Chapter 2 – The Woman in Seat 2C
The woman across the aisle waited until the flight attendant disappeared behind the curtain separating first class from the galley.
Then she quietly unfastened her seatbelt.
"Excuse me," she said gently.
Jacob looked up.
"I'm sorry to bother you."
She smiled warmly at the sleeping little girl.
"My name is Amelia Brooks."
She held out her hand.
Jacob shook it politely.
"Jacob Carter."
"I couldn't help overhearing what happened."
Jacob gave a tired smile.
"It's all right."
"No," Amelia replied.
"It isn't."
She pressed the flight attendant call button.
Within seconds, the same attendant returned.
Her practiced smile reappeared.
"Yes, ma'am?"
"I'd like to know why the gentleman beside me was served expired food."
The attendant hesitated only briefly.
"There must have been a catering mix-up."
Amelia pointed toward the galley.
"Interesting."
"Because every other passenger received hot meals."
The attendant forced another smile.
"I'll be happy to replace—"
"No."
Amelia's voice became noticeably firmer.
"I want the purser."
Several nearby passengers finally looked up.
The senior cabin manager arrived moments later.
After listening carefully, she turned toward the flight attendant.
"Is this true?"
The young attendant swallowed.
"I... I may have accidentally picked up the wrong tray."
Amelia folded her arms.
"No."
"You told him to eat it because someone 'like him shouldn't be so picky.'"
The cabin fell completely silent.
Even passengers wearing headphones slowly removed them.
Jacob shifted uncomfortably.
"I don't want to cause trouble."
Amelia looked directly at him.
"Sometimes refusing to speak allows bad behavior to continue."
The purser apologized immediately.
She personally brought Jacob a fresh hot meal.
She also arranged warm soup for his daughter in case she woke up hungry.
Jacob thanked her politely.
May you like
He believed the matter was over.
He was wrong.
