Chapter 640 - 636: First Time Flying

Yvonne Sterling spent two days tidying up at home. It seemed to be a habit she’d formed over the years—cleaning the entire house from top to bottom before any long trip.

"Auntie, it’s already very cold in Lorcain. It might even snow soon. You shouldn’t bring these clothes you wear in Veridia."

Cecilia Sterling watched as her aunt pulled all the clothes out of the closet, and she spoke with a hint of resignation.

For one, her aunt’s clothes were nowhere near warm enough for a Lorcain winter. For another, she had already decided that as soon as her aunt arrived, her top priority would be to take her on a shopping spree—just like she had done when her own mother first moved to Lorcain.

Yvonne Sterling held up a thick coat. "This one is very warm. I can get through the winter with just this."

"It’s fine for Veridia, but it really won’t do for Lorcain. If you don’t believe me, just ask my mom," Cecilia said, stepping forward to snatch the coat from her aunt’s hands. She then stuffed it and everything else back into the closet. "Auntie, please, listen to me. Don’t bring any of this. Once you’re there, if you realize you forgot something, just have Ronald ship it to you. It’s really convenient."

"But all of this..."

Before Yvonne Sterling could protest, Brendan Harris pushed the door open and came in. "What’s the hold-up? The car’s waiting downstairs. We’re going to miss our flight. Let’s go! Those first-class tickets Cecilia bought were expensive, so let’s not be late."

Cecilia pulled her aunt to her feet. "Come on, Auntie. Leave the clothes. I’ll take you shopping for new winter outfits when we get there."

"But that’s such a waste of money!"

"Some things are worth spending on. Don’t you worry about it."

Though Yvonne Sterling protested on the surface, she was actually delighted and felt a deep sense of happiness. ’Cecilia is so devoted,’ she thought. ’All my love for her hasn’t been in vain.’

"Honey, don’t forget those things we prepared for my sister."

"I didn’t, I didn’t! Emeric Grant already took them downstairs. Let’s go, we’re really going to be late."

The group set off with very little luggage. Cecilia figured they could just leave everything here. She had no intention of helping her aunt sell the house, especially since Ronald was still in school in Veridia and could use it when he came back for holidays.

This was Yvonne Sterling’s first time ever on an airplane.

Over twenty years ago, she and her sister had arrived in Veridia on an old-fashioned "green-skin" train. In all the years since, she had hardly ever left the city. Even on the rare occasions she visited her family’s hometown, she couldn’t bring herself to spend money on a plane ticket. The farthest she had ever traveled was to Brendan Harris’s hometown, which was only a two or three-hour high-speed train ride from Veridia.

「Airport First-Class VIP Lounge」

An elegant attendant personally escorted them into the lounge, informing them that all beverages, alcoholic drinks, and food were complimentary. Should they require anything at all, they were encouraged to ask any staff member, who would do their best to accommodate them.

"Cecilia, I had no idea flying could be this nice! There’s even a place with free food and drinks!" Yvonne Sterling exclaimed, looking around at everything with wide-eyed wonder.

"That’s not quite right, Auntie. Only first and business-class passengers get these kinds of extra perks. Economy class doesn’t have this."

Yvonne Sterling understood. "It’s a shame we had such a late lunch," she said, a little disappointed. "I’m not even hungry."

"That’s okay. If you’re not hungry, you can just sit and rest for a bit. We’ll get to board first, and they serve another meal to first-class passengers on the plane."

Cecilia settled her aunt and uncle on a sofa by the window with a nice view, then turned to get them some juice. To her surprise, when she looked back toward the entrance, she saw an attendant leading Randall Jennings and his assistants into the lounge.

"Mr. Jennings!"

Cecilia called out, hurrying over to greet him.

Randall Jennings’s face lit up when he saw her. "Cecilia?"

"What a coincidence! Mr. Jennings, you wouldn’t happen to be on the two o’clock flight, would you? That’s my flight."

"I am, as a matter of fact. I didn’t think I’d get to see you, but here we are, just before leaving. It seems we’re fated to meet."

Randall Jennings said with a chuckle, his eyes instinctively shifting to Emeric Grant, who stood beside Cecilia. Sensing the man’s gaze, Emeric gave a polite, cultured nod. "A pleasure, sir."

"Mr. Jennings, this is my boyfriend, Emeric Grant," Cecilia introduced.

When Randall Jennings heard Emeric was Cecilia’s boyfriend, his expression shifted subtly. He looked at Emeric with a newfound curiosity and appreciation. "Boyfriend? He seems like a fine young man. A good match for you."

"So, how did everything get resolved? You didn’t call me afterward, so I assume it all went smoothly?"

Cecilia nodded. "Yes, it did. Thanks so much for your help, Mr. Jennings. The other party didn’t dare to drag their feet. They finished all the paperwork in less than an hour."

Just then, Yvonne Sterling and Brendan Harris came over. Apparently having overheard Cecilia’s greeting, Brendan Harris spoke excitedly, "You must be Mr. Jennings! Thank you so, so much for helping our family!"

Randall Jennings smiled. "Don’t mention it. Since Cecilia was the one who asked, I was of course happy to help where I could."

"You... aren’t you..." Yvonne Sterling stared at Randall Jennings, a flicker of recognition in her eyes. But in her haste, the memory eluded her, and she couldn’t quite place him.

Seeing her aunt’s expression, Cecilia knew exactly what she was thinking. She leaned in and whispered a few words in her ear. Yvonne’s eyes widened in realization, and she blurted out, "That’s right! You’re the one! The big boss who went into anaphylactic shock at the restaurant!"

Her words made Randall Jennings burst out laughing.

"That’s right, that was me," he chuckled. "Were you there as well?"

"I was. We were all terrified. It’s a good thing my sister knew the right first aid. I’m just glad you’re all right. You have to be more careful about what you eat from now on; you can’t be so reckless," Yvonne advised with a serious expression.

Randall Jennings actually took her words to heart and nodded. "I won’t dare to be reckless again. After all, a person can’t expect to be lucky enough to be saved every time."

The group chatted right up until it was time to board the plane.

"This seat is so spacious and comfortable. The plane didn’t look that big from the outside, but it’s really long on the inside," Yvonne remarked, looking all around her, fascinated by everything.

"Aren’t the cabins in the pictures Sarah sends just like this? Once she starts her job, we can fly on her flights," Brendan Harris said.

Cecilia and Emeric Grant were seated in the second row, their hands intertwined. With their departure from Veridia imminent, Cecilia couldn’t help but look at Emeric with heartfelt gratitude. "Thank you for coming all this way with me. You even had to miss several days of work."

Emeric squeezed her hand gently. "I made sure everything at work was covered," he said softly. "I still have vacation days, so it was the perfect time to use them. I didn’t overthink it. I just felt like you needed me, so I came."

Cecilia smiled. Without another word, she leaned her head gently on Emeric’s shoulder and, before long, drifted off to sleep.

「Lorcain International Airport Terminal 1」

Jasmine Sterling, Lily Sterling, and Ethan Sterling—the whole family was there to greet them at the airport.

From their spot by the VIP arrivals gate, they saw the passengers emerging in the distance. Being tall, Ethan Sterling spotted them first and began waving excitedly. "Auntie! Uncle!"

"They’re here, they’re here!"

Lily Sterling rushed forward, clutching a bouquet of flowers. "Auntie, Uncle!"