  &quot;Hi,&quot; he greeted. &quot;I can see you are ready,&quot; Stephen added, extending his hand for a handshake.
  Michael took the hand extended.
  Stephen picked up the bags after handing the paper pack in his hand to Michael.
  &quot;Cristina baked you some snacks,&quot; he simply said
  &quot;Deliver my thanks,&quot; Michael said.
  &quot;Will,&quot; he replied.
  They both started to move to the car after Stephen had locked the door behind them. 
  &quot;I guess you already informed Pamela of your arrival today?&quot; he asked
  &quot;Yes,&quot;
  &quot;Why didn t Pamela come with you on this trip, anyway?&quot;
  &quot;Because I don t need her,&quot; He simply stated. He has been expecting that question since his arrival. This was the first time he wasn t with her on a business trip but he hadn t intended to stay this long at all nor was he expecting to make this urgent busine

   &quot;Ma am?&quot; she called politely. You can t be here. The bar is for first-class passengers only.
  Standing up, she said. &quot;I m sorry. I got lost, then I came across this beautiful bar, I didn t know airplanes have bars now. I will just head back to the lower-class cabin,&quot; she said, smiling apologetically.
  &quot;She is my guest,&quot; Michael said, breaking into their dialogue
  &quot;Unfortunately, sir, she will need her first-class ticket,&quot; the attendant said
  &quot;Michael Smith.&quot; he said to the surprise of both ladies.
  &quot;I m sorry, sir.&quot; The attendant said and retreated.
  &quot;What! Michael Smith?&quot; The woman said. Is this really you?
  &quot;I m afraid so,&quot; he said, calmly.
  &quot;How nice,&quot; she said sitting down. 
  &quot;Was that jewelry for the woman you love?&quot; she asked to bring them back to their former discussion


  Michael watched her out of the corner of his eyes as he placed the order from his phone.  She moved to take a seat far away from him. It felt weird to him, he wanted to make her comfortable but he didn t know how to.
  He dropped his phone beside him, crossing his leg over the other, he continued watching her as she fidgeted with her hands on her lap. He realized he hadn t in the two years of her employment with him had any conversation with her aside from the usual and necessary, which wasn t much.
  &quot;Are you okay?&quot; he asked trying to ease her tension
  &quot;Yes sir.&quot;
  Michael thought for a while what topic to discuss with her while they both waited for their orders to arrive.
  &quot;Do you have children,&quot; he asked, not sure if that was a good topic to discuss but the smiles on her face soon told him it was. Michael felt accomplished.
  &quot;Yes sir,&quot; She 

&quot;Hi,&quot; he greeted. &quot;I can see you are ready,&quot; Stephen added, extending his hand for a handshake.
  Michael took the hand extended.
  Stephen picked up the bags after handing the paper pack in his hand to Michael.
  &quot;Cristina baked you some snacks,&quot; he simply said
  &quot;Deliver my thanks,&quot; Michael said.
  &quot;Will,&quot; he replied.
  They both started to move to the car after Stephen had locked the door behind them. 
  &quot;I guess you already informed Pamela of your arrival today?&quot; he asked
  &quot;Yes,&quot;
  &quot;Why didn t Pamela come with you on this trip, anyway?&quot;
  &quot;Because I don t need her,&quot; He simply stated. He has been expecting that question since his arrival. This was the first time he wasn t with her on a business trip but he hadn t intended to stay this long at all nor was he expecting to make this urgent business trip but it had come as a necessity. Bringing Pamela would have made it all serious, and 

Chapter 37