1. Khaleya Mathers #2
“You okay up here? Can I get you anything before wheels are up?” I asked.
Frachesca and Martin turned to give me their undivided attention.
“We’re good. But you can make sure everyone has on those seatbelts and get into your things. We will be wheels up in the next ten minutes.”
I nodded and turned to face that fine man once more.
The moment I made it back into the main cabin, I grabbed my things to go over the safety materials and answer any questions he may have. The moment I stepped forward, I smiled, and he gave me his undivided attention.
I ran through every little thing and even asked if I could get him anything before we were wheels up. But he never spoke, just stared like he was trying to see through me.
I walked over to make sure all of the cabinets were secured, then took my chance to get over to the jumpseats and buckle in after letting him know it was time. I closed my eyes briefly as the plane taxied onto the runway.
It wasn’t long until we were cruising at normal altitude, so I stood and made my way over to grab the approved menus. Then I walked over to him to hand them over.
“Is there anything else I can get started for you, since we will be in the air for the next hour?” I asked.
“I’m good, but can I get a blanket though?”
I smiled and turned on my heels to grab the blanket, along with a pillow. Then I handed them over, only for his hands to linger lightly over mine.
I released my hold on them and took a step back as they fell into his lap. His smirk wasn’t one I missed as he unraveled the blanket over his legs, then propped the pillow up to lay down.
I turned to leave when his voice stopped me in my tracks.
“You mind keeping me company? I’m not the biggest fan of flights.”
I wanted to tell his ass no, but I knew that wasn’t the Premier way. So I dropped my shoulders and clasped my hands in front of me before turning around to give him my attention. “Sure, but soon as I see your eyes fluttering closed, I’m gone.”
He chuckled, showing off his deep dimples.
“Love, my eyes don’t flutter. I’m a man. They might close slowly, but never do they flutter.”
His expression was serious, but the hint of his smile couldn’t be missed. I strolled over to the chair across from him. Then I crossed my legs before leaning back into my seat.
“So what do you want to talk about, Mr. Blackwell?” I asked.
He ran his tongue over his teeth before answering, then placed his pillow in the chair beside him.
“My father, grandfather, and the rest of them before me are Mr. Blackwell. Please call me Myheir.”
“Well, Myheir, how can I make your flight seamless? What would you like to know?” I asked.
I knew I could have picked my words a little more carefully.
The wrong man would answer in a way that would have me ready to slap the hell out of him.
But I had a feeling I would be guessing at every turn with this one, at least for this ride, since it was more than likely I would never run into him again.
“Dealer’s choice. Shit, tell me how you got into this career? I’m intrigued by people who get to choose their paths in life.”
The first question, I’d heard a million times before, but the second half had me intrigued. Why was that so important to him to understand? Obviously, that meant he didn’t have a choice.
“Honestly, it’s simple. I like to travel, meet new people, and try different food. What better job is there than this one, where I can do all of that while getting paid? Wouldn’t you agree?” I asked with a smile.
He nodded and tilted his head to the side, like he was looking for more than the answer I had given him.
“This isn’t your dream, though.”
He said it more like a fact than a question.
I shrugged and turned to look out of the window before looking back in his direction.
“Everyone doesn’t get to live their dreams all the time. But no, it’s not. I can say this, though. It’s close enough.”
Myheir brushed his thumb across his lips, then looked away for a moment, as if something I’d said made him think, before he returned his attention to me.
“I hear you. Well, shit. I’m glad you chose something you like enough. If you had an opportunity to do what you loved, what does that look like?” he asked with a lift of his brow.
I chuckled.
“A little deep for an hour flight with a stranger, huh?”
He smiled, then clasped his hands in front of him with a shrug.
“Humor me.”
I ran my tongue over my lips, then adjusted my scarf around my neck. I don’t know why it felt so tight all of a sudden.
“Well, alright, uh, I guess I would still travel all over the world. But it would be to experience more of the world. I’d also be getting my perfume business off the ground. It’s called Stamped. I have all different types of products dedicated to my travels and locations.”
His brow lifted and he sat up in his chair. I could tell I’d piqued his interest.
“I can tell you’re truly passionate about that.”
“How you figure?” I asked.
“Well, first, you relaxed for the first time since you’ve been sitting across from me. Second, I can hear your passion and love for it. I can tell this is what you’ve been wanting to do. I don’t want to assume what’s holding you back, so tell me.”
I smiled and bit my lower lip, then leaned forward, placing my hands onto my knees. I tilted my head to the side.
“You’re really nosey and pushy. Anybody ever told you that before?”
He laughed out loud for the first time, and it was as smooth as whisky, but damn did it have a rasp that made my nipples harden. This man had his full set of pearly whites on display like I’d told the funniest joke he ever heard.
“I’ve been told that more than once, but I would say those are just the qualities of a good businessman. Wouldn’t you?”
I shrugged.
“I don’t know. We aren’t doing business, so I don’t know how good you can be at it.”
He nodded with a smirk.
“Anybody ever tell you that you have a smart mouth?”
I returned his smile and leaned back into my seat.
“What can I say? I always have to get the last word in. Can you blame me in a world of people who think they can get over on you just because you’re a woman?”
“I hear you. But I still want the answer to my question.”
“Which question was that exactly, again?” I asked, while swinging my feet.
“I like that. Well, tell me—what’s the hold up with your business idea? Why are you sitting across from me instead of taking over the cosmetic industry?”
He asked question after question, not leaving room for me to bullshit him any further.
“Finances. I make good money here, but I don’t make enough to take a big financial risk. At least not yet—once I get approved for my loan, I will be on my way, and this will be nothing more than a part-time job I do when I want to travel.”
I hadn’t been approved yet, but I needed to speak it into existence.
“Well, good luck, Ms. Khaleya. I’m going to have to keep tabs on you. You just might get to see how good of a businessman I am.”
“Maybe,” I retorted.
I couldn’t help but smile as I stood from my seat and walked over toward the kitchenette. Then I slowed down to look back in his direction.
“Can I get you another water?”
He glanced down, realizing he indeed needed another water.
“Please and thank you.”
I turned back to face the mini fridge with a smile.
He just might not be that bad.
But I’m never going to see this man again. I don’t give a damn what he is talking about.