Jade stepped out of the sleek black sedan and onto the private tarmac, the cool morning breeze immediately sweeping across her face. She clutched her bag tightly, her heart pounding as she stared at the small but stunning private jet sitting on the runway. Its white body gleamed in the early morning sunlight, the gold accents near the windows adding an almost regal quality to it.
“This is insane,” she whispered to herself, still unable to fully wrap her mind around the fact that this was her new job.
“Ms. Nguyen?”
Jade spun around, startled. A tall man in a crisp navy-blue pilot’s uniform was walking toward her, his cap tilted neatly on his head. He looked to be in his mid-forties, with short silver hair and a kind but professional demeanor.
“Yes?” Jade replied, trying to sound calm and composed, though she was sure her nerves were showing.
The man extended his hand, his smile warm. “I’m Captain Harris. I’ll be your pilot today. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Jade shook his hand quickly, nodding. “Nice to meet you too, Captain.”
“You’re the first one here,” Captain Harris said, gesturing for her to follow him. “Come, I’ll give you a quick tour and show you around the jet before the others arrive.”
Jade’s eyes widened as she fell into step beside him. “That would be great. Thank you.”
The captain led her across the tarmac toward the jet. Up close, it was even more impressive. The stairs leading up to the cabin were lined with a silver railing that gleamed in the sunlight. Everything about it screamed luxury.
As they climbed the steps, Captain Harris glanced over his shoulder. “Ever been on a private jet before?”
Jade let out a breathy laugh. “Not even close.”
“Well, today’s your lucky day.”
He opened the cabin door, stepping inside first before ushering her in. The moment Jade entered, her breath caught in her throat.
The interior of the jet was nothing short of spectacular. The cabin stretched longer than she’d imagined, with plush leather seats in soft cream arranged in pairs on either side of a wide aisle. Each seat had its own polished mahogany table and soft gold trim, making the space look both modern and timeless.
“Wow,” Jade breathed, her eyes darting from the ceiling—lined with subtle, warm LED lights—to the elegant carpeting beneath her feet. “This is… incredible.”
Captain Harris chuckled lightly, obviously used to people’s reactions. “Glad you think so. Let me show you the basics.”
He walked her through the main cabin, pointing out where the passengers would sit and where their baggage could be stowed. There was even a small lounge area toward the back, complete with a curved sofa and a minibar built into the wall.
“The galley is here,” he said, stopping at a narrow but pristine kitchenette area. “This is where you’ll prepare refreshments. We always keep it stocked with basics, but champagne is usually a must for the guests.”
Jade nodded, taking mental notes as she glanced at the perfectly arranged shelves, sparkling glasses, and chilled bottles of champagne tucked into a mini-fridge.
“Here’s the restroom,” Captain Harris continued, gesturing toward a sleek door that looked far too fancy to belong on a plane. “And you’ll find blankets, pillows, and other amenities in the storage compartment near the rear. Your job is to ensure the cabin stays impeccable and to attend to anything the passengers need.”
“I can do that,” Jade replied, more to herself than him, trying to push down the lingering nerves.
Captain Harris turned to face her fully, his kind smile softening his otherwise professional expression. “You’ll do fine, Ms. Nguyen. First days are always nerve-wracking, but you’re in good hands. Milan, Enzo, and Thiago expect professionalism, yes, but they’re not unreasonable. If you stay on top of things, you’ll be just fine.”
“Thank you,” Jade said sincerely, feeling a bit of relief at his words.
“Now,” Captain Harris said, checking his watch, “you’ve got about twenty minutes before they arrive. You might want to get the cabin ready—put out some champagne, fluff the pillows, and double-check everything.”
“Got it.”
With a small nod, Captain Harris disappeared into the cockpit, leaving Jade alone.
Jade immediately sprang into action. She moved through the cabin with a focused energy, determined not to mess this up. First, she grabbed a chilled bottle of champagne from the galley, carefully popping the cork and pouring it into three crystal flutes she set on a polished tray. She placed the tray on the table closest to the entrance, arranging it perfectly.
Next, she fluffed the throw pillows in the lounge area, smoothing out the cream cushions until they looked like they belonged in a magazine spread. She checked the blankets, neatly folding one over the back of the curved sofa just in case someone wanted it.
“Everything has to be perfect,” she whispered to herself as she moved quickly through the space.
Stepping back to admire her work, Jade felt a small sense of pride. The cabin looked stunning—polished, pristine, and inviting.
I can do this, she thought. I just need to stay calm and focused.
As if on cue, the sound of car doors slamming shut outside jolted her out of her thoughts. Her heart skipped a beat, and she rushed to peek out the cabin window.
A sleek black SUV had pulled up to the jet, its doors now opening.
Jade’s stomach flipped as she spotted them. Milan was the first to step out, as calm and composed as ever, his dark suit tailored perfectly and his icy-blue eyes sharp as he glanced toward the jet. Enzo followed, wearing a more relaxed black button-down with the sleeves rolled up, his usual smug grin firmly in place. Thiago was last, his hair tied back and his sunglasses perched casually on his face, his posture as confident and careless as ever.
Jade’s throat tightened as the three men strode toward the stairs, their presence somehow magnetic even from afar.
“This is it,” she whispered, her pulse quickening.
The cabin door opened. Footsteps clanged against the metal steps, growing louder with every second.
And then, there they were.