Charles's face was calm when he dropped that bomb of a question. As for Kaija, of course, she couldn't stay just as calm. She only tried her best to look calm.
"Can you please say that again?" she asked, still smiling.
"Do you have a boyfriend?" he repeated, calm as ever.
So her ears were still good. But why on earth would this man, of all people, even ask her such a thing all of a sudden? All this time, she thought he wasn't into women.
Everyone in S Country knew that Charles Kosonen, though already thirty eight this year, had never married. Some said he couldn't get off the fun ride of being single. Others said his standards were so high no woman could tick all his boxes.
As for Kaija, she happened to be into boys' love novels during her high school years, so she'd come up with some slightly different theories instead. But now that Charles had dropped the question directly onto her face, she couldn't possibly assume he'd only asked for fun.
"Yes, Mr. Kosonen," Kaija replied, her tone measured. "I have a boyfriend." My boyfriend just happened to cheat on me, she thought, but she'd rather leave that shameful part out.
Charles gave no visible reaction. For a moment, the air suddenly felt awkward.
"May I serve you a welcome drink?" Kaija added. "Today we have watermelon juice, lemon ju—"
"No need," he cut her off, his gaze turning back to the laptop.
Kaija's face stiffened. She knew her fate right then and there.
Goodbye, bonuses.
With a final smile at the guy, Kaija returned to the galley to prepare the meals.
Soon, a soft 'ding' came and the service light turned blue. Kaija was busy with the plates, so the purser went to answer it for her. A moment later, the purser hurried back and said, "Kaija, write down your phone number."
Kaija frowned. "What? My number? Why?"
"Just write it down," the purser repeated, handing her a sticky note and a pen.
Kaija was busy with other tasks, so she had no mind to argue. Once she wrote it down, the purser left the galley again.
Why would the purser suddenly ask for something so trivial from her after answering a passenger's service call? The day only seemed to get weirder by the minute.
At least Charles Kosonen was indeed the quiet sort of VVIP.
Throughout the flight, whenever Kaija passed by his seat or checked on him through the tiny gap from the galley, his face stayed calm, his attention fixed on his laptop. When the plane landed, though he'd left his bags for her to put up at the beginning, he took them out himself, then left the plane just as quickly and coolly as how he'd arrived.
Now that both flights were done, Kaija couldn't care less about Charles Kosonen anymore. She had a more pressing problem called Niklas and Marja on her mind.
Kaija arrived at Blue Dreams Café at 5:00 PM, dressed head to toe in black, face mask and sunglasses on.
Too early, she knew, but she'd been dead anxious since she left the airport. She only went home to change into this stalker outfit before heading here.
Plus, she knew Marja was the kind who'd always arrive earlier than the agreed time. If they were to meet at 6, Marja'd show up at 5:45.
To Kaija's surprise, around 5:40 PM, Niklas walked in.
He was wearing his favorite plaid shirt, a large bouquet of red roses in his hands. His light brown hair was combed back and styled neatly, amber eyes gleaming with anticipation. He chose the table just in front of Kaija's.
Blood drained from her face the moment she recognized him. He was always late on dates with her, and yet, he had come early for Marja.
Five minutes later, the front door opened again. The girl she'd known since elementary school had arrived, early as ever.
Marja was wearing a black body dress that flattered every single curve on her perfect body. Gorgeous wouldn't even be the word to describe her. She was a supermodel, the kind who could turn even the cheapest, ugliest piece of cloth into a thousand-dollar worthy dress.
"Marja, baby," Niklas called her over and gave her a kiss.
"Niklas!" Marja kissed him back. "You're sure Kaija doesn't know this place?"
"She doesn't," Niklas said. "She's working today. Still really into that lowly job."
"Aw, I feel bad for her. I know she needs the money, but pushing trolleys and serving people coffee on a plane? I don't know how she even puts up with that."
"She couldn't be as awesome as you, baby. You made it to the cover of Dazzle magazine again."
"Stop, you're making me shy again."
And of course, they kissed again.
From the table next to these two lovely lovebirds, Kaija dug her nails tightly into the flesh of her palm, the face mask puffing as her breaths grew heavier.
Why hadn't she gone straight to them to expose them and make a scene? Well, by then, her entire body was still cold and shaking. She didn't know how she could possibly face them both in that state.
She took a few deep breaths to steady herself. Then she pulled out her phone, and started snapping photos.
That's right, give her a kiss. Good job, baby. Now kiss him back and squeeze him. That's another great shot.
Soon, she had a hundred photos or so of Niklas and Marja kissing, laughing, cuddling and squeezing on her phone. She couldn't help but wonder what kind of face Niklas would make when she showed these to him.
She composed a text and hit send.
"Baby, I miss you. Let's meet tomorrow at 6 PM! Blue Dreams Café."
Niklas was too busy cuddling Marja to check the phone for her message, so Kaija let them be. She saved a backup of the photos, and left the café shortly after.
As she walked aimlessly and checked the photos she'd taken, some tears fell, but she quickly wiped them away. She was about to lock the phone when someone called.
It was a stranger's number.
She answered it anyway. Probably some delivery guy.
"Hello?"
A cold, mature male voice came from the other end. "Is this Kaija's number?"
"Yep, who's this?"
"This is Charles Kosonen. I was on your flight today, Kaija."