Beyond the clouds

Chapter 2: The First Sign

The steady hum of the airplane engine filled the cabin, a constant white noise that Hana usually found calming. But today, nothing seemed to soothe her restless mind. The brief encounter with Sebastian Kane had left her unsettled in a way she couldn't quite explain. She had met plenty of interesting people in her line of work, but there was something different about him—something that tugged at the edges of her thoughts, refusing to be ignored.

She forced herself to look out the window, trying to lose herself in the vast expanse of clouds, but her attention kept drifting back to the man seated a few rows ahead. He was angled slightly in his seat, his profile visible as he appeared deep in thought. Occasionally, he would glance out the window, then back to the screen in front of him, though he didn't seem particularly interested in whatever was playing.

What is it about him? she wondered, fiddling with the edge of her book. It wasn't just his appearance—though he was striking in that effortlessly commanding way—but something beneath the surface, a hidden depth that made her want to know more.

As if on cue, Sebastian turned slightly, his gaze sweeping the cabin before landing on her. For a split second, their eyes met, and Hana's breath caught. The connection was electric, as if an invisible thread had pulled them together across the rows of seats. She quickly looked away, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks. It was just a glance, nothing more, she told herself. But the lingering feeling in her chest said otherwise.

Hana tried to refocus on her book, determined to distract herself from whatever strange pull she felt toward him. She had always prided herself on her level-headedness, but this was something new, something she wasn't sure how to handle. She wasn't used to feeling so... drawn to someone she barely knew.

As the flight dragged on, Hana found herself growing increasingly restless. She shifted in her seat, trying to get comfortable, but her thoughts kept circling back to Sebastian. Eventually, she gave up on the book entirely, opting instead to close her eyes and lean back, hoping a short nap would clear her head.

But just as she was starting to drift off, a soft voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Excuse me."

Hana opened her eyes, startled. There he was, standing in the aisle beside her, his expression unreadable. He had a way of holding himself that made him seem taller than he already was, a quiet confidence that was both intimidating and intriguing.

"Sorry to bother you," he continued, his voice low, "but would you mind if I take this seat?"

She glanced at the empty seat beside her, then back at him, her heart racing. "Uh, sure. Of course."

Sebastian gave a polite nod before sliding into the seat. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the air between them thick with unspoken tension. Hana could feel her pulse quicken, her mind scrambling for something to say.

"Did you need something?" she asked, her voice coming out more nervous than she intended.

Sebastian turned slightly to face her, his gaze intense yet strangely calming. "No, not really. I just thought... it might be nice to have some company for the rest of the flight."

His words were simple, almost casual, but there was something more behind them, something that made Hana's pulse quicken even further. She hesitated, unsure of how to respond. In her world, people often wanted something from her—favors, attention, validation—but this felt different. It felt... genuine.

"Well, I don't mind," she finally said, offering a small smile. "It's better than sitting alone."

Sebastian returned her smile, though his was tinged with a hint of mystery. "I'm glad to hear that."

For a moment, they sat in silence, the tension between them easing just enough to be comfortable. Hana found herself relaxing, though she was still hyper-aware of his presence beside her. There was something about being so close to him, something that made her feel both nervous and strangely safe at the same time.

"So," she said after a moment, trying to break the silence, "are you heading to San Francisco for work?"

Sebastian nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Yes, work... and a few other things."

His vague answer only piqued her curiosity further. "What kind of work do you do?"

He glanced at her, a small smile playing on his lips. "I'm in business. CEO, actually."

Hana raised an eyebrow, impressed despite herself. "That sounds... important."

"It has its moments," he replied with a chuckle, though there was something in his tone that suggested there was more to the story.

"And you?" he asked, turning the question back on her. "What brings you to San Francisco?"

"Oh, um, a photo shoot," Hana said, feeling a bit self-conscious. She wasn't used to talking about her job outside of her professional circle. "I'm a model."

Sebastian's eyes seemed to flicker with recognition. "I thought you looked familiar. I think I've seen your work before."

Hana wasn't sure whether to be flattered or embarrassed. "It's possible. I do a lot of different shoots."

"Well," he said, his tone shifting to something more serious, "it's impressive. Modeling isn't an easy industry to succeed in."

She smiled, appreciating the compliment. "Thank you. It's not, but I enjoy it."

Another pause settled between them, but this time it felt more comfortable, as if they were slowly easing into each other's company. Hana found herself wanting to know more about him, to peel back the layers of mystery that surrounded him.

"Do you fly often?" she asked, not wanting the conversation to lapse again.

"Quite a bit," Sebastian replied. "It comes with the job."

"Then you must be used to all this," Hana said, gesturing vaguely to the cabin around them. "The delays, the waiting..."

He shrugged slightly. "You get used to it, but it doesn't make it any more enjoyable."

She laughed softly, nodding in agreement. "That's true. But sometimes, you meet interesting people along the way."

Sebastian's gaze lingered on her for a moment, and Hana could have sworn there was something deeper in his eyes, something almost... searching. But before she could dwell on it, he nodded.

"Yes," he said quietly. "Sometimes you do."

Their conversation continued, flowing more easily as they talked about their work, their travels, and the strange quirks of life on the road. Hana found herself drawn to Sebastian's calm demeanor, the way he seemed to listen so intently, as if every word she said mattered. And though he remained somewhat guarded, she could sense that there was more to him than he was letting on.

By the time the plane began its descent into San Francisco, Hana realized that the hours had flown by, the delay forgotten in the ease of their conversation. As they prepared to disembark, she felt a strange pang of disappointment at the thought of parting ways.

"I suppose this is where we say goodbye," Sebastian said, his tone almost regretful.

Hana hesitated, feeling a similar reluctance. "Yeah... I guess so."

They exited the plane together, walking side by side through the terminal. The bustle of the airport seemed less overwhelming with him next to her, and for a brief moment, Hana entertained the thought of asking if he wanted to grab a coffee before they went their separate ways. But before she could muster the courage, Sebastian turned to her.

"Take care, Hana," he said, his voice warm. "Maybe we'll cross paths again."

She nodded, managing a smile despite the strange feeling in her chest. "Yeah, maybe we will."

After exchanging numbers and with a final nod, he disappeared into the crowd, leaving Hana standing there, a mix of emotions swirling inside her. It was strange, how much she felt after such a brief encounter. But she couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't the last time she would see Sebastian Kane.

And as she headed toward the baggage claim, she found herself hoping—against all reason—that she was right , hoping he will contact her or just to meet him out of the blue soon.