NOVGO.NET Chapter 78: Thirteen Hours In The Sky
Chapter 78: Thirteen Hours In The Sky
The private aircraft had already reached cruising altitude.
Outside, endless white clouds stretched beneath the enormous jet like a sea of cotton, illuminated by the morning sun. Inside, however, the atmosphere was anything but quiet.
Everyone had finally settled into their seats.
Robin looked around the luxurious cabin before clapping his hands.
"All right, everyone. Since we’re going to be together for thirteen hours, we might as well introduce ourselves properly."
Most of the people already knew each other.
Except for four young women sitting together near the conference table.
The remaining members of Rhythm.
Mary stood first.
"I guess this is long overdue."
She smiled toward the girls.
"Everyone, meet the rest of Rhythm."
Before the others could begin, Nicole suddenly stood up with a playful grin.
"Well, since we’re doing this properly..."
She brushed her hair back confidently.
"I’m Nicole."
"Twenty."
"I’m Rhythm’s fifth member and main vocalist."
She placed a hand on her hip.
"And yes, everyone already knows me."
The cabin chuckled softly.
Rose followed right after, standing a bit more quietly but still smiling.
"I’m Rose."
"Twenty."
"I’m the sixth member of Rhythm and the main dancer."
She glanced around shyly.
"Even though... I think everyone already knows me too."
Aaron smirked.
"Just a little."
Nicole laughed.
"Still counts."
Mary shook her head with a smile.
"Now that the obvious introductions are done..."
"The rest of you can go."
The first girl stood confidently.
She had shoulder-length chestnut hair tied into a high ponytail and warm hazel eyes.
She smiled brightly.
"I’m Hailey."
"Nineteen years old."
"I trained for almost four years."
She bowed politely.
"I’ll be Rhythm’s main rapper."
Emily immediately nodded.
"I can already tell."
Hailey laughed.
"I’ll do my best."
The second girl stood beside her.
She looked more mature than the others.
Long black hair.
Sharp brown eyes.
An elegant posture.
"I’m Audrey."
"Twenty."
"I’ll be the leader of Rhythm."
She spoke calmly but confidently.
Leo smiled.
"Good."
"A leader should sound exactly like that."
Audrey smiled respectfully.
"I’ll learn from you."
Next came another petite girl.
She looked cheerful even before speaking.
Her curly brown hair bounced slightly as she stood.
"My name is Catherine."
"I’m nineteen."
"I’m also Rhythm’s main vocalist."
She scratched the back of her head sheepishly.
"I talk a lot."
Nathan laughed.
"We noticed."
Everyone laughed with him.
Finally...
The youngest member slowly stood.
She looked nervous.
Her long black hair reached her waist, and her large brown eyes nervously looked around the cabin.
"I’m Helena."
"Eighteen."
"I’ll be the youngest member."
River immediately smiled.
"Another maknae."
Helena nodded shyly.
"I’ll be under your care."
River dramatically placed a hand over his heart.
"I suddenly feel old."
Nicole giggled.
"You’re only twenty-three."
"Exactly."
"I’m ancient."
Aaron looked at him.
"You complain too much."
"I learned from Leo."
Leo frowned.
"Excuse me?"
The cabin immediately filled with laughter.
Within minutes...
The awkwardness disappeared.
It already felt like one big family.
After several hours...
The flight attendants began serving lunch.
Liliana quietly stood from her seat.
"I’ll help."
One of the attendants immediately waved her hands.
"No, Miss Sterling. We’ll take care of everything."
Liliana smiled apologetically.
"I know. But I can’t just sit."
Before anyone realized it, she had already started arranging the plates.
Emily leaned toward Mary.
"There she goes."
Mary smiled knowingly.
"Our mother hen."
Nathan laughed.
"She’s been a wife for five years. She can’t stop."
Liliana carefully arranged everyone’s meals.
She made sure Nicole received the dish without mushrooms because she disliked them.
She reminded River to drink water instead of another cup of coffee.
She cut Rose’s steak after noticing she struggled with the knife.
She quietly gave Aaron extra vegetables because she remembered he barely touched them during breakfast.
The flight attendants simply watched in amazement.
One quietly whispered to another,
"She remembers everyone’s preferences."
The other smiled.
"No wonder everyone loves her."
Chris simply watched his wife. He couldn’t stop smiling.
Aaron noticed.
"You’ve been staring again."
Chris didn’t deny it.
"I know."
Leo laughed.
"You’ve become hopeless."
"I’ve always been."
Liliana finally sat beside Chris.
She noticed everyone looking at her.
"What?"
Nathan grinned.
"You took care of everyone."
She blinked.
"Isn’t that normal?"
Emily answered first.
"For you?"
"Yes."
"For the rest of us?"
"No."
Liliana laughed shyly.
"I guess I just enjoy it."
The cabin became quiet for a moment.
Liliana smiled softly.
"I hope so."
The thirteen-hour flight became surprisingly enjoyable.
Nathan challenged River and Nicolo to a racing game on the entertainment system.
Emily taught Helena how to pose naturally in front of a camera.
Rose and Aaron quietly watched a movie together.
Nicole and Catherine spent almost two hours singing softly with portable microphones, impressing even the flight attendants.
Leo and Audrey discussed leadership responsibilities.
Robin continuously adjusted everyone’s schedules.
Chris was trying to write another song.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t concentrate. His eyes continuously wandered toward Liliana.
She had fallen asleep on the sofa while reading a fashion magazine.
The magazine now rested on her lap while a blanket covered her legs.
She looked peaceful.
Chris quietly stood.
River noticed immediately. "Where are you going?"
Chris simply smiled. "Give me a minute."
He walked toward Liliana.
Carefully. Silently.
He knelt beside her. She was sleeping so deeply that she didn’t notice him.
He smiled helplessly.
"So cute..."
Instead of waking her...
He slipped one arm beneath her knees.
The other behind her back.
Then, he gently lifted her into his arms.
Nicole gasped quietly.
"Oh..."
Emily immediately covered her mouth to stop herself from squealing.
Nathan whispered. "There he goes again."
Aaron chuckled. "Completely gone."
Chris carefully carried Liliana toward one of the private suites.
Halfway there, Liliana stirred slightly.
She slowly opened her eyes.
"...Chris?"
"You fell asleep."
She blinked sleepily. "I did?"
"You did."
She looked around.
Then realized she was being carried.
Her face immediately turned pink.
"You could’ve just woken me."
Chris smiled.
"I know."
"But carrying my wife sounded like the better option." He whispered.
She hid her face against his shoulder. "You’re embarrassing me again."
"I’ve been told I enjoy doing that."
Behind them, Pulse members and the Sterling cousins were trying very hard not to laugh.
While the four remaining Rhythm members stared with wide eyes.
Hailey blinked repeatedly.
"...Did Senior Chris just carry Miss Liliana?"
Helena whispered,
"Is... is that normal?"
Audrey slowly looked toward Nicole.
"...How close are they exactly?"
Nicole just laughed and didn’t answer.
River whispered, "I think they’re forgetting we’re not the only people here."
Emily grinned. "No. They know. They just don’t care anymore."
Chris gently entered the private suite and laid Liliana carefully on the large bed.
He pulled the blanket over her.
"There."
She reached for his hand before he could leave.
"Aren’t you staying?"
Chris looked at her. "I still have work."
She frowned slightly.
"You need sleep too."
He smiled. "In a little while."
She gently squeezed his hand.
"Promise?"
"I promise."
Only after she closed her eyes again did Chris quietly leave the suite.
Outside, everyone immediately looked at him.
Leo folded his arms.
"You carried her all the way here."
Chris shrugged.
"She looked comfortable."
Nathan laughed.
"No."
"You looked comfortable."
The cabin erupted into laughter once again.
Chris simply smiled.
For the first time in years, he didn’t mind being teased.
Because every joke reminded him of something he had waited five years to experience.
The simple privilege of openly loving his wife.
For now, openly caring and loving her as a friend.