Flight Attendant - Lando norris fanfic

25 - Standing Firm

Walking into the corporate office this time felt different. I was no longer the Cordelia who worried about every look, every word, every misstep. Today, I felt like a completely new version of myself—grounded, certain, and unapologetically in love. And I was about to stake everything on it. I had Lando's support, and that alone had quieted the doubts that once held me back.

The receptionist motioned me toward the conference room, and I noticed a few of the HR team already gathered around the table. Mr. Hastings, the head of HR, sat in the center with his usual composed, unreadable expression, while two other senior managers flanked him. The weight of the moment pressed down, but I straightened my back, determined to hold my ground.

"Cordelia," Mr. Hastings greeted as I took my seat. "Thank you for coming in. We understand there are matters you'd like to discuss regarding your future with the company."

I nodded, feeling the steady beat of my heart, grounding me. "Yes, I do. I wanted to have this conversation face-to-face." I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. "I am in a relationship with one of our clients. Lando Norris. And I realize that this goes against company policy. I understand the implications, and I'm willing to accept them. I'm here to resign."

The words hung in the air, and I watched as their reactions unfolded, a mix of surprise and confusion.

Elaine, the head of communications, leaned forward. "Cordelia, are you sure this is what you want? You've built a remarkable reputation here. Don't you think it might be a mistake to throw that all away?"

I clenched my hands under the table to keep them from trembling. "I've thought about this carefully. And, yes, it's the right choice for me. I love my job, but I also love him, and I can't keep hiding it. It's taken me time to reach this decision, but I know who I am now. And I know what matters to me."

Mr. Hastings gave a slight frown, glancing at Elaine before he spoke. "Cordelia, relationships like this can complicate things. A client relationship... It's risky. Even if we let this slide, this could have repercussions for both you and the company."

"Yes, and I understand that," I replied, my tone unwavering. "But I'm willing to leave. I'm prepared for whatever comes next. I'm confident in my abilities, and I know there are other opportunities waiting for me."

The silence that followed was tense, charged with the gravity of what was at stake.

"Cordelia," another manager finally spoke, his voice cool but tinged with something that felt oddly like disappointment. "We've invested in you, trained you, given you responsibilities that we don't hand out to just anyone. I think you're making a mistake by choosing this path. It would be a waste to leave it all behind over... emotions."

The final word, spoken with a slight sneer, was enough to make my blood simmer.

I took a steadying breath, my voice low but firm. "With all due respect, I don't think I'm making a mistake. Not by a long shot. I know I'm walking away from a stable, well-paying job. But there are things I can't ignore. For instance, a company that enforces such strict policies on relationships but doesn't always ensure the well-being of its employees with those same clients."

I felt their eyes fixed on me, the weight of the unspoken words hanging between us. I took the plunge.

"A few months ago, one of our clients made me feel unsafe. I never reported it, but it's an experience that changed me. And I think it's worth considering how this company handles situations like that. There are policies on paper, yes, but sometimes, real support is lacking. That incident taught me that my safety—and the safety of other employees—should be a priority, even when it comes at the cost of certain norms or profits."