Chapter 9
Chapter 9
The cabin’s tension had been as thick as fog, but Morris’s mood cleared it up like the sun breaking through clouds, bringing a sense of ease.
Truman was on the verge of introducing himself when Morris, as if sensing his intentions, intercepted him. “Take my seat. You made the mess, so we’re switching.” His tone left no room for argument; it was more than a suggestion. Truman, chilled by the threat, complied and took his seat. He tried to sneak peeks at the woman he’d been admiring, but the partition was too high, and he could feel Morris’s hostile stare every time he moved.
He muttered under his breath, “What’s with me? Not enough sleep?” Deciding to catch some rest, he planned to talk to her before landing.
Morris took Truman’s seat, which was directly in line with Cherise’s, a small aisle between them.
He looked at Cherise, who was gazing out the window, bathed in sunlight that made her skin look radiant. She possessed an almost otherworldly beauty, her features so strikingly perfect they seemed to defy the ordinary. Morris couldn’t help but smile, but then he frowned, noticing her shorts were a bit too short, her legs exposed in a way he found himself wanting to protect.
A flight attendant reminded everyone to buckle up, and the plane took off, soaring through the clouds.
Cherise put on her eye mask and settled in for a nap.
The business class was quiet and comfortable, everyone but Morris drifting off.
Two hours into the flight, an urgent announcement shattered the peace. “Is there a doctor on board? A seven-year-old kid in economy class, seat 27J, has collapsed. We need help immediately!”
Cherise removed her eye mask, quickly tied her hair up, and hurried to seat 27J, with Morris following closely behind.
In the economy class, anxiety was setting in. Some were concerned for the child’s life, while others were worried about their travel plans.
Upon arriving, Cherise found a child lying on a mat, pale, with his mother desperately calling out beside him.
“I’m a doctor. Keep everyone calm and don’t disturb. The closest airport is Betrico Airport, an hour away. Get the medical staff there ready,” Cherise commanded, her voice firm and confident.
The other passengers and crew looked at Cherise skeptically, her youth and beauty not matching their expectations of a doctor. But Morris had faith in her, and with the plane high in the sky and in an emergency, she was their only hope. Seeing the hesitation, Morris told the chief steward, “Get it arranged. I’ll take responsibility if anything goes wrong.”
The chief steward, seasoned from years in the air and well-connected in Betrico’s elite circles, immediately recognized Morris and quickly complied.
Cherise nodded to Morris, a silent thank you.
Morris’s lips curled into a slight smile. Instead of returning to business class, he chose to stay nearby, ensuring no one would disturb Cherise. He stood quietly in an empty spot, watching over things like a guard.
Cherise squatted down and looked at the child’s mother, saying, “Trust me.”
Cherise’s reassuring glance seemed to put the child’s mom at ease. “Alright, I trust you. Please, help my child,” the mother pleaded.