***
I’m once again entering the airport feeling faint and nauseous. I immediately go to the counter to get a boarding pass then stand in the middle of the lobby, where there are fewer people and more space for me to calm down. I may have looked lost because a guard suddenly approaches me.
“Do you need help, ma’am?”
I shake my head, finding it hard to say the word no. I haven’t eaten anything for breakfast, but I still feel like I may vomit if I open my mouth. If only I didn’t owe Kane my job, I would say no to this project.
I wheel my suitcase towards the counter, and then the PA system starts announcing something.
“Paging passenger Sloane Keeley of flight UA 1655 bound for Washington, please approach the nearest customer service counter immediately.”
Another panic starts rising inside. Have I missed my flight? Why is my name being called aloud in the airport? I take a moment to let the fear pass, and the PA system repeats the announcement. I force myself to be brave then I wheel my suitcase to the nearest customer service. People are not looking at me, but I feel like all eyes are on me.
“They’re not,” I whisper to myself. They’re not, I repeat in my mind. I really hate airports. After this project, I will never accept any jobs that require flying. Ever.
When I reach the customer service counter, the lady behind is smiling kindly at me. Then a sort of worry crosses her face for a bit before the dazzling smile returns. She must have sensed the dread in my face.
“How can I help you, Miss?”
“Um. The announcement said that I had to approach the nearest customer service counter. Um. I’m Sloane Keeley. Did I just miss my flight? My boss’ secretary said that I’m scheduled for the 1 PM flight. Did she get it wrong? Did I do something wrong?”
The lady says for me to wait as she looks at her computer. A frown crosses her face; then, she prints out a boarding pass.
“Um, hello. But I already have my boarding pass,” I say, showing her the one that I got a few minutes earlier.
She smiles at me again and says, “no, Miss Keeley. You didn’t miss your flight, but it seems there are sudden changes about your flight schedule.”
“Is the plane here early?”
She shakes her head. “It seems like your bound for a different flight now, Miss Keeley. Here’s your boarding pass. Your new schedule is five minutes from now. Wait, I’ll have a guard escort you to your new departure area.”
I panic again as she motions for the guard who approached me earlier to accompany me to the new departure area. I follow him in silence and hope nothing bad is behind this new flight plan. What if it’s my father and a new business venture? What if he’s using me again to close another deal and taking me to a far-off place where I won’t be able to escape him ever again?
The guard gestures for me to exit the gate, but there are no signs saying that this is a departure area. My panic grows even more.
“But, there’s nothing outside,” I say to the guard, but he has already left to assist an elderly passenger. “Shit.”
I breathe deeply and exit. That’s when I notice a smaller jet — a personal plane? — on the airplane tarmac. By the stairs stands someone I never imagined I would see ever again. I walk towards him in disbelief. Do mirages work in airports? Am I dreaming? When I am finally close to him, he takes my hand in his.
“Myah told me that you're scared of flying.”
“Owen,” I whisper his name. Then, I jump into his open arms. He encloses me in a tight hug, and tears finally come. Then, he pats my back and lets me calm down before speaking.
“I asked Kane for a favor. And I was a bit afraid that you would say no. So what did he tell you?”
“That,” I sob, “I have a new project to oversee in Washington. I don’t really want to go, but I owe him.”
“I didn’t know that he sucks at surprises. If I were you, I’d quit my job at the sound of Washington.”
“I almost did.”
“And I’m glad that you didn’t.”
“So, why are you here again? Am I dreaming?”
“Well, you just leaped into my arms and cried on my chest. Do you often do that in dreams?”
I shake my head and laugh. “You’re real.”
“I’m real. And the reason I’m here is you. I want to start over again, Sloane. Can we try dating again? But without masks this time?”
I pull back and look at his handsome face. “Yes. I would love that.”
Owen takes my hand and leads me inside. The fear is still inside me, but I’m so overfilled with joy that I don’t even notice the plane moving as soon as we have settled in.