Chapter 199 Meeting the Parents (1/2)

Kyle went home the very next day. He applied for leave with the Principal and informed the others of this. Kay had wanted to go back with him but he insisted that she stay.

Initially, he had asked Kay to 'soften' the blow with Patrick (the Dad) but he changed his mind. It was getting really tedious to always have to convince his parents to let him do what he wanted and as time went by, this got to be more of a hindrance to his plans.

He needed the flexibility to act but his age didn't let him. That, and his overprotective Mum.

So here he was, on the way home.

Kyle was in business class, even though he could well afford the first class. He didn't like spending money unnecessarily, and would only spend as much as he felt was appropriate. Economy class was too cramped and first class was too decadent, but the business class was just right. It was comfortable and the flight wasn't long anyway.

Though he seriously hated flying.

It wasn't fear of the plane crashing, but rather, it was that he actually gets airsick. The smell of the pressurized cabin, the plastic aftertaste in the airplane food and the way the plane lurched upon take-off and landing which made his stomach queasy.

All in all, he always prayed that the pilot was good so that when the plane lands, he wouldn't feel like to puke everything out. Kay always laughed at him, even though she did take care of him whenever they were on flights. She pitied him but at the same time, couldn't help but laugh at the miserable state he often is in - especially for long flights.

This one wasn't long - just below two hours. Thus, Kyle gritted his teeth and told himself to just bear with it.

Unknown to him as he was too busy trying to keep the queasiness at bay, he was making all heads turn in the airplane. The way he sat on the chair, his eyes completely focused on the file in his hands, made people's heart palpitate as they passed by his seat.

His long eyelashes fluttered once in a while, his lips slightly parted as he breathed through them and whenever his tongue brushed along it to wet it, it made all the stewardess's face flush. They had to keep reminding themselves that the young man was still a minor.

As the plane took off, Kyle put down the report and closed his eyes. He felt the plane lurched a bit as it climbed and he gulped, feeling the familiar sensation of the pressure hitting his chest and stomach. When the plane finally stablised, he took a deep breath and opened his eyes.

Only to see the concerned face of one stewardess near him.

”Are you alright, Mr. Smith?” she asked worriedly.

Kyle gave her a sweet smile, saying, ”Kyle, please. I keep thinking you're calling my father if you call me that.”

The stewardess blushed a bit, her ears a bit red as she nodded, ”Kyle, do you need anything?”

”It's okay, Ms ...?” Kyle enquired.

”Clara,” she replied, ”Just Clara.”

Kyle nodded and smiled again - this time, his Million Dollar Watt smile as he said, ”It's okay, Clara. Planes just don't agree with me. I'll be fine in a bit. Thank you for asking.”

She smiled at him and went off, only to return with a can of 7-up and a glass with ice. In the ice, was this small round piece of dried sour plum in it.

”Here, whenever I get a bit of an upset stomach, I use my mother's traditional method. Try drinking this with the sour plum in it.* It workes wonders,” Clara said shyly, ”The sour plum is from my hometown and you can't get it anywhere else.”

Kyle took the drink, his fingers lightly brushing against Clara's as he thanked her, completely oblivious to what had happened. His mind was too focused on the uneasy feeling in his stomach to notice that her cheeks were now quite flushed red.

The other passengers noticed, though and so she quickly ran off to hide while another stewardess 'patroled' the aisle.

The drink did help Kyle a lot and he made a mental note to add that to his list of 'what to take when being airsick'. As much as he hated flying, it was going to be something that he would have to do a lot, especially when he's the CEO.

Definitely, once he takes over, he's going to get a private plane and hire the best pilot. His parents found that to be an unnecessary expenditure as they didn't travel that much or often, and first class was more than enough. He's going to show how much of a necessity it would be for him. Not that he would need their permission if he used his own money anyway.

For the entire flight, Kyle got extra attention from the very caring stewardess. When he refused the inflight meals, they'd give him peanuts and insisted he needs to chew something. Some even gave him their own private stash of goodies. When he closed his eyes, the stewardesses would rush to be the one to put the blanket on him.

Kyle felt that he was being more smothered than when Kay was with him. Still, he didn't resent them for it as he knew they were only concerned for him. The other passengers were jealous, though, and felt that it wasn't fair that the good looking ones always get preferential treatment.

Well, tough. That's life.