Prologue

I was fast asleep when I felt shaking on my side. I removed the blanket covering my face to see what was happening.

My eyes widened to see a man naked on top of a woman. I immediately flipped upright on the bed.

"Putcha, Rachel!" I screamed.

They just laughed and were not even ashamed of what they were doing.

"Sorry, babe!" Rachel replied to me. "Is it okay if you just sleep in the other room?" she asked.

Out of annoyance, I took the pillow and threw it at her face. I looked at the man who was not even ashamed to flaunt his naked body. With no other choice, I left the room.

I scratched my head while walking to the other room where my other housemate was sleeping. Seeing the two sleeping soundly, I didn't dare to disturb them and entered their room.

I slowly closed the door and went back to the room. Opening the door, Rachel was on top of the man. Rachel stopped her movement and gazed at me.

I took the blanket that was on the side of the bed.

"Excuse me!" I snorted.

I wanted to slam the door shut but I just thought I might disturb others.

Laying down on the sofa, I covered the whole blanket over my whole body. I closed my eyes and tried to go back to my sleep. Several times I moved around and changed places just to sleep.

"Putang ina!" I said angrily to the wind.

I looked at the clock. It's two o'clock in the morning. I sighed and got up from lying down.

'I can't sleep,' I said to myself.

Standing up, I went straight to the kitchen to make coffee. 'I'll just pass the time while waiting for my next flight schedule.'

While drinking coffee, I used my cell phone. 'The funniest videos I watch on social media will wake up my mind.'

I turned my gaze to the open bedroom door. Rachel and her man come out.

"See you!" Rachel said and waved goodbye to the man.

Still reeling from what happened, I showed Rachel my annoyance. We have been working together since Aviation School until now. 'Until now she still hasn't changed from being a playgirl.'

"Good morning, Captain!" the man greeted me.

"Morning," I greeted lifelessly.

A few moments later, the two still did not end in caressing. 'Right in front of me!' Are they not ashamed to do that?

I just heard the door close. Being busy with what I was watching, I didn't notice Rachel standing next to me. She took the cup of coffee in front of me and drank it.

"Rachel!" I shout her name.

She grinned, "What?" asking while giving me a silly look. "He's the newly-hired co-pilot of the airline."

"So what? I'm not interested in your affair." I grabbed the cup of coffee from her, "If you want coffee, make your own! You've already disturbed my sleep. Now, are you going to drink my coffee as well?"

"It's love at first sight," she said. It's like she's daydreaming.

"You said that several times, but now you are still single. My god, Rachel! Doing such intimate activities doesn't mean there's love."

She looked at me, "You are a negatron. Look for your jojowain so you won't be too bitter."

I just shrugged.

"It's better to be bitter and cold-hearted towards them than to waste my time, love, and money. The ending is still the same. I will end up hurting myself. When they get what they want, they will look for someone else. Men are like hungry wolves that want to taste different dishes."

"'Cause you can't even make them feel important and that you love them. Your boyfriends are okay, but I think you are the problem."

"Maybe! I don't know," I answered. "It's hard to commit to a relationship that you know won't last long. I'm looking for a serious relationship. I want someone with whom I can open up. A man that can accept our differences. Importantly, the ego is not high, especially pride. Women and men are equal now, there should be no envy."

"Who is a man who is not jealous? You're a captain of a prestigious airline. The family background is also good. What I mean is your father. After all, you don't have to work anymore."

"Shhh! Someone will hear you!"

"What are you ashamed of if they find out? You should be proud!"

"You know my situation!" I said. "I'm going to take a shower! I have a flight at four a.m. Thank you and I didn't sleep much. Next time, just book a hotel so you don't disturb me."

Rachel followed me to the bathroom.

"Are you going to the anniversary party later?" he asked.

"Yeah! I have no choice, do I?"

"You don't want to see your family?!"

"They treated me like an outsider."

"But not your Daddy and youngest sister, Hershey."

"You talk too much, you know! Get out of here. I can't finish what I'm doing if you watch me."

She laughed, "You're so hot! It's a shame that your body is not useful. Can I find a man for you? I know your standard, so I can choose your match. What do you think?"

"Bad idea!"

"Of course, good!" she teased. "It's been a long time since you watered your pechay!"

I pointed the shower at her, "Go away and close the door!" I yelled in annoyance.

"Fine!" she replied sparingly while laughing.

To this day, I still can't believe that I will achieve my dream. I'm wearing my uniform with four striped epaulets, which is a sign of being a captain. 'I'm so proud of myself.' This is the hard work I earned after investing my effort, passion, and money back when I was studying.

When I entered the cockpit of the airplane, the electronic screen and throttle quadrant usually amazed me. I never thought that one day I would be in charge of the entire flight. Every time I sit on the left notch, it's a heavenly feeling.

Every time I have a flight, praying is one of my hobbies. I hope he will guide us to have a safe flight to our destination. Their lives depend on me, so I need to focus and do my best to protect my passengers and the entire cabin crew.

"Good morning, Captain Taevas," my co-pilot greeted me when he sat on the right notch.

I seriously looked at him and greeted him back, "Good morning, Captain Romeo!" I said in an icy tone.

"It's nice to have a flight with you again."

I smirked, "I don't remember," I directly answered him.

"The first one is we had a flight to Coron. The second is a flight headed to Singapore, and this time, we're going to Cebu."

"Okay!" I'm not interested in talking to him. Maybe I'm not used to acting friendly towards men, especially colleagues. I always distance myself because I don't like them to misunderstand my feelings.

There was silence between us.

"Are you attending the party later?" he asked.

"I have no choice," I answered coolly.

"See you, then."

In my peripheral view, I saw him again smiling at me. And it troubles me too much. I know this kind of movement. The ulterior motive they have bothers me too much.

"Good morning, passengers. This is Captain Taevas speaking. I would like to welcome everyone to Marcet Airline Philippines flight PR 101. The time is 4:00 am. We are expecting to land in Cebu approximately one hour and a half ahead of schedule. Our cabin crew will be around from time to time to check on you. Until then, sit back, relax and enjoy the whole flight. Thank you so much."

After a few moves in the cockpit controller, I clicked the button 'Fasten Seatbelt Sign'. 'We're ready to take off.'

Time passed, and we were ready to land. I sighed in relief when we landed softly in the taxiway. "Thank god," I murmured.

"And that is the third time I have heard it from you."

I look at him differently.

"Thank you for the safe flight, captain!" he continued.

"Thank you," I said with a faint smile on my lips.

I was walking on the Jetway Bridge when I heard someone calling my name. When I turned around, it was Romeo who was running towards me.

"Is there anything you need from me?" I wonder what he needs since we are off to work.

"Can you be my partner tonight?" he asked shyly. "What I mean is if you don't have a companion, I'm willing to accompany you."

"No, thank you!" I rejected him.

I thought he would understand what I meant by rejecting him, but he's too stubborn.

"Okay, maybe I'm too late to ask you. I think you already have a partner." He wryly smiled at me again.

'That looks!'

I sigh, "Stop pestering me! And please stop smiling at me like that. I'm not comfortable, okay?" I said, then went. I left him behind.

I'm preparing for the anniversary party. This is the third year I've been participating in the event. I am wearing a simple v-neck and a sleeveless long beige gown. I apply light makeup and style my hair in a braided crown. Since my height is 5ft 4in, I like to wear flat sandals. 'Which is very comfortable to wear since I'm not a fan of wearing stilettos or high heels.'

"Wow! You look so beautiful," Joan said when I stepped outside the door. Joan is a cadet pilot.

Rachel walks beside me, "I think our babe will catch the eye of many men tonight." Rachel is also an aviatrix/captain like me.

"I'm attending the party because of work, not because I want to catch the eyes of those men." I hurriedly answered.

"Let's go now," Carol said while looking at her watch. Carol is the second officer.

"Yes, we will be late if we don't go now!" Steph replied. "Come on!" Steph has the same job as Joan.

Going down to the banquet hall of the hotel, we caught the attention of some people.

Rachel bumped her arms into mine and smiled, "Those men are looking at you, Hera!"

"It's just your imagination," I told her.

"No, my dear! I'm saying the truth. So get ready for yourself later. I guarantee you that after this party, many men will show their affection towards you."

"I don't think so!"

When we entered the banquet, we headed straight to our assigned table. Around the table, I saw Captain Romeo and the other pilot.

"Hi, gorgeous!" Romeo greeted me.

I just smile and do not respond.

I mind my own business while drinking and eating. I respond to their sayings when they ask my opinion or something related to work.

Soon, the party starts. It's not only an anniversary party but also a welcome party for the heir of Marcet Airline Philippines.

We applauded our hands when we heard the MC starting the program. Soon, the MC calls the owner together with his son Aleric Zeus Marcet. Once again, we clap our hands to show respect.

"I'm excited about working with you all. I want to experience and witness how all of you do your job with all your heart."

When the music plays again. Rachel and the others stood up and walked along the middle. They sway their bodies according to the rhyme of the music. I'm not keen on this kind of activity, which is why I ended up sitting on the chair while looking at them happily.

Because of too much drinking, I need to pee. Going to the washroom, I met my dad and his family. Since I'm an illegitimate child and an outsider, I act as if I don't know them. But Hersey is different. She walked in front of me and held my hand. 'Thank god there are no other people around us.'

"Hello, Captain. It's nice to see you again." My heart felt warm when I heard her voice. 'She's my favorite sister, after all.'

"Be good, okay?" I said. "Go back to your family," I whispered in her ear. Before she let go of my hand. She hugged me.

"I miss you, Ate!"

I rubbed her hair, "I miss you too. Once I'm free, I will visit you at school."

"Ayay, Captain!" I know her love for me is real. 'She treated me well and considered me as her sibling.'

I saw the gaze of my stepmother and my other sibling. They are disgusted with me. Time flies and it doesn't change. After all, I'm the outside daughter of our father.

In the washroom, I was shocked when I saw a woman kissing a man.

"Excuse me!" I said. 'This is a public area and doing something like that is prohibited.'

When I passed them, I heard a cold voice.

"Get out!"

When I turned around and looked for the man, my eyes widened. It's the heir of the Marcet Family, Aleric Zeus Marcet.