4

As the two people sat in the section of the plane they looked up to find the other people from the trip starting to board the aircraft. Sophia tried to keep her head down and away from the glares of the people she had to work with. Micha on the other hand was trying to distract himself with the seat for a moment. He was supremely confident in all his actions. However he wasn’t deaf to the comments that were made as soon as the people were past the curtains that separated the cabin sections.

“Look at her sitting with him!” Someone hissed as they passed them.

“Looks like she will be moving up rather fast.” Some other female said.

“I told you she must be great on her knees.” One of the division heads said.

Micha was fuming as he looked over to Sophia trying to hide in her seat. Though she was one of the ones who would try and play it off like she didn’t hear she flinched with every word. He knew that something had to be really getting to her. “Okay Sophia would you care to tell me what is going on exactly?”

“What do you mean?” Sophia asked as she looked out the window.

“You know damn well what I mean. I could guess maybe one actual comment that would be said out loud or something to the like because you are here with me instead of one those over priced stylish pants that are going to be ruined or break the first time we ride, But not every one of them. What the hell is going on in the company?”

“Do you really want to know?” Sophia asked.

“Yes!” Micha said.

“Just that. What you just heard is what most of the people have to hear daily from the leaders of the company. The thing is you can’t even go to HR because he is one of the worst. If you want to keep your job you either give in or you shut up.” Sophia said.

“And you shut up?” Micha asked.

“What makes you think that?” Sophia asked.

“The fact you are uncomfortable around any of them. You also don’t seem the type to give in to easy Cowgirl.” Micha said as he chuckled slightly. “I am sorry I haven’t seen it until today. I will make it better.”

“And how do you plan on doing that?” Sophia asked.

“To be honest I am not sure but I will work on it this trip,” Micha stated as the first announcement for the take-off was over the intercom system. “I had no idea it was that bad.”

“Well it is. The ones you choose for this trip are the ones who would be the worst. They let their positions at the company go to their heads.” Sophia said softly. Micha shook his head in disbelief to what he was learning.

“I need to do better than.” He said softly. When the aircraft started moving to the runaway he quickly took her hand and she looked at him holding her hand, “Sorry I don’t really like to fly.”

“It’s okay, neither do I.” Sophia smiled as he squeezed her hand as he leaned back his head and closed his eyes and she did the same.

“You were planning something for this trip weren’t you?” Micha asked as the aircraft started to pick up speed.

“I don’t have a clue as to what your implying,” Sophia said softly.

“Sure you don’t.” Micha laughed as the nose pulled up and they were in the air. He knew his grip on her hand was tighter than it should be. He couldn’t make himself let go though. “So what was it?”

“I will agree to call you Micha but I don’t have to tell you anything else about my thought process,” Sophia said.

“So an affair huh?” Micha asked and he felt Sophia’s eyes on him, “With one of them?”

“No,” she replied though he noticed she didn’t deny the first part of the statement.

“With someone from the ranch?” he asked.

“Micha.” She said as she sighed and turned away from him. He knew then he was close to the mark. As another farm person he had the ability to read the people around him, her not answering the question was an answer without words.

“That doesn’t sound half bad you know.” He said as he looked at her and she turn back to look into his face.

“What doesn’t?” Sophia asked as she was confused. She knew she had given up on her wildly unlike her idea.

“Well my brother is married so he is out. My brother in law is also so again he is out. My father is still working on the ranch most days however my mother wouldn’t like that to much as well. I think we have three more hands but they are probably old enough to be your father and all with families as well. That doesn’t seem like your way to be a homewrecker.” Micha went on.

“it was an idea.” Sophia said as she glared at him, “Just an idea to get them all to shut up. I never really thought it would happen. It isn’t really my thing.”

“I think it should work though,” Micha said as he looked at her.

“But you just listed all the people at the ranch,” Sophia said as she turned.

“Except me,” Micha replied.

“Like that would happen,” Sophia said as she laughed.

  

“Short term affair at the ranch with no strings attached when we return,” Micha suggested. “I can’t see how that is any different than what you were originally planning.”

“Micha. It was a bad idea in the first place.” Sophia sighed. “Not like me and well I am just tired of their comments but they would have gotten worse with time.”

“I still don’t see how this newer idea could be a bad thing,” Micha stated with a grin. “Actually I think it is one of the smartest ideas I have had in a while.”

“And one that won’t happen,” Sophia said. “To be honest I think this trip is a waste of time for at least me.”

“Why is that?” Micha asked not confused as to why the trip would be a waste of time for her.

“As much as I hate to say this because I do really like my job. I don’t think this company is one I could work for really long term.” Sophia said with a sigh. “I can’t believe I just said that.” She hung her head in defeat. She wasn’t cut out for this business world. She had known it all along but there weren’t many options for someone like her. She had a background in farming but didn’t want to be in the farming community. She could do hard labor but because of her size she was often looked over. “When we arrive I think I want to go back home.”

“Quitting already?” he asked as he watched everything play out on her face. He was more amused than he normally was. This tiny female in front of him would be the perfect distraction during this trip. He knew he hadn’t been wrong on her. “I tell you what. Let’s make a deal that would help both of us out.”

“What are you talking about?” Sophia asked.

“Cowgirl as you know how farming families are, my mother and father are beyond ready for me to settle down even though I am no longer at the ranch. I see that I also need a lot of help redesigning the management in my company and some serious training to do for the management teams. If you will stay and help me with both of those things for let’s say three months I will personally find you a position in any company you wish to go to that will be better than the one you currently have.” Micha stated.

“You can’t do that,” Sophia said with a sigh.

“Try me.” Micha replied, “You might be surprised on what money can get you. The fact of the matter is I can easily get what I want because of it.”

“Fine,” Sophia said as she looked at him. “Three months. Now what is this about your parents?”

“Cowgirl during the trip you will pretend to be my girlfriend around my parents. Luckily the interaction with them won’t be too much.” Micha said. “You help me get them off my back and I will make sure no one bothers you.”

“No affair,” Sophia said.

“how about we just say no affair is agreed upon but we let what will happen, happen,” Micha said with a grin.

“There is no winning with you is there?” Sophia asked and he laughed again. The sound rolled through her in waves. It wasn’t a bad feeling.

“that is why I am the best, cowgirl,” Micha stated and he retook her hand in his.