Midlife Crisis

Flight

One Day

"Now Boarding Flight No.XXX. Non Stop flight to china.

He Tian finished coffee from paper cup and got up from seat. Waded through crowd, he headed to the gate of departure. He wore long black trench coat over cashmere black shirt, buttons opened up, revealing his gorgeous clavicle and chest. Boot cut jeans hugged his long, lean legs perfectly. Several people gave him head turns as he walked passed them, his leather shoe clicking against the marble floor pleasantly.

He took off his reading glasses and let it hung from his neck as he gave the flight attendant his boarding ticket.

The attendant in red and white uniform took a glance at his face and she blushed fiercely. "Um...Mr. He Tian...one person only?" She raised a perfect brow, thinly veiling her curiosity as professional inquiry. He Tian smiled at her nonchalantly and said, "Yes, I am travelling alone." "Oh, I see. Well then sir, enjoy your..." her speech was cut short by sudden ring from He Tian's phone. "Oh, excuse me..." He reached inside the pocket and pull out the buzzing phone.

Glancing at the name flashing on the screen, he let out a deep sigh. "Sorry, miss. I have to take this." The attendant was all sunshine and rainbows. "Oh Absolutely. You still have some time before the departure. Just please don't go far." He Tian nodded at her and answered the phone, walking away from the counter a bit farther as he didn't want anyone to hear the screeching that he was about to receive. "Hello..." "What exactly are you doing?" the voice of a young women exploded out of the speaker. He Tian immediately pulled the phone away from his ears.

"Chan Chan, you don't need to shout this loud. Dad can hear you just fine." "Don't you Chan Chan me. What the hell dad?" The irritation and anger was so apparent in her voice He Tian couldn't help but smile. "Didn't Secretary Lee explain everything to you?" "He did. To think you run away the moment you done with the merger. How dare you leave me with all these work piling up to sky?" He Tian ran a hand through his hair with a smirk.

"I know you are capable and it is time for you to succeed me. Show them who is boss.'' There was a pause and then the scolding continues. "That doesn't mean you can just leave everything and quit. You are seriously giving me headache. That's why Mom divorced you." He Tian straightened up at her words. "Hey, we divorced not because of that. It was mutual." "Whatever. So what exactly are you planning to do in China?" "I am going to go find the love of my life." "Ugh. Even I am not that childish." "Hey...whatever, I am not gonna argue with you. The company is now yours. I trust you will not drive it to the ground. You are my daughter after all." There was silence on other side.

"Chan Chan, Dad's getting old. It's time, I have to follow my heart and live the life." "...Don't give me sappy crap. You are still putting everything on my head at the end of the day." He could detect a bit of sulking in her voice and couldn't help but felt heart warmed. "Sweetie, it might seem like it and my actions are a bit sudden. But I know you are ready. The way you handled UK branch last year was the example. I wouldn't leave you in charge if I didn't believe you can't do it." He Chan Chan sighed deeply for a couple of times and her voice reappeared again.

"Fineeee. I should never underestimate your sweet talking. Keep your phone with you at all time. I will be calling you every day." He Tian smiled and he headed back to the gate. "Sure. And if you have any problems, contact your uncle Cheng." He Chan Chan scoffed and said, "Forget it. Uncle Cheng left for holiday in Europe with Uncle Qiu last week. I wouldn't want to ruin their romantic getaway.' "What the hell? That's why I couldn't get in touch with him. Stupid couple. Anyway, Chan Chan, I gotta board the plane, I will contact you once I land. Love you sweetie." "...Have a safe flight...And dad..." "Yea?"

After several second of pause, her voice came through again, "I am glad." He Tian stopped in his tracks before the gate and genuinely smiled at his daughter's words. "Thanks Xiao Chan. That means a lot for me......sweetie, I will talk to you later, ok? Have fun with it" "Not likely but I will try...Bye, Dad." The line was cut off quickly and He Tian got on the plane hurriedly, it was already last call.

Through the narrow lane, he headed to his seat in VIP lounge and quickly settled himself in for long hour flight ahead. He flicked open his phone and looked at the wallpaper where the photo of He and his daughter taken at last year Christmas wearing matching black sweaters. He smiled warmly and traced a finger longingly. "May I offer you some beverages, Mr. He?" an attendant came and greeted him. He closed the phone and took off his coat.

"Red wine if you have any, please." "Certainly, sir." She bowed and headed back to carry out his order. He swung his leg over another and leaned back in the seat, listening to the captain's announcement. And soon, with a soft thump, the plane ascended into the air. He glanced at the sea of clouds slowly replacing the view of busy city skyline of New York and inside his chest; he could feel the excitement rising with each second.

In this a few hours on the plane, he felt like he was a teenager again, no longer a-45-year-old middle-aged man who had a business empire in his hand. He felt as though he was given a second chance in life, a chance to live how he saw fit and a chance to salvage what was left of his heart.