ery

nedy Airport, I tried to calm the chaos in

of my credit card points. It was the final bit o

ondon, leaving behind the world that had trapped me fo

gh the terminal. I picked up my carry-

y boarding pass, a sharp warning beep s

ith professional regret. "I'm very sorry, Ms. Simon. This flight h

g was not going to be

ess rising in my throat. "I have to take this flight." I looked at her, kee

through the system, seemingly trying to find a solution. J

radually changed. When she looked up at me again, t

r the inconvenience caused by the scheduling error, the fli

. "You'll be upgra

me the new boarding pass that I realized it was real. Under the envious

and private, with each seat of

to the soft leather chair. Everything fel

er, my seatmate b

ent he appeared. His movements were calm and composed, every step carrying a precise

necessary accessories, nor any attempt to display a luxury brand, yet the simplicity only made him appear more mature and distinguish

ried. His features were deep and striking, his eyes carrying a distant coolness. They were as stil

quiet First Class cabin seem

ut a black silk eye mask from his pocket, put it on, and leaned back

lief. Only then did I realize tha

cruising altitude, a fli

ease." I s

. Straight." His voice was deep and magnetic. Those two

eat. The reaction felt unfamiliar

back in his seat with his legs crossed, his postu

ot weakened in the slightest. As the air circulated inside the cabin,

quickly looking away. He was just a stranger. A str

pace, and slowly closed my eyes. From this moment on, I w

pping the armrest slowly relaxed, and the body that had been tense for far too long fi