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Arianna didn’t let it go to her head. Like she kept her cool around the kind of First Class passengers that made her heart race.
Because she was still a grown woman with certain attractions… no matter how much she attempted to keep her private life quiet while working four days a week.
“Excuse me.”
Arianna stopped in the middle of the aisle and immediately turned toward the passenger sitting on the starboard side of the plane. She clasped her hands before her waist and slightly bowed her head. “How may I be of service, Ms. Sparrow?” she softly asked.
The woman sitting up in her seat while most of First Class had reclined and fallen asleep for the lights-out part of the flight was mildly amused at such professional deference. Most of the Westerners are. The Americans, especially, which Arianna immediately knew this passenger was from the preflight manifesto. Ms. Elizabeth Sparrow, American. Halfway through any flight, Arianna had memorized every passenger’s name and country of origin. Three months in, some of them were already repeat customers on the Singapore-LA route.
“I’m having issues with the Wi-Fi.” Ms. Sparrow turned her tablet, allowing Arianna to see the weak signal on the device. “Would you mind checking it out for me?”
“Certainly.” Arianna hid her disdain for dealing with Wi-Fi, a common issue on any plane, during any route, and in any part of the cabin. Especially in First Class. Great. The Business Class passengers would be more panicked about any Wi-Fi issues, but First Class was entitled. The sooner someone nipped this in the bud, the better.
Sure enough, when Arianna attempted to connect to the passenger Wi-Fi using her personal phone, she discovered the signal was weak in the forefront of the plane. After switching back to the stronger signal for the staff, she chased down Boss Tan and explained the situation.
“I’ll contact IT,” Esther told her. “Relay to the passenger that we are looking at it. If the downtime lasts longer than thirty minutes, we are obliged to offer complimentary miles.”
Naturally, Arianna knew that, but Esther loved reciting the handbook. So do I. Arianna was already heading back to Ms. Sparrow’s seat.
“My supervisor is contacting IT to look into it, Ms. Sparrow.” She braced her hand against the back of the passenger’s seat to keep herself on her flats as the plane hit mild turbulence. Soon, the fasten seatbelt would come on over this part of the Pacific, but Arianna could keep walking even if the plane was nose-diving. “We thank you for your patience. Is there anything I can get you in the meantime?”
A wistful smile with full teeth soon twinkled in the darkened cabin. “Your help is greatly appreciated. I wouldn’t mind a seltzer water if you have one. What are the flavors, again?”
At least she asked for something Arianna could deliver. “We have lime, lemon, or plain.”
“Lime would be lovely. Thank you, Arianna.”
It wasn’t until she was halfway to the galley when Arianna stopped in her steps and glanced back at the passenger.
How the hell does she know my name?
Even the regular passengers didn’t remember her name. Not by the end of the flight, and definitely not when she saw them again. Which suited Arianna fine, since part of the deal wasn’t to forge a relationship of any kind with her passengers.
Thus far, Ms. Sparrow was the first passenger to remember Arianna’s name at Royal Asia.
“They’re looking into it.” Esther stopped by the galley, where Arianna searched for a cold lime seltzer. “Is there an issue with the passenger?”
Talking in Mandarin instead of English was not lost on Arianna, who had no idea if any of the Americans in First Class spoke the most common language among the cabin crew. “She’s fine. Just getting her a drink.”
“Oh, good. Remember, you’re off in ten minutes.”
“Thank you.” Arianna carried the can in one hand and the glass with ice in the other. “Excuse me.”
Ms. Sparrow made room on her large tray when Arianna returned with the drink. “I swear it hasn’t been more than two minutes,” she said with another smile. “Thank you so much.”
“It’s my pleasure, Ms. Sparrow.”
Arianna placed the glass on the table and took the liberty of opening the can for Ms. Sparrow. I always like the way my new nails glitter in this kind of light. So did Ms. Sparrow, who commented on them when Arianna pulled her hands away.
“If I may, you have a very lovely look,” she said. “I love the way all of your makeup matches your sarong.”
“Thank you, Ms. Sparrow.”
Another large smile caught Arianna off guard. “That’s not what it’s called, right? There’s another term for your uniform.”
Arianna slightly cocked her head. “It’s called a kebaya. It’s the traditional dress of Southeast Asia, where I am from.”
“That’s the name, yes. Do you like it?” Ms. Sparrow removed her wirerimmed reading glasses, revealing a pair of hazel eyes that Arianna had not noticed before. “The uniform, I mean. Is it comfortable?”
