Chapter 5: His Stand

Cassandra’s POV

Awe… why is it so cold here? 

“Is this your first time?” Nathaniel asked as he kept on reading his newspaper without giving a single glance at me. 

He is not bothered by how intense the cold wind is or how I am constantly blowing air from my mouth to keep my hands warm. I guess he is used to traveling to the point that airports don’t give him a sore body. 

I refused to answer him. Packing the things he shopped for me was a problem in the first place and now, he asked me to come as early as I could so we could waste our time together. Oh hell no.

“Have you booked our room now?” He asked. 

“Yes.” I could not even lengthen the conversation because if I talked again, I would freeze to death.

When the plane ticket we got was finally called, I got up and dragged the things he asked me to bring. The suitcase was heavy since all my things were inside. In addition, I carried so much paperwork that it was undoubtedly hard to move. 

“Hurry up or the plane will fly without us.” He glanced at me, dragging his case like it weighed nothing. 

How about lending me his hands, no? Is that how you treat a woman? 

Oh crap, I forgot. He is my boss and I am just some girl who is working so I can live!

As soon as the security checked each of our baggage, we immediately went on board. We flew through an expensive first-class seat called The Residence on Etihad Airway. 

I even asked whether I would get an economy seat, but he refused. He said he should have his secretary close to his side so whenever he needed something, he could call me. 

In other words, when he felt like making an outrageous request just like how he asked me for chilled water on my first day, it would be easier. 

“I’ll be in the bedroom.” He said. 

“Alright, please call me whenever you need me,” I whispered in the air. 

I sat by the living room and realized the plane would leave in about six minutes. I could see multiple passengers running as fast as they could so they would reach their service before the allocated time. 

I wonder how flying would feel like if I were to be sitting next to a stranger. I mean, I should have gotten the economy seat for a first-timer.

I was so lost in my thoughts when a flight attendant walked to me. Is she holding… a menu? 

“Good morning, ma’am!” She greeted me. Her voice was soft and she looked astonishing in her clean look. She is well-dressed and I can say that this airline is the most expensive for a reason. 

“Would you like to get something?” She handed me the book and my eyes widened at how expensive the food was.

And to think that we are not flying yet, oh wow… I did not know what to do. 

“Uhm…” I whispered as I thought of a way that I could get away from her. 

“I am not hungry… You can come back earlier once my companion wakes up.” 

She looked at the bedroom, “But he was the one who called us here. He told us you might want hot food since you feel cold.” 

For a minute, I felt my face blushing hard and I did not know how to stop it. It was like, it was burning… oh dear, why must I act like a teenager who had just gotten her first love?! This doesn’t sit right with me. 

He ignored me in the airport at that time and now, he wanted me to ease the cold that I was feeling. What kind of game is this?

I lifted my head and realized that the woman was still waiting. Isn't she going to leave and politely accept that I am not hungry?

“Uhmm…” I tried so hard to think of what I wanted. “In this case… I like to ask for some soup.” 

She smiled at me, “Alright, we’ll get it for you.” 

I watched her leave and could only sigh. Lucky enough for me, no one will bother me. 

The time was clicking and there was an announcement that we would be boarding soon. I was hoping I could sleep on the sofa now. 

I can feel the plane starting to move and my heart beating faster than it normally does. As if, a wild horse was running after me.

“Cassandra, can you come here for a moment?” Nathaniel’s voice broke through the steady hum of the plane. 

What is it this time? What kind of scheme again? 

Unbuckling my seatbelt, I stood up, trying to steady myself as I made my way over to him. I reached his seat, and the plane jolted violently, throwing me off balance. Instinctively, I grabbed onto Nathaniel, my face pressing against his chest.

“Are we going to die?” I cried, my voice shaking with fear. “Nathaniel, are we going to die?!”

“Oh my gosh! I am not yet ready to die!” My voice cracked. I closed my eyes as I held tightly on Nathaniel’s hands. “I have a loan to apply to and many plans to fulfill! Please, I do not want my life to end here!”

The turbulence grew worse, and I clung to him even tighter. My mind was a whirlwind of terrifying thoughts, each more dreadful than the last. I could feel my grip tightening as panic took over.

“Let's get off! I want to go home…” Tears started accumulating in my eyes as I tried to remain composed.

“Cassandra,” he said softly, gently caressing my back. “It’s just turbulence. We’re perfectly safe.”

His calm voice and the soothing motion of his hand gradually eased my panic. The turbulence began to subside, and I felt relief and embarrassment. Pulling away, I could feel my cheeks burning with shame.

“I’m so sorry,” I muttered, unable to meet his eyes. “I didn’t mean to…”

Nathaniel chuckled a hint of amusement in his eyes. “It’s alright, Cassandra. It’s natural to be afraid of something new. Just try to relax.”

I nodded, still mortified. As I buckled my seatbelt, I saw Nathaniel get up and walk away. My heart pounded in my chest, and I felt panic rising again—not from the turbulence, but from the sheer embarrassment of my reaction. 

I buried my face in my hands, questioning what I had done. How could I have lost control like that? Was he laughing at me? Did he think I was pathetic?

I kept on trying to punch myself and pull my hair as I recalled how stupid it was to cling to him as I tried to fight my fear of heights.

For what felt like an eternity, I sat there, my mind racing with self-doubt and embarrassment. 

After what must have been only a minute, but felt much longer, I forced myself to take deep breaths. Five minutes later, Nathaniel returned, carrying a small tray with a bowl of soup.

“I thought this might help you warm up,” he said, handing it to me wearing a gentle smile.

I took the tray, feeling a fresh wave of gratitude and embarrassment. “Thank you,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

It was the soup I ordered a while ago… “You could have just asked the flight attendant to bring it to me.” 

“I can take it back and have her give it to you.” He said and acted like he was about to take it from me. 

I pulled it and just smiled awkwardly. “Thank you… again.”

Nathaniel gave me a reassuring nod before returning to his seat. As I sipped the warm soup, I felt the heat spread through my body, easing the chill and calming my nerves. 

Despite the lingering embarrassment, there was a strange sense of comfort knowing Nathaniel had gone out of his way to help me.

Although he is always perceived as a cold man and everybody thinks he’s rude and does not care about the people around him, in my eyes, he’s nice. 

And the way he did not remind me of the embarrassment I did…

Why am I feeling something tingly inside me?