4 Commotion in the Air
(WARNING: this chapter includes misogynistic heckling)
Stiff as a board, cracking her neck made a sound the burly old gent, somewhere on my right, found quite alarming.
"Mommy! Look at the pretty cloud! It looks like a fluffy teddy bear!!" Pointing at her mother's open window, said her bubbly toddler sitting at A14. Her mother lovingly strokes her daughter's marshmallow cheek.
"Can I be of any assistance, Ms. Obsidian? Your fellow passenger..." the stewardess points at the kind-hearted gentleman, knitting half a scarf, nineteen seats away.
"... was worried since his granddaughter mentioned you fell asleep in an awkward position." Then the concerned stewardess points at the young blonde lady, with her nose deep in The Wuthering Heights, five seats on her right.
"Thank you for showing concern. If it's not too much trouble for you, do you mind giving them something for me? To show my gratitude." As I readjust my position, to ease some tension in my back.
"Of course, what do you have in mind?" The courteous stewardess flashed her service smile.
"For the kind gent there, seems his stash of almonds is running low. Add in any drink he might like, to avoid any accidental choking incident." As I pointed out the gentleman's almond stash seems to be twelve pieces till he has none left.
"And for lovely angel, I noticed her pouting when she finished up all her Lays chips. Do give her what she wants, be it actual food or other snacks." I pointed out the Angel had her hand on her tummy as if to mute her growling stomach.
"Is that all, Ms. Obsidian?" The patient stewardess asked for confirmation.
"Scratch all that. It's quite improper to impose gifts on others and base gifts on assumptions. How about you just ask them what they want? I'll pay for everything. Tell them it's a thank you for the kind concern. And for me? I'll like a Vanilla Coke if you have any. Maybe some peach juice?" I asked the accommodating stewardess.
"I'll check if we have those drinks for you. If we are unable to provide that, would you consider some tea? We have Jasmine and Oolong. Which would you prefer?" Two tea options were offered by this nice stewardess.
"I think I'll choose Jasmine. Thank you for the assistance..." Peering on her name tag (Cassidy). "Cassidy. Thank you again for hearing out my request." Flashing a sheepish sleepy smile towards Cassidy as I pull out my headphones, and have them hang on my neck.
"Oh my god, is her headphones from Meze?! Elite or Empyrean? I think it's Empyrean. Chick's got a face for missionary, that we can agree." Muttered the two curious guys behind Nikita, probably some fellow audiophiles.
"Hers is silver, that makes it Elite. Right? This brunette's unquestionably loaded." said the nosy hooded guy with the thick Boston accent.
"Forex trading pays a pretty penny if you know what you're doing."
Thinking to myself, I placed my laptop on my thighs, to watch some movies. If Gran-gran had her way, she'd have me seat first class, but I prefer economy because it's near the exits.
"Well, it also pays to be her only grandchild. But nosy people exist, regardless of status." Sighing as Cassidy arrived with her Vanilla coke and a bag of white chocolate chip cookies.
"But I didn't order cookies," I said as Cassidy points to the kind grandfather and shy granddaughter, that gestured a thank you nod her way.
"They insisted. They also said thank you for the food. Is there anything else I can help you with?" Cassidy leaned closer, waiting for confirmation.
Grabbing 8 cookies and putting them on the napkins Cassidy gave me, "Do you mind helping me eat some? I feel bad that I might not be able to finish it all. Help a girl out?" Flashing her megawatt smile, hoping Cassidy will pick up on my plea.
Cassidy giggled and grabbed two cookies, "How can I say no to such a charming lady? If you need anything, just signal." Then Cassidy nods and hums away.
Pulled out the stowed away table, connected my headphones to the laptop, and placed it on the table, waiting for the laptop to wake up.
"Yo dude! She got an HP Elite! Which one is that?" The blue hooded guy goes on about the specs of laptops in the Elite series. Based on his accent, he might be from Catalina in Spain. His Boston friend was losing his tolerance for his Spanish friend's techy lingo.
Boston guy scoffs and said, "With a pretty face like that, she's a definite trust fund sugar baby." these idiots make disgusting thrusting gestures.
With a sigh, muttered my breath, "Population of perverts exceeds that of sand particles across the globe." and pulled out my trading tabs and latest trade results.
"What the?! This chick made how much?! CHF and what-?! KWD?!" Boston guy probably dislocated his jaw as his voice was so loud, that some passengers in the back started to make more noise. The cabin crew was displeased with this sudden uproar.
"Even if I slave myself away for 50 years, I'll never be able to make that much money! Not even selling my kidneys would scratch her spare change!?" The Spanish audiophile didn't realize that he was thinking aloud.
More passengers are getting rowdier with curiosity and the cabin crew is seriously annoyed with the nosy perverts behind Nikita.
Trying my best to hide my triumphant smug reaction, with a half-eaten cookie hanging in my mouth, turning around slowly and I said, "Want a cookie?" and nonchalantly offered them my open cookie bag.
Knowing full well that they'd still be shocked, I smugly added, "I have boobs, ass, and brain. What do you guys do for a living? Other than being nosy perverts?"
"Perverts!? Disgusting! Stay away from her, you ass-hats!?" The female passengers gasped and threw death glares, as they sink further down their seats, pulling the drawstrings of their hoodies.
Cassidy came running towards me, after she finished conversing with what seemed like her supervisor, offering me first class to probably lessen the tension.
"We apologize for their unsavory behavior. Do you mind if I help you carry your belongings to the first class? It'll be easier for us to ensure your safety if we upgrade you to first class." Cassidy stated as she's trying to catch her breath while not holding back her death glares at the hooded perverts behind me.
"If it's not too much trouble? Mind holding my laptop?" Asked as I handed her my laptop.
"Of course, Ms. Obsidian." Cassidy patiently assisted me as we head to first class.
The cabin crew did their best to ease the tension as the male passengers hackled at the hooded guys, saying things like, them having no shame and other colorful choice words.
The noise in economy class subdued rather quickly the moment Nikita entered the first class.
"Gran-gran would've preferred I sat here in the first place," Nikita whispered under her breath.
"Ms. Obsidian, were you talking to me?" Cassidy chimed in on my left.
Shaking her head, Cassidy gestured me to sit in the far right corner, opening the shuttle door to a beautifully secluded luxury capsule.
"I do hope that experience didn't traumatize you. Some guys are such immature tools. My supervisors are giving them a lecture and a warning as we speak. If you want to fill out any sexual harassment report, just let us know. We're more than willing to assist you." Cassidy explained as she helped me get settled down in the black cushioned seat.
"No need to go that extreme. As long as they won't bother me anymore, I'll be fine." Doing my best to reassure Cassidy by casually shoving another cookie in my mouth.
"Do you need anything? A blanket? Some pillows? Some snacks? Someone, to talk to?" Cassidy seems genuinely concerned about me as if she already experienced it herself.
"I'm genuinely okay, Cassidy. If my requests will help you ease the tension in your shoulders, I would like a soft blanket and some pillows, maybe three. Do you mind if I take you up on that offer? About the snacks? Being harshly judged as simply a face without a brain does make one want to go She-Hulk on some delicious food. Mind lending me a menu?" I asked as she tilted her head to the side near the capsule entrance.
"I'll bring everything and the menu!" Cassidy beamed with her tasks at hand. Thankful that being busy got gave her a chance to be useful and helpful.
"Cassidy surely is quite nice. Better message Connie to give her a raise and bonus. I expect nothing less from Garnet airlines. I did offer Gammie that I'd do a hidden service review. They're all getting 5 stars and bonuses from me, that's for sure! But is it too much if I send a personal gift to Cassidy for going the extra mile?" I contemplated buying Cassidy a self-care package or an all-expense paid vacation.
"Mmhm, what to do?" my thoughts escape my lips as I sunk further down the seat.
Pulling out a note tab, listing pros and cons on both economy and first class. From seat materials, comfortability, leg room, and all-around cabin crew service. Their quick risk assessment is noteworthy and the hospitality feels genuine, rather than generic.
"Or maybe I'm having a soft spot for Cassidy?" scoffing then remembered Constanze.
"Dang, Connie's bound to be jealous." I really couldn't help giggling at the thought of Constanze huffing and puffing out of sassy jealousy.
"Miss the cutie patootie." yet another thought escapes my lips rather unknowingly.
"Miss who? Your boyfriend?" Cassidy curiously chimed in, all of my requested items in hand.
"My best friend, Constanze. I may not look like but I'm single since birth." I suavely explained to Cassidy while I sarcastically flipped my hair.
"No way! You're gorgeous and you're such a nice young lady. I'd assume no guy would dare let you go!" Cassidy enthusiastically responded.
"Let me go? Ouch... That part hurt." I muttered through my gritted teeth.
"Well, who knows? Maybe I'm meant to be a forever alone virgin in this lifetime?" saying this as I placed the three feather throw pillows around her, one on each side, the last behind her head.
"Or maybe new love will come when you least expected?" Cassidy gleefully expresses her hope for my potential love life.
Sarcastically laughing my ass off, she retorted, "I'm no damsel in distress that needs saving. Maybe my so-called Future Husband's stuck in a tree somewhere? I'll be sure to bring a step ladder everywhere to save his sweet sorry ass. Thanks for the funny pep talk, Cassidy. Wake me up when we land?"
Cassidy shook her head as I settled in my snuggly pillow fortress as Cassidy took off.
Cassidy gave me one final smile before she closed my capsule, then she said:
"Who knows? Maybe one day, love will come in to save you?"
