Chapter 1 1.

EMILY'S POV

"Congratulations, Ms. Belani," said the friendly secretary with a warm smile as she shook my hand. I replied, "Thank you, but please call me Emily," and my nerves were eased for the moment.

When I first entered the office after a callback from the peer interview, my nerves had nearly overwhelmed me. But now, it felt like a weight had been lifted off my chest. All I had to worry about were those first-day jitters.

The secretary introduced herself as Sophia, welcoming me to the team and explaining, "Because it's the busy season, most of the onboarding process will happen through email. However, we need to dive right in. You'll be on call three times a month, and the company covers your hotel expenses and travel. Just make sure to arrive at the private airport an hour before departure. We serve various partners, clients, and businesses, so don't be surprised if you're flying with Ms. A today and Mr. Z next week. It's not common for a hostess to serve only one jet, as our members have their preferences."

She continued, "Your training starts tomorrow with Karen, and your first flight will be to California with the Roberts, a lovely couple. Consider it your general training, but do your best to keep up because after dropping them off, you'll return here, and your second trip will be to Rome with Mr. Anthony Lucas."

Sophia quickly went through her explanation.

"Wait- by myself?" I found myself cutting her off, but quickly apologizing after realizing that I wasn't even two minutes on the job and I'd forgotten my manners.

Sophia looked over and simply laughed as she said "no silly. Karen will be there. You will have an entire 7 shifts, or in our case, trips, to train. I have paired you with Karen because you're a fast learner. I mean you aced the mini-training during the peer interview so I know you'll do well."

"Okay." I nodded sighing and trying to calm my heart which had skyrocketed from my chest at the thought that I would be flying solo just after one trip.

"Please understand that because of the high volume of travels, we would usually start you off on a series of easy trips, and move on to the more complicated customers later on, but you are an intelligent woman, so I have faith that you will be just fine. Just try to keep up with Karen and keep mental notes. When you are at the hotel with Karen, you can ask as many questions as you want, but never in front of the clients. I will email you the rest of your schedule by this evening. If you have any questions you can reach out to me personally, otherwise welcome aboard." Sophia delivered, as though she had rehearsed these lines prior to seeing me.

Slightly overwhelmed but still excited, my smile widened as I nodded quickly and added a "Thank you."

After exchanging our goodbyes, I was ushered out of her office, then I followed my way out of the building, and began making my way to the bus stop across the street from the building, which would take me into town.

Living near but not exactly in the city had it's advantages. As well as its disadvantages.

While sitting at the bus stop, I decided to call my mom and tell her to news.

Just as the phone began to ring, I noticed a black fancy car with a logo I didn't even know the name of, pull up to the company's building.

Curious, I tried to look busy on the phone but still kept my eyes on the car.

The driver opened his door, and stepped out. He was wearing a black suit, and a black hat. He walked around the car and opened the right back door.

As soon as he did so, a tall man in a well fitted black suit stepped out. I saw a quick view of his profile, but even with my glasses I wouldn't be able to see him perfectly.

His black hair was gelled and neatly combed. The front of his hair favoring the left side. He barely nodded at his driver and simply walked inside the building.

"Hello? Emily!" My mom called out and brought my mind back from snooping.

"Mom, hi. Sorry, guess what?"

"You got the job?" She guessed right on the money.

"I got the job!" I confirmed excited, as my knees bounced like a child heading to the fair.

"Oh yes! Bring on those European Chocolates!" My best friend cheered and I rolled my eyes as I said "yeah right, so you can tease dad because he has a sweet tooth but is borderline diabetes?"

"Yes, well that's what he gets after years and years of teasing me in the bed-"

"Ma, I'm going to stop you right there." I rushed out, just as my cheeks enflamed at the thought of what by mother was going to say next.

"Alright, alright. Well I am very proud of you pumpkin. You go out there, see the world, maybe even meet a foreign handsome beau and give me lots of grandbabies."

"Mom." I drawled out, then giggled.

"What? I'm getting old, your father can only get my heart pumping so much faster now."

"Okay, bye mom. Love you." I stated trying to end the call.