The Pilot

Chapter Two

"Who are you?!"

"Good Morning Ms Spampinato, I'm Danielle and I'll be your pilot for this trip."

"What? Where is Bruno? He is ALWAYS my pilot! This is not right!" Stefania could feel her breathing getting heavy and her chest begin to tighten. 

Chandra realised that her boss was on the verge of a panic attack so she jumped into action. She took hold of Stefania's arm and guided her to the back of the plane. She got her to sit down facing away from the blonde pilot and handed her a bottle of water.

Meanwhile Caterina made her way over to Danielle. "I'm sorry about that, she just doesn't cope well with change. Please don't take it personally"  The blonde could barely tear her ocean blue eyes away from the beautiful Italian brunette at the back of the plane. She didn't know what to think of her. Yes she was beautiful but she also seemed arrogant and a little judgmental and Danielle didn't like that. She gave Caterina a polite smile though and returned to the cockpit.

A couple of minutes later the fasten seat belt lights came on and the jet started to take off. A few seconds later they were in the air and the silky smooth voice of Danielle appeared over the speakers - "Good morning ladies, as I already said, my name is Danielle and I'll be your Captain for this trip. The weather is beautiful, the temperature is good and we should touch down in Seattle in just under 3 hours. The flight deck is open so if any of you ladies need anything, please feel free to come see me. For now though, relax and enjoy the flight."

Stefania could feel herself beginning to relax. She wasn't sure if it was the calming sound of the jet's engines, the sultry tone of Danielle's voice or the glass of wine she now had in her hands. Whatever it was though, she was glad that she had calmed down. She made her way over to the lounge area where Chandra and Caterina were sitting. "Hey Boss," Chandra smiled, "feeling better?" "Yes, thank you Chandra. Sorry about that, it just really knocked me when Bruno wasn't here to greet me." "We know Boss" Caterina reassured with a sympathetic smile. 

The 3 women sat for the next 2 hours discussing the itinerary for their 3 days in Seattle. Stefania had meetings, dinners and seminars to attend. Her time was planned right down to the very last second. 

With about 30 minutes of the flight left to go Stefania spoke "I should probably go apologise to the pilot huh?" She hopped out her seat, made her way over to the door of the flight deck and knocked gently.

"Come in" the voice behind the door said. Stefania gingerly pulled the door open and popped her head inside. "Oh, it's you" said Danielle. Stefania was slightly taken aback by this but continued to enter regardless. She took a seat next to the blonde who had her eyes fixed on the flight instruments in front of her. Stefania cleared her throat and said "I just wanted to come in here and apologise for my little outburst earlier. It was just a shock that Bruno is not here." The blonde never flinched and continued to keep her eyes forward. This annoyed Stefania "Wow, molto testardo" she mumbled under her breath. 

"Listen Lady, I don't know what you just mumbled but I need to land this bird in a few minutes so if that's all you came to say, you can head on out back again. I may not be Bruno but I can assure you, I am every bit as talented as he is and I don't appreciate being made to feel inferior because I'm not a man"

"That's not... Never mind. Thank you Captain, I'll leave you in peace"

Stefania didn't have the energy to explain herself or argue back with the blonde. So she returned from the cockpit but instead of sitting with the 2 other women, she made her way to the back of the plane and sat alone with her thoughts and another glass of wine.

"Perché sono cosi" Stefania sighed.