Chapter 06

Avery could feel her temper rising as she read the email and after thinking so highly of Aurora Airlines and after hearing they were taking steps for woman empowerment; she could only laugh while reading it.

Avery didn’t know why she felt so overwhelmed and, assuming it is because of her emotions that have been at the edge for the past few weeks, she decided it is best to get some fresh air.

She got up and grabbed her coat before heading out while slamming the door behind. Avery informed the guard of the condo complex she was going to be late and, without thinking much about anything else, she walked down the pavement.

Despite being late at night, the roads were filled with vehicles. The pavements were lit from yellow lights that complimented the darkness of the night so well. And when the cold breeze hugged her body, she finally relaxed.

She walked up to the street with night food stalls, which was not far from where she lived, and then started to wander in it. She stopped by an ice cream stall and bought herself a chocolate ice cream when someone called her name.

“Avery?”

She turned in a whisk to see a man beside her, looking at her with a friendly smile. He definitely looked familiar but she couldn’t figure out from where, which is why she had to ask politely about it.

“In the flesh. I do remember you from somewhere but I cannot put my finger on it”

“Oh, I’m Andy. Caden’s best friend, if you still remember him.”

She was caught by a pleasant surprise but now she recognized him. He was the only person who knew they were faking the marriage.

“Andy, I’m so sorry. My memory isn’t the best and with all the problems that are looming in my head right now, I’m not exactly in the best state.”

“That’s alright. Let me buy some ice-cream and if you don’t mind, keep company for me tonight?”

He asked and Avery nodded. She liked the idea. She needed to get everything out of her head and a friend like Andy was the best to make her do that.

She waited for him to buy the ice cream and then walked with him down the street.

“How’s Caden doing?”

Was the first thing she asked from him and she didn’t even know why she felt like asking it. Avery had been missing Caden a bit too much these days, and she didn’t really like it. The emotions were dangerous and could only lead to disappointment. She knew.

“He’s doing fine. Busy managing the company as usual. You know the guy. A workaholic and a stubborn bull.”

Avery chuckled at that and nodded.

“How about you? You said you are not in a good position these days…”

Andy asked back and Avery hummed. She didn’t know how much she should open up to Andy and while she was contemplating on it, Andy stopped walking so she did the same.

“What is it?”

She asked and Andy smiled down at her.

“Avery… speak your mind. You know Caden won’t tell me things if I’m not a good listener. I know something is bothering you too much.”

“I know. I’m not doubting you. It is just this thing is so complicated. At least for me. It feels like no matter how much I try, I’m going to end up in the same hellhole.”

“So complicated that your smile had completely disappeared from your face?”

Andy asked and Avery looked at him, taken aback.

“Do you know your smile is one of the things Caden loved about you? He would kill me if I do not make it appear on your lips again before we part ways.”

Andy laughed as he finished and Avery laughed along with him. There was something in each time that Andy told her about Caden that made her want to do things that would please Caden if he was here.

“He didn’t love me, Andy. You know it better than anyone.”

“But he did take a fancy on you. If not, he wouldn’t have married you. Not even for a contract. Plus, there are things we love about even in our friends so I can confirm, he loved your smile.”

Andy said confidently and Avery knew he had a point. She wanted to hear something else, something more that would answer her lingering feelings that were developing day by day for a man who she hasn’t seen or heard about in four months. But if this was all she was going to get, she was fine with it. At least she knows Caden cared and loved her at least as a friend.

“Alright then. Put a smile on my face.”

Avery said, grinning as she turned to Andy and Andy raised his eyebrow before walking again.

“How about you start with telling me what’s bothering you? I need to know the reason, that smile disappeared to reset it.”

Avery took a deep breath. She wasn’t ready to tell it to anyone and she actually wanted to solve it by herself but at the same time, she also knew, venting to someone will definitely help her, so that is what she did.

She narrated from how she was looked down on in Serene Airlines, to how she quit and to how she applied to another airline and then finished with how they accepted her at first and then rejected her later.

“That’s some weird thing to do. What’s the name of the airline?”

Andy asked out of curiosity because he knew how the companies function and he found it quite odd that an airline rejected her after accepting her at first.

“Aurora.”

Avery replied as she threw her hands in the air and continued walking but Andy stopped in his tracks. What. The. Hell.

“What did you say the airline is again?”

He asked again, not sure of what he heard, especially when their company is on a mission to recruit female pilots.

“Oh, you might not know it. It is a leading airline and they actually are in the talk because of their recent campaigns for women empowerment. Aurora. That is the name of the airline.”

Avery replied, and then sneered.

“So much for women empowerment.”

“Who sent you the email?”

“The Minister of the HR Department.”

Replied Avery, getting a little confused of why Andy was suddenly getting worked up.

“Why is something wrong?”

She asked, adding just because she could see Andy was clearly disturbed by the information. But Andy soon masked his emotions and smiled.

“No. It suddenly clicked to me what the company is. I’ve heard of them and I genuinely think they are into women empowerment because I read somewhere that they were planning to recruit female pilots.”

“Huh?”

Avery pondered while Andy suggested.

“Why don’t you address an email to the management?”

“Would that be, okay?”

She asked, unsure and Andy shrugged.

“You have nothing to lose. Just try. It would be good if you can get in. When you send the mail, emphasize on how you appreciate their campaigns and subtly complain about the rejection of your application and the reason sent with it. Attach screenshots of the mail if you can.”

“But I only have the company’s official email. Where am I going to find an email of the management?”

Andy smirked in his mind, but replied with an innocent face.

“I can help you with that. I may have alumni who work there. I will get in touch with them and fetch you an email. Care to give me your contact number?”

He pulled out the phone and gave it to Avery and Avery saved her number in it.

“Ring me so I can save yours.”

She said, handing the phone back and Andy nodded.

“But I’m not sure it will work.”

Avery said disappointed and Andy patted her back.

“Don’t be discouraged yet. Let’s see how it goes. When I give you the email address tomorrow, just make sure you send the mail tomorrow itself. So, if there is any overlooking from the HR, the management will directly involve themselves in it and take you in.”

“I will send it right away.”

Avery replied, now a real smile forming on her lips after hours and that made Andy happy.

“Feeling better?”

“A lot. Thanks, Andy. I’m sure Caden won’t kill you now.”

Andy laughed at that as he looked at the time and, realizing that it was late, he turned to Avery once again.

“C’mon. It’s getting late. I’ll see you back.”

“Please don’t bother. I can go by myself.”

Avery rejected at once but Andy insisted.

“Please, Avery. Let me.”

And not being able to take the pleadings of Andy, Avery finally agreed and they walked back, chatting about random things that were happening around them.

Andy made sure Avery was safely back in the building where her condo was before turning back to leave and one thing was sure, the HR department was up for a good questioning.