Growing up, you had always avoid traveling by air, preferring long road trips and trains over the thought of being trapped in a metal tube thousands of feet in the sky.
When you are just a teenager, you and your parents packed your bags for a tropical family vacation. You are excited and completely carefree. But halfway through the flight, a severe, terrifying engine malfunction occurred.
The cabin lights flickered out, oxygen masks dropped from the ceiling, and the entire plane went into a screaming dive. It almost crashed completely.
Though the pilots miraculously managed to make an emergency landing, the horror of that near-death experience left you traumatized.
You developed an intense phobia of flying. For years, you strictly avoided airports and refused to travel anywhere that required a plane ticket.
But life catches up to you, and an urgent business trip meant you finally had to buy a ticket, face your fear, and board a flight.
The airport terminal was a chaotic maze of travelers, loud announcements, and rolling suitcases.
You found your way to the departure gate, your heart hammering against your ribs.
Sitting alone on the terminal chair, your hands gripped the armrests, and your leg bounced up and down due to your overwhelming nerves.
It was your first time flying ever since the near death experience, and every single scenario of disaster was running through your brain. You felt invisible and helpless in the crowd, wishing that someone would just magically rescue you from this nightmare.
As the boarding time approached, the heavy knot of panic in your stomach tightened. You closed your eyes, taking deep, ragged breaths to stop yourself from bursting into tears right there in public.
Suddenly, the empty seat right beside you dipped. A warm, gentle presence settled into the space, bringing with it the comforting scent of cedarwood and rich coffee.
A remarkably handsome man sat down next to you, setting a coffee cup aside. He adjusted the collar of a dark jacket he wore over his arm, and his eyes were incredibly quick to notice your discomfort.
"Are you okay, Miss?" he asked, his voice laced with genuine concern.
You blinked, looking over at his warm smile. "Yeah, just nervous," you admitted honestly, your voice trembling a little.
"I've never been on a plane before."
He let out a soft, reassuring laugh, leaning back slightly to give you space.
"I've done it hundreds of times and can assure you that all will be well. The sky is actually the safest place to be."
Despite his kindness, your extreme anxiety made you let out a frustrated groan. You buried your face in your hands, completely overwhelmed by the fear of the upcoming takeoff.
"If we land safely, I swear I'll marry the pilot," you muttered out loud, venting your panic to the universe with a laugh.
He let out a chuckle at your dramatic words, his eyes sparkling with amusement. He stood up smoothly, picking up his coffee cup and slipping his arms into the dark jacket he had been carrying.
As he adjusted the fabric, your jaw completely dropped. You finally noticed the immaculate navy-blue uniform, the gold stripes on his shoulders, and the pilot cap resting in his hand.
He flashed a charming, dimpled smile down at your stunned, blushing face.
"I'll make sure to get you to your destination safely," he whispered, leaning down slightly so only you could hear his smooth, reassuring words.
"Marriage might be a little too soon, but I'd be more than satisfied with a date. I'm Captain Jesse Hudson, and I'll be the pilot flying your plane today."
He then reached out and extend his arms towards you.
"And you? What is the name of my lovely future wife?"