Chapter Twelve: Airplane Restroom

Evelyn POV

The morning of the trip started early, but despite my best efforts to stay ahead of time, I still felt rushed. I stood in front of my closet, second-guessing my choice of outfits. Dad’s voice boomed down the hallway.

“Evelyn! How much longer? We’ll miss the flight at this rate!”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m almost done, Dad!” I called back, frantically folding the last blouse into my suitcase.

Moments later, he appeared at my bedroom door, dressed immaculately in his signature tailored suit. He leaned against the doorframe, his arms crossed, watching me with an amused expression.

“Still packing? Women are always the same,” he teased.

I threw him a playful glare. “Mom wasn’t like that.”

He chuckled, a soft fondness entering his eyes. “Your mother was one of a kind. Efficient when she wanted to be, but she had her moments too.” His voice turned wistful, and I felt a pang of sadness.

Snapping out of it, I zipped my suitcase and grabbed my handbag. "There, ready to go!"

The housekeeper arrived to haul my suitcase downstairs while I grabbed my essentials.Maria and Joan, were waiting in the foyer. Maria, who had worked with us for years, smiled warmly.

“We’ll miss you, Miss Evelyn,” she said, taking my suitcase.

Joan nodded in agreement. “Safe travels. And don’t worry, we’ll take care of everything here.”

Joan chimed in, “Make sure to bring us something nice from your trip!”

I laughed. “Of course. I’ll bring you both something special.”

Maria reached out to adjust my scarf. “You’ll do great on this trip. Just be yourself.”

“Thanks, Maria,” I replied, feeling a wave of affection for her maternal care.

I stepped outside letting the cool morning air hit my face. Dad, already seated in the car, called out, “Let’s go, Evelyn! We’re on a tight schedule.”

I climbed into the backseat beside him. “Maria and Joan said they’ll miss me.”

Dad smiled. “They’ve always adored you. Now focus. This is an important trip for both of us.”

The car ride started smooth and of course a soothing music to match. I could tell Dad was excited, even though he masked it with his usual composed demeanor.

I let out a breath, finally relaxing, and he heard it. 

“You’re nervous about the presentation,” he noted, glancing at me as the driver pulled out of the driveway.

“A little,” I admitted. “It’s a big deal, Dad. I’ve never presented at a conference like this.”

“You’ll be fine,” he assured me. “You’ve got the brains, the poise, and the preparation. Just remember, confidence is key. Even if you make a mistake, act like it was intentional.”

I laughed at his advice. “That’s your secret to success, huh?”

He grinned. “Works every time.”

We continued chatting as the city blurred past the car windows. He asked about the slides I prepared, and I reassured him I’d double-checked everything. By the time we reached the airport, my nerves had calmed and thanks to the bright lights, my face was all glow too. 

The airport was bustling with energy, a mix of travelers, airport staff, and the occasional lost tourist. I took a deep breath, soaking in the lively atmosphere. Something about airports always made me feel invigorated—the promise of new destinations, new experiences.

As we waited near the check-in line, I noticed a little boy playing with a toy airplane. His mother stood beside him, engrossed in her phone. The boy made swooping noises as he ran the plane along the edge of a bench.

“Is that your plane?” I asked with a smile.

He looked up at me, wide-eyed. “Yes! It’s a super jet!”

I crouched to his level. “Wow, a super jet! Do you think it’s faster than the plane we’re about to board?”

He giggled. “Way faster!”

I played along for a moment, pretending my hand was another plane. His mother finally looked up and smiled apologetically. “Sorry if he’s bothering you.”

“Not at all,” I said warmly. “He’s adorable.”

Dad glanced at me from where he stood in line. “Evelyn, focus. We’re boarding soon.”

I stood up, smoothing my dress. “Duty calls,” I said to the boy, giving him a playful salute before returning to Dad’s side.

Then I saw him.

Leonard. 

At first, I thought I was imagining things, but as I squinted, my suspicions were confirmed. He was a few lines over, scrolling on his phone, his confident stance unmistakable. He was traveling, with his luggage near the check-in counters, completely at ease, as though he owned the entire terminal. His perfectly tailored suit and self-assured stance drew my attention like a magnet. 

My chest tightened. Why hadn’t he mentioned this trip during our conversations last week? It wasn’t like him to be secretive—or was it? I was surprised, curious and something I didn’t want to name all at the same time. 

“What’s wrong?” Dad asked, noticing my distraction.

“Nothing,” I lied, shaking my head.

We checked in and were waiting in line for security when Leonard finally noticed me. His expression shifted slightly—was that a smirk?—before he made his way over to us.

“Good morning,” he greeted, addressing my father first with a polite nod. “Mr. Parker, it’s good to see you again.”

“Leonard,” Dad replied warmly, shaking his hand. “What brings you here? Business or pleasure?”

“Business,” Leonard said smoothly. “An unexpected meeting came up, and I had to make arrangements last minute.”

Then he turned to me, and before I could process what was happening, he lifted my hand and kissed it lightly. My heart skipped a beat, and I stared at him in disbelief, unsure whether to pull away or slap him.

“Safe travels,” he said casually, as though he hadn’t just crossed a line.

“Thank you,” I replied, keeping my voice steady but laced with annoyance.

Dad didn’t seem to notice the tension between us. Leonard gave a small nod and walked back to his place in line, leaving me fuming.

“What was that about?” I muttered under my breath.

“Something wrong?” Dad asked, his attention back on me.

“Nothing,” I replied, shaking my head again.

We boarded the plane shortly after, settling into our seats. I stared out the window, trying to distract myself with the view as the plane taxied down the runway.

“You’re awfully quiet,” Dad commented, glancing at me.

“Just thinking about the presentation,” I lied.

“You’ve got this,” he said reassuringly. “It’s a simple pitch, Evelyn. They already like the idea; you just need to sell it.”

“I know,” I replied, offering a small smile.

As the plane ascended, I tried to focus on reviewing my notes, but my thoughts kept drifting to Leonard. What was he doing here? Why hadn’t he mentioned this trip? And what was that kiss about?

My phone buzzed in my lap, breaking my train of thought.

Leonard: Meet me at the back near the restrooms. Now.

I stared at the message, debating whether to respond.

“Need the restroom?” Dad asked, noticing me unbuckle my seatbelt.

“Yeah,” I said quickly.

He nodded, and I made my way to the back of the plane, my heart racing. What was Leonard playing at? As I approached the restrooms, I reached for my phone to text him, but before I could type anything, a hand reached out and grabbed me.

In one swift motion, I was pulled into a small restroom. The door clicked shut, and I found myself face-to-face with Leonard.