My heart sank as I confronted him. “Brian!” I exclaimed, shocked.
He turned, his expression shifting from surprise to detachment. He let go of the woman and walked over to me. “Ava, why are you here?” he asked, frowning.
“I wanted to surprise you and spend time together in Paris,” I said, my voice trembling as my romantic fantasy crumbled.
Brian pulled me away from the others with a look of annoyance. “This isn’t a good time, Ava. It’s a business trip,” he dismissed, tearing up my ticket. “And before you get any ideas, she’s just a colleague. Go home.”
Tears welled in my eyes. “I thought we were trying to fix things,” I murmured, heartbroken.
“This was a mistake. Leave,” Brian said coldly, walking away with the woman. I sank to the floor, sobbing heavily as I leaned on my suitcase. That’s when Jack found me.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his tone filled with genuine concern. I looked up into the kindest eyes I’d ever seen and noticed his pilot uniform, making him even more handsome.
After sharing my story, Jack offered me a first-class seat to Paris, no strings attached.
“Why would you help me?” I asked, touched but surprised.
“Everyone deserves a fresh start,” he replied with a warm smile.
Grinning slightly, I accepted, hoping Paris might help mend my shattered heart.
In the comfort of my first-class seat, I found peace, distanced from my recent pain. Yet, the tranquility was short-lived when Brian appeared, his face contorted with indignation.
“What are you doing here?” he sneered.
I mentioned Jack’s invitation, only to face Brian’s scorn. He grew angrier as he spoke, but Jack intervened with authority.
“She’s here at my invitation,” Jack stated firmly and directed Brian back to economy class. I thanked him, relieved that someone stood up for me.
“You’re welcome. Enjoy the flight, and remember, you deserve to be treated with respect,” Jack said, smiling as he returned to the cockpit.
As I settled back, ready to sleep, Brian reappeared, his breath reeking of cheap vodka. “You think you’ve won, don’t you? Enjoying your little victory up here? I’ll cut off all your credit cards when we land in Paris. Let’s see how far you get without a penny,” he threatened.
Was this truly my husband?
Before I could give in to fear, a hostess intervened and asked him to return to his seat. A few minutes later, Jack was back at my side, offering something I couldn’t refuse.
“I’ll ensure you’re not alone in Paris. You can stay in my hotel suite, all expenses covered,” he said with his bright, beautiful eyes.
“But why would you do this for me?” I asked in disbelief.
“It’s the right thing to do,” Jack replied. “Besides, I have a feeling Paris might just be the beginning of a new chapter for you. Let me be part of that journey, even just as a friend offering support.”
Finally smiling back, I accepted his generosity and felt a spark of hope.
In Paris, the vibrant streets became my healing ground. Jack, acting as my unexpected guardian, guided me through the city, each day mending my heart a little more. As we explored from the serene Seine to bustling Montmartre, I felt an unexpected bond forming with him.
One evening, under the Eiffel Tower’s glow, I realized my feelings for Jack had deepened into something more profound. This change was both exciting and daunting, especially given how recently we had met. Maybe it was the city, or perhaps it was real, but it felt genuine.
The magic wasn’t over. One crisp morning, I received an email that would alter my journey once more.
Before chasing my husband to Paris, I had applied for a job at a prestigious fashion house. This opportunity promised a stable, independent life in this new city, but it came with uncertainty. Accepting the position meant anchoring myself to Paris, a city still unfamiliar.
It also raised a question about my budding relationship with Jack. I discussed the job with him during a rain-soaked walk.
“I’m so proud of you,” Jack said warmly. “This is an incredible opportunity. You’ve come so far, and you deserve every bit of success and happiness.”
“But what about us?” I asked.
Jack took both my hands. “What we have is special, and I won’t pretend it doesn’t complicate things. But love isn’t about holding each other back. It’s about supporting each other’s dreams, even when it’s hard.”
Tears glistened in my eyes as his words resonated. Here was a man who truly wanted what was best for me, who understood the importance of finding my own way.
“You have a chance to start anew, to build a life that’s entirely your own,” Jack continued, squeezing my hand. “No matter what you decide, I’ll be here for you. We’ll figure out the rest together.”
As we kissed under the twinkling lights and falling rain, surrounded by the sounds of the city, I felt a profound sense of gratitude. Paris had offered me redemption, and in Jack, I had found not just a lover but a true partner.
As we prepared to leave, Jack offered me a choice: return with him to New York or stay in Paris for the job. Touched by his support, I realized what I truly wanted.
“I’ve found strength and love here, Jack, but you’ve changed everything for me,” I said. “I want to give us a chance.”
So, during our last walk along the Seine, we decided to return to New York together, committed to each other.
However, reality set in once we landed at JFK. At baggage claim, Jack expressed concerns about the practicality of our relationship given his career and lifestyle.
“My job is not just a job to me. Flying and exploring new cities are a part of who I am. I’m away a lot, and I worry about what that means for us,” he said carefully.
“I love you, and while I’m scared, I believe we can navigate this together,” I assured him.
“It might not work,” Jack continued, the words hanging heavily between us. “Let’s take a few days to think about this. To think about us. I want you to be sure.”
I nodded, feeling our Parisian love bubble bursting.
Then Jack handed me a voucher for a hotel stay in New York. “I don’t want you to feel unsupported,” he said. “Take your time to decide what you want, especially about Brian. I’ll be in touch.”
“I swear I want to make this work, Jack,” I said, desperately.
“I still think we both should take some time. Traveling can muddle your mind, especially about love,” he admitted. We said goodbye with a small peck.
I remained alone at the terminal long after Jack left. As I contemplated my future, Brian’s mocking voice interrupted my solitude. “How’s life after your escapade with the pilot?” he taunted, with his mistress by his side.
“Go away, Brian,” I said, grabbing my bag and starting to leave.
“Wait, dear wife. How’s life treating you after your little affair with the pilot? Didn’t take long for that to fall apart, did it? Are you all alone here, waiting for me to rescue you?” he mocked.
“Wife?” the woman next to him asked.
“Nina, not now,” Brian said dismissively.
Seeing her reaction, I realized she didn’t know Brian was married. Suddenly, her hand moved, and a sharp sound echoed through the terminal—the unmistakable crack of a slap. Nina had struck him.
“You lied to me!” she exclaimed. Brian, stunned, had no defense. She then turned to me, full of apologies.
“It’s not your fault,” I said, crossing my arms as I stared at my husband.
Nina, with a firm stance, declared to Brian, “We’re done,” and walked away.
I faced my husband, feeling liberated despite not loving him anymore. “Goodbye, Brian,” I said and walked away, just like Nina.
The vibrancy of New York mirrored my transformation. I had evolved from my sad, lonely marriage. Reflecting on my journey with Jack, I realized our shared experiences had ignited a deep desire for adventure and growth.
Thus, I decided to become an air hostess, blending my newfound independence with my love for Jack and the skies. With his support, I navigated the application process and training, and our relationship matured into a wonderful partnership.
At last, I was assigned to my first flight, coincidentally on one of Jack’s routes. Dressed in my air hostess uniform, I met his proud gaze as I walked down the airplane aisle.
His embrace and the kiss we shared were filled with the promise of a bright future together.
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