Chapter 9 Secret Crush

Yvette clenched her fists, overwhelmed with shame.

She had always believed that her secret crush on him would remain undisclosed until her dying day.

She remembered a year when the school's student council organized a friendly basketball game with a neighboring school. On the court, boys in uniforms from both teams played, their faces flushed with heat. The soles of their shoes squeaked against the ground, creating sharp sounds.

Yvette's gaze never strayed from Albert. As the basketball found its way into his hands, he skillfully dribbled, effortlessly launching the ball in a smooth arc, scoring with finesse.

As the whistle blew, signaling the end of the game, everyone swiftly surrounded Albert. He had scored the game's crucial point, earning the title of MVP for the entire event. The prize for the MVP was a basketball pendant.

Albert was the most handsome boy in their school, with every move of his closely observed. Speculation buzzed among onlookers about whom he would gift the prize to. Amidst the envious gazes of the crowd, he held the prize in his hands and made his way towards the audience.

Navigating through the crowd with his towering figure, he stood out distinctly. His expression exuded a lazy confidence, coupled with a hint of youthful arrogance.

Eventually, he halted in front of Yvette in the front row.

Bending halfway in front of Violet, his gaze slightly lowered, his long eyelashes casting a shadow in the hollows of his eyes. Sporting a gentle smile, he casually fastened the keychain onto Violet's bag, assertively stating, "Don't lose this."

Yvette still vividly recalls how heartbroken she felt witnessing that moment. It was Albert's true affection for someone, something that Yvette could never hope to attain.

Yet, she never gave up, always holding onto his words that he would never forget her and would come back for her. But who takes childhood promises seriously?

The truth was, the first time he slept with Yvette, he couldn't even remember her name. And now, as Sylvia looked at her with those pitiful eyes, Yvette couldn't argue.

A car drove by on the narrow road, its bright lights almost blinding Yvette. When the vehicle passed and the darkness returned, Yvette felt a momentary pang of loss.

"It was just an accident. I did it for the baby, not out of any emotional attachment," she forced a smile, then added, "How could I have liked him for so long?"

Yvette was originally a surgical doctor, a field with few female practitioners, making her prospects promising. When she resigned from the hospital, the chief himself tried to persuade her to stay, but she chose to become a flight surgeon instead.

Why?

It was because one day, she stumbled upon Albert's news online on the official website of North Airlines, on the page detailing the pilots, where he stood among the top ranks.

North Airlines had a large branch in Luken, with a significant number of both pilots and doctors, so there was no guarantee they would ever cross paths, but she still came.

She lied to Sylvia. She not only had feelings for Albert all along, but she was also foolish.

The administrative department of the Medical Examination Center was short-staffed, and it was always the doctors from the business department who helped out. The newly arrived flight attendant's medical reports had piled up, and it was up to them to write them. It was already 2 p.m. when Yvette finally had time to eat.

The cafeteria was about to close, with only a few dishes left.

Sylvia complained while eating. Yvette wasn't picky and just randomly chose some leftovers, finishing everything.

As they returned their trays together, Sylvia couldn't help but comment on Yvette's empty plate. "Being pregnant really changes your appetite. You can finish such disgusting things."

Yvette smiled awkwardly. "I had a poor appetite recently, always feeling nauseous. I'm feeling a bit better these days, so I ate more. I'm about to have a check-up, hoping to hear the baby's heartbeat."

"You didn't hear it last time?"

"When I had the check-up, I was only five weeks pregnant. The doctor said there should be a heartbeat in two weeks."

"Why do you insist on working overtime? Just come up with any excuse to take a break. Don't overwork yourself. Dr. Wilson lost her baby's heartbeat because she was too busy, so you need to be careful. Stop running around recklessly in the future and let Albert take care of you more."

When it came to Albert, Yvette hesitated to continue and simply responded with a casual remark.

"It's getting late. I have to go back and continue writing reports. Let's go."

The two of them walked back to the Center together, with Sylvia affectionately linking her arm with Yvette's.

"Oh, by the way," Sylvia leaned in closer and whispered, lowering her voice, "I took care of things for you today."

"Hmm?" Yvette, puzzled by her words, raised her head and inquired, "Took care of things for me? What happened?"

"Do you even need to ask?" Sylvia said helplessly. "I helped you maintain your marriage!"

"What do you mean?"

"Violet came to get her re-certification today, and she was in a hurry. Can you guess why?"

Yvette furrowed her brows. "The longer the grounding, the lower the income. Most pilots are afraid of being grounded, so it's normal for her to be in a hurry."

"She's not short of money!" Sylvia's tone turned into a scold. "She wants to be in the same crew as Albert. Albert's partner changed shifts, and if she can get her re-certification today, she can catch up. How can I let her have her way?"

"Maybe she just wants to return to flying as soon as possible. Don't jump to conclusions."

"No way, I think she's shameless. No matter what happened between you and Albert before, now that you're married and have a child, she should be self-aware and not interfere in your marriage. You're just too weak. What would you do without my protection?"

Sylvia looked pleased; just the day before, she had been advising Yvette to stay rational, but now, after just one night, she was desperately trying to help Yvette maintain everything.

Yvette was touched and was about to speak when she looked up and saw Albert standing at the door of her office.

The sudden sight of him made Yvette stop in her tracks, unsure of what to do.

As soon as Sylvia saw Albert, she immediately spoke sensibly, "You two must have something to talk about. I won't disturb you. I'll leave first."

With that, she left.

There was no one else in the corridor, and it was quiet.

Albert leaned against the wall. His tall figure and uniform made him look handsome. It's no wonder all the girls in the company liked him.

Yvette was a little skeptical if Albert had heard what Sylvia said about Violet; after all, it was a bit too much, but seeing that he had no reaction, Yvette told herself not to overthink it.

She awkwardly put her hands in her pockets and tentatively asked him, "Are you here for the pre-flight check?"

He glanced at her, his eyes lowered, and nodded slightly.

It was her daily job, but Yvette was a bit nervous, and her hands were shaking a little as she took his blood pressure.

Looking at the data on the watch, she said, "Normal blood pressure, normal heart rate."

"Hmm." Albert didn't look at Yvette; he just slowly put on his uniform jacket.

"What time do you get off work?"

"Hmm?"

"Let's have dinner together."

As Yvette was putting away the blood pressure monitor, her hand slipped, and the monitor fell directly onto the table, knocking over her water cup and spilling water on her.

Albert grabbed two pieces of paper and started to wipe the water off Yvette's thigh.

His eyelashes hung low, his expression focused, and his movements were so gentle, a patience he only displayed when facing Violet.

Yvette couldn't help but feel her heart race, a warmth spreading through her, making her feel all soft and shy. "Why are you suddenly asking me to have a meal together?"

"Isn't that what you wanted?"

"What?"

After wiping the water off her, he raised his head slightly, his gaze sweeping over her, with a hint of disgust.

"If you have something, come to me. Don't make things difficult for Violet."