This was flight CX.251 to London from Hongkong. Charlie had recently been promoted to Senior Flight Attendant and was therefore on duty in the First Class section of the aircraft. Several hours into the journey after the drinks and meals had been served, the debris collected and removed the first of the movies was about to be shown. Only seven of the seats were occupied. This being a non-stop flight no further passengers would be boarding so he invited them to space themselves around the seating for their individual comfort.
Now First Class passengers are quite different from Economy in many ways. Some would sleep most of the time refusing either food or drinks. There were serious business men who wanted to be as fresh and clear minded as possible when they reached their destination. Some of the rich of course treat the lower orders such as flight attendants badly often making ridiculous demands. But this was going to be a quiet duty certainly in this section.
One passenger, a man in his fifties kept looking and smiling at Charlie and after his work in the galley had been done Charlie approached the man asking if there was anything he required. The man asked if he had a few minutes to talk. Charlie replied that he was free for a while and as he leant towards the passenger caught a whiff of his favourite after shave -- Aramis. It's pungent smell always made him feel a bit sexy.
The man introduced himself as Raymond and handed over his business card. Both soon realised that the other was gay and the conversation in hushed tones led into personal matters being revealed. Raymond, it turned out was rather depressed and on his way to try to convince his lover to resume their relationship which had been complicated by the arrival on the scene of another guy. His erstwhile lover aged 27 had met an Airline Pilot and had been dazzled by the offer to set up home together on the island of St. Lucia in the Caribbean where he had bought land by the ocean and was in the process of building a large bungalow with swimming pool and a jetty for his sailing yacht. Raymond was distraught at the thought of losing him and seemed to be glad to unburden himself on a kindred spirit.
Charlie suggested that they go behind the curtain in the galley for privacy at the same time alerting the other attendants to stay away as was standard practice with air-crews, nothing to do with company regulations of course. They then discussed the matter. Now Raymond asked him his name and being Hongkong Chinese he told him it was Lee Loo Wong but everyone used his nickname -- Charlie. He was careful not to criticize the lover since Ray (as he asked him to address him) was obviously so much upset and tied up with this guy. Charlie revealed that he himself had had a relationship which had turned sour a year ago when his partner had suddenly left without explanation and had not replied to frantic e-mails he had sent. He was at the time bereft and it had taken him many months to get the guy out of his mind. Ray seemed to take comfort from this.
Charlie offered him some champagne to help him relax. They had on board a very fine vintage which they had been instructed only to produce for Business Class passengers only when it was specifically requested. Ray took a sniff of this excellent wine then sipped it relishing its unique taste. After he had finished, the glass was re-filled. Ray said he felt strange drinking alone and suggested that Charlie might join him. Well of course this was strictly against the rules but as he was enjoying the chat so much he poured himself a glass. The conversation continued and the fact that Ray's lover had been so attracted by the wealth it sounded as if money certainly took precedence over love with him. And also were he to forfeit the chance of this hedonistic life he may forever regret his decision and this would lead to bad feelings between them and probably destroy the relationship with Ray for good.
They both then went quiet for a moment until Ray put his hand on Charlie's neck, pulled him gently towards him and planted a kiss on his lips. At this moment, a head appeared from behind the curtain as one of the passengers said he had been ringing for service. And were passengers allowed into this area he enquired with a grunt. Ray immediately returned to his seat and Charlie attended to the passenger's needs. No further contact occurred as Ray then fell asleep for the remainder of the journey and Charlie had his work to do. Just before arrival Ray called Charlie over and asked whether he would have a stop-over in London. He confirmed that he would be there for two days so Ray asked him to call him the following day and hoped they could meet for lunch or dinner. Charlie promised to do this.
It was a misty cold afternoon in central London and soon the crew were ensconced in their Hotel. Depending on how he felt, he would either sleep right away or just wait till evening. The jet lag travelling east to west is something no-one seems to manage well. He decided to get into bed and get some sleep. He awoke at 5, took a shower then after making himself a cup of coffee, turned on the TV. A talk show was in progress and the face of one of the panellists was vaguely familiar. It took him a little while to gather his thoughts then realised that this was the same passenger who had complained about the lack of service the night before on the plane. It turned out that the subject being discussed was the future of the airline industry. The man in question seemed to have some important position to be on this panel. Well by now Charlie was agog with interest with eyes glued to the screen hoping that no mention would be made of the previous night's encounter. The discussion continued, Charlie desperately wanting the programme to come to an end when the chairman at last said `And now before we close, a last word from you, Mr. Cheong.' "Well as a Director of Cathay Pacific (at that point the coffee cup got knocked over) I believe that our airline is in good shape to face what is of course is an uncertain future with a mostly excellent staff to run it." Mostly excellent staff!!... Mostly!... Charlie's guilty conscience was now working overtime. The credits were rolling up the screen now that the programme had ended and he could feel the sweat on his neck as he kept repeating... Mostly!
After a few minutes he recovered somewhat and looked in his wallet for Ray's Business Card. He rang the mobile number which was answered by Ray.
`Oh, nice to hear your voice' he said.
"Ray, can we meet tonight?"
`I thought it was to be tomorrow.'
"Something has happened and I must talk to you about it"
`You're not pregnant already, surely' Ray said with a chuckle.
"This is serious, Ray, I have to talk to you"
`OK, I can be in the centre of London in about an hour. Why don't we meet in the lobby of the Regent Hotel off Piccadilly, then we can find a restaurant in Soho. I have parking around there.'
"OK, I'll be waiting, - thanks Ray."
Charlie sat in the lobby where all the tourists of London seemed to be congregating. All he wanted was for Ray to appear and to tell him what had happened. Twenty minutes after he was due, Ray came into the hotel, saw Charlie and joined him.
`Hey, why so worried, my young friend?'
"Ray, let's go over to that corner where we can talk"
`Well, what's the big drama?'
Charlie explained about the TV show and who the guy was who had burst through the curtain so unexpectedly on the plane.
`Wow! Now I understand why you are worried.'
"Apart from our kiss, he might have noticed that I was drinking the vintage champagne. They are very strict when it comes to breaking company rules."
`Well I am to blame for the kiss.'
"Yes, but letting you into that section and me drinking, could mean dismissal."
`Well, let's not jump the gun. I suggest you forget about it for now and see if anything occurs, then we can deal with it, together.'
They then went out to a Swiss restaurant nearby and had dinner but Charlie couldn't really relax after all that had transpired. Later they got into Ray's car and drove back to the hotel where the Cathay Pacific staff were staying. Ray asked if he could come up to the room for a while but Charlie said that he couldn't concentrate or be sociable in view of everything that had happened. They had a last hug and a long kiss in the car which was in the Hotel car park and then Charlie opened the car door.
`Let me know how things work out my dear and e-mail me whenever you can. I am concerned too and if I can help you at any time I promise I will. Whatever happens I want to see you again.' "Thanks, I'll be in touch."
The next day the crew reported to Heathrow at 17.30 for their general briefing for the flight which was due to depart at 21.50. Amidst all the hustle at the airport Charlie managed to put the problem to the back of his mind. By 21.30 the cabin crew were all on board and at their posts awaiting the arrival of the passengers. This time the First Class Section was almost full. He stood by the door to welcome and direct them to their particular seats. After several had boarded he was traumatised to see the very passenger involved approaching down the boarding ramp towards him. He tried to keep calm and showed him to his seat at the same time trying to appear anonymous. It was apparent that the man had already had a few drinks possibly in the VIP Lounge. Charlie kept well away from the passengers but he knew that he had to offer drinks in First Class immediately after they boarded. And he certainly didn't want any more complaints from this one. However when he looked forward the guy had fallen asleep. So he passed around, offering drinks to the other passengers.
After the plane was in the air and the Seat Belt sign had been extinguished Charlie offered more drinks to any who required them. The man was now well under and snoring. Then the meals were distributed and still the man slept on. What if he slept the whole way to Hongkong, Charlie mused, or he might even die. Yes there were all sorts of things which could happen. Well the journey proceeded with nothing in particular occurring. There was a problem with one of the toilets which had to be put out of commission and food had been spilled over a rather crusty old dear who was making a bit of a fuss. Then well into the journey when the second movie was starting the buzzer rang for service and it was from the man's seat. Charlie had to respond and when he got there a rather sleepy voice asked when the meals would be served. Charlie said that he had been asleep when they were but he could have his now. So the meal was provided with wines, liqueurs and chocolates. After it had been consumed the tray and table cloth were removed and he hoped the man would either put on his earphones or fall asleep once again. Soon all was peaceful with the curtain drawn and Charlie tidying up the galley section when the man again appeared from behind the curtain. Charlie froze, not knowing what was to come. For a moment nothing was said, then he came in closing the curtain behind him. Charlie was apprehensive. He took Charlie's hands in his and said,
`You were a very naughty boy on the last trip'
"Yes Sir, I am very sorry about that"
`Do you know who I am?'
"Yes I do. I saw you on Television in the hotel, Sir"
`Well then, you will know that I could have you fired'
"Yes Sir."
`On the other hand I may overlook it on one condition. You are a nice looking boy, yes my type actually. I am a very rich man and if you would like to be my sex slave you will travel the world with me and have a generous monthly allowance, live in luxury and should I ever wish you to leave I would give you a lump sum payment of $100,000. Here is my card, don't answer now, give it some thought and call me within a week.'
He turned around and was gone.
At first Charlie couldn't quite take it all in and he was shaking a little with the thought of the enormity of the offer. He desperately wanted to tell someone about this but could hardly blab it to the other crew members most of whom he barely knew. Throughout the remainder of the flight he carried out his duties as if in a dream.
In Hong Kong he had a break from work of three days, needed a good rest and time to think things through. On the third day he decided to call Ray. It was evening there and morning in London. He was so happy to hear Ray's reassuring voice and he just babbled all of what had developed since they had last met. Ray asked him what he had decided. He said that he wasn't sure but it was a fantastic offer. Yes, said Ray, even better than the one my guy has been given. This made everything immediately clear in Charlie's mind and the decision was made.
"Ray, I have given this a lot of thought and I really am not interested in either this man or his money. I don't want to be beholden to anyone."
`So what do you plan to do?'
"I'm not sure. I guess staying with the airline is probably not now an option after all that has happened."
`Well, would you consider moving to London?'
"That would be great and then I'd be able to see you maybe."
Look, I am not prepared to fight for my ex' any longer because that is what he now is. Since meeting you I have had you in my mind constantly.
It's you I would like to build a relationship with, Charlie. What do you say?'
"I'd gladly throw up this job to be with you."
`Then do it, you can stay with me here and we can give it our best shot.'
"I will resign tomorrow and after my one months notice expires I will be available."
`This is wonderful news and I can't wait for you to join me. And let me tell you, I have a job for you.'
"Really? What is it?"
`My sex slave of course,' he laughed.