Learning to Love You

1. Turbulent Skies

Ava Hayes gripped the yoke of the Boeing 787, her eyes scanning the instrument panel with the precision of a seasoned aviator. The hum of the engines filled the cockpit as she guided the aircraft through the night sky. The sun had set, leaving the sky calm and peaceful. At thirty-five thousand feet, the world below was a patchwork of city lights and darkness, a serene contrast to the chaos brewing within the confines of her mind.

As first officer, Ava had spent years climbing the ranks, honing her skills, and earning the respect of her peers. Now, on the verge of achieving her lifelong dream of becoming a captain, she felt the weight of anticipation pressing down on her shoulders.

But fate, it seemed, had other plans.

Ava's promotion hinged on the evaluation of Captain Marcus Roberts, the senior pilot whose retirement would pave the way for her ascent. Yet, rumors swirled within the airline's corridors of a shadow looming over Captain Roberts—a private investigator named Nathan Brooks, tasked with uncovering the truth behind allegations of misconduct. Ava's heart raced as she contemplated the implications. If Captain Roberts fell from grace, her chance at the captain's seat would vanish like vapor trails in the wind. She couldn't let that happen—not after everything she'd worked for.

With determination hardening her resolve, Ava made a decision. She would confront the investigator before he could bring the captain down and derail her dreams.

The opportunity presented itself sooner than expected. Mid-flight, Ava received a discreet message from the cabin crew, informing her of a passenger requesting to speak with the flight crew urgently. Nathan Brooks had found his way onto her flight.

As Ava entered the cabin, her eyes locked with the sharp gaze of the private investigator. His grey-blue eyes bored into her hazel ones. He wore a crisp white T-shirt with dark-washed jeans. His face did not give away anything. Nathan Brooks was a man of authority, his demeanor exuding confidence and resolve. But Ava refused to be intimidated.

"Mr. Brooks," Ava said, her voice steady despite the unrest in her gut. "What brings you aboard this flight?"

Nathan's lips curved into a knowing smile.

"First Officer Hayes, I presume. I'm here on official business."

Ava's pulse quickened. She couldn't afford to let him wreck her plans, not now. Whatever he had prepared needed to wait.

"I'm afraid I can't allow you to disturb the peace of this flight, Mr. Brooks. I must insist that you return to your seat."

Nathan arched an eyebrow, his expression unreadable.

"And if I refuse?"

Ava squared her shoulders, meeting his gaze head-on. He inhaled sharply and licked his lower lip.

"Then I'll have no choice but to inform the captain and the rest of the crew that you're a private investigator conducting unauthorized investigations."

For a moment, silence hung heavy in the air, the tension crackling between them like static electricity before a storm. Then, Nathan's smile widened, a glimmer of admiration shining in his eyes. He ran a hand through his dark blonde hair.

"You've got guts, Ava Hayes," he said, his voice low. "I like that."

"I suggest you take my advice, or your investigation will not remain private anymore." Ava shot back before he decided to linger any longer than he had near her.

Nathan stared at Ava and gave her a curt nod. With that, the investigator returned to his seat, leaving Ava to grapple with the uncertainty of the skies ahead.

The remainder of the flight passed in a blur for Ava Hayes, her mind consumed by the encounter with Nathan and the looming threat he posed to Captain Roberts' career and her aspirations. As the plane touched down at its destination and passengers disembarked, Ava's thoughts raced with the urgency of impending storm clouds.

She counted every second as the cabin crew assisted the passengers. Ava got up from her seat and went to the bathroom. Once the door was closed, Ava stared at her reflection. Her chestnut hair looked neatly tied in a bun. But Ava's eyes told another tale. Her cheekbones were slightly pink, and her lips chapped. She splashed the cool water against her face and tried to calm herself. No matter how good this detective was, Ava could not let him find anything against the captain. It was a matter of time until she got upgraded to captain and Marcus Roberts retired. She took a few deep breaths and tried to calm her inner fears.

Once the last passenger had exited, Ava made her way to the cockpit, her footsteps echoing in the empty cabin. Captain Roberts glanced up from his paperwork, concern furrowing his brow at the sight of Ava's troubled expression.

"Everything all right, Ava?" he asked, his voice tinged with a hint of apprehension.

Ava hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal.

"We have a situation, sir. A private investigator named Nathan Brooks is on board, investigating you."

Captain Roberts' face paled, his grip tightening on the pen and the Patek Philippe glistening on his wrist in the faint light above their heads.

"I see. And what do you plan to do about it?"

"I confronted him during the flight," Ava confessed, her voice tight with determination. "But I couldn't stop him. He's determined to uncover whatever it is he's looking for." Ava paused before she continued. "Everyone had heard the rumors at the base, but no one believed them. But now that I have seen the investigator, I think the rumor was true. You are being investigated."

Captain Roberts regarded her with a mixture of gratitude and concern.

"Thank you, Ava. I appreciate your efforts to protect me. Word had reached me as well, but I hoped it was a lie."

Ava furrowed her brow, puzzled by his response. "What do you mean, sir?"

Captain Roberts sighed heavily, his gaze distant as he spoke. "There are things in my past, mistakes I've made, that I've tried to bury. Perhaps it's time they see the light of day."

Ava's heart sank at the weight of his words. She couldn't bear to see her senior's career tarnished by the sins of his past, not when her future hung in the balance.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" she asked, her voice tinged with desperation. Captain Roberts hesitated, his gaze meeting hers with a newfound sense of resolve.

"Yes, Ava. There is. But it won't be easy, and it may put both of us at risk."

Ava nodded, her determination solidifying into resolution. "Whatever it takes, sir. I won't let you down."

And so, in the confines of the cockpit, Ava and Captain Roberts forged an unlikely alliance, bound by the shared goal of confronting the demons of the past before they could destroy everything they held dear.

Captain Roberts had requested Ava to visit the said investigator and find out more about his investigation. The task was tedious, and it would be nearly impossible to pry information from him. But Ava wanted that promotion more than anything. So, she was willing to help out her senior in his time of need. Together, they would face the storm head-on, armed with nothing but their courage and the unbreakable bond of rapport forged amidst the turbulence of uncertain skies.

Unbeknownst to them, their journey would lead them down a perilous path fraught with betrayal, intrigue, and the revelation of long-buried secrets hidden in the darkest recesses of the sky.