Monica was tired of the spoiled rich boy who always flew with their airline. He was loud, rude, and didn’t care about the other passengers on the plane. But she got an idea one day and decided to trick him. Surprisingly, someone else also spoke up, and Monica did not have to worry again.
“LET’S GET WILD!” yelled Gerald Ross, the son of a real estate millionaire in New York and one of the most spoiled people Monica had ever met. She was a flight attendant from JFK to Miami, and everyone was tired of his antics.
Gerald held a champagne bottle and made his friends drink from it. They got even louder as a result, and no one could quiet them down. She would’ve understood if they were on a private plane, but Gerald and his friends always used this airline because his rich daddy was close friends with the owner. They had some deal.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
“Ugh, rich people,” Monica whispered to her co-worker, Julian, who rolled his eyes at the rowdy group of friends too. Although they were all in first class, they disturbed other passengers, and people were constantly telling them to shut up. But there was nothing they could do. Gerald wouldn’t listen and insulted them to boot.
This was not what Monica imagined when she decided to become a stewardess. Her father was a pilot who sadly passed away in a plane crash, but that didn’t deter her from her pursuit of the sky. She loved it and wanted to become a pilot. However, her mother couldn’t afford lessons, and flight attendant studies were much cheaper.
She was now paying for her own lessons, but it was a slow process. Soon, she would be a pilot too, and hopefully, she wouldn’t have to deal with young men like Gerald ever again.
“Hey, you! Yeah, I’m talking to you, steward!” Gerald called her attention, making the word stewardess sound like an insult. Monica had to fake a smile before approaching him. “Bring me another bottle NOW!”
“Mr. Ross, could you please quiet down a bit. There are other passengers on the plane,” she said, trying to calm the group down.
“Hey! Don’t you know who I am? I could get you fired like this!” the young man said, snapping his fingers to indicate that she could quickly lose her job. “GET THE BOTTLE NOW! AND SOME PEANUTS FOR EVERYONE TOO!”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
There was no use. Her colleagues looked bone-tired, even though the plane had barely taken off. They had a few more hours of this situation in store, and Monica couldn’t take it anymore. Instead of looking for the bottle, she entered the cockpit and took a seat behind Vince, the primary pilot who happened to be her boyfriend.
“Hey, are you ok?” Vince asked while checking dials and keeping everything in place.
Monica breathed a huge sigh. “Gerald Ross is here, and it’s barely been an hour since we took off. I can’t take it anymore,” she told him, wiping a hand on her forehead.
“I’m sure you can do something to keep them quiet,” Vince replied.
“Can you talk to him?”
“You know I can’t go out there. It would be a breach in protocol.”
“Hmmm, breach in protocol. Maybe, I could lie and spook him,” Monica said, placing a finger on her chin and thinking deeply. Just then, the sounds of more screams came from the first-class area, and she was forced to stand up. “Ugh…”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash
“You can do this, Monica. I believe in you,” Vince said, turning around and smiling at her. He loved her deeply. In fact, he had proposed to her last night, but Monica had so many dreams she wanted to accomplish before getting married. She had asked him for some time to think. At that moment, she wanted to say yes and quit this job forever.
But Monica would not let a spoiled daddy’s boy derail her career. That’s when she had a brilliant idea and marched outside back to the first class.
“Everyone, can I please have your attention?” she began, smiling fakely. “Due to some extenuating circumstances, I’m going to have to fly the plane, but I can’t do it because our colleagues are so busy with Mr. Ross and his friends. So, the plane is on autopilot for now with no one operating it.”
She didn’t know if her idea would work or if Gerald would be scared of it. She was going to have to lie through her teeth to convince everyone that there was no other option, and she needed that rowdy group to stop so she could concentrate on “flying” this plane.
Everyone’s eyes widened in surprise, and even Gerald’s group got quiet.
“Excuse me, what did you say?” a passenger questioned, almost angrily.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
“Where’s the pilot? I saw him go inside!” another flyer called out.
“What about the co-pilot?” another person wondered with worried eyes.
“Our co-pilot had an emergency, but the flight still continued because they had me aboard, and I’m almost done training for my pilot’s license. Now that our pilot is also experiencing some trouble, it’s up to me to fly this plane. But I really can’t do it if I have to worry about a loud, disruptive group in the cabin,” Monica continued, trying to remain vague to avoid raising any more suspicions from the passengers.
Finally, an older man in an expensive Armani suit, Mr. George Carter, stood up. “See, Ross? This is the kind of disaster you and your group have caused. We’re a flying machine, and you think we’re in some kind of club. I’m going to have a serious talk with your father when we reach Miami!” Mr. Carter exclaimed at the young man. “Now, sit down like a normal person, shut up, and let this lady fly the plane!”
Mr. Carter sat back down, and Ross’s group looked away in shame. The other passengers all nodded their heads, and one even thanked the older man. Monica smiled in delight as the spoiled boy looked at his lap in shame.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
“Thank you for your understanding, everyone. I’ll return to the cockpit, and don’t worry, I have aced all my pilot lessons,” Monica said and returned to the cockpit, where she had to stay the rest of the flight to keep up the ruse.
Luckily, Gerald and his friends did not make a peep for the rest of the flight, and they reached their destination without another hiccup. After landing, she explained to her colleagues why she lied, and they all thanked her deeply.
Several days later, Monica and Julian worked another route, and he had some gossip for her. “You know how Mr. Carter threatened to call Gerald’s dad? Well, he actually did it. He also talked to the owner of the airline, and as a punishment, he has been banned from flying with us,” her co-worker revealed.
“That’s fantastic,” Monica laughed as she got everything ready for the passengers’ in-flight meal. “Oh, didn’t I tell you? Vince and I got officially engaged that day. I guess watching that man scold Gerald made me super happy, and I decided to accept his proposal!”
“Congratulations!”
What can we learn from this story?
- Don’t be rude to people in the service industry. You must respect people in the service industry no matter who your father is or how much money you have. It’s common decency.
- A little white lie can serve a purpose sometimes. Monica lied a bit to the passengers, and they finally got fed up with the rich kid’s behavior.
Share this story with your friends. It might brighten their day and inspire them.
If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about an older woman who was mocked on a plane.
My New Neighbors Invited Me Over, but All I Found Was an Abandoned Child with a Heartbreaking Note — Story of the Day
My new neighbors seemed odd from the start. Their little child played alone, and I ended up spending half the day with her until her mother finally appeared. Out of courtesy, she invited me over. The next day, I found the abandoned child with a heartbreaking note. I decided to act immediately.
It was a typical quiet day in our small suburban neighborhood when I noticed the moving truck pull up to the old house next door. The place had been abandoned for years, and seeing any activity there was surprising enough.
I stood at my window, peering through the curtains like a curious cat.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
“Who are they?” I muttered to myself, trying to make sense of what I was seeing.
The man was tall, with sharp features that made him look like he’d stepped out of a noir film.
The woman with him, though—she was something else. Pale, almost ghostly, with a distant look in her eyes as if she was there, but not really.
And then, there was the little girl.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
She couldn’t have been more than four years old. Tiny thing, with big eyes full of innocence, clutching a worn-out teddy bear as if it was her only friend in the world.
She played alone in the overgrown yard, her small figure seeming even smaller against the wild grass and tangled weeds.
What a strange family!
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
Samuel and I had always dreamed of having kids. After years of trying, though, it became painfully clear that it wasn’t going to happen for us.
Samuel never talked much about it, always brushing it off with a shrug or a quick change of subject.
But me? I couldn’t let go of the dream. And seeing that little girl, so alone… It stirred something deep inside me.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
***
A few days later, I went for my usual walk around the neighborhood. As I turned the corner, there she was—the little girl from the neighbor’s house. This time, she was dangerously close to the street.
“Hey there, sweetie,” I called out gently, hurrying over. “Let’s not play so close to the road, okay?”
She looked up at me with wide, innocent eyes, and for a moment, I just stood there, holding her tiny hand.
I led her back toward her house and knocked on the door. No answer. My hand hesitated on the doorknob.
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Should I?
I took a deep breath and pushed it open, just a crack.
The house was almost empty, just a few old pieces of furniture and scattered boxes. It was like they’d moved in but hadn’t settled. Nobody was inside.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
“What’s your name, sweetie?” I asked, crouching down to the girl’s level.
“Lily,” she replied, her voice as soft as a whisper.
“Well, Lily,” I said, “how about we draw some pictures?”
“I have no crayons.”
Those words cut a hole in my heart.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
“Alrighty! Let’s use a stick and sand outside!” I tried to cheer her up.
She nodded eagerly, and I began tracing simple shapes with a wooden stick—a heart, a star, and the letter “A.” Lily watched closely, her eyes widening with each stroke of the stick.
“Can I try?” she asked, reaching for the stick.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
“Of course,” I handed it to her, “Why don’t you try writing your name?”
She carefully drew a shaky “L” in the dirt, then looked up at me for approval.
“That’s great, Lily! You’re doing such a good job!” I encouraged her.
After a while, we moved on to another game. I pointed to some stones nearby.
“Let’s build something together. How about a castle?”
“A castle! Yes!”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
We gathered the stones, stacking them one on top of the other. It was a simple structure, really, but to Lily, it seemed like the grandest thing in the world.
“Look, it’s like a tower,” she said, placing a small stone carefully on top.
“It is! And here’s another one for the other side,” I added, handing her a flat stone. “You know, this could be where the princess lives.”
Lily’s face lit up even more at the idea.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
“And the prince can live over here,” she said, pointing to a spot on the other side.
I noticed how intently Lily focused on the task as if each stone was a precious gem. It made me wonder if she had ever played with real toys before.
“Thank you for playing with me.”
My heart swelled at her words.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
As the sun began to set, I started to worry about what to do.
Finally, the girl’s mother appeared, almost out of nowhere. She seemed surprised to see me but didn’t show much emotion.
“Thanks,” she said flatly, taking the girl’s hand. “I was nearby all the time.”
There was no warmth, no smile—just those words. Before leaving, she added,
“Why don’t you come over for tea tomorrow?”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
It wasn’t so much an invitation as an obligation. But I nodded, agreeing anyway.
I glanced down at Lily. She had been so engaged, so full of life while we played, but the moment her mother appeared, something in her seemed to change.
“Lily, it’s time to go.”
Without a word, Lily simply walked over to her mother, her small hand slipping into the woman’s cold grasp. There was no protest, no hesitation—just quiet obedience.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
“Okay, Mommy.”
Lily looked back at me. “Will you come to play with me again?”
“Of course, sweetie,” I replied, my voice catching in my throat.
As I watched them disappear down the path, a sense of unease crept over me. That sadness in Lily’s eyes was like a silent plea, a cry for help that she couldn’t voice.
There was something off about this family—something I couldn’t quite put my finger on.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
***
The next day, I hesitated, staring at the chipped paint on the neighbor’s door, then knocked. No answer. I knocked again, louder this time, but still nothing.
“Hello? It’s me, from next door,” I called out, hoping to hear some sign of life inside.
Nothing. The house remained eerily quiet, the silence pressing down on me like a weight. After what felt like an eternity, I hesitantly pushed the door open and stepped inside.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
“Hello?”
My footsteps sounded loud against the wooden floor as I wandered through the rooms, each one emptier than the last.
Then, in the living room, I found Lily. She was sitting on the floor with a pack of cookies and a bottle of water. She was holding a piece of paper in her tiny hands.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
“Lily?” I whispered, kneeling beside her.
She didn’t say anything, just handed me the note. I unfolded the paper, the heartbreaking message inside sending a cold chill down my spine:
“She’s yours if you want her. We know you’ll take good care of her.”
I stared at the words, my mind racing.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
Who would do such a thing? Abandon their child like this, leaving her in an empty house with nothing but a note?
Panic started to rise in my chest, and I grabbed Lily, pulling her close.
“We need to go,” I whispered, scooping her up into my arms.
As I headed for the door, a terrifying thought crossed my mind.
What if this was a trap?
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
I froze for a moment, my heart pounding. But then I looked down at Lily. I couldn’t leave her there, no matter the risks.
When we arrived back at my house, Samuel was already home. He looked up from the couch as I walked in.
“What is this?” he demanded.
I set Lily down gently and handed her a box of crackers and a glass of milk.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
“Here, sweetie, why don’t you have a snack and watch some cartoons?” I said, turning on the TV to distract her.
Once she was settled, I turned back to Samuel, who was now standing, his face twisted with anger.
“Why is there a child in our house, Eliza?” he raised his voice.
“Samuel, I found her alone,” I began, my voice trembling. “In that empty house, with nothing but this note.”
I handed him the paper. He read the note quickly, then looked up at me.
“You’ve broken our agreement, Eliza. We agreed—no children in this house!”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
“Samuel, I couldn’t just leave her there! She was all alone, with no one to take care of her,” I pleaded, trying to make him understand.
But his anger only grew.
“I told you I didn’t want kids! And now you’ve brought one into our home? Do you even realize what you’ve done?”
His words cut deep, like a knife twisting in my chest.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
“You never said that! All these years, you said it was because of your health…”
He looked away, his jaw clenched.
“I lied. I never wanted children, Eliza. I just didn’t want to lose you.”
It felt like the ground had been pulled out from under me. All those years, all those hopes and dreams… I had been living a lie.
Samuel delivered his ultimatum:
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
“Either you take her back, or go away.”
I stared at him, the man I had loved and trusted, and realized that I couldn’t stay. Not like this. Not with him.
Without another word, I turned away from him, gathering a few belongings. I packed a small bag, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill over.
I couldn’t abandon Lily after everything she had already been through.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
As I took Lily’s hand and led her to the door, Samuel didn’t stop me. He just stood there, cold and distant, as if we were strangers.
I had no idea where we would go.
Finally, we ended up at the school where I work and spent the night in my office. I knew it wasn’t a permanent solution, but it was a start.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
***
In the following days, I began the adoption process for Lily, but it wasn’t easy. The authorities insisted I needed a stable home.
Then, unexpectedly, they informed me that Lily’s biological parents had left her an inheritance — the house. So, I could adopt Lily and move in there.
Shocked, I dug deeper and discovered that Lily’s foster parents — my neighbors — had adopted Lily solely for that inheritance. But realizing they couldn’t care for her, they decided she deserved better.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
To ensure she wouldn’t end up in another home for the wrong reasons, they left her, and the house, in my care. We moved in the same day, and the house became our home, filled with warmth and love.
Lily slowly opened up, and every time she called me “Mommy,” my heart swelled.
Samuel, living alone, began to reconsider his choices. He started helping around the house and taking care of Lily when I was busy. Forgiving him wasn’t easy, but his efforts made me feel that maybe we could find our way back to each other.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
Tell us what you think about this story, and share it with your friends. It might inspire them and brighten their day.
If you enjoyed this story, read this one: My husband was cheating on me with my boss, and I silently endured it. Then, my boss handed me tickets to distant islands, clearly with her own agenda. At the airport, I found myself fighting for a taxi. Little did I know, that chaotic moment would mark the beginning of an unexpected love story.
This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life.
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