Lost in a daze, Madison returned home. As she stepped over the threshold, everything she saw brought her world crashing down.
Every item in this home had been carefully chosen and lovingly arranged by her.
Now, as she looked around, she realized that there was not a single trace of Lucas in this house. It was as if she had been carrying the burden of both their lives alone.
She had wasted two years of her life in a love-struck fantasy, losing herself in the process.
So, naturally, she felt resentment.
Upstairs.
Madison opened her cherished small suitcase, revealing her collection of pilot licenses.
A B2 motor vehicle license, a commercial helicopter license, a helicopter route license, a private airplane license, a commercial airplane license, each one carefully stored.
She had started flying lessons at the age of 16, and had acquired countless licenses after a lot of hard work and dedication. But all these efforts had been gathering dust while she was with a man.
How foolish she had been.
Beside the licenses was her pilot uniform, a gift from the captain she used to work under. A tear fell onto the pristine fabric, and Madison quickly wiped it off.
At this moment, her gentle and generous spirit was slowly evaporating, replaced by a cold pragmatism.
Her fleeting dreams had evaporated. She had to pick up her suitcase of life and step forward into the wind.
…
On the phone.
"Madison, are you really planning to start flying again?" her former captain asked with evident emotion. "I told you back then, you shouldn’t have given up on your dreams so easily. Only we know how hard it is to become a pilot. You've gone through so much hardship, only to give it up for a…"
Sigh.
He didn’t finish the sentence, but he added, "Right now, there are too many captains at our national airline. If you want to become a captain, you'll have to start at a smaller airline and accumulate more flight time."
Madison was not picky. "I'm fine with that, as long as I can fly again. I'm willing to work anywhere."
"Nowadays, there are many private airlines offering excellent benefits and opportunities for pilots. Write a resume, and I'll recommend you to Mukino Airlines as a former captain," the old captain suggested.
"Mukino Airlines?" Madison had heard of them.
Owned by Mukino International, it was one of the top private airlines, offering excellent terms and conditions.
"Can I really get in?"
"Why not?" the old captain replied seriously. "Madison, you mustn't underestimate yourself. You're an excellent pilot from the most prestigious aviation academy. You're one in thousands, any airline would be lucky to have you."
After chatting a bit more with the old captain, they ended the call.
Madison looked at her flight qualifications in her hand, a trace of melancholy in her eyes.
She had once shone so brightly.
In order to marry Lucas, she had given up the chance to be promoted to a candidate for captain, choosing to resign instead. The reality she was left with was a disgrace.
So, starting from today, she would forget him.
She would soar in the sky once again and embrace life.
…
In the afternoon, Madison, preparing to submit her resume to Mukino International, called her old classmate, Jessica Grant.
When Jessica found out that Madison was planning to start flying again and was considering Mukino International, she exploded, "Ahhhhh!!!"
Madison pulled the phone away from her ear, "Jessica, what happened?"
Jessica took a deep breath, "It's nothing! That's wonderful! So, you're applying to Mukino International, right? I know someone there! Leave it to me, I'll arrange it for you!"
"Do you know someone from Mukino International?"
"Of course! I know them very well!" Jessica was busy with something else. "Let's make it clear. You're applying to Mukino International, you're not allowed to apply anywhere else! Wait for my call!"
Before Madison could say anything else, Jessica had hung up the phone.
Just as she put down her phone, a voice came from behind Jessica, "Why are you laughing like that?"
She looked surprised, "Oh, you're still alive?"
Her forehead was flicked, and Jessica held her head, "Ouch!"
The man who had walked in was tall and calm, wearing rimless glasses and had a slight smile on his face, "Did you need something?"
Jessica held her phone and laughed, "Two things, but I'll talk about the second one first."
The man didn't look at her, only focusing on the emails on his computer.
Jessica continued, "I have a classmate who is looking for a job, can we hire her at your company?"
Mukino International was currently the largest private airline in the country, virtually monopolizing the majority of small private companies. Their reputation in the industry had skyrocketed over the recent years, with many members from other airlines transferring to Mukino International.
As of the beginning of this year, Mukino Airlines had established its international routes, its system gradually becoming complete. They were in dire need of experienced captains.
The man asked without lifting his head, "What position?"
"Obviously a pilot, at least a co-pilot."
Airline crew usually consisted of a captain, a first officer, and a second officer.
"Your classmate?" Ethan finally glanced at her, "Nevermind then."
"Hmm?" Jessica sensed some malice, "What did you mean by that look just now?"
"I don't trust your judgment."
Jessica slammed the table, "I guarantee it with my integrity!"
As a result, Ethan immediately closed his laptop and left.
Jessica was gobsmacked.
The assistant William, sighed, "Miss, you might have had a chance if you hadn't mentioned your integrity. After all, you said that you would get your commercial pilot’s license in two years, but it's been four years now and we haven't even seen the skin of your license."
Jessica, furious, chased after him, shouting, "Ethan! You will regret this! My Madison graduated from the top aviation academy, she's a one in a million gem! Once she becomes a distinguished pilot, you will regret …"
Jessica, who was yelling at the top of her lungs, was suddenly breathless as she saw the man who had been walking away turn around.
"Which Madison?"
Jessica blinked, stunned, "Madison, as in the Madison of the famous phrase, 'Children learn without being taught.'"
As her voice fell, Ethan had already walked back to his study.
He tapped the desktop and smiled at Jessica, "Come, don't rush, sit down and we can talk."
Jessica: "?"
Next, the young lady gulped down water as she frantically praised her goddess from her student days to her big brother, holding up a photo on her phone and saying -
"Big Brother, she is the genius I've always talked to you about. When many students were terrified of their first flight, she successfully completed the task. Her scores were far ahead of the others!"
Ethan recognized the woman in the photo. It was the woman from the other night. "So why is it that after graduating from the same school, she has over two thousand hours of flight time, and you haven’t even gotten your commercial pilot’s license?"
Jessica replied with a blank expression, "My stupidity doesn't conflict with my goddess's excellence."
"That's good, at least you're self-aware."
"How about it? How about it?" Jessica was not upset and asked eagerly.
Ethan lit a cigarette and thought for a moment, "After all, she hasn't flown for two years. She has to join the refresher training. After passing that, she can start with helicopter test flights. If all goes well, I will consider placing her in the crew."
"Where are you going to let her fly a helicopter?" Jessica was stunned, "Isn't this a waste of talent?"
"Who's the boss, you or me?"
Jessica immediately shut up.
"Let her come for an interview tomorrow." Ethan left a sentence and walked away.
"… Eh, don't leave, big brother! I still have something to say!"
…
That evening, Madison received a call from Jessica. She conveyed her brother's thoughts.
"Madison, it's just a test flight on a helicopter, it won't be permanent."
Madison was already very happy, "I'm very grateful for the opportunity to fly again. How can I thank you, Jessica?"
"Don't be so formal with me, just be on time for the interview tomorrow. The interviewer is a bit crazy, he doesn’t like people who are late."
Madison laughed, "Don't worry, I'll be on time. Let me know when you're free, I'll treat you to a meal."
"Great!"
