The plane ride had been peaceful; at least, that was what Andy wanted to believe.
The reality was that he had spent most of the flight staring blankly out of the window, his head resting against the glass as the clouds passed by.
For the first time in what felt like months, there were no documents, no emails, no reports.
No angry executives standing over his shoulder.
Just silence.
A strange, unfamiliar silence.
Andy slowly looked down at his injured arm resting in the cast.
"You know... I probably should've noticed my life was getting weird when getting beaten up felt like a relaxing break from work."
He muttered to himself.
The passenger beside him, an elderly man reading a newspaper, slowly turned his head.
"Excuse me?"
Andy blinked a few times.
"Oh. Nothing, just talking to myself."
The old man stared for a few seconds before slowly returning to his newspaper.
Andy sighed.
"Yeah... that happens a lot lately."
Several rows ahead, the executives and employees were scattered throughout the first-class section.
Of course, Jade had made sure everyone had the best seats available.
Not because she cared.
At least, that was what she would claim.
She sat comfortably with her arms crossed, looking through several documents on her tablet.
Ashley sat across from her, watching her carefully.
"You know, for someone who claims to hate wasting resources, you sure paid a lot for this trip."
Jade didn't look up; she simply scoffed at her claim.
"It's a company expense."
"Uh-huh."
Ashley smiled slightly.
"Company expense that includes private transportation, luxury accommodation, and enough food to feed an entire department. Sure..."
Jade's fingers paused.
"It's necessary."
"Necessary?"
Ashley raised an eyebrow.
"Jade, we're going to Hawaii, not a business negotiation."
Jade finally looked at her.
"The employees need proper rest. Especially Andy....."
Ashley's neck immediately snapped towards her. Her eyes widened instantly.
"Oh, I see…"
"What does that mean?"
"Nothing, nothing...."
Ashley muttered to herself.
Jade's expression immediately hardened.
"Don't be ridiculous, Ashley, this is all for the employees."
"Sure."
Ashley leaned back.
"That's why you looked ready to murder someone when Andy arrived injured."
Silence.
Jade looked back at her tablet.
"I was simply annoyed."
"Because?"
Ashley asked.
"Because he was late."
Jade replied.
Ashley watched her for a moment before she smiled.
"You know you're terrible at lying, right?"
Jade ignored her.
.....
.....
Meanwhile, Andy finally managed to fall asleep.
Unfortunately, his peaceful moment lasted only twenty minutes.
Because someone sat beside him, someone who smelled like expensive cologne and overconfidence.
"Sleeping already, Matthews?"
Andy slowly opened one eye, his gaze flickering to the man in front of him.
"Ken.... of course it is...."
Andy muttered as he stared at him.
"Do you ever stop appearing at the worst possible moments?"
Ken simply chuckled.
"I was just checking on my subordinate."
Andy didn't believe a single word he said.
"That's a funny way of saying you're here to annoy me."
Ken smiled.
"Still got some attitude left, huh? I thought they beat it out of you"
He added.
Andy closed his eyes again, taking slow, deep breaths.
"I've been beaten, overworked, and emotionally destroyed for two months. If attitude is all I have left, I'm keeping it."
Ken laughed.
"Interesting."