My world was shattered in the airport terminal when I found out my husband was with another woman. But a chance encounter with a handsome and charming airline pilot led me to a whirlwind romance in Paris. Still, my heart wasn’t sure something like that could last.
Brian and I were at a crossroads in our marriage, though I didn’t fully realise it yet. But I still had hope for us, so clutching my ticket to Paris in my hands, I navigated the crowded local international airport, trying to quell the nerves raging inside me.
I had planned to surprise Brian during his business trip to France so we could reignite our romance in the city of love. However, when I saw his silhouette at the airport, I quickly realised that he had a young woman in his arms and they were intimately involved.
My heart dropped as I realised he had deceived me. ‘Brian!’ I exclaimed, shocked.
He turned around, and his face reflected surprise and detachment. He let go of the stranger and walked over to me. ‘Ava, why are you here?’ – He asked, frowning.
‘I wanted to surprise you by spending time together in Paris,’ I said, and my voice shook as my romantic fantasy shattered.
Brian pulled me away from the others, pressing his lips together irritably. ‘This isn’t a good time, Ava. This is a business trip,’ he waved me off, snatching and tearing up my ticket. ‘And before you get any ideas, she’s just a colleague. Go home.’
Tears came to my eyes. ‘I thought we were trying to make things right,’ I mumbled heartbroken.
‘This was a mistake. Go away,’ Brian said coldly and walked away, grabbing the woman’s arm and leaving me crushed. I sank to the floor and leaned on my suitcase and sobbed. That’s where Jack found me.
‘Are you okay?’ – He asked, his tone infused with genuine concern. I looked into the kindest eyes I’d ever seen and noticed his pilot’s uniform that made him look so handsome.
After telling him what I was going through, Jack offered me a seat in first class to Paris with no strings attached.
‘Why would you help me?’ I asked, touched but shocked.
‘Everyone deserves a fresh start in life,’ he replied, smiling warmly.
Smiling back slightly, I agreed, hoping that Paris would help mend my broken heart.
In the comfortable first class seat, I felt a sense of peace that took my mind off my recent situation. This luxury was perfect for my broken heart. The calm was short-lived, however, because my Brian appeared seemingly out of nowhere, his face contorted with indignation.
‘What are you doing here?’ – he grinned.
I mentioned Jack’s invitation, but Brian responded with contempt. I could see my husband getting increasingly angry and blushing as he continued to speak, but then Jack appeared out of nowhere and intervened, his authority unquestionable.
He said firmly to Brian: ‘She’s here at my invitation,’ and directed him back to economy class. I thanked him, feeling relieved that someone had stood up for me.
‘You’re welcome. Enjoy your flight and remember that you deserve to be treated with respect, both here and everywhere else,’ he said, smiling as always, and retired back to the cockpit.
Just as I settled into my seat, ready to sleep through the entire flight, Brian appeared in front of me. His breath smelled like cheap vodka, but his words were even more surprising.
‘You think you’ve won, don’t you? Enjoying your little victory lap up here? Then listen carefully. The first thing I’m going to do when we land in Paris is switch off all your credit cards. Let’s see how far you get without a penny,’ he threatened.
Was this really my husband?
Before I could succumb to the fear his threats inspired, the hostess interrupted him and asked him to return to his seat. A few minutes later, Jack was at my side again and offered something I couldn’t refuse.
‘I will see to it that you are not alone in Paris. You can stay in my room and all expenses will be covered,’ he offered, looking at me with his bright beautiful eyes.
‘But why are you doing this for me?’ I asked in bewilderment. Of course I was grateful, but the world is not kind, and this man had treated me better in the last hour than my husband had treated me in our entire relationship.
‘That’s right,’ Jack replied. ‘Besides, I have a feeling that Paris could be the beginning of a new chapter for you, one filled with hope and healing. Allow me to be a part of that journey, if only as a supportive friend.’
Smiling back, I accepted his generosity and felt a spark of hope.
In Paris, the busy streets became a place of healing for me. Jack, acting as my unexpected carer, led me around the city, each day restoring my heart a little at a time. As we explored this amazing place, from the serene Seine to the bustling Montmartre, I shared my innermost thoughts with him, feeling an unexpected connection forming between us.
One evening, under the light of the Eiffel Tower, I realised that my feelings for Jack had evolved into something deeper. This change was both exciting and frightening, especially because I had just met him. Maybe it was all about this town. Perhaps it wasn’t real, but it felt authentic.
But the magic of this place didn’t end there. An unexpected twist came one clear morning when I received an email that once again changed the course of my journey.
In a fit of fantasy, even before I decided to chase my husband on his ‘business trip’ to Paris, I applied for a job at a prestigious fashion house that was being advertised on LinkedIn.
The opportunity promised a stable, independent life in a new city. But there was also uncertainty. Accepting the position meant tying myself to Paris, to a life that was still foreign and new.
There was also the question that plagued my heart: how would it affect my budding relationship with Jack? Confused, I discussed the job with him during a walk in the rain.
‘I’m so proud of you,’ Jack said when I finished explaining, his voice warm and encouraging. ‘This is an incredible opportunity. You’ve come so far, and you deserve whatever success and happiness comes your way.’
‘What about us?’ I asked.
Jack reached out and took both my hands in his. ‘What we have is special, and I won’t pretend that doesn’t make it harder. But I also know that love isn’t about holding each other back. It’s about supporting each other’s dreams, even when it’s hard.’
Tears glistened in my eyes as the truth of his words came to me. This was a man who truly wanted the best for me, who understood how important it was to find my own path.
‘You have a chance to start over, to build a life that’s all yours,’ Jack continued, squeezing my hand. ‘Whatever you decide, I’ll be by your side. We’ll decide the rest together.’
As we kissed under the twinkling lights and pounding rain, to the sounds of the city around us, I felt a deep sense of gratitude. Paris had given me a chance at redemption, and in Jack I had found not just a lover, but a true partner.
When we were preparing to leave, Jack offered me a choice: return to New York with him or stay in Paris to get a job. He would try to make it work either way. Touched by his support, I realised what I really wanted.
‘I found strength and love here, Jack, but you changed everything for me,’ I shared. ‘I want to give us a chance.’
So, on our last walk along the Seine, we decided to return to New York together, committed to each other.
However, the reality of our situation became apparent as soon as we landed at JFK airport. I met him at baggage claim, and as we walked outside, Jack voiced his concerns about the practicality of our relationship, given his career and lifestyle.
‘My job is more than just a job to me. Flying, seeing new cities, it’s part of who I am. I’m away a lot, and I worry about what that means for us,’ he said cautiously.
‘I love you, and even though I’m scared, I believe we can get through this together,’ I assured him.
‘It might not work out,’ Jack continued, and the words hung heavy between us. ‘Let’s take a few days to think about it. To think about us. I want you to be sure.’
I nodded, swallowing hard and feeling like our Parisian love bubble was about to burst.
Jack then handed me a voucher for a hotel stay in New York. ‘I don’t want you to feel unsupported,’ he said. ‘Take your time deciding what you want, especially regarding Brian. I’ll be in touch.’
‘I swear I want this to work out, Jack,’ I said desperately.
‘I still think we both need some time. Travelling can mess up brains, especially in matters of love,’ he admitted and we said goodbye with only a slight smack to each other.
I was alone in the terminal long after Jack had left. As I contemplated my future, my solitude was interrupted by Brian’s mocking voice. ‘How’s life after your escapade with the pilot?’ – He scoffed, holding his mistress close to him.
‘Go away Brian,’ I said, grabbed my bag and started to walk away.
‘Wait, dear wife. How are you doing after your little affair with the pilot? It didn’t take long before it broke up, did it? Are you out here all alone, waiting for me to rescue you?’ – My husband asked, mocking me.
‘Wife?’ – the woman sitting next to him finally asked.
‘Nina, not now,’ Brian replied dismissively.
Watching her face, I realised that she had no idea Brian was married. Suddenly her hand moved, and a sharp sound – the unmistakable crack of a slap – rang through the terminal. Nina had slapped him.
‘You lied to me!’ – she exclaimed. Brian, stunned, could make no objection. Then she turned to me, apologising.
I nodded at her understandingly. ‘It’s not your fault,’ I said, crossing my arms and looking at my husband.
Nina said firmly to Brian: ‘We’re done,’ and walked away.
I met my husband’s gaze, wanting to laugh but realising that I no longer had an ounce of love for him. ‘Goodbye Brian,’ I said and walked away from him, just as Nina had.
It was a release.
The revitalisation of New York reflected my own transformation. I had emerged from my dreary and lonely marriage. As I reflected on my journey with Jack, I realised that our shared experience had awakened in me a deep desire for adventure and growth.
So I decided to become a flight attendant, combining my newfound independence with my love for Jack and the sky. With his support, I went through the application and training process and our relationship grew into a fantastic partnership.
I was finally assigned to my first flight, coincidentally on one of Jack’s routes. Dressed in my flight attendant uniform, I met his proud gaze as I walked down the aisle of the aircraft.
His hug and the kiss we shared was filled with the promise of the brightest future together.
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