Michael trailed behind Jayden in the polished corridor, his footsteps echoing loudly against the tile floor. His arms were crossed tightly over his chest, his face flushed with agitation.

"Jayden," he snapped, catching up and walking beside him, "you got married and didn't tell me? That's just cruel. We've been friends since we were seven years old-you told me when you got your first pimple, when you failed your driver's test, when you decided to join the air force. But you can't tell me you married Captain Harley?"

Jayden stopped mid-stride, his hand already on the door handle to his office. He turned slowly, his expression unreadable as always-his eyes dark and focused, his jaw set in a firm line.

"Last time," he began slowly, his voice low and measured, "you dragged me into that empty meeting room.."

Michael stared at him for a second-then burst into laughter, doubling over slightly as he clutched his stomach.

"Oh, that?" he said, straightening up and stepping closer, wiping tears from his eyes. "I didn't even know she was your wife then! And besides..." he added with a wide grin, clapping Jayden on the shoulder, "if I hadn't stepped in.., she would've been set up"

Jayden's gaze hardened slightly, his hand tightening on the door handle. "So," he said coolly, his voice carrying an edge of steel, "you see yourself as the hero? Rescuing my wife from a bad assignment?"

Michael's smile faltered. He clenched his jaw, his playful demeanor fading slightly as he realized he'd struck a nerve. Jayden had always been protective of those he cared about-even if he rarely showed it.

Before he could respond-

"Polar Cargo," Jayden said flatly, turning to push open his office door. "They need a pilot for their Anchorage route starting next week. Report there tomorrow for orientation."

Michael froze, his mouth falling open in shock.

"What?!" he shouted, following Jayden into the office. "It's minus fifty degrees there! How am I supposed to survive that? I can barely handle the cold when we fly over Canada!"

Jayden walked to his desk, setting down his briefcase and beginning to sort through the stack of reports waiting for him. "The aircraft is climate-controlled. You'll be fine."

"Wait-!" Michael ran around the desk to block his path. "You're jealous over this, aren't you? Because I flew with her and you didn't? Because I almost asked her to dinner?"

Jayden stopped again, his hands hovering over a folder. Without turning to face Michael, his shoulders tensed slightly.

"New assignment," he added calmly, not looking up. "Effective immediately-you'll be responsible for scrubbing and sanitizing the toilets on all domestic flights for the next month."

"Ah!" Michael cried, throwing his hands up in the air. "You're abusing your power! This is harassment! I'm going to file a complaint with HR!"

Jayden turned sharply, his chair spinning with the movement. His expression was no longer calm-his eyes were dark with seriousness, his jaw tight with barely contained frustration.

Michael immediately realized his mistake, his playful anger vanishing as he took a small step back. He'd never seen Jayden this upset-not even when he'd accidentally crashed their model airplane into Jayden's father's prize rose bushes when they were kids.

"...I was joking," he said quickly, forcing a nervous laugh and holding up his hands in surrender. "Totally joking. HR would never believe me anyway-everyone knows you're the most fair-minded person in the company."

He stepped forward and grabbed Jayden's hand, shaking it dramatically with exaggerated enthusiasm.

"My boss. My dearest, most wonderful boss. I was wrong," he said, his voice dripping with false sincerity. "I should've known better than to tease you about your personal life. Don't worry-I'll write a full incident report about today's flight. Eight thousand words. Handwritten. In calligraphy, if you want."

Jayden exhaled slowly, closing his eyes briefly as if gathering his patience. When he opened them again, the anger had faded, replaced by his usual calm composure.

Then turned to leave-heading toward the window that overlooked the tarmac-

But paused.

"And the cafeteria food is terrible," he added, glancing back at Michael with a slight frown. "It's affecting pilot performance. Fix it."

He walked off toward the door, pausing with his hand on the frame.

"I'll cover the cost from the executive budget."

Michael stood there, stunned for a moment-then quickly nodded, clasping his hands together in exaggerated gratitude.

"Yes, sir! Right away, sir! "

Later – Cafeteria

The atmosphere was completely different from just a few hours ago. Where the room had once been nearly empty and depressing, it was now bustling with activity, the air filled with the delicious scent of fresh food and happy conversation.

"Wow!" one air hostess exclaimed, her eyes wide with delight as she looked at the buffet spread. "Seafood today? I haven't seen lobster in the company cafeteria since I started working here five years ago!"

Another leaned closer, whispering excitedly as she piled grilled salmon onto her plate.

"I heard the Chief Pilot personally approved the menu change," she said, glancing around as if sharing a secret. "Said pilots need a high-protein diet to maintain focus and physical stamina during long flights."

The first beamed, picking up a small bowl of shrimp scampi. "I love our Chief Pilot. Whoever he is-he really cares about us."

Across the room, Jane stepped in, pausing just inside the doorway as she took in the transformation. The gray, institutional decor seemed brighter somehow, the tables had been wiped clean and set with fresh napkins, and the buffet line stretched nearly the length of the room with an array of colorful, appetizing dishes.

She paused.

Looked at the spread-lobster tails, grilled fish, steamed vegetables, fresh salads, even a dessert station with chocolate-covered strawberries and miniature cheesecakes.

Then smiled-genuinely. A warm, wide smile that made her eyes light up. She'd been dreading lunch after her terrible meal earlier, and this was a welcome surprise.

She picked up her tray and made her way through the line, loading up on grilled halibut and roasted asparagus. As she reached the end of the line, the cafeteria worker handed her a bright blue voucher.

"Complimentary meal for all captains today," the worker said with a smile. "Courtesy of management."

Jane sat down at her usual corner table, clearly pleased as she arranged her food on the table. Before eating, she took out her phone, holding it up to capture the colorful spread.

Lunch today is amazing at the cafeteria! Come get freebies while they last. I even got a 'relatively' free meal voucher-"

She sent it.

To Jayden.

Moments later-

A reply came in."I'm busy"with a photo

Taken from the cockpit of what looked like a private jet, with the camera pointed out the window. Buildings stretched beneath a clear blue sky, the city spread out like a miniature model below. No caption was needed.

Jane stared at it for a moment, a soft smile touching her lips. She knew that view-

Then shook her head lightly and returned to her food, taking a bite of the perfectly cooked fish and closing her eyes in satisfaction.

Jayden's Office

Jayden sat at his desk, typing a quick reply to Jane's message before locking his phone screen. He'd taken the photo just minutes ago, banking the plane slightly to get the perfect angle-something he never would've done for anyone else.

The door creaked open quietly. Michael slipped in, his shoes silent against the carpet as he sneaked closer to the desk, holding his phone up like he was about to take a picture.

"Jayden," he whispered, leaning over the desk dramatically. "You need to see this."

Jayden didn't look up, continuing to sign documents from the in-box. "If this is another photo of you making silly faces in the cockpit, I'm not interested."

"Guess who's smiling in the cafeteria today?" Michael added, waving his phone in front of Jayden's face. The screen showed a candid shot of Jane laughing as she talked to another pilot at a nearby table.

Jayden immediately locked his own screen and turned to him, his expression sharp with focus.

"Polar route transfer paperwork is in your inbox," he said flatly, reaching for his phone again. "You have until the end of the day to sign it."

Michael froze, his smile dropping instantly.

Then gritted his teeth, setting his phone down on the desk.

"Hey," he said, leaning in dramatically with his elbows on the desk, "I'm invested in your love life. It's not every day my best friend marries a total badass like Captain Harley. You secretly upgraded the entire cafeteria menu just to make her happy-does Jane even know it was you?"

"She doesn't need to," Jayden replied calmly, returning to his paperwork. "I did it for all the pilots. It's about performance, not personal reasons."

Michael clicked his tongue, shaking his head in mock disappointment.

"What a secret admirer," he teased, wiggling his eyebrows. "Should I... accidentally tell her? '"

Jayden turned his head.

Slowly.

His eyes met Michael's-cold and steady, with just a hint of warning.

Michael stiffened immediately, sitting up straight and clearing his throat.

"...I'll go write that eight-thousand-word report now," he said quickly, backing away from the desk toward the door. "Handwritten. In cursive. I promise."

He turned to leave-

"Wait."

Michael stopped, his hand on the door handle.

Jayden's voice was quieter now, softer than before.

"...Did she say anything? About the food?"

Michael paused, his back still turned to Jayden. Then he turned slowly, a slow, knowing smile spreading across his face.

Got him.

"Want to know?" he said, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning against the doorframe. "You'll have to beg me."

Jayden closed his eyes briefly, clearly losing patience. He reached for his phone again, his thumb already hovering over the Polar route transfer email.

"Oh-no, no, no-wait-!" Michael blurted out, jumping forward and waving his hands to stop him. "She loved it! She stared at the lobster like it was her long-lost love-even took a picture"

Jayden's hand stopped, his fingers still hovering over his phone. A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched his lips before he quickly hid it, returning to his serious expression.

He set the phone down.

"Announce this," he said, standing up and reaching for his jacket.

Michael blinked, confused. "Announce what?"

"I'm treating all captains to a seafood dinner tonight at the seafood restaurant downtown-La Mer."

Jayden buttoned his jacket and walked past Michael toward the door.

He walked out, leaving Michael standing in the middle of the office, staring after him with his mouth slightly open.

Michael exhaled heavily, placing his hands on his hips and shaking his head.

"...How did this guy even get married?" he muttered to himself, picking up his phone and scrolling through his contacts to make the reservation. "He can't even tell her he likes her, but he'll remodel the entire cafeteria and buy out a restaurant just to make her happy."

He shook his head, typing quickly on his phone.

"Life is unfair," he said aloud, grinning despite himself. "But at least I get free lobster out of it."

The private dining room at La Mer glowed under warm golden lights cast by crystal chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling. The long mahogany table was set with polished silverware, crystal glasses that caught the light like tiny prisms, and crisp white linens that looked as soft as silk. The rich scent of saffron, grilled lobster, and aged Bordeaux lingered in the air, wrapping the space in quiet luxury that felt both intimate and grand.

Captains filled the room in small clusters, their conversations low but lively as they sampled hors d'oeuvres and discussed everything from new aircraft models to recent flight routes. The sound of clinking glasses and polite laughter filled the space, creating a comfortable buzz that spoke of colleagues gathering after long days in the air.

At one end of the table, Jenny sat poised in a short white dress that showed off her toned legs, her blonde hair styled in loose waves that fell over her shoulders. She held a glass of deep red wine in one hand, swirling it lazily as her eyes scanned the room with quiet calculation. Reuben-sat to her right, his shoulders hunched, his expression tense and withdrawn as he stared at his untouched plate. Captain Lena-an experienced pilot with twenty years in the industry-took the seat on Jenny's left, her dark hair pulled back in a neat bun, her attention divided between her conversation and Jenny's occasional comments.

Jenny tilted her glass slightly, letting the wine catch the light as she spoke.

"You wouldn't believe how high and mighty our new captain thinks she is," she said, her voice just loud enough to carry across the immediate vicinity, her eyes cutting toward the door as if expecting someone to walk in.

Lena glanced at her, her brow furrowed with curiosity. "Who are you talking about?"

Jenny leaned closer, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper even though she clearly wanted others to hear.

"Jane Harley. You know-the one who just made captain last month? Last assessment? Even the examiner gave her special treatment. I heard he let her retake a maneuver three times-something no one else has ever been allowed to do."

Lena frowned slightly, shaking her head. "No way. Jane's records are solid-all her scores are in the top percentile. I reviewed them myself when she applied for the captain program."

"Solid?" Jenny let out a short, sharp laugh, her tone sharpening as she set her glass down a little too hard on the table. "Some people are just good at faking perfection. You never know what goes on behind closed doors to get ahead in this industry."

At that moment-

The door opened.

Jane stepped in, wearing a deep blue dress that fell to her knees, paired with simple black heels. Her dark hair was pulled back in a sleek ponytail, and her posture was straight as a plumb line-commanding without being ostentatious. Her expression was calm, professional-but her eyes were sharp, taking in every detail of the room as she entered.

She had heard everything.

Jenny's smile froze on her face, her lips curving into something that looked more like a grimace. Her grip on her wine glass loosened involuntarily-

Red wine spilled over the rim, splashing onto her white dress in a dark, spreading stain.

"Talking about me that loudly?" Jane said, her voice even and clear, cutting through the sudden quiet that had fallen over the table. "Were you afraid I might miss it?"

Jenny quickly grabbed a stack of napkins, dabbing frantically at her dress as she forced composure back into her features. Her cheeks flushed bright red with embarrassment and anger.

"Am I wrong?" she shot back, her voice higher than usual. "You made captain in under five years-faster than anyone in Aurelia's history. Who knows what tactics you used to get there?"

Jane let out a soft, genuine laugh as she walked closer to the table, her movements deliberate and confident.

"Shortcuts like seducing my ex?" she asked lightly, her eyes meeting Jenny's without flinching. "then tried to sabotage my promotion?"

Jenny stiffened, her hands stilling on the stained fabric of her dress.

"Or tampering with evaluation scores?" Jane continued, her voice growing slightly colder as she listed each accusation. "Like you did when you tried to change your landing performance data last year?"

Jenny's gaze shifted away, her eyes darting toward Reuben as if seeking support.

"Or skipping flight checks and delaying an entire crew?" Jane finished, her voice carrying across the silent room. "Like you did on flight GC2711, forcing us to scramble for a replacement at the last minute?"

Silence spread across the table like ice water. Several captains exchanged shocked glances-they'd heard about the delay on GC2711, but no one had known the full story.

Jenny's carefully constructed confidence began to crack, her hands trembling slightly as she dropped the soiled napkins onto her plate.

Before she could respond-

Lena stood up abruptly, her chair scraping loudly against the floor.

"Wait," she said, pointing at Jenny with a steady finger. "Flight GC2711's delay... that was because of you? I heard they had to replace the first officer right before takeoff."

Jenny's lips parted-but no words came out. She looked from Lena to Reuben, but he refused to meet her eyes, staring down at his hands instead.

"Captain Harley had to scramble for a replacement," Lena continued, her tone firm and clear. "I've seen her fly-she's one of the most skilled pilots I've ever worked with."

Another captain-Marcus, who'd been flying for Aurelia for fifteen years-rose from his seat, raising his glass toward Jane.

"I've flown with you before," he said, his voice carrying across the room. "That crosswind emergency landing you handled in Denver last winter? Textbook. Not many could pull that off-especially not with a plane full of passengers and cargo. Your promotion was earned, fair and square."

Murmurs of agreement followed, several other captains nodding in support or raising their glasses in a toast.

Reuben shifted in his seat, clearly uncomfortable as the attention turned to him. He'd been the one who'd approved Jenny's assignment to GC2711, despite concerns from other crew members.

"Enough," he snapped, slamming his hand down on the table hard enough to make glasses rattle.

He dragged the chair beside him slightly, gesturing toward Jane with a wave of his hand.

"Sit"

Jane didn't even glance at the empty chair. Her eyes moved over him-cold, dismissive, like she was looking at something unimportant.

Then she walked past him and took another seat at the far end of the table.

Reuben's jaw tightened, embarrassment flashing across his face as he realized she'd deliberately snubbed him.

"Jane," he began, his voice low and threatening as he leaned forward slightly. "Don't push this too-"

The door opened again, cutting him off mid-sentence.

"Quite a gathering we have here," Michael's voice cut in as he stepped inside, his usual easy smile on his face. He wore a dark suit that fit perfectly, his tie slightly loosened in typical Michael fashion.

The room quieted instantly-

He stepped aside slightly, gesturing behind him with a dramatic flourish.

"Let me introduce you all," he said, raising his voice so everyone could hear, "to Aurelia's new Chief Pilot-"

A pause. He let the anticipation build for just a moment.

"Jayden Blackwood."

Jayden stepped fully into the room, and the atmosphere shifted immediately. He wore a tailored black suit with no tie, his white shirt open at the collar in a way that somehow looked both casual and incredibly powerful. His dark hair was perfectly styled, and his eyes scanned the room with calm authority.

Some captains straightened instinctively in their seats. Others exchanged quick glances-they'd heard rumors about the new Chief Pilot, but no one had expected him to be so young, so commanding.

Power had entered the room.

Jane froze.

Her breath caught-

Just for a second.

Her hand, which had been reaching for her water glass, stilled in mid-air, she'd never imagined he was the Chief Pilot-the highest-ranking pilot in the entire organization.

Their eyes met across the room.

Jayden's expression softened for just a fraction of a second, something unspoken passing through his gaze-regret, apology, something deeper that Jane couldn't quite name.

Then he looked around the room, his features settling back into composed control.

"I apologize," he said calmly, his voice carrying clearly across the quiet space. "I'm late-."

But his eyes flickered back to Jane-

And in them-

Was something close to an apology meant only for her.

Jayden's hand moved instantly-quick and precise, closing around Michael's forearm under the table. His fingers tightened until his knuckles blazed white, a silent warning that brooked no argument.

Michael froze mid-sentence, his smile faltering as he felt the pressure of his friend's grip. He'd pushed too far-he could tell by the way Jayden's jaw was set, by the sharp look in his eyes that he only reserved for serious situations.

Flashback - Jayden's Office

The afternoon light cast long shadows across Jayden's office, where stacks of flight reports and personnel files were neatly organized on his desk. Michael had collapsed onto the leather sofa, kicking his feet up on the coffee table despite the "no feet on furniture" plaque Jayden kept there.

"Wait-" Michael leaned forward, his eyes wide with sudden realization. "So Jane doesn't know you're Aurelia's heir? Or that you're ridiculously rich-like, 'own half the airport' rich?"

Jayden exhaled slowly, spinning his chair to face the window overlooking the tarmac. "I forgot to mention it," he said, his voice carrying the weight of exhaustion. "When we got married ... there hasn't been a right moment to sit down and explain everything."

Michael stared at him for a long moment-then slapped his knee dramatically, making Jayden flinch slightly.

"Disastrous," he declared, standing up and pacing the room. "Absolute disaster. If this leaks to the press? It'll look like a high-profile marriage scam. The whole 'mysterious heir marries unknown captain' story-people will dig into every detail of your relationship. They'll say she trapped you, that you used her for PR... and Jane doesn't deserve that kind of attention."

Jayden shot him a sharp look, his eyes darkening with frustration. "I know that. That's why I haven't said anything."

Michael immediately backed off with a sigh, running a hand through his hair. "Fine. Forget that part. But you have to be careful-

He leaned in again, lowering his voice to a serious whisper.

"For now, keep it hidden. Trust me on this. You need a private moment-just the two of you. Somewhere quiet where you can explain everything properly. Don't let her find out in public. That would be a disaster-for both of you."

Jayden pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a familiar headache building behind his eyes. "I can't hide it forever, Michael. She deserves to know who she's married to."

"You don't have to," Michael replied, placing a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Just... not here. Not like this."

Jayden hesitated-Then he nodded slowly.

"Alright."

Back at La Mer

Michael suddenly burst into laughter-loud and genuine, breaking the heavy silence that had fallen over the room. He threw his hands up in the air, his face splitting into a wide grin.

"I'm kidding! I'm kidding!" he said loudly, his voice carrying across the dining room. "Even if the Chief Pilot isn't here to join us-his wallet definitely is! Tonight's feast is on the company, so eat as much as you want!"

Laughter rippled through the room like a wave, the earlier tension dissolving instantly as pilots relaxed back into their seats. Plates clattered, glasses clinked, and conversations picked up again with renewed energy.

Reuben leaned back in his chair, exhaling in visible relief as he reached for his wine glass.

Jenny lowered her gaze, her fingers tightening slightly around her glass until her knuckles turned white.

"Alright!" Michael clapped once, his voice cutting through the chatter. "Everyone dig in! The chef says the lobster bisque is to die for-and I've already tested it, so you know it's good!"

"Yay!" several captains cheered, reaching eagerly for serving dishes. Marco, the burly pilot who'd mentioned being a champion eater, immediately piled his plate high with grilled salmon and roasted vegetables.

"I won't hold back," he said eagerly, his eyes shining with excitement. "Before I became a captain, I was a champion eater in college-won the state pizza-eating contest three years in a row!"

"Take it slow," Sophia teased, passing him a bowl of soup. "Last time you ate too fast, you got sick on a cross-country flight."

"Forget that," a third captain laughed, pouring himself a glass of white wine. "Tonight we enjoy! Who knows when we'll get a feast like this again?"

The room came alive again-warm, bustling, filled with the kind of camaraderie that only comes from shared experiences and mutual respect. Pilots who'd once been strangers now talked like old friends, passing dishes, sharing stories, and making plans for future flights.

Michael turned slightly-his eyes scanning the room until they found Jayden standing by the door, his expression calm but focused.

Caught Jayden's eye.

Jayden gave a small nod-a quick, almost imperceptible gesture. A quiet understanding passed between them: Thank you.

They moved together through the crowded room, Michael chatting casually with pilots as they passed while Jayden kept his eyes forward, his attention focused on Jane sitting at the far end of the table. She was watching the crowd with a soft smile, her hands folded in her lap as she listened to another captain tell a story about a particularly memorable flight.

They took the empty seats beside her-Michael sliding into the chair on her left, Jayden taking the seat on her right. The table was crowded, but there was something comfortable about the three of them sitting together-like pieces of a puzzle that had finally fallen into place.

Michael immediately launched into a story about a flight he'd taken last month to Alaska, gesturing wildly with his hands as he described the Northern Lights he'd seen from the cockpit. Jane laughed, her eyes lighting up as she asked questions about the route and the aircraft he'd been flying.

Jayden sat quietly beside her, his hand resting lightly on the back of her chair as he listened. He watched her face-how her eyes crinkled at the corners when she laughed, how she leaned forward slightly when she was interested in something, how she unconsciously played with the edge of her napkin when she was thinking.

He'd never really taken the time to just look at her like this-really look at her. She was beautiful, yes-but more than that, she had a strength and warmth that drew people to her. He'd known it from the moment they'd met, but now it felt more real than ever.

Jane leaned slightly toward him, lowering her voice so only he could hear over the din of conversation.

"That scared me," she whispered, her breath warm against his ear. "When Michael was about to say who you were-I thought for a second you were the Chief Pilot."

Jayden widened his eyes in mock surprise, his lips twitching with amusement. "Oh? And is that such a terrible thing?"

"You don't like him?" he asked, his voice low and gentle, his thumb brushing lightly against the back of her chair in a small, comforting gesture.

"Not exactly," she said, shaking her head slightly. "I don't even know him-he's always been this mysterious figure at the top of the company. Everyone talks about him, but no one's ever met him. I just..."

She paused, her gaze drifting to the table as a waiter placed a large platter of grilled lobster in the center.

"Let's just eat," she said, her voice brightening as she looked at the food. "I'll tell you later why I was so startled. I've been craving seafood all week."

Her attention shifted immediately to the table, her eyes lighting up as she reached for a serving spoon.

"Seafood first," she said, pointing excitedly at the lobster platter. "That comes before everything else. I've been dreaming about this since lunch."

Jayden watched her for a moment-her face animated, her hands moving with excitement as she piled lobster onto her plate. A faint smile formed on his lips-the kind of soft, genuine expression he rarely showed to anyone but her.

Across the table-

Jenny watched too. Her grip tightened around her glass until her knuckles were white, her jaw set in a hard line. Jealousy flickered in her eyes-raw and unfiltered-as she saw the way Jayden looked at Jane, the way he leaned slightly closer when she spoke, the small, intimate gestures that spoke of familiarity and affection.

Then-

She spoke. Her voice was clear and sharp, cutting through the chatter like a knife.

"Jane," she said, her eyes fixed on the other woman.

The table quieted slightly, pilots pausing mid-conversation as they turned to look at her.

"It's only been a few days since you broke up with Reuben..."

A pause. She let the implication hang in the air, her eyes sliding slowly toward Jayden-taking in his crisp shirt, his expensive watch, the way he sat so close to Jane.

"...And you've already found a new boyfriend?"

The question landed with a thud. Several captains shifted uncomfortably in their seats.

Jane's smile faded slightly, her hand pausing mid-air as she reached for her wine glass. She looked up at Jenny, her expression calm but her eyes darkening with irritation.