No Turning Back After the Calm

Memories of when we first took the entrance exam for flight school surfaced in my head.

I still remembered Edward scribbling in his flight log and sneaking smiles at me in the training room. But after he became captain, all he seemed to care about was his career and his gains.

It was like I had become nothing more than an obstacle to his dream. I always believed others had misled him into hating me, but today, I realized the kindness he once showed me was never truly mine.

After a long time, the door finally opened.

Cindy walked out with flushed cheeks and weak legs but acted nonchalantly. "Excuse me, I need to freshen up in the restroom."

When she walked by, her face carried the smugness of a victor.

I looked toward the cockpit and saw Edward fastening the buttons of his uniform with practiced ease. There was no hint of shame on his face, only satisfaction.

…

Wrecked with heartache, I endured it until the plane touched down. I stood at the cabin door, overseeing the passengers as they disembarked.

Cindy walked toward me in her high heels and swung her handbag with a smirk on her face.

I raised a hand to stop her.

Her face darkened, and her tone sharpened. "What are you doing? Are you picking on me on purpose?"

"Please hold on, ma'am. You're not allowed to leave the aircraft yet, as we need to do some verification with you," I informed her with a neutral expression.

Upon hearing this, she blew up instantly. "Who do you think you are! Do you think you're some big shot just because you've been a flight attendant for years?"

The commotion drew curious glances from nearby passengers.

Just then, Edward emerged from the crowd. His lips curled into a sneer. "I thought you'd finally come to your senses, Jade. But it seems like you're still holding to your fantasies."

I disregarded his remarks and repeated firmly, "She cannot disembark yet. Please cooperate with us."

"Cooperate?" His gaze turned ice cold as he stepped closer, and his voice dripped with contempt. "You're just the lead flight attendant. What gives you the right to order me around? I call the shots here, not you!"

As Edward spoke, he reached out to pull Cindy out of the plane.

I instantly stepped forward to stop them, and he suddenly swung his hand hard across my face.

"Don't push your luck!" he hissed as fury burned in his eyes. "I'll file a report against your petty tricks the moment we get off the plane. By then, you and your entire crew can forget about ever flying again!"

My cheek burned, and a sharp ringing echoed in my ears. Through the blur, I heard hurried footsteps at the cabin door.

Several uniformed security and civil aviation inspectors charged in. The lead inspector flashed his badge as his cold tone cut through Edward's tirade. "Cindy Austin, according to a verified report, you are suspected of possessing contraband. You are ordered to disembark immediately and cooperate with our investigation."

When Cindy heard this, her face turned ashen, and she froze.

"I don't know anything!" she screamed in a panic. She scrambled to hide behind Edward.

Edward shielded her protectively behind him while glaring at the officials. "This must be a mistake. There's no contraband here. Can we discuss this once we're out of the plane?"

Before he could finish speaking, two security officers grabbed him firmly from either side and twisted his arms, pinning them behind his back in one swift motion.

"What are you doing? I'm the captain!" His face drained of color, and his eyes went wide.

"You're exactly the person we're here to arrest! Edward Crowley, you're being investigated for transporting contraband, abandoning your post, and endangering flight safety. You are required to cooperate with us immediately."