First Flyght – Chapter 12

I leave the Flyght building stunned. The hot Palo Alto sun beams down on me, so I dig through my bag to find my sunglasses. Good thing I have them too because I don’t want anyone to see me cry.

I walk for blocks, aimless and uncertain, before I stop and sit down in a public park. I need to get myself together. I’m the captain of the ship now, and I can’t rely on anyone else to make decisions for our well being. This is it, just me, holding all the cards. Captain Vivian has to make things work.

While watching a young couple walk in the park and hold hands, I consider my options. If Flyght is not going to work out, I need Marcelo to step up his efforts and find men for my relationship network sooner rather than later. With more men and a more diverse arrangement, I may be able to leverage my consorts into helping us find shipping contracts and support the purchase of the family farm. This is not ideal though. Not at all. I would be borrowing money to repurchase something that belonged to me in the first place. This could get me into even more debt and could create bad blood among the men I would spend most of my life with. Besides, my family ‘fortune’ is supposed to be a positive point for these men, too. Even with the house and land in foreclosure, we’re still in a better spot than most people because we have a chance of getting it back.

But not if I can’t earn more money.

I lean forward and rest my head in my hands. How can I earn more money if I can’t fly for Flyght?

Well, unfortunately, there are only two options left.

We either go rogue and take flights under the table at significant risk to ourselves, or we give up. I can give up, go home, beg for forgiveness, and try to find a job doing hydro- and aquaponics for other companies. I must admit that the idea doesn’t sound too bad. Being someone else’s employee would be eye-opening. It might be hard to get other companies or other farming families to trust me though. The main problem is they’ve always been competitors. We don’t have bad blood between us or anything, but I bet none of them would hire me because they’d want to keep their family’s trade secrets to themselves.

I sigh as I sit back up. I’m so screwed.

And then I see him.

I’d recognize that stride anywhere.

Ken.

His head is down, his eyes covered by sunglasses, and I can tell he’s lost in thought, totally preoccupied. Oh man, this is the worst timing ever. His company just denied me a living, I’m on the verge of being broke and possibly homeless, and he looks like he just stepped out of the society’s trending video feed everyone loves to hate. Those pants, they’re expensive and cut just right. He’s finally dressed the way he always wanted to as a poor university student. His messenger bag bounces against his hip, probably carrying gym clothes or a meal. He was never without something to eat. That was one of many things we had in common.

I reach up to my sunglasses and hide my face behind my hand. I don’t want him to see me, not now, not here. He’s all grace, long strides, and the demeanor of a predator cat, ready to stalk his prey until they submit. Not that he was ever anything but a gentleman with me, but he knows how to command a room. Always did.

Whoever he’s dating now sure has her hands full.

And I don’t doubt he has a girlfriend. He may even be someone’s consort, on his way to husband status, by now.

Once he’s passed me, I admire his backside until he’s far off into the distance and around a corner on his way to the Flyght building. I’m so glad he didn’t look up and spot me. I’m not in the right mood or place to talk to him, not yet. Maybe not ever.

Yeah, not ever. I wanted to marry him, and he wanted to marry me. And I blew it, just like I totally blew the Flyght interview. He would only laugh to see me now, or worse, pity me. I’d rather pick up a miner job on Avenal before I crossed paths with him again.

Nah, I wouldn’t do that. I’m no good without sunlight. Okay, I’d take a job hauling manure. Yeah, that’s more my speed.

Feeling a little better, I flip on my wristlet and try to contact Marcelo. He doesn’t pick up, so I check my messages. His face appears before me. “Vivian, I hope the interview has gone well. I’m in the city following up on leads for potential suitors for you and for a few other clients. I’ll be unavailable until later today. So I’ll see you back on the Amagi around dinner time for a debriefing.” The message blinks out, and I sigh. I have a few hours to get used to the fact that I failed.

Maybe it’s time to go shopping.