“Now, dearie,” she said. “I’m Lori, and this is my plane to fly today. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to make you comfortable.”
No other passengers came walking down the jetway, and it dawned on me as Louis finished the check that I would be the only passenger there. Lori started the plane, the jet engines coming to life with a loud roar, and we took off quickly if with a few bumps. Flying in a small plane might have been scary, but sitting in a cushy oversized seat I felt like a kid on a roller coaster. When the ground below turned into tiny dots and patches, Louis came back and made sure I was okay. Both pilots made a fuss over serving me alternately over the course of the short flight, Louis out of shame that he hadn’t been a better host earlier. They plied me with cakes, nuts, and a spicy goulash topped with cream that warmed my stomach.
“Mr. Herceg insisted that you taste some Hungarian food before you arrive,” Louis called back from the cockpit.
“It’s for the best,” Lori said. “If you tried the wrong stew first you might never eat Hungarian food again!” She laughed.
“Is it very different?” I asked.
Lori shook her head sagely.
“It’s not that different, really. But if you find yourself longing for a McDonalds, don’t worry, they’re all over the place.”
“I hope it doesn’t come to that,” I said, laughing.
“You’re different than our normal passengers,” Lori said, looking at me curiously.
“Oh yeah?” I asked, licking the glaze off of my fingers. “How’s that?”
“One bag for a suitcase. And you’re young. And…” She trailed off, looking at me up and down. I realized that she thought I was a mistress!
“I’m just a student,” I said, blushing again. “I’m here for the math internship.”
“Never flown a student around in this jet before,” Lori said. “And I’ve been working for the Hercegs for nearly a decade.”
“First time for everything,” I said helplessly.
She eyed me with a degree of caution, as though I might not be telling her something.
“You’re a special one, aren’t you?” she said. “To him.”
“Who?” I asked, my wide eyes all innocence even as I hid the truth.
“You know who,” Lori said, her mouth curving into a knowing smile. “The young one. The math genius.”
I looked out of the window, not wanting to say a word.
“How long until we get there?” I asked. The best way I knew to change the subject.
Lori stood up. “Not soon enough for you, girl. I know the look of a woman in love.”
I flushed even harder and set my mouth in a line. I wasn’t going to reply to any allegations that might lead to rumors. Eliot probably had enough on his plate to deal with without that. Lori simply smiled.
“Good for him,” she said, and disappeared back into the cockpit, closing the door behind her.
The plane landed in Budapest with the sun shining brightly outside. The ground stretched on below for miles, covered with a thick blanket of snow, and the horizon’s mountains glittered with icy peaks. The buildings were sugared with icicles and snow, gridded by darker gray streets. As we glided to a landing, I felt a thrill of fear of the unknown pass through me. A new world, a new place to begin in. I thought it looked like paradise.
When I stepped out of the plane, I nearly froze to death.
“It’s so cold!” I yelped. I jumped back into the cockpit, nearly knocking Louis down on the stairs of the plane. I dug through my bag and found two more long sleeved shirts that I pulled on over me before zipping up my hoodie. Still, compared to the delicious warmth of the luxury jet, the outside air stung all the way through the layers. My nose ran and I wiped it on my sleeve. Ugh.
I waved goodbye to Lori, and Louis escorted me over to airport customs. After being ushered through a private security check, I scurried over to the curb, where a limo waited for me. The driver spoke halting English, but I understood enough to know that he was taking me to the internship apartments. He had a letter for me, which I tucked next to me as I took off my outer layers. I blew on my hands, waiting for them to warm up before ripping the envelope open. Inside were two keys and a note. I held my breath as I read his handwriting.
Brynn—
Right now I am attending a dinner with my brother, but will be back later this evening to check in and make sure you are comfortable in the apartments. The smaller key is for the room inside, 6b. I also have a textbook for you if you’d like to begin your studies early.
All the best,
E. Herceg
I ran my fingers over his signature. I’d never seen it before, and it seemed to tell me something about the kind of man he was. The elegant curls of the E, the way he underlined his name with the tail of the last letter. An easy confidence in those letters. I wished only that it had been his first name, but I no longer had the privilege of calling him that.