Cordelia Halstead, a 27-year-old flight attendant, is unexpectedly hired by a private jet company for the rich and famous. Professional and passionate about flying, she keeps her personal life under wraps. Everything changes when she meets Lando...
It had been a couple of months since the Ibiza incident, but the memory of that day still haunted me like a ghost that refused to leave. No matter how hard I tried to forget, Aaron Miller's touch lingered on my skin, an unwanted reminder of the horror I had endured. I'd scrubbed and scoured, trying to erase the feel of his hands, but it was like they were burned into my very being. Even now, in the quiet moments, I could still hear his voice, feel his breath on my neck, and the chill of fear that had gripped my heart.
I threw myself into work, taking on flight after flight, anything to keep my mind occupied. But it wasn't enough. The nightmares were relentless, where I was trapped on that plane, Aaron's hands all over me, the door to the bathroom locked, no escape. I'd wake up gasping for air, my heart racing, the sheets soaked with sweat. I couldn't shake the feeling that he was still with me, lurking in the shadows of my mind.
Despite everything, work had improved slightly. Juniper had recently been hired onto the private jet crew, which made things more bearable. Having her around was a comfort I hadn't realised I needed until she was there. Her presence was like a safety net, a reminder that I wasn't alone in this world. She was a mess at times, always forgetting things and causing minor chaos, but she was also my friend—one of the few people I trusted. Unfortunately, she wasn't on today's flight. It was just me and the cockpit crew.
This time, I was flying Lando Norris, the charming and popular Formula 1 driver. He was different from the others—always polite, always with a smile—but that didn't mean I fully trusted him. After Ibiza, I didn't think I could ever trust a man again. Not completely. Charm could be a mask, and I'd learned that the hard way. Aaron had charmed millions with his music, but underneath, he was a monster.
As I went through my pre-flight checks, I couldn't help but think about how I'd been before all of this. I used to love my job. I loved meeting new people, the thrill of the flight, the satisfaction of a job well done. But now, there was a cloud hanging over everything, a constant tension that I couldn't shake. I wondered if I'd ever enjoy it again, if I'd ever be able to walk onto a plane without that knot of fear tightening in my stomach.
I took a deep breath, forcing myself to focus. This flight wasn't like the last one. Lando wasn't Aaron Miller. He wasn't going to corner me in the galley, wasn't going to force himself on me. At least, I hoped he wouldn't. But that's the thing about trust—it's fragile, and once it's broken, it's almost impossible to rebuild.
Lando arrived just as the sun was beginning to set, casting a warm golden glow over the tarmac. He was dressed casually, as he always was—grey sweatpants, and a black hoddie, and that boyish smile that had made him a fan favourite. But as he approached, I couldn't help but tense up, a reflex I couldn't control.
"Ah, my favorite attendant. Good evening, Cordelia," he greeted me warmly as he stepped aboard. His eyes were kind, and his smile genuine, but I kept my own smile restrained, professional. He was very goodlooking.
"Good evening, Mr. Norris," I replied, keeping my voice even and steady. "We're all set to depart whenever you're ready."
"Please, call me Lando," he said with a wink, as he made his way to his seat. I nodded, but didn't respond. I wasn't in the mood for banter, not today. I just wanted to get through this flight without incident.
As we ascended into the sky, the lights of the city of Monaco fading into the distance, I did my best to focus on the tasks at hand. I served Lando his drink, a simple glass of water, and retreated to the galley, where I could keep an eye on things without being too close. From my position, I watched him, observing his every move, looking for any sign that he might be hiding something, that the charm was just a facade.
Lando, however, was different. He didn't demand my attention, didn't call me over for every little thing. Instead, he seemed content to relax in his seat, scrolling through his phone or staring out the window. He was easygoing, almost disarmingly so, and I found myself wondering if I was being too cautious, too guarded.
After a while, he called me over, and I steeled myself for whatever might come next. "Cordelia," he began, his voice smooth and friendly, "I've been on quite a few flights, but I've never had a flight attendant quite like you."
I raised an eyebrow, unsure where he was going with this. "Is that so?"
He smiled, that boyish charm shining through. "Absolutely. You're just so...professional. Calm under pressure. It's impressive."
"Thank you, Mr. Norris," I said, keeping my tone polite but distant. "I take pride in my work."
"I can tell," he replied, leaning back in his seat. "But you don't have to be so formal with me. I'm just Lando, remember?"
"Of course, Lando," I corrected myself, though the formality was more a shield than anything else.
He chuckled softly, and for a moment, I almost let myself relax. Almost. "So, what do you do when you're not flying around the world, taking care of people like me?"
I hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. "I try to relax, catch up on sleep...nothing too exciting."
"Come on, there must be something more. You seem like someone who's got a lot going on. I bet you have a lot of offers from guys to take you out"
I forced a smile. "Thats not true" I let a chuckled out. If he only knew that the only thing I have donw in the last few months is to avoid any contact with men.
He nodded, as if satisfied with that answer, and I was grateful when he didn't push further. "Well, if you ever need a break, I know some great places. I could show you around sometime."
"Thank you for the offer," I replied, careful to keep my tone neutral. "But I'm quite content with my own routine."
He grinned, clearly enjoying the back-and-forth. "Fair enough. But the offer stands."
The rest of the flight passed uneventfully, and I found myself silently grateful for Lando's easygoing nature. Despite his flirtatious comments, he was respectful, never crossing the line. It was a relief, especially after what had happened with Aaron. But even so, I couldn't let my guard down completely. Not yet.
As we began our descent, Lando caught my eye again. "You know, Cordelia, I'm not used to people being so...reserved around me. It's refreshing, in a way."
"I'm glad you feel that way," I replied, unsure of what else to say.
He laughed softly, shaking his head. "You're something else, Cordelia. I mean that in a good way."
"Thank you," I said, keeping my expression neutral. The last thing I needed was to get too comfortable.
We landed smoothly, the lights of the city twinkling below as we descended. Lando gathered his things, flashing me another smile as he prepared to disembark. "Thanks for the flight, Cordelia. You were great, as always."
"Thank you, Mr. Nor—Lando," I corrected myself, still finding it hard to let my guard down. "Have a good evening."
"You too," he replied before stepping off the plane and into the night.
As soon as he was gone, I allowed myself to exhale, the tension in my shoulders finally releasing. I'd made it through another flight, but the memory of Ibiza still clung to me like a shadow. I couldn't shake it, couldn't forget how vulnerable I'd felt, how powerless eventhough having passengers like Lando made it feel a little better sometimes.
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