Maxine's POV
I woke up the next morning to the shrill sound of my phone ringing. Groggily, I fumbled for the device, glancing at the screen to see Nathaniel's name. My heart skipped a beat as I answered the call.
"Hello?" I said, my voice thick with sleep.
"Cassandra," Nathaniel's voice was curt, lacking warmth. "The business trip has been canceled. I've already returned to the country. You'll need to make your way back on your own. Your tickets have been sent to your email. Be sure to catch the next flight."
I sat up, my mind racing. "What? Why? Is everything okay?"
"Yes," Nathaniel replied tersely.
"Huh? But I can't go alone–" I was frozen in my stand when I heard the three beeps.
"He hung up?!"
Stunned, I stared at the phone in my hand. What had happened? Why had Nathaniel left without me? Had I done something wrong again?
The thought consumed me as I checked my email and found the ticket he mentioned.
"How can he just leave me…" I sighed heavily. Not only did I have to deal with my fear of heights again, but I was also left to fend for myself in a foreign city.
Packing my belongings with a heavy heart, I couldn't shake the feeling that Nathaniel was angry with me. Was it because of the incident with his lenses? Or maybe my mistake with the hotel booking? The uncertainty was overwhelming.
At the airport, I had to deal with a crowd of people who, like me, were running after their flight. I have never felt more alone than ever.
The pit in my stomach grew as I boarded the plane, my anxiety spiking at the thought of flying without any support. I found my seat and sat down, trying to steady my breathing. Next to me, a man with a friendly smile was already settled in.
"Hi, I'm Sebastian," he said, extending a hand. "Looks like we'll be travel buddies."
I managed a weak smile and shook his hand. I never thought I would be making friends at the airport, but he seems nice.
"Cassandra. Nice to meet you." I said in a soft tone, only enough for him to hear.
As the plane prepared for takeoff, I felt the familiar dread rising. My hands were clammy, and my heart pounded in my chest. The engines roared to life, and I gripped the armrest tightly. Sebastian glanced at me, noticing my distress.
"First time flying?" he asked, his tone gentle.
I shook my head, unable to speak. The plane started to ascend, and I panicked, reaching out and grabbing Sebastian's hand without thinking.
My nails dug into his skin as I squeezed tightly, my fear overriding any sense that I had.
Sebastian winced but didn't pull away. Instead, he patted my hand with his free one. "Hey, it's okay. We're just taking off. It'll get smoother soon."
I tried to focus on his words, but my anxiety was relentless. As the plane leveled off, I finally started to relax, only to realize with horror that I was still clutching Sebastian's hand. Worse, there were faint blood marks where my nails had dug in.
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry!" I gasped, releasing his hand. "I didn't mean to—"
Sebastian laughed, waving off my concern. "It's fine. I've had worse. Besides, I could tell you were scared."
I blushed, feeling incredibly embarrassed. "I just... I have a fear of heights. And flying. Pretty much anything off the ground."
"Don't worry about it," he said, reassuring me with a smile. "I've met plenty of people with the same fear. It's more common than you think."
"I see…" I tried to hide my face with a scarf wrapped around my neck.
"And maybe next time, you should never fly alone. It is rare to meet people like me, you know?" He seemed proud of it.
I don't know whether he is bragging about it or he is just trying to use his humor to put me in a steady state. However, one thing's for sure… he is easy to get along with.
And maybe, it wouldn't be bad talking to him about how frustrated I was with what Nathaniel did.
"I came here with someone. But then, he left me last night so I was forced to go home alone." I said. "I don't even know what mistake triggered him to leave, I was left to wonder."
"Hmm? Does he know you're afraid of heights?" He asked.
"Yes, kind of." I could feel my lips slowly pouting from how much I wanted to sulk.
As we chatted, my earlier worries about Nathaniel began to fade. Sebastian had a way of making everything seem less daunting. When the flight attendants came by with drinks and snacks, he never hesitated to get me some tea, saying it would help calm my nerves.
"I appreciate your kindness," I said sincerely. "I'm sorry again about your hand. I owe you one."
Sebastian chuckled. "Tell you what, you can make it up to me by treating me to a meal once you get your first paycheck. Deal?"
I smiled, feeling genuinely relieved. "Deal. I promise."
"Wait for me to get my paycheck from Sinclair Co." I laughed and paused. "Being a secretary sucks."
The rest of the flight passed more smoothly than I had anticipated. With Sebastian's company, I found myself almost forgetting my fear. He told me stories about his travels, making me laugh and distracting me from the turbulence.
As the plane taxied towards the gate, Sebastian and I continued our conversation. He was genuinely interested in my work and life in New York, and I opened up to him more than I had expected.
"So, you're a secretary at Sinclair Co.," Sebastian remarked, his tone curious. "That sounds like a big company. Are you from New York originally?"
I nodded, a smile tugging at my lips. "Yes! I live in Central Park South, courtesy of my boss. It's part of my job package."
Sebastian's eyes widened in surprise. "Central Park South? That's amazing! I live in the same area," he exclaimed, his excitement matching mine. "What a small world!"
I couldn't help but laugh at the coincidence. "It is! What are the odds we would end up sitting next to each other on this flight?"
"Certainly unbelievable…" I can hear the amusement in his tone.
"As for you, where do you work?" I curiously asked. He looked neat and wealthy, I feel he's working big time.
"Oh well, I work at Nexus Associates." He said. "It's not much."
I don't know that place… "I see." I just smiled it off.
"We'll have to meet up sometime," Sebastian said with a grin. "Maybe grab a coffee or explore the neighborhood."
"Definitely," I agreed eagerly. "And I owe you that meal, remember?"
Sebastian chuckled. "I'm looking forward to it. It's not everyday you meet someone who lives in the same building."
As we collected our bags and headed out of the airport together, I couldn't help but feel a surge of optimism. Despite the uncertainties with Nathaniel and my job, meeting Sebastian felt like a stroke of luck. Maybe things were finally looking up.
We exchanged numbers and said our goodbyes. I was hoping to come with him since we live in the same city, but he told me he needed to go somewhere first.
As I made my way home, I couldn't help but reflect on how much the trip had changed.
How many emotions have I felt today?
While looking out at the cab's window, I realized that we were now passing by the huge market of flowers.
For a minute, I had the initial thought…
"Could you please wait for me?" I asked the driver. "I just want to get some flowers first."
"Ohh? For your boyfriend?" He looked at me with eyes full of malice.
"Sir?!" I panicked as my face blushed hard. "I-I was trying to get some flowers for my b-boss."
He only laughed at me and stopped his car at a popular flower shop. "Hurry on, your boss might be waiting." He emphasized the word boss.
I slammed the door shut and marched inside, feeling embarrassed.
What was I thinking…
Is it an apology flower or am I getting confused with my feelings now?