Falling at 30,000 feets

From the far end of the tarmac, Jayden and Michael walked side by side, their pace unhurried-but their attention sharp as they scanned the surrounding activity. The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the concrete, and the distant roar of engines filled the air as planes taxied toward runways.

Michael's gaze shifted first, his steps slowing slightly as he spotted movement near the crew building.

"...Look," he muttered, tilting his head slightly toward the scene ahead. "That's Norman-he's talking to Jane."

Jayden followed his line of sight, his jaw tightening the moment he saw them. Ahead, Norman was bowing repeatedly, his shoulders hunched, his posture desperate and almost pitiful. Jane stood before him, her back straight, her arms crossed over her chest-composed but clearly engaged in the conversation, her expression serious and focused.

Jayden's eyes narrowed as he took in the scene, his fingers flexing at his sides. He watched closely-every movement, every shift in posture, every flicker of emotion across Jane's face. She held her ground, her feet planted firmly apart, her gaze steady as she listened to whatever Norman was saying.

Jane wasn't in danger.

She wasn't being cornered.

She was in control.

Only then did Jayden exhale quietly, the tension in his shoulders easing just slightly.

"Go handle that," he said under his breath, his voice low and urgent. "I can't risk exposure right now-"

Michael turned to him, incredulous. "Then why don't you do it yourself? She deserves to know the truth-"

Jayden shook his head, his gaze never leaving Jane. "She can't see me here again. She was already uneasy about me visiting you earlier-"

Michael stared at him, biting back a sharp complaint as he looked from Jayden's tense face to where Jane stood. He knew his friend well enough to understand that this wasn't about cowardice-it was about protecting Jane from more drama, more lies, at least until he could find the right way to tell her everything.

"...You-" he began, then sighed heavily. "Fine. But you owe me big time for this."

Before he could finish, Jayden shoved his shoulder lightly, pushing him forward with a small, grateful nod. "I know. Now go-before he says something he shouldn't."

"Damn you," Michael muttered under his breath, straightening his jacket and adjusting his tie as he walked toward them, making sure his movements looked casual-as if he had just happened to be passing by.

"What do you mean-Captain Blackwood's wife?" Jane asked, her brows drawn together in confusion as she looked down at Norman. "Explain it clearly. I don't know what you're talking about."

"Hey-what's going on here?"

Michael's voice cut in smoothly as he approached, his tone friendly but carrying an undercurrent of authority. He slid easily between Jane and Norman, putting himself between them as if by accident.

Norman turned instantly, his expression shifting from desperation to fear the moment he recognized Michael. His face paled even further, and he took a small step back.

"Norman Badwell," Michael called out, his tone turning sharp as he pulled out his phone and scrolled through something on the screen. "Who would've thought you've harassed over twenty female colleagues over the years? Flight attendants, ground crew, even new pilot trainees-all too scared to speak up because you threatened their careers."

Jane's eyes widened, her mouth slightly open in shock.

"...Twenty?" she repeated, her voice quiet but filled with anger. She looked from Michael's serious face to Norman's crumpled posture, disbelief warring with fury.

"Did you think Aurelia was your personal harem?" Michael continued coldly, his gaze fixed on Norman. "That you could touch and threaten whoever you wanted because you had family connections in the company?"

Jane shook her head in disbelief, anger flashing across her face as " i should've hit you harder"

Michael flicked her a brief side glance, his expression softening just for a moment before he returned to his composed, authoritative demeanor. "I've already contacted HR and legal," he said to her. "They're compiling all the reports now-he'll never work in aviation again, anywhere in the country."

Jane hesitated for a moment, her thoughts still tangled as she looked at Norman-

Twenty victims...

Captain Blackwood's wife...

...Must be a mistake, she murmured inwardly, pushing the thought away. Jayden was unemployed-he'd told her so himself.

"...Alright," she said finally, nodding to Michael. "Thank you for handling this. I'll leave it in your hands."

She cast one last sharp look at Norman-her eyes cold and unforgiving-before turning and walking away, her steps steady despite the whirlwind of thoughts in her head.

Norman remained kneeling on the rough tarmac, trembling as he watched Jane disappear toward the crew building. Slowly, he looked up at Michael, his face streaked with tears and dirt.

But Michael said nothing. He simply looked down at him, his expression unreadable-neither angry nor sympathetic, simply observing.

Then-

A presence moved behind him. Quiet, deliberate steps that barely made a sound on the concrete.

By the time Norman sensed it, it was too late.

Jayden stepped forward and grabbed Norman by the collar, yanking him up with sudden force. The fabric of his shirt strained under Jayden's grip, and Norman gasped, his eyes widening in terror as he met Jayden's gaze.

There was no warmth there. No mercy. Only cold, focused fury that made Norman's blood run cold.

"If I ever see you near Aurelia again," Jayden said, his voice low and deadly, each word enunciated clearly, "or anywhere near her-at the airport, in the city, even on the same street-"

His grip tightened, making Norman choke slightly.

"Losing your job will be the least of your worries. I'll make sure you never work in any industry again. I'll make sure your name is blacklisted everywhere. Do you understand me?"

Norman's lips trembled, his eyes wide with pure fear as recognition finally dawned on his face. "Y-you're-Captain Blackwood...?"

Jayden didn't answer. He just stared at him for a long moment, letting the weight of his words sink in.

Then he shoved him back hard.

"Get lost."

Norman stumbled backward, barely catching himself against a nearby equipment cart.