CHAPTER 1 : PILOT

"Captain, we’re leaving in twenty minutes. Be ready, okay? Do you want some coffee first? It might help wake you up," Ynari asked. She’s my co-pilot.

I was fixing my uniform, staring blankly at my reflection in the mirror, my mind still drifting somewhere else.

"Captain, can you hear me?" she repeated when I didn’t answer.

I was still thinking about what happened earlier. Thank God I managed to leave quickly, or else I might have broken down in front of Clyren.

Or worse, I might have asked him why he let it happen when he didn’t even want me.

I shook my head, pushing those thoughts away.

"Huh? Sorry, Yna. I just didn’t sleep much," I finally replied before taking the coffee she offered.

But before I could take a sip, a hand snatched the cup away from me.

"She doesn’t drink coffee," Kuya Kent interrupted, handing the cup back to Ynari.

"Here, drink this while it’s still hot," he said, giving me hot chocolate instead. I sighed and accepted it.

"Do you have a scheduled flight today?" I asked him. He was a pilot too.

"Yeah," he said casually, then suddenly changed the subject. "Oh, by the way, did Clyren take care of you?"

I quickly put the hot chocolate down and smacked his arm hard.

"This is your fault! Why was I with him? Didn’t I ask you to pick me up?" I snapped.

He chuckled, clearly entertained. "Oh, please. Stop pretending. Like you didn’t want to! You’re crazy about him—"

"I am not!" I cut him off instantly. "I’m not, okay!" My irritation was written all over my face.

He raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Bea needed me. Her due date is almost here, and I couldn’t leave my wife alone in case she suddenly went into labor."

I let out a sharp breath. I couldn’t argue with that.

"So? Did Renz bother you? Or maybe you were the one bothering him?" he teased before flicking my forehead. "You! You know he’s busy at the hospital, but he still went out of his way to pick you up from the bar!"

I rolled my eyes and sipped my drink, gripping the cup tighter.

Tsk. If only you knew.

Before I could answer, a loud voice echoed through the lounge, catching everyone’s attention.

"Attention all crew members, this is your flight operations officer speaking. Departure in ten minutes. All pilots and cabin crew, proceed to the briefing room immediately. I repeat, all crew to the briefing room now."

Silence fell for a moment, then everyone rushed into action.

As we made our way to the briefing room, crew members hurried past, fixing their ties or adjusting their nameplates.

Inside, most of the crew were already seated. I quickly sat next to Ynari.

"Good morning, everyone. As you know, we have a long-haul flight ahead, so let’s review the details one last time."

I tried to focus, but my mind kept drifting back to this morning. To Clyren. To everything that happened.

I shook my head slightly. Not now, Sydney. You have a job to do.

I straightened up and forced myself to pay attention.

The briefing went over the weather, passenger info, and emergency procedures. My body was present, but my thoughts wouldn’t settle.

I need to pull myself together.

"Captain Sydney?"

I blinked back into reality when I heard my name. The flight operations officer was staring at me, waiting for an answer.

"Sorry, what was that?" I asked quickly, pretending nothing was wrong.

"I was asking if you reviewed the updated flight route and fuel calculations. Everything’s in order?"

"Yes, everything’s good. No issues," I replied smoothly.

He nodded and continued. From the corner of my eye, I caught Kuya Kent giving me a knowing look, but he didn’t say a word. Thankfully.

A few more minutes passed before the officer clapped his hands. "Alright, that’s all. Pilots, head to the cockpit for system checks. Cabin crew, prepare for boarding. Let’s have a smooth flight."

I grabbed my cap and stood. As I turned, I felt a small tug on my sleeve. It was Ynari.

"You sure you’re okay, Syd? You seem… off today," she asked, her voice full of concern.

I forced a small smile. "Yeah, just tired. I didn’t get much sleep."

She frowned a little but didn’t push further. "Alright, but if you need anything, I’m here, okay?"

I nodded. "Thanks, Yna."

Inside the cockpit, I placed my cap on the panel and settled into my seat, adjusting my headset. The steady hum of the aircraft’s systems wrapped around me, grounding me.

Focus, Sydney. You’re a captain. Do your job.

Ynari sat beside me, already flipping through the pre-flight checklist. "Alright, let’s get this done."

I nodded, my hands moving automatically. "Fuel levels?"

"Checked and confirmed."

"Flight controls?"

"All systems green."

We went down the list one by one. Flying had become second nature, my body working on muscle memory built from years of experience.

"Captain, all passengers have boarded. We’re ready for final clearance," the intercom broke the silence.

"Copy that. We’re finishing pre-flight checks. Inform ground crew we’re good," I replied.

"Understood, Captain."

"Autopilot set. Weather stable. We’re all good," Ynari reported.

I let out a slow breath, drinking some water. "Alright then."

Suddenly, Kent’s voice came through my headset. "Sydney, control tower just cleared us for pushback. Ready to fly?"

I smiled. "Always."

I signaled to the ground crew, and soon, the aircraft began moving toward the runway.

As I steered, I forced every other thought out of my mind.

Right now, only the sky matters.

"Flight 732, cleared for takeoff."

I glanced at Ynari. "Ready?"

She nodded firmly. "Yes, Captain."

I pushed the throttle forward. The engines roared, the plane sped down the runway, and soon, the city lights became tiny specks below as the wide sky opened before us.

This was my escape. Up here, nothing else mattered.

"Smooth as always, Captain," Ynari said.

I chuckled softly. "Just a small thing," I teased.

At cruising altitude, I finally relaxed.

The flight to Turkey lasted twelve hours and fifty minutes. By the time we landed at Istanbul Airport, it was 11 p.m. We were exhausted, our steps heavy as we walked through the terminal.

A van waited to take us to the hotel where we’d rest for a day and a half. I sat back inside, closing my eyes. The crew didn’t bother me. Some were working with me for the first time, others had just assumed I was intimidating because of my sharp features.

I opened my eyes when Ynari nudged me, handing me a candy. I took it, and the sweet taste slowly pushed back the pounding in my head.

The ride to the hotel was quiet. One by one, the crew said their goodnights and headed to their rooms. I just smiled back, too drained to talk.

As I walked down the hallway to my room, I sensed someone following.

"Kuya Kent, stop bothering me," I said without looking back.

Instead, he ran up and threw an arm over my shoulders. I immediately shoved him away.

"You’re so dramatic!" he teased before stepping aside.

"Why are you even following me?" I asked, irritated.

"I’m not. Our rooms are across from each other. I was just walking beside you," he explained.

I rolled my eyes and said nothing.

Finally spotting my room number, I slipped inside quickly before he could bother me again.