Chapter 6 Rebellious by Day, Seductive by Night

"Captain Holland, the cabin door is closed, passengers are seated, overhead bins secured, and all crew members are in position. Requesting pushback."

Fifteen minutes before takeoff, Jared sat in the cockpit, listening to Rachel's voice crackle over the internal intercom.

It was completely different from the angry tone of the woman who had just cursed him for smudging her foundation.

Rachel's voice was now gentle and intelligent, like a clear spring flowing over the tip of his heart.

Jared paused for a few seconds before pressing the intercom button. Calm and steady, he replied, "Tower has cleared us for pushback. Ground tow vehicles are ready. Cabin crew, maintain radio silence."

Rachel replied, "Copy that."

The aircraft successfully took off. About an hour later, the intercom rang again.

"Captain, cabin service has commenced. Passengers have reported the air conditioning is too cold. We have adjusted it to 25 degrees Celsius. Will this affect the aircraft balance?"

Jared replied steadily, "No impact. Cabin temperature can be adjusted within the 22 to 26 degrees Celsius range."

"Copy that."

The two co-pilots exchanged glances and chuckled.

Moris laughed. "Flight Attendant Rachel has such a lovely voice... it's practically melting my ears."

David chimed in from the other side, "Don't let her voice fool you. She's not the soft-spoken type her name suggests. Back in college, she was already famous as the aloof goddess."

Moris asked, "Is she really that cold in private? Does she treat her significant other that way too? That sounds stiff and boring."

Jared listened silently throughout.

Stiff and boring?

Only he knew how soft and alluring Rachel could be at night-

like winter ice melting in his palm, pooling into a soft, clear stream.

But outside those moments, Rachel was rebellious and unmanageable by day.

These past few days, she had been especially unruly, leaving behind the divorce papers and walking out the door.

Jared's gaze grew deep and icy...

Moris asked, "Captain, what do you think of this Rachel?"

Jared's tone was indifferent. "She's okay."

Moris and David exchanged glances. Seeing his serious expression and the restrained tone of his voice, it sounded like mere politeness.

Had they misjudged? Did the captain have no interest in Rachel at all?

David looked at the wedding ring on Jared's left hand and smiled, trying to smooth things over. "Our captain has a lovely wife at home. Naturally, she's the best. No one can compare to her."

Jared didn't respond, as if tacitly agreeing.

The intercom was still on.

Rachel had expected instructions from the cockpit, but instead overheard the entire exchange.

She remembered what Charles had said.

Many colleagues in the aviation department assumed Olivia was Jared's wife.

When David said, "Your wife is the best... no one can compare to her," he was referring to Olivia.

And Jared hadn't refuted it.

Hah. This "stiff, boring, free bedmate" of his was nothing but a complete clown.

After over four hours, the plane arrived at L.A's International Airport.

"Captain, no medical emergencies occurred on this flight. Passengers in the rear economy section reported loose tray tables, which have been logged in the cabin report."

The familiar female voice came through the intercom, and Jared paused.

Rachel's tone was cold, as if hiding some emotion-

an emotion clearly directed at him.

His brow furrowed as he pressed the intercom button. "Copy that. Maintenance will handle the inspection. Thank you for your hard work, Flight Attendant Rachel. This flight went smoothly."

The final sentence carried a hint of testing.

On the other end, Rachel's voice grew even colder. "The cabin report will be submitted after the flight. Goodbye."

Jared's frown deepened.

She didn't even address him as "Captain"?

The intercom cut out completely.

Moris shivered. "Good heavens, she truly lives up to her reputation as the Ice Queen. When she turns cold, every word cuts like an ice pick... enough to freeze you to death."

David added, "She's got such a strong personality. I wonder what kind of man could ever win over a woman like Rachel?"

Jared's face darkened. He tugged at his tie with one hand and walked away from the cockpit without looking back.

*****

Rachel changed into casual clothes in the lounge.

The trip back to L.A marked the end of a duty period. For the final three days of July, she was forced to take leave. She wouldn't be able to numb herself with work again until August.

Pushing her suitcase through the airport basement, her phone rang-it was Charles.

"Rachel, is your duty shift over?"

"Yes."

"Then wait at the airport for a bit. Taylor and I will come pick you up."

"No need to go through all that trouble. I'll just take a taxi."

"Alright then. Be careful. I ordered some grilled meat and fresh buns for delivery. We'll have a barbecue at home tonight."

After hanging up, Rachel turned toward the elevator lobby.

This level of the underground garage was filled with private cars; the open-air platform would be a better spot to hail a taxi.

Before she could take two steps, an arm clamped around her from behind.

A familiar, deep voice spoke.

"Our car's right up ahead. Where are you heading?"

Rachel turned, meeting Jared's deep brown eyes directly.

"If Captain Holland is here to discuss divorce proceedings, I'm happy to talk. If not, then no thanks. I'm meeting friends for a barbecue tonight, so I'll just-hey! What are you doing?"

Before she could finish, Jared bent down and hoisted her onto his shoulder, one arm cradling her flailing legs while the other grabbed her suitcase as he strode off.

"Jared Holland! Put me down! What if someone sees us!"

The man chuckled. "Scream louder. I guarantee the whole parking garage will hear your echo."

"..."

In this position, her head was upside down and her chest felt slightly constricted.

Rachel endured the discomfort. Moments later, another wave of dizziness swept over her as Jared shoved her into the back seat of the Bentley.

Jared sat beside her and ordered the driver in a deep voice, "Donald, back to Galaxy Villa."

"Yes, sir."

As the Bentley began to move, Rachel fought off the dizziness and immediately reached for the door handle.

Anticipating her move, Jared swept her into his arms, placing her across his lap and pinning her restless wrists with his large hands.

Rachel struggled, her wrists hurting from the restraint, her anger boiling over. "Are you out of your mind?"

"Taking my runaway wife home counts as me being crazy?"

Rachel shot back, "Who ran away? We're separated-pending divorce."

Jared held her wrists with one hand and gripped her slender waist with the other, keeping her seated sideways across his lap.

"Rachel, divorce isn't like breaking up with a lover. It's not something you can end by simply announcing it unilaterally and then walking away."

Rachel replied patiently, "I've already signed the divorce agreement. All you need to do is sign it, and we can schedule a time to go to the-"

Jared cut her off.

"I tore it up."