Winning My Ex-Crush

Fenella’s POV

I sat on the plane next to Jessy. We weren’t too far from the cockpit, but we were still seated in the economy class section. To my left was one of the female models from Gene, while on my aisle side was Jessy.

The plane was still preparing for takeoff, but Jessy seemed restless. I figured he might need to use the restroom urgently, so I gave him some privacy in his agitation. Seriously, he kept looking back multiple times, his legs shifting uncomfortably, and I had to pretend to adjust the music on the screen in front of me.

“Fenella,” Jessy called out.

“Finally. Yes, Jessy, dear?”

“Um, can I switch seats to sit next to Mike? I’ll convince Alan to move to this seat if you don’t mind,” he whispered.

I sighed irritably and rolled my eyes. For Jessy’s sake, I got up from my seat and turned around. Sure enough, I saw Mike a couple of rows back, directly across from our row. Alan himself looked comfortable, reclined in his seat as if he were ready to doze off with a sleep mask.

“If Alan doesn’t mind, then I won’t mind,” I said with a long sigh as I sat back down in my seat.

Sometimes Jessy could be so insistent. I didn’t blame him, really. If Laird were on the same plane as me, I’d probably insist on sitting next to him too.

“Thanks, dear.” He giggled excitedly and quickly left me before the captain issued the seat belt warning.

Shortly after, Alan stood in our row. He stood in the aisle and smiled crookedly at me.

“I thought he wouldn’t ask,” Alan teased with his usual playful tone.

“Sometimes Jessy can be very shy.” I shrugged with a resigned smile.

“Can I sit here instead?”

“Of course, please, take the seat.” I lifted the seat cushion that Jessy had left to make room for Alan to sit.

I always remember him, no matter how much he was my boss. Let’s just say I was quite impressed with Alan’s humble demeanor and his choice to sit in economy class with his models. Ms. Lola usually asks to sit in business class, but I guess it’s more about her health condition.

The man sat beside me with a wide smile. He repeatedly adjusted his sitting position to be more comfortable. And with the same sleep mask as I had seen, he started pulling it out of his pocket, but he didn’t wear it right away.

I started to realize how close we were-even more, our arms were close together. Alan’s tall, large body made him sit on my side. Whether I was crazy or overthinking about it, I feel Alan has entered my personal space with his perfume scent. I felt like I was being trapped in my thoughts, and it was difficult to feel the presence of anyone else on my right side.

“Chewing gum?” Alan gave me a pack of gum.

“Oh, thank you,” I said as I took one and chewed it.

“This is definitely not your first flight, right?” I asked.

“Of course. I just don’t like the uncomfortable buzz in my ears, and gum helps me,” he replied as he fastened his seatbelt.

“Yes, of course.” I nodded.

The captain warned us to fasten our seat belts, and we prepared for takeoff. After the plane took off, several minutes passed until we finally reached a stable flight altitude.

I began to realize that Alan often glanced at me from the side. He seemed unwilling to disturb me while listening to music, so he didn’t dare speak to me, even though he seemed to want to. Until I was finally more disturbed by silence and finally removed my headphones.

“You’re not sleeping?” I asked when he didn’t wear the sleep mask like he did earlier while sitting with Mike.

“I don’t know; I can’t sleep.”

“Do you want to talk?” I asked.

“Pfft, a silly question, but yes, of course,” he chuckled.

“Have you had the therapy sessions requested by the court?”

Really, I asked because I was curious. Alan blinks when he hears my question and then sneers.

“Yes, already. Only once, but I already feel like being imprisoned,” he complained.

“Hm, but it must be better than going to real jail, right?” I asked with a shrug.

Although Alan didn’t tell me, Laird told me how Alan was scared of going back to jail after being detained at the precinct for two days. I even remember how Jessy and I commented that Alan looked slimmer because of it.

“Well, compared to that, yes. At least I have a robot-like conversation friend. Really, I don’t know what the use of a psychiatrist is,” he said, shaking his head.

“I’m sorry, Alan. If I could replace you and actually be the one to carry out the punishment,” I whispered with guilt.

“Hey, there’s no need to feel guilty. I shouldn’t have complained to you about this, right?” He chuckled, trying to cheer me up.

“No, really, I’m curious and have always wanted to ask you about it. We rarely meet, so I’m glad I finally have the chance to talk to you now.” I smiled thinly.

“I’ve also received the car you bought; it has been repaired by Laird, and so far it is still safe with Jessy, who drives me around places.” My body is now tilting to face him better.

“Well, didn’t you say you would pay for it by working hard?”

“Yes, but I still don’t know if that would be enough. Besides, you also work hard to get a lot of projects for me. I feel like you have sacrificed a lot for me,” I said, folding my lips in and exhaling a long breath.

Alan stared at me for a long time. His gaze seemed different, and I felt that our conversation was leading to something that I could not clearly describe, but it was there. There was something about Alan’s heart that I couldn’t express and couldn’t reach.

“Do you really want to return the favor, hm?”

“Yes, of course. I feel guilty, and somehow, until now, I still feel not enough to pay you, even though I have done all the projects you have given me without complaining at all,” I said.

He was silent again before speaking again. “Don’t worry, Fenella. I’m not greedy. I sincerely want to save your reputation. But if you do intend to return the favor, anytime I need you, I’ll ask without hesitation.”

“Really? Is there anything else you have thought of so that I can return the favor better?” I asked.

“Oh, hm, actually there’s too much in my mind, but I want to keep it for the future. Just assume I want to keep my golden opportunity ticket to be used someday.” Alan squeezed my hand for a moment.

“Yes, of course. Anytime,” I nodded and squeezed his hand back.This is property © NôvelDrama.Org.

Throughout our trip, we talked a lot about work. I also just knew that he was actually the same age as Laird. Alan’s parents also apparently live in Andover, just two hours drive from Boston. Even more surprisingly, it turns out he’s a graduate of the same high school as me.

Really, I didn’t expect the world to be this small. Although I feel we are not the same age because I don’t remember him at all, at least I feel a new closeness to him.

***

“Hola!” Alan exclaimed with cheerful laughter.

He woke me up from my sleep after a 5-hour flight. We arrived in Mexico City and were immediately greeted by instant busyness. There was no more time for relaxed chatting or sleeping.

Ugh, I started to miss my leisure time with Laird.