"I can do it myself."
That was the first thing Sera said to him.
And the first thing Cass did was— grin.
Sera's foot tapped against the floor impatiently as she stared at the suitcase that simply refused to fit into the overhead department. She had already pushed, pulled, and tried every ounce of her body to put it in there.
All in vain.
The flight attendant had already strolled by twice, pretending she did not see the poor girl struggle with the baggage. Typical.
Hell to the no in that. Absolutely, she'd ask no one for help. This was her bag; she'd packed it and carried it through security all on her own, and if she had to, she would shove into the compartment herself.
But the universe had other plans.
A deep chuckle would cause her to stop short. It was not loud but the type of laugh that sounded to belong to someone comfortable in their own skin.
"Need a hand?"
She turned. And froze.
The guy was tall—the kind of tall that made her have to tilt her head up. Gym-fit but not bulky, sharp jawline, clear kind eyes that had a teasing glint. His rolled-up sleeves revealed strong fore arms, and the way he stood— relaxed but confident —made her instantly wary.
He looked like the type of guy who knew just how good-looking he was.
Hell no. She wouldn't be falling for that.
"I can do it myself," she replied and turned again toward the suitcase.
Another chuckle. "Alright."
She expected him to insist. Maybe step in like some chivalrous hero.
Instead—he just stood there watching.
As if he was waiting for something.
Sera braced herself, pushed the suitcase up with all her strength—and it almost fell back on her face.
A gasp escaped her mouth just as a strong hand caught the bag's descent through easy means and tucked it smoothly into the compartment.
She blinked.
"See? You did it," he said, stepping back as if he had nothing to do with it.
Smart. He didn't push, didn't make a big deal of it; just helped without making her feel small.
She hated that it worked.
"...Thanks," was all she muttered, tucking her hair behind her ear.
"No problem," he said casually, moving into the seat beside hers.
Wait.
Beside hers?
Her eyes went wide. "You—"
He held up his ticket, smirking. "Guess we're seatmates."
And just like that, her intended calm, peaceful flight was over.
Sera inhaled sharply. This was the never on her checklist.
She threw herself into her seat and jammed her earphones in, determined to pretend nothing just happened.
Cass just leaned back, stretched his legs out comfortably, and—closed his eyes.
As if she wasn't even there.
Sera exhaled; shoulders slowly relaxing.
Good. Perfect.
She wasn't here to make conversation. She had plans. A whole work project to think about.
And just then, the intercom said:
"Attention passengers, due to an unexpected delay, our flight will remain grounded for an additional three hours before takeoff."
The cabin groaned in unison.
Sera's eye twitched.
"Three. More. Hours. Seriously?! Next to HIM?! "
She refused to look at him.
Refused to check if he had heard the announcement.
But somehow— somehow —she could feel it.
The subtle shift in his posture.
The soft tap of his fingers against the armrest.
And worst of all—the faintest smile at the corner of his lips. Like he knew exactly how much this annoyed her.
Sera sighed.
"This is fine. Totally fine."
She reached into her bag, searching for her phone—when her fingers brushed against a thin, unfamiliar envelope.
Her brows furrowed. What is this?
She pulled it out slowly. It was a boarding pass.
But not hers.
Casse Everhart, Seat 14F.
Sera's breath hitched.
She whipped her head toward him, heart pounding.
"You—" she started.
Cass opened one eye, amused.
"Yes?"
Sera held up the boarding pass. His real seat was nowhere near hers.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
His lips curled.
And then - he winked.
"Strange, isn't it?" he said casually, tapping his own boarding pass between his fingers.
The overhead lights flickered.
And suddenly, this flight didn't feel ordinary anymore.