The Pilot

Chapter Four

"Because you're not going to like it" she continued.

"I swear if you don't tell me right now what's going on" Stefania warned. "OK, OK, take a seat" Caterina jumped in. Chandra continued, "the thing is, Bruno has had to go back to London. And he doesn't plan on coming back." "WHAT?! You're kidding right? This is a wind down?" Stefania asked wide-eyed. Caterina let out a soft laugh and said " you mean wind up Stef but no, it's the truth. His mother is really sick and he didn't know how to tell you. He didn't want to see the hurt and sadness in your eyes when he gave you his resignation." "He did leave us this letter to give to you though", Chandra continued.

Stefania took the letter and read it:

Ciao Bella,

I guess the fact you're reading this means that the girls have dropped the news on you. 

I'm sorry that I wasn't brave enough to speak to you face to face and instead chose to run away like a coward. The thing is, I know how heavily you rely on the team you've surrounded yourself with & I just couldn't stand the thought of seeing the sadness in those beautiful brown eyes of yours. 

My mother is really really sick though, the Doctor's don't think she's got long left. I wouldn't have a clear conscience if I hadn't returned home to her immediately. Plus, as you know Kristoff has been struggling to get a Visa for America. This way we'll be able to be together more often as he doesn't need a Visa to go from Norway to London. Here's hoping we can finally get our wedding organised! ;)

Stefania, I need you to know that the last 7 years working for you have been the best of my life. You've taken me to places I could only have dreamed of visiting as a young boy growing up in England. It's because of you that I met Kristoff in the first place. Who could forget that business trip where you had to go Skiing. You HATED every last second of it! Hahahaha. But, I loved it as it led me to the love of my life. So for that, I will forever be in your debt. 

Please keep in touch and maybe one day I'll take to the skies as your Captain once more.

Tutto il mio amore,

Bruno xxx

PS, as soon as I get Kristoff pinned down to a date for the wedding, you'll be at the top of the guest list!

Stefania wiped the few tears that had fallen down her cheek before looking up from the letter. "Caterina, please authorise a payment of 5 Hundred Thousand pounds to be wired to Bruno. You'll need to check what the exchange rate is but you know my banking details. He's not going to be able to work and look after his mother at the same time. He's also going to have a wedding to save for and I don't want to have him worrying about money. Please tell him that I got his letter and I understand. If he needs anything, he just needs to get in touch with me." Caterina just nodded to her boss and left the room. 

Chandra then spoke up "So that leads to why Danielle is here. Bruno is the one who recommended her to me. She was the top of their class in flight school and he said that there's no one else he'd trust to carry you across the skies. But, that said, if you really don't like her, I can get the agency to organise someone new?"

"Uh, no. If she comes with Bruno's seal of approval, that's good enough for me. She's just the Pilot after all. Not like I rely on her like the rest of you guys" Stefania breathed out. Chandra gave the Italian a quick hug and exited the room. 

Seconds later there was a knock on the door and Danielle entered carrying both her and Stefania's suitcases. She laid Stefania's down on top of the bigger of the two beds and placed hers on the other. She tried to make eye contact but the tall brunette had yet to acknowledge her. Danielle had had enough of this "OK Stefania, I get it, I'm not Bruno and I can accept the fact that you have a hard time dealing with change but what I won't abide is being ignored forever. We don't have to be friends, to be honest, I don't really need new friends, I've got some great ones back home. But, I think the least I should expect is some basic decent human courtesy. Don't worry though, I'm just going to get out of this flight uniform so I can shower and change for dinner. I'll be out of your hair in 30 minutes."

Stefania hadn't said a word in reply. She just stood there wide eyed as the blonde slammed the door to the bathroom. She figured it may be a good idea not to be there when the blonde returned so she grabbed her phone, purse and room key and went for a walk. 

Danielle couldn't be sure over the sound of the running water but she was positive she heard the Italian leaving the room. "She'll be worth it, Kevin said" Danielle muttered to herself. "Let's hope he's right."