"Good morning. ladies and gentlemen. Welcome aboard Singapore Airlines flight 587 bound for Singapore. We are sorry for the delay in our departure. Please fasten your seat belt and refrain from smoking while the no smoking sign is on." The flight attendant instructed and I obediently followed.

I sighed due to nervousness knowing I'll be travelling alone. Mr. Lim cannot come because something came up in their household. He said that he couldn't trust anyone to handle his business than me so I was forced to enjoy this errand outside the country.

I looked at the vacant seat beside me and drew a deep breath. I faced forward and closed my eyes trying to ease away my troubled thoughts.

"Excuse me, Miss. Is this seat taken?" The Flight Attendant asked pasting her beautiful smile at me. I opened my eyes and shook my head. "Over here, Sir. We still have a vacant seat."

"Thank you, Miss Joy." a deep voice answered and the flight attendant smiled in surprise that he knows her name.

The man opened the overhead cabin and placed his knapsack inside. As soon as he was done, he took off his striking blue jacket and sat on the seat beside me.

"Hello, Miss." The man grinned toothily showing his perfect set of teeth.

I was able to take a good look of him and the man has the features of a British rockstar. He had broad shoulders and a nice built. What struck my attention was his mesmerizing blue eyes. They were a deep set of blue that made you feel like looking to the ocean's depth.

"Done checking me out?" The man chuckled and adjusted the sleeves of his polo shirt.

I blinked and looked away. Clearly, this man has guts to boast himself to a stranger!

I can see him in my peripheral vision when he rested his head on the chair and closed his eyes, obviously not caring the flight attendants' instructions.

We're getting ready for departure and the man beside me already found himself in slumber land!

The plane started rolling its wheels and I can feel the pull from below as the pilot maneuvered the big machine with ease and perfection.

Soon, I can see clouds beneath me, thankful that I was seated beside the window. I can completely ignore this man.

I must have been nervous that I kept tapping the armrest beside me and the man opened his eye to talk.

"Nervous on your first flight?" He asked with his eyes now closed.

"Huh?.. Ah, no. Just thinking of a lot of things." I answered and placed both my hands on my lap instead. "Sorry to bother you."

"It's fine. I was like you when I had to fly back to Manila on my own when I was a kid." He said and giggled, probably thinking of his experience before. "Well, I, for one, wasn't all fidgety like you are now. I was sweating like a pig because of it even though it's cold inside a plane. Just enduring a long flight is enough reason for me to be panicky before."

I looked at him as he narrated his story. He was mumbling on and on about how his two younger brothers made fun at him and decided to stood him up at the airport when he was a teen. Pretty soon, he snoozed off and I couldn't help but smile at his appearance.

I giggled and rested my head on the chair. Sighing, I closed my eyes and tried to fall asleep.

Then, suddenly, I felt his hand enclosed mine as if reassuring me that we will be safe.

I could feel myself froze at our contact realizing I felt the same way to the man who I met a long time ago inside a bar.

I felt the same way to the man who I exchanged sweet nothings inside a room.

It was the same feeling that I felt when I gave myself to that guy before.

It was odd. It's impossible. It couldn't be.

I felt hot tears welled up my eyes and tilted my head to see his reaction but to no avail.

He was snoring loudly like he found peace holding my hand just like that.

I covered my mouth using my free hand to silence myself.

He couldn't be the father of my children.

Hindi pwede.

--

It took us two hours and a half before we finally landed at Changi Airport.

I was able to calm myself and not jump into conclusions.

I decided to keep a rational mind and prepared myself for a business meeting in the evening.

When I got hold of my luggage and passed by the immigration, I consciously grasped the straps of my backpack filled with my passport, camera and laptop notebook.

Checking my phone if my rented chauffeur has arrived and found no message yet, I went to the ladies room with my luggage.

Doing my business inside the restroom was a struggle since I cannot trust anyone to look after my bags. However, I managed to survive my first day going solo on a trip.

Business trip. If I might add.

Making sure I have all my things with me, I glanced at myself at the mirror and went out the ladies room.

I sighed and walked briskly to the airport's arrival lobby.

Luckily, I saw a teenage man holding a signboard that says, "Miss Olivia Antonio- Hotel Michael" and walked towards him.

"Magandang tanghali po, Ma'am Olivia." The teenage man greeted.

I was surprised to find a Filipino on a foreign country. But I hid it with a smile.

"Hello po, Kuya Ray." I said and smiled.

He took my luggage and I followed him to our car.

I breathed in and started to look forward for this trip.