Baby Drama III

Chapter 1

Charlie

“This is how we’re going to do it.” I walked to my gate while on a Zoom call with my staff. “RIGHT!” I shouted, taking a seat. “We have thirty days until the game’s launch, and it better be fixed. Do I pay you well enough? Do I give you all the time off you request? Do I pay for your health benefits? Do I give you gigantic yearly bonuses because you all deserve them?”

“Yes, Mr. Stone,” my team spoke in unison.

“Exactly! So please give me the courtesy of fixing the fucking game before we launch it! Time’s running out, people. Go! Get back to work and figure it out! I’ll see you all tomorrow.”

Sighing, I glanced at my watch. It was six p.m.

“Phew,” I heard a woman’s voice as she sat in the empty seat beside mine. “Yay!”

“Excuse me?” I glanced at her and was caught off-guard by her beauty.

“Oh, sorry. I was just upgraded to first class.” She grinned, waving her boarding pass.

“Good for you.” I smiled as I looked down at my phone.

“It’s just I’ve never been in first class before.”

“I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.” I read through my emails and tried to ignore her.

My phone rang, and I sighed when I saw it was Christine calling.

“Hello.”

“I haven’t heard from you since you left for Chicago,” I noted the irritation in her voice. “I sent you some text messages, and you never responded.”

“I’ve been busy, Christine. You know I’m here on business.”

“Sure, Charlie. A friend there saw you out to dinner with a beautiful brunette. Was she part of your business?”

“As a matter of fact, she was, Christine. I’m not discussing this now or ever.”

“I’m not either. Do me a favor, and don’t ever call me again. I’m sick and tired of being disrespected by you. Do you understand me?” she shouted.

“Clearly, Christine. Thank you for making my day. Goodbye.” I ended the call.

“Trouble in paradise?” the woman beside me asked, leaning closer.

“Excuse me?” I furrowed my brows.

“I couldn’t help but overhear your phone call or the fact that your wife was shouting and accusing you of cheating on her.”

“She is not my wife or girlfriend. There is no paradise, and therefore, there can be no trouble.”

“Oh.” She popped her lips.

“Do you always listen in on other people’s phone conversations?” I asked.

“No.”

“Then why were you listening in on mine?”

“I wasn’t trying to, but when shouting is coming from the other end of the phone, it’s kind of hard not to.”

“Attention, passengers. Flight 2710 from Chicago to JFK has been delayed due to severe weather in New York City. We thank you for your patience and will keep you updated,” I heard over the speaker.

“Shit,” I sighed, shaking my head.

“Marley?” A man walked over with a wide grin.

“Oh, hey.” She nervously smiled. “Are you on this flight?”

“Yeah. I just heard it was delayed. Want to go grab something to eat?” he asked.

“Uh, no. I’m good.”

“Why not? We had fun last night.” A smirk crossed the man’s lips.

“Why are you making this weird?” She cocked her head.

“I’m not. It’s just dinner. What is your problem?”

“I don’t have a problem. I told you last night before I left not to make it weird.”

“Asking you to stay the night was not making things weird,” he said. “You know what? I think you’re the weird one. The dinner invite is rescinded.” He walked away.

“Okay, Trent. Who’s the weird one?” she shouted.

“It’s Troy!” He turned and glared at her.

“Oh. My bad.”

“Wow.” I chuckled.

“Shut up.” Her brows furrowed.

I chuckled again as I looked down at my phone.

“I’m going to get a coffee. Can you save my seat?” she asked.

“I suppose I can,” I spoke with irritation.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Is it too much of an inconvenience for you?” Her head cocked.

I stared into her baby-blue eyes as a smirk crossed my lips.

“No. Just hurry up and get me a medium Americano with an extra shot.”

She stood up, staring at me with her hands on her hips.

“What?” I asked.

“I believe you forgot a word when you asked me to get you a coffee.”

“No.” I furrowed my brows. “Just a medium Americano with an extra shot.”

“Did your parents ever teach you any manners? When you ask someone to get you something, you say ‘please.’”

“Will you PLEASE get me a medium Americano with an extra shot!”

“I’ll be right back. Make sure nobody steals my carry-on.” She set her bag on her seat.

Sighing, I rolled my eyes and shook my head. Marley—strange name for a girl. She was a beautiful woman with long, lean legs who stood about five feet eight inches tall, with long blonde wavy hair, baby blue eyes, supple lips, a great body, and an attitude. But as beautiful as she was to look at, she was a little on the crazy side.

“Here you go.” She handed me my Americano.

I took one sip and stared at her. “This isn’t an Americano. It’s just straight-up black coffee.”

“They don’t do Americanos where I went,” she said, setting her carry-on on the floor and sitting down.

“There’s a Starbucks right down there.” I pointed. “Where did you go?”

“Starbucks was too far, and I’m tired.”

“Did Troy keep you up all night? Oh, wait. That’s right. You left and told him not to make it weird.” I chuckled.

“You’re an asshole.” She held out her hand.

“I know. What? Why are you holding out your hand?”

“You owe me six bucks for the coffee.”

“Six dollars? Are you crazy? For this?” I held up my cup.

“I can’t help what these places in the airport charge. I wasn’t going to tell you about it, but since you didn’t have the courtesy to say, ‘Thank you,’ I decided you would pay for your own coffee.”

I pulled out my wallet, thumbed through my stack of bills, and handed her six dollars.

“Thank you.” She smiled.

“Attention, passengers. Flight 2710 from Chicago to JFK will start boarding in five minutes.” I heard over the speaker.

“Thank God.” I let out a sigh of relief.

I wanted some peace, and I wasn't getting it with her sitting next to me. But as soon as I boarded the plane, I could finally relax.

“I have to use the restroom before we board,” Marley said, grabbing her carry-on. “I’ll see you on the plane. I’m assuming you’re in first class, also?”

Shit.

“What gave it away?” A smirk crossed my lips.

“The designer suit, your cologne, and your arrogance.” She began to walk away.

“Excuse me?!” I shouted, and she ignored me.

They called first class. I boarded the plane, put my bag in the overhead, sat in my seat, and brought up some articles I wanted to read on my phone.

“Looks like we’re seatmates,” I heard her voice.

Looking up, she stood there and shoved her carry-on into the overhead.

“Great,” I mumbled.

“Did you say something?” She sat down. “Wow. Oh wow! These seats are so comfortable. I’m sorry, what were you saying?”

“Nothing.” I let out a sigh.