The next day, Jayden and Michael sat down in Aurelia's cafeteria-Plates of grilled chicken salad and fresh fruit sat before them, steam rising from their cups of coffee.
"So how was last night talk?" Michael asked, spearing a piece of cucumber with his fork. "Did you finally tell her who you are?"
"No talking while eating," Jayden said, his focus fixed on his food as he carefully arranged his salad into neat sections. "And no speaking after lights out-"
Michael looked up from his plate, a knowing smile spreading across his face. "Hmm," he said, leaning back in his chair. "I guess last night didn't go well." Leaning over to Jayden and slinging his arm casually over his shoulder, he shook his head sympathetically. "I feel you bro... it's pathetic. The great Jayden Blackwood-hiding from his own wife."
Two air hostesses sat at a table behind them, their voices carrying clearly across the quiet room. The first-Maria, with dark hair pulled back in a tight bun-leaned forward, her eyes fixed on Jayden and Michael.
"That guy that is sitting beside First Officer Torres is the externally appointed Chief Pilot," she said, her voice low but excited. "I saw his name on the executive roster this morning-Captain Blackwood."
"So handsome," the second air hostess-Lila, a blonde with bright pink lipstick-giggled, twirling her hair around her finger. "Too bad he's not straight," Maria replied, nodding toward Michael's arm draped over Jayden's shoulder. "Look at the way they're together-so close."
The second hostess widened her eyes in surprise. "You mean First Officer Torres and him-they are gay...?"
"Yes," Maria replied, her voice softening with admiration. "But don't spread rumors... they defy societal norms, bravely staying together despite the industry's old-fashioned ways. I'll guard their secret with love." She looked at them with a warm smile. "What a perfect match," Lila sighed. "Don't worry, my lips are sealed."
Michael and Jayden were completely oblivious to the conversation, finishing their meal and stacking their plates neatly on the tray. They headed back to Jayden's office, walking side by side down the polished corridor-Michael still chatting animatedly about his latest date, Jayden nodding absently as he reviewed documents on his phone.
As they entered Jayden's office, Lila dragged a cleaner-an older man named Carlos-toward the doorway, her eyes bright with gossip.
"Did you hear that First Officer Torres and the new Chief Pilot are gay...?" she whispered in his ear, glancing back toward the office door.
Just then Jane had turned the corridor and heard their conversation.
"No way," Carlos replied, wiping his hands on his apron. "I've worked here for ten years-Michael Torres has dated half the air hostesses in this building."
"Hm," Lila said, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "So he's playing both sides. What a player." She and Carlos walked away, their voices fading as they moved down the corridor-but their gossip was no longer audible to Jane.
She stopped slowly beside the spot where they'd been standing, her hand tightening on her folder as she listened to their retreating footsteps. Chief Pilot Blackwood... she thought, her brow furrowing.
Meanwhile inside Jayden's office, Michael collapsed into the leather chair across from Jayden's desk, stretching his arms above his head. "I need a nap," he groaned. "All this matchmaking and secret-keeping is exhausting." He reached for the box of tissues on the desk-and sneezed loudly, three times in a row.
"Who is thinking of me?" he exclaimed, dabbing at his nose. "Someone must be talking about me."
"Maybe one of your dear ex-girlfriends," Jayden said, not looking up from the stack of documents on his desk. his pen moving steadily as he made notes in the margins.
"Hey!" Michael exclaimed, pointing at Jayden dramatically. "You know me-every relationship of mine ends on good terms. I always make sure they're taken care of." He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "And I give them generous compensations-last one got a brand new car. They were all thrilled. So why should they curse me?"
"You should settle down," Jayden said, finally lifting his eyes to look at his friend. His gaze was steady, daring almost. "And stop making your father worry."
Michael groaned, slumping back in his chair. "Don't start with that-"
A knock on the door cut him off.
"Captain Blackwood, I'm here to submit the copilot replacement report," Jane's voice called from outside. "It's Captain Harley."
Inside his office, Jayden quickly raised his head up from his desk, his eyes wide with panic. He'd completely forgotten Jane was supposed to submit her report today-
"What do we do...?" he whispered, pushing his chair back slightly. "She can't see me here-she'll know I've been lying."
Michael quickly stood up from his seat, his mind racing. "Don't panic... just find somewhere to hide."
After some seconds of silence, Jayden's eyes darted around the office-bookshelves, cabinets, the small storage closet in the corner. All too obvious. "Quickly," Michael urged, waving his hands frantically. "Go hide..."
"Where??" Jayden asked, his voice rising slightly with panic as he heard the door handle beginning to turn.
"I'm coming in," Jane said from outside, her hand already on the latch.
"Quickly..." Michael hissed, grabbing Jayden's arm and pulling him toward the desk. "Bend over your desk-underneath it. She won't see you if you stay low."
Jayden had no time to argue. He quickly bent over, crawling under the large mahogany desk-but in his panic, he misjudged the space. His head bumped against the underside of the desk, then rolled forward, coming to rest on Michael's lap as he tried to force himself further under.
At this exact moment, Jane walked in.
The sight that greeted her made her freeze in the doorway-Michael standing beside the desk, his hand resting on Jayden's shoulder as Jayden's head was positioned in his lap, his body bent awkwardly under the desk. It looked for all the world like Jayden was giving him a blowjob.
The thick folder of reports dropped from her hand onto the ground with a loud thud, papers scattering across the polished floor.
Jane stared, her eyes wide with shock and confusion. Her face flushed bright red, and she quickly turned her head away, her hand flying to cover her mouth.
