Chapter Three
"You're a very beautiful woman. But please eat. The toothpick look is unhealthy."
"You're kidding. That's what you wrote in the note you left her? Why the hell did you do that? She was hot, right?"
Alex sighed. Valerie had been hot -- scorching hot. But hot wasn't the issue anymore, if it ever had been.
"I don't know, little brother. I think I'm going to just forget about women and enter a monastery. Even this stupid dating website is just a waste of time. They are supposed to screen these women, for God's sake. All they send me are these spineless bimbos just wanting to jump into bed with you because they see green in the family name."
"Mm, spineless bimbos. Sounds perfect. Maybe I will sign up for that thing after all. Send me a link to the website. Anyway, what did you expect? It's a millionaire-dating website. By definition, any woman who signs up for it is a certified gold-digger."
"So what am I supposed to do? Go to clubs and strip joints like you? Look where that's gotten you."
"I'm not the one looking for true love. I get exactly what I need in clubs and strip joints. At least I'm looking for strippers there. You're looking for non-materialistic, spiritually pure women with family values on gold diggers dot com."
Alex sighed.
"You're right. I suppose I should go to church or something."
"To get laid? I don't think so."
"Don't you ever think about settling down?"
"Me? Never. I'm happy just the way I am. If I ever stay with one woman for more than two weeks, hit me over the head with something. I agree with the old man on this one: ‘Never, ever, ever, ever let a female tie you down.’"
“Okay Sebastian, uh, my flight is being called. Good talk. I think. I'll catch up with you in a couple of days for the trip to Tahiti."
"Looking forward to it, bro. I can't get enough of those island beauties."
"Whatever. Catch you later."
He ended the call and looked at his itinerary. Los Angeles International Airport to Columbus Ohio. The Drummond Corporation had a small airline that ran the route. It was rare that he made use of Drummond Airlines but this was the perfect opportunity to check in with the little company that had started the Drummond family empire. He would travel incognito today, under his mother's maiden name. That way, he could get a sense of how the airline was run without any subterfuge or sugarcoating from the staff.
He got in line and began to take note of everything that was going on. Drummond Airlines was small; not exactly a budget airline, but not far off. Profits were razor thin and they were always looking for ways to cut costs. This particular route depended mainly on regular business travelers like himself. Alex was as determined as his father, Alex Senior, to keep the company afloat, even if they could only break even.
"Can I have your boarding pass please, sir?"
Alex looked down at the pretty flight attendant. She gave him a sweet and professional smile, one that nearly floored him. The last thing he was on the lookout for here was dating prospects, but this woman had taken him completely by surprise.
"Sir?" She repeated. "May I have your boarding pass please?"
"Oh yes, of course, uh..." Alex read her name tag, "Melanie." He handed over his documents.
"Thank you Mr. Murray. Enjoy your flight." She smiled at him again and then looked to the next passenger as she handed his ticket stub back to him. He didn't move. Something was wrong. Melanie's mascara appeared slightly smudged at the corner of her eye.
"Come on buddy, keep it moving." The gruff business passenger behind him said.
"Yes, of course." He moved along but slowly, not in his usual Drummond Corporation hurry.
She's been crying. He thought. Now why would I even notice that?
It wasn't like him at all to notice or even less to care about other people's emotions. It was something he had even taken training in to meet his responsibilities as a CEO. Sensitivity had never been his strong point even if altruism was something ingrained in his nature. They didn't always go hand-in-hand.
When Alex reached his seat, he struggled to get in. He was a tall man with long legs and rarely flew economy. In fact, he rarely flew commercial at all, preferring the freedom of private jets. The Drummond family had a fleet of three in order to meet all of their conflicting needs. He was an accomplished pilot and often flew himself.
Thank God it's only a four-hour flight.
He looked up and saw Melanie board the plane. He checked his watch.
Okay, it's a three hour and forty-eight minute estimated flight time with a cruising time of approximately three hours. That's got to be enough time to find out why she was crying.
As soon as they reached cruising altitude, Alex left his seat and headed towards the galley. There was a single male flight attendant on duty but no sign of Melanie anywhere.
"Can I help you, sir?"
"No. It's okay. Just looking for the restrooms."
"They're right over there."
"Actually, maybe you can help me. Who's head of the cabin crew today?"
"That would be me, sir. My name is Richard. Is there something I can help you with?"
"Yes Richard, is Melanie working economy or business class today?"
"Uh, I'm not sure I need to give you that information sir."
Alex took out his wallet and produced a 100-dollar bill.
"I'm sure the attendant you have on duty in economy will be just fine, sir."
Alex took out another one, two, three, and then a fourth note.
"She's in business class, sir." He went to snap the money from Alex's hand but Alex didn't let go.
"I'll need an upgrade." He said.
"That's gonna cost you. I could get in serious trouble over that."
"Get me a seat right in front of her and I'll make it worth your while. Double or quits."
"Go back to your seat. Leave it to me. I'll see what I can do."
Ten minutes later, the man was back.
"I think I have just the seat for you sir. Please follow me."
One thousand dollars for a seat in front of a flight attendant who works on the family airline. I must be crazy.
Alex took his seat and waited. For ten minutes there was still no sign of Melanie anywhere. Then the seatbelt sign went on and the captain's voice came over the PA system:
"We're about to experience a little turbulence ladies and gentlemen. Nothing to be alarmed about, but please do pay attention to the seatbelt signs and remain in your seats until the seatbelt sign is turned off. Flight crew, please take your seats as well."
The turbulence hit as soon as the captain had signed off.
Alex was cursing the head of the cabin crew when Melanie appeared in front of him and strapped herself in directly opposite of his seat. She was surprised to see it occupied. She didn't look happy but then she gave him that sweet smile again.
"Upgrade?" She inquired.
"Something like that."
Her eyes were red and her makeup looked like it had been hastily redone.
"Is everything okay?" He asked.
"Nothing to worry about sir." She replied. "Just a little turbulence, nothing out of the ordinary."
He smiled. "I'm not worried about the turbulence, Melanie."
"I don't understand."
"Forgive me for being forward but you look like you've been crying."
"No I haven't. I'm just tired from an overnight flight. My eyes are a little sore."
He continued looking at her and didn't buy her story for a minute. Alex Drummond may not have been the most sensitive man in the world but he had plenty of experience with women.
"It's okay." He said softly. "I'm sorry for intruding. It's just that you seem like a nice person and you looked like you were in pain, but it's my mistake. Please forgive me."
The plane began to shudder from the turbulence and they were forced to silence. Melanie couldn't help but look back at the handsome stranger who was taking such an interest in her. She hadn't noticed him until he suddenly appeared in the spot directly opposite her own. He was still looking at her and she knew he didn't believe her. It was as if she couldn't lie to him.
She felt tears coming to her eyes and fought to hold them back. Alex nodded his head.
"Bad day?" He ventured. The plane banked sharply and both of them let out a gasp of surprise. The aircraft steadied again and they exchanged another smile.
"Something like that." She said. Alex drew a brilliant white handkerchief out of his pocket and offered it to her. She laughed again.
"You're kidding me, right?"
"Well, at least it put a smile on your face, right?"
"What are you, the last living gentleman in the United States of America?"
"Maybe. I hope not. Look, seriously, if you need it, take it. I always carry a spare and its brand new."
Melanie looked incredulous. The florid initials AD were in the corner. She smiled again and took it from him, then dabbed her eyes, and handed it back.
"Don't be silly." He said. "I can't possibly take it back; just use it until you need it."
"You really are a smooth one." She said. He smiled and held her gaze until she smiled again. Melanie didn't know what the gallant stranger was doing to her, but she liked it.
"So come on Melanie, tell me: What's wrong with you today? You never know, maybe I can help?"
"Do you always offer help to complete strangers?"
"Never." He said firmly. "But I've never met a complete stranger like you before."
He watched a slight blush come to her pretty face.
"You stop it now." She said. "Before I get the wrong idea."
"How do you know it would be the wrong idea?"
"Oh, you are good. Really good. Too good. Way too smooth for me."
"Look, why don't you just try me? It never hurts to share a burden."
“Okay." She sighed. "Have you got a million dollars?"
"Well, not on me." He laughed.
"I didn't think so."
"What do you need a million dollars for?"
"It's my mother. She's in a nursing home in Florida. But it turns out her care and medical bills have been unpaid for the last year and the debt has been mounting up and now we owe them nearly a million in total and on my salary as a flight attendant, that might as well be a billion dollars. If she can't pay $10,000 by the end of the month, they're going to evict her." Melanie began to tear up again.
"God, Melanie. I'm sorry to hear that. Isn't there anywhere your mother could stay?"
"She could stay with me, but she needs round-the-clock supervision and I'm hardly on the ground half the week with my schedule." She stopped abruptly. The seat belt sign had gone off. She released her buckle and stood up.
"Sir, I'm very sorry. I shouldn't have talked about my personal life like this. It's very unprofessional, and I should know better. I'd be grateful if you didn't mention this to anyone."
"Don't worry; I won't mention it to a soul. It'll be our secret."
"Thank you. I appreciate that." She turned from him to go towards the galley.
"On one condition." He said. Melanie froze. Drummond Airlines were strict on crew etiquette and the cabin crew manager on duty was the Nazi version of a flight attendant. She turned back to the man whose name she still didn't even know.
"What is it?" She asked nervously. He looked at her and smiled.