Chapter 3

Over the next two days, I cleaned out my things bit by bit.

I gave my neighbor the plant that I bought for the living room. I also called a secondhand recycling service to take away the rocking chair I had picked out for the balcony.

Brandon didn't notice any of the things disappearing from the house. He only thought that my recent quietness was very pleasing to him.

"If only you had acted like this earlier," he said.

In the morning, he sat at the dining table, eating the frozen waffles I had dug out and reheated.

"It's Wilma's birthday today. A few crew members are getting together for dinner tonight. You're coming with me."

I stopped wiping the table. "What would I go for?"

"Aren't you always complaining that I never take you to meet my coworkers? Everyone's going today, so you can get to know them too."

His tone made it sound like he was doing me a favor.

In the past, I used to beg Brandon to introduce me to his coworkers.

He would say, "They're all pilots. You wouldn't understand what we talk about. You'd just be bored if you went."

Now he was inviting me on his own initiative, but it was because of Wilma's birthday.

"Alright," I agreed.

I wanted to see for myself just what his coworkers thought of Wilma.

…

At 8:00 pm, we arrived at the restaurant they had booked. Brandon slid open the door to the private room, where several people were already seated.

Wilma sat in the center. She wore an elegant white dress, and around her neck hung a familiar necklace.

It was the item inside the gift box I had seen on the coffee table the day before.

"Brandon and Melissa are here!" Wilma exclaimed.

She stood up and walked over with a bright smile. "Hello, Melissa. I've long heard about you from Brandon. I finally get to meet you today."

She earnestly tried to take my hand, but I pulled away.

"Happy birthday," I said flatly.

Following my response, the atmosphere in the room turned awkward for a moment.

Brandon pulled me to sit down and warned me in a low voice, "Don't embarrass me tonight."

During the dinner, everyone talked about their work on flights—which routes had bad turbulence, which tower controllers had short tempers…

I really didn't understand any of it, nor did I bother to listen.

"Speaking of which, Brandon's landings really are smooth." A First Officer raised his glass with a smile. "Wilma would know best. Whenever Brandon is flying, she doesn't even spill a drop of coffee while in the cabin."

Wilma covered her mouth and laughed shyly. "That's true. Brandon's skills are well known across the company.

"That time, when we flew to Nalitia and hit a thunderstorm, my legs went weak from fear. Brandon sent me a message from the cockpit saying, 'I'm here. Don't be scared.' I felt calm right away."

The whole table burst into teasing cheers. "Wow! I'm here. Don't be scared!"

Brandon laughed along and didn't deny it at all. There was even a hint of endearment in his gaze.

I lowered my head and took a sip of my drink, which tasted bitter.

A thunderstorm… I remembered that Nalitia flight.

The flight had been delayed by five hours due to the weather. I was at home and had been too anxious to sleep. I called Brandon more than ten times, but he never picked up.

Later on, he replied with just a single text.

"I'm busy working. Don't stir up trouble."

But it turned out he had been busy comforting Wilma in the cabin.

"Melissa, do you not usually look after Brandon?" Wilma suddenly turned the conversation toward me. "Brandon has a sensitive stomach. Yesterday, I noticed that he showed up for simulator training without even having breakfast. We all felt so bad for him."

There was undisguised blame in her tone.

The table fell quiet, and everyone looked at me.

"He's an adult. He knows how to order takeout," I said nonchalantly as I set down my cup.

Wilma froze for a second before she instantly became teary. "Melissa, I didn't mean anything by it. I was just showing a little concern for Brandon…"

Brandon slammed his fork down hard. His face was livid as he snapped, "Melissa, have you had enough?

"We all came out to have a good time. Do you have to make snide remarks and make people uncomfortable?"

"Did I say anything wrong?" I looked at him calmly.

"Wilma was only kindly reminding you to watch out for me. What's with your attitude?"

"Mr. Smith." I stood up and picked up my bag next to me. "Since someone else cares so much about your stomach, I don't need to worry about it in the future."

"Melissa! Just try walking out that door today and see what happens!" Brandon roared from behind me.

I pushed open the door of the private room without a single pause. The cold air in the hallway hit my face, and I took a deep breath.

After eight years, I could finally stop trampling on my dignity just to protect his pride.

…

When I got home, I packed the rest of my books into cardboard boxes.

I just had to wait for my departure date.