No Turning Back After the Calm

Cindy instantly put on the look of a victim. Her voice turned soft and pitiful. "Is this how you treat your passengers? I'll be filing a complaint against all of you. I've had training before, and I know too many complaints can ground you for good."

I drew a deep breath, forcing my anger back down. Then, I slowly bent into a half-squat before her.

With the wine glass in hand, I wore the perfect professional smile and spoke evenly. "Of course, ma'am. We'll serve you."

Cindy's face brightened like she'd just won a glorious battle. She let out a shrill peal of laughter. "During training, you kept telling me I wasn't fit and didn't meet the standards. But looking at you now, I realize you fit the job better than I do."

She suddenly leaned forward. Her gaze was sharp, and her grin dripped with scorn as she spat, "You're only fit to kneel and serve me!"

My fingers tightened on the glass, and I was about to respond, but she moved faster.

"Oh my! I'm sorry. My hand slipped."

The wine splashed over me, soaking into my hair and uniform. It trickled down my temple and to my face like threads of blood, cold and cloying. Each drop was a sting of humiliation that cut to the bone.

I couldn't keep it in anymore. I spun around and sprinted for the restroom.

My hand wouldn't stop trembling as the door slammed shut behind me. In the mirror, I caught sight of my drenched uniform and a disheveled figure staring back at me.

Meanwhile, Cindy's mocking laughter pierced through the walls from outside, and each giggle drove into my ears like nails.

…

Cindy was gone from her seat when I came out with water still dripping from my hair.

The crew exchanged nervous glances. Their gazes were filled with a mixture of emotions.

"What happened?" I asked, instantly on guard.

Just then, the co-pilot stepped out of his cockpit, and he seemed uneasy. "Nothing happened. It's just that Cindy's inside, and Mr. Crowley asked me to come out."

One of the attendants mumbled beneath her breath, unable to keep her anger back anymore, "Ms. Henson, he doesn't respect you at all. You're working yourself up for this flight, yet he…"

"Don't let people like him interfere with our work," I cut her off with a sharp whisper while digging my nails hard into my palm.

I took a deep breath and braced myself. We were only halfway through the flight, so we couldn't afford chaos now.

When meal service came around, I pushed the food cart to the cockpit as per procedure.

The moment the door opened, I heard a burst of flirtatious laughter.

Cindy sat on the co-pilot's seat, wrapped in Edward's jacket and posing dramatically for pictures.

When she spotted me, she waved with a smile. "I know the rules, Ms. Henson. I'll ask the co-pilot to return very soon. I just wanted to experience being a co-pilot for a while."

Edward leaned back in his seat, and his expression was cold. "Don't act so self-righteous. Are you going to report to the higher-ups again? If you really want to marry me, you should stop playing petty games."

Then, he stood up and walked toward me. His voice dropped to a mocking whisper as he warned, "I'll treat you well if you behave. But if you dare target Cindy like before, I won't let you off!"

I wanted to fling the meal tray at his head for a split second. The words 'I don't want to marry you anymore' nearly escaped my throat, but rationality pulled me back. Hundreds of passengers were on this plane, and I couldn't let him jeopardize their safety.

"I understand," I answered through clenched teeth.

Edward was satisfied with my response and smiled. "That's more like it. Since you understand, stand guard at the door and do not let anyone in."

So I stood outside the cockpit and listened to the murmurs and soft laughter within. The thick air of intimacy seeped out, piercing my chest one needle at a time.