Boarding the plane

One afternoon, as Clara was reviewing a stack of reports, her secretary knocked on the door and stepped inside. "Clara, just a reminder, you have a business trip next week. The itinerary is on your desk. You'll be leaving on Monday."

Clara nodded, her mind already shifting to the flows of the trip. "Thank you. I'll take a look." As her secretary left, Clara opened the itinerary and scanned the details. It was a week-long trip, and she would be leading a small team of employees. She decided to create a group chat to ensure everyone remained informed and organized.

She quickly set up the group and sent a message: "Team, just a reminder about the business trip next week. Please review the itinerary and let me know if you have any questions. We'll meet at the airport on Monday at 8 a.m. sharp."

The first reply came almost immediately—from Kason. "Understood. Looking forward to it." His response was concise, as always. The others chimed in soon after, confirming their attendance and asking a few logistical questions. Clara handled each query efficiently, her focus unwavering.

That evening, Clara returned home, her mind still buzzing with preparations for the trip. As she stepped inside, she was surprised to see Dylan standing in her doorway, leaning casually against the frame. He seemed to have heard her approach, turning his head to look at her with a warm smile. "Hey," he said, his voice soft but inviting.

Clara blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "What are you doing here?" she asked, though the moment the words left her mouth, she remembered. He had texted her earlier, asking if he could stop by. She had been so preoccupied with work that she had completely forgotten.

Dylan chuckled softly, his good-natured demeanor shining through. "You tell me," he said, his tone light but teasing. "You're the one who agreed to this."

Clara sighed, a small smile tugging at her lips despite herself. "Right. Sorry, it's been a busy day."

Dylan stepped inside, closing the door behind him, his expression softening. "I figured. That's why I brought dinner." He held up a bag of takeout, the aroma of her favorite dishes wafting through the air. "Thought you might need a break."

Clara's heart warmed at his thoughtfulness. Dylan had always been considerate, always attuned to her needs even when she wasn't. "Thank you," she said, her voice genuine. "I could use a break."

They ate together, the conversation flowing easily. Dylan's calm presence was a welcome contrast to the chaos of her day. After dinner, as they sat on the couch, the tension between them grew palpable. Clara knew where this was heading, and she didn't resist when Dylan leaned in to kiss her. Their connection was familiar, comforting, and for a while, she let herself forget about the upcoming trip, the reports, the meetings—everything.

Later, as they lay in bed, Clara turned to Dylan, her voice soft but matter-of-fact. "I need to go on a business trip next week. I'll be gone for a few days."

Dylan propped himself up on one elbow, his expression thoughtful. "I'll miss you," he said simply, his tone tinged with a hint of melancholy. It was a quiet admission, one that carried more weight than he probably intended.

Clara looked at him, surprised by the sincerity in his voice. She smiled but didn't respond. She couldn't bring herself to say something she didn't mean. In her mind, their current arrangement didn't require unnecessary pleasantries or empty promises. She had been through enough, loving someone only to be abandoned, and she wasn't willing to risk that kind of pain again.

Dylan smiled faintly, his expression filled with understanding. He knew Clara's guarded nature well and didn't take her silence to heart. He never expected her to mirror his feelings. Instead, he gently brushed a strand of hair away from her face. "Just don't forget about me while you're away," he said, his tone light but with an undercurrent of vulnerability.

Clara's smile softened, though her eyes remained cautious. "As if I could," she replied with a teasing tone that carried a hint of sincerity. She appreciated Dylan's ability to read her so well, understanding her boundaries without pushing too hard. It was one of the reasons their relationship worked—he never demanded more than she was willing to give.

Dylan chuckled softly, his hand dropping to his side. "Good. I'll hold you to that."

For a moment, they sat in comfortable silence, the weight of unspoken words hanging between them. Clara knew Dylan cared for her, perhaps more than he let on, but she also knew he respected her enough not to push. It was a delicate balance, one they had both learned to navigate.

On the day of her departure, Clara arrived at the airport early, her luggage in tow. As she approached the check-in counter, she spotted Kason standing nearby, his posture relaxed but professional. He was scrolling through something on his phone but looked up as she approached.

"Morning," Clara greeted him, her tone brisk but friendly. "Ready for the trip?"

Kason nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Always. I've reviewed the agenda and prepped the materials. We're good to go."

Clara couldn't help but feel a flicker of appreciation. Kason was the kind of employee who made her job easier—reliable, efficient, and always one step ahead. "Good to hear," she said, her smile genuine. "I'm counting on you to keep things running smoothly."

Kason's eyes flickered with something—satisfaction, perhaps, or something deeper, but it disappeared as quickly as it came, leaving no clue to his true thoughts. "You can count on me," he said, his tone steady and reassuring.

As they chatted briefly about the trip's objectives, the rest of the team began to arrive. Clara greeted each member with a nod or a quick word, her mind already shifting to the tasks ahead. Once everyone was accounted for, they made their way through security and toward the gate.

Boarding the plane, Clara found her seat and settled in, her thoughts briefly drifting to Dylan. She wondered if he was thinking about her, but she quickly pushed the thought aside. This trip was about work, and she needed to stay focused.

As the plane taxied down the runway, Clara glanced out the window, the city skyline shrinking in the distance. For a brief moment, she allowed herself to relax, letting the hum of the engines and the rhythm of the flight lull her into a rare moment of calm.