness miss” he said leaning towards Naomi’s direction. “I wish you a very lovely flight” he finished in a very slight bow.

“Oh very well darling, it’ll be a lovely flight. We’re flying together!” Mrs exclaimed.

He was used his grandmother being overly excited about the most random events, people- literally anything but today in particular, he didn’t understand why she was over the top and about this lady who he really would rather she did not spend time with. He never forgot a face—especially not after this one did.

“We’re getting on the same flight” grandma said now getting off the chair and signally her new friend and grandson to follow.

Brent had not always been eager to meet people especially when he felt like he was being set up so she wasn’t going to make a fuss about this one.

She was simply going to play her game.

As Naomi said her goodbyes to the family, she felt like she should’ve been wondering what the matter with the grandson was or if she was the problem and there was nothing off about his countenance but all that filled her mind were thoughts about whether she could really pull off this vacation this soon after what had happened. But luckily, she had a packed itinerary and unluckily, fifty percent of them would better be enjoyed if in a couple. Maybe she was going to make a friend or two— someone in the same shoes as her perhaps. What are the chances.

She got sat after putting her aside her hand luggage and gave a very dry smile to the passenger next to her who really didn’t seem to care a lot about it.

She buckled in her seat belts and listened to the captain brief the passengers right after the hostess had said her bit. She wasn’t listening. A part of her just wanted to leave things to chance. Almost everything.

“Ma’am?” She heard a voice—finally. It was one of the hostesses who once again had knocked her out her apparently very long trail of thoughts.

All Naomi could see in that moment was the hostess very stunning features, she couldn’t make sense of the words her mouth was speaking just yet.

“Yes, yes, I’m sorry” she finally responded a bit shaky. To this response, the hostess gave another warm smile and she repeated.

“This lady in the first class cabin, Mrs. Smith had made a request for a seat upgrade for you and would like to offer you to chance to move to the first class cabin if you’d wish. I can escort you”, her voice soft but carrying a quiet authority.

“Oh that’s a thing?”, she thought to herself but Naomi’s face had never been the kind to not convey what she was really thinking.

She turned to the passenger by her left whose head was tilted towards the window and she was clearly asleep. She seemed so tired like she’d had a rough night, but maybe not in the way Naomi did. And next to her by the right was the seat which was empty now because it should’ve been Israel’s.

“I—thank you”.

She felt very pitiable. She weighed her options one last time and opted for the less sad one.

“I heard they get served champagne” she said making a move to get off her seat smiling at the hostess who then escorted her to the front.

She’d never flown first-class and as she walked behind the hostess, she wondered why because she was the kind of person who wanted to give herself every sort of luxurious experience at least once in a life time is it was not a lifestyle she could not keep up with or found out she didn’t care so much for.

Naomi stepped into the first-class cabin with a purposeful stride, her New Balance hitting softly on the polished floor. One little detail off her outfit and she would’ve felt like she didn’t belong where she was headed.

Her gaze catches the elderly lady she’d just spend the last couple of minutes with since the morning, a sense of familiarity flooded over her.

“These rich people really know how to rich right” she thought to herself.

The plush surroundings feel almost surreal—so polished. This seemed like something she could get used to.

The hostess stopped at Mrs. Smith’s seat, turning and gesturing politely to young Ms who she’d escorted before offering another smile and walking away.

“Thank you darling” Mrs. Smith said quietly but with a smile. And still maintaining her smile and warm expression, she looked to Naomi who bent a little to reach her ears.

"Glad we could meet here too" her voice steady, a hint of amusement in her tone as she surveys the surroundings.

“Everything tasteful suits you” Naomi added and this was rewarded with a very hearty laugh from Mrs.Smith.

“You’re so beautiful, my darling, please have your seat while I catch a nap” she said grabbing a sleep mask and gesturing to Naomi’s new seat.

“You’re most kind”. She let the elderly lady get her well deserved sleep while she walked to her space only conscious of the seat she’d been assigned.

She could only think of how she’d tell this story to Pen.

Maybe this wasn’t going to be the worst vacation she thought as she locked in her seat belt, resting her head—just to see him sitting next to her. Was he going to be a non player character or a major deal on this trip she wondered.

She thought she wanted peace but something about him and his unanswered questions made her want to play a bit.