Chapter 1Wedding Eve Thunderstorm

The night before the wedding, Charlie suddenly became very busy. He couldn't even make it to the venue decoration as we had planned.

Feeling guilty, he called to comfort me. "There's a heavy thunderstorm in NewYork. Stay at home and don't go out, okay?"

"Don't worry about the decorations. Just focus on being a beautiful bride."

I couldn't rest easy, so I went to check myself. That's when I saw Charlie.

In a huge helicopter parked on the lawn, there was a woman in a flight attendant uniform kneeling between his legs.

"Respected sir, are you satisfied with my service?" she purred.

Charlie smirked and pulled her into his arms.

But that was my wedding venue. The helicopter was the dream Charlie had promised me.

...

The rain in NewYork came suddenly and violently.

With thunder and lightning, I returned home looking like a drowned rat, pale-faced.

My whole body felt hot. Dizzy and groggy, I crawled up to take a fever reducer, wrapped myself in a blanket, and dialed a number.

"Hello, I've changed my mind."

"I want to join your Atlantic Airways. Yes, as soon as possible."

After hanging up, the scene I had just witnessed kept flashing in my mind uncontrollably. I sneezed hard.

I never thought I'd leave because of Charlie, when I had stayed for him in the first place.

As the medicine took effect, I closed my eyes.

Soon after, I was awakened by Charlie's call.

The man's voice on the other end was low and gentle, just like always.

"Rachel, I've been so busy. Did you eat lunch properly?"

I coughed a couple of times.

Charlie immediately became concerned, "What's wrong? Why are you coughing? Did you not wear enough clothes or..."

His concern came to an abrupt halt.

Suddenly alert, he asked, "Rachel, did you go out?"

"Mm-hmm." I replied weakly, "I went downstairs to buy breakfast. Didn't expect the rain to be so heavy."

He breathed a sigh of relief on the other end.

"Didn't I tell you not to go out in the heavy rain? If you wanted to eat something, I could have had it delivered to the villa."

"The wedding is in a few days. If you get sick and can't get up, where am I going to find such a beautiful bride?"

I didn't answer.

My mind was filled with images of the helicopter on the wedding lawn, and the woman in the flight attendant uniform.

If I were too sick to get up, wouldn't Charlie have a better choice?

"Rachel?"

Seeing my silence, Charlie tentatively spoke up.

But his words were cut off by someone's lips, blocking his false comforts in his throat.

The sound of heavy breathing stopped.

He growled low, threatening the person with a mix of reproach and indulgence.

"Rachel, the rain was too heavy. I got drenched when someone bumped into me."

"Be careful, don't drive too fast."

"It's fine." Charlie's tone became cheerful, "Just thinking about being able to come back and be with you after these meetings makes me want to drive at 70 mph!"

"Gotta go now, I need to drive."

The call ended abruptly, with only half of the usual kisses and hugs.

A moment later, Charlie sent a message.

"Rachel, the wedding company just called me. They said there's a problem with the helicopter we ordered, and it needs to be sent back to the factory for repairs... How about we change it to a big flower ball?"

Does it need repairs because of a problem...

I recalled that eye-catching scene.

Or was it soaked with sweat during their romp and can no longer be used?

Actually, renting a helicopter for the wedding venue was too extravagant.

It was Charlie who insisted.

At 24, in my first year as a flight attendant, I encountered an unreasonable passenger.

He poured a full cup of boiling water on the back of my hand.

I still had to crouch down and clean up the cabin.

At that time, it was when Charlie's startup was struggling the most. I couldn't afford to rest, having to fly even with bandages on.

Busy and rushed, that scar remained there forever.

Charlie held me tightly, his heart aching.

He swore, "When I make big money in the future, I'll definitely take you on a helicopter ride."

"No passengers, and you won't need to serve anyone. It will be a romance just for us."

But he didn't keep his promise.

He gave our exclusive romance to someone else.

Everything after that was just his conscience trying to make up for it.

I don't want it anymore.

A confused cat emoji came through the chat box.

I lowered my eyelids and typed "okay" on the keyboard.