Chapter 1
SAMANTHA
I was about to fall into bed when I was suddenly startled by the sound of my little alarm clock sitting on the side table of my room. When I looked at the time it was three o’clock in the morning. Five o’clock is my call time with an Airline where I am now currently working.
I was alone in life after my grandmother died two years ago. My parents were separated, and both have their own families. Sad to say, I was a product of a broken family. I just listened to my parents about what they wanted to do with their own lives. And me? I’m just a kid back then who chose to live far from them. I lived off the allowances my parents provided. I studied and finished college with a Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management. And now, I’m currently working as a flight attendant in one of the most prestige Airline Companies in the Philippines ... The Montalvo Airlines.
I acted quickly so that I would not be late for the shuttle service that picked me up from the apartment where I was staying. After taking a bath, I check my things inside my trolly. Extra uniform ... check my stuff like wallet, cellphone, and make-ups ... check. And lastly, my competency card, check! I shouldn’t miss it and I can’t get on a plane and work without that. When I finally checked that all my things were inside my trolley, the next thing I need to do is to prepare my morning snacks. Yes, I only have to eat snacks and I’m not used to eating a heavy meal when we have a flight and I’m still on duty for 12 hours. I only buy food when the plane I’m on takes off because that’s how I’m used to it. Maybe because from the start I expected nothing but myself, I didn’t even taste the cook of my own mother. Even my father was not able to accompany me on outings on weekends ever since when I was young. I have never experienced such a thing in my life. The last thing I remember being with the two of them was when I was eighteen.
“Hey Samantha Gomez, do you still hope your parents remember you? Tssk!” I litany bitterly as I was currently eating spicy Korean noodles which I accompanied with a slice of the bread pan and Yogurt drinks.
Because of my life experiences, I can really say that the love of two people in the world is not true. And first yes, the two people are happy while they are together but eventually, they will realize that being together is a waste of time. Especially if every time they meet, they will just criticize, make accusations, and until they will only hurt each other physically and emotionally. So, am I? I never tried to love a man, because I simply don’t believe in true and happy-ending love stories. If the love they call other people works out, I can say that they are the ones who are blessed with everything, and they are able to face the half-life that seems to be full of heartache and suffering when you start falling in love.
I had just finished packing my food when I heard a car honking in front of the gate of my apartment, so I knew our service was out. I picked up my trolly and locked the door. I’m already dressed in our uniform, so I know I won’t waste time.
A staff member opened the door for me and took the trolley I was carrying from me. We were lucky and the Airline Company we work for provided the service otherwise I would probably just commute to work. Traffic is still there although they will give a transportation allowance just because it’s hustle, so it’s even better like this ... convenient.
“Sam ...,” Jenny, my co-worker, greeted me immediately.
“Hi Jen, how are you?” I asked her because I knew he had just recovered from his illness, but she still had to go to work immediately due to financial reasons and of course, the company we work for is strict.
“It’s pretty okay.” It answered me quickly and even slightly tore off the scarf she was wearing.
“That’s good, you know it’s hard to be absent from our work and we might be fired suddenly.” I joked, I looked at the uniform I was wearing for a moment when I turned away because of my sitting.
“That’s true. That’s why even though I haven’t fully recovered yet, I went in. I also don’t want to lose my job. And then I heard that our bosses will be visiting us with Sir Simoun one of these days. “ I was a little nervous about what Jen said and told me. Will the owner of the Airline we work for visit us? In the first place it is good, and it is good to know how hard we work and maybe in case he feels sorry for it, he will give it more. I talked to myself.
While we were on the trip Jenny always talk about our boss Simoun Montalvo. One of the children of prominent businessman Lorenzo Montalvo. He’s the eldest of three siblings, and it’s really a bit scary to face him personally. I just saw him once on social media I really can say that being near him is totally an awkward moment.
“Jenny, what would Patrick tell you if he found out that his girlfriend had a crush on another man? What do you think?” I asked her as she still didn’t stop praising our boss.
“Samantha, it’s just a simple crush. I’m just really curious how handsome Sir Simoun is. If you will hear all those praises coming from the previous FA of Montalvo Airline how handsome our boss? You will definitely fall in love with him even if you haven’t seen him for sure. “
“Me? Being in love? Never in my wildest dream!” I assure her then she laughed.
“Samantha, aren’t you part of the LGBT community? Since we met, you haven’t even introduced us to your boyfriend or suitor, have you?” Jenny suddenly frowned as she said that in front of me.
I wanted to laugh out loud because of what he said but the ethics and breeding that I should have as a flight attendant still dominated me, so I calmly explained to him.
“Jenny, where did you get that idea? I’m a lesbian?” I couldn’t help but ask her, I even raised one of my fingers across my chest.
“Because you, why don’t you want to entertain your lovers? There were many guys who like you in our batch, even in our work but you didn’t entertain Edward and Raymond right? You always take them for granted.” This litany pissed me off.
“Whatever Jenny, having a boyfriend or partner is just a waste of time and definitely brings me headaches.” I laughed while saying that to her as I shook my head. She knows that I really don’t have time for those boyfriends. I am happy with my life alone, no one is drowning and dictating to me what should do and not. That’s my life for almost twenty-eight years of my existence in the world. Even my late grandmother just always supported me in everything I wanted to do, that is why I missed her so much. She is the only person who has supported me since I was a child, but she disappeared immediately.
When we got out of the service van, we immediately went straight to the place where we had a meeting and at the same time had a briefing before boarding the plane.