Love at the Wrong Table by Emmanuel Lowe

Chapter 2004

In the heart of Zovince, along the bustling airport road, four sleek black SUVS

glided through the night, their engines humming softly against the backdrop

of the urban symphony. Within the second vehicle of the convoy sat an

elderly man, heavily bespectacled, who had closed his eyes to rest.

“Mr. Hale, we have arrived at the airport,” a voice called from inside the

vehicle, shattering the stillness that enveloped him. Slowly, the old man opened his eyes, revealing bloodshot irises that betrayed his exhaustion.

He forced a weary smile, patting his face in an attempt to shake off the

fatigue that clung to him. “We’ve arrived so quickly? I had hoped to rest a bit

longer. Thank you for your hard work.”

As he spoke, a robust man seated beside him had already exited the vehicle,

swiftly opening the door with a practiced ease.

“Thank you,” the elderly man expressed gratefully as he stepped out into the

cool night air.

Wed, Nov

Chapter 2004 The Mysterious Attendant

#t

The muscular bodyguard nodded slightly, taking his place behind Mr. Hale.

His sharp gaze scanned the surroundings, ever vigilant. As the distinguished

official’s protector, his duty was to ensure his charge’s safety at all times.

Moments later, a female aide clad in a crisp black uniform approached, her

demeanor a blend of urgency and respect. “Sir, the Northern Region General

has arranged a security detail for you. The team leader, code–named Wolf, is

en route to ensure your safety during this trip.”

“Oh, is that so?” Mr. Hale replied, his tone lightening as he considered the

familiar rapport he shared with Santiago, the esteemed general from the

Northern Region. Naturally, he accepted the arrangements made on his

behalf. However, glancing at his watch, he frowned slightly. “There’s still some

time. I’ll head into the airport and wait for him before we board.”

The bodyguard’s discontent flickered across his expression, but he chose to remain silent in the public setting, understanding the weight of his duty.

As the group entered the airport, they made their way to a special waiting area reserved for their private flight. Around fifteen minutes later, Emmanuel,

16:33 Wed, Nov 27 B.

Chapter 2004 The Mysterious Attendant

D

winded and hurrying, pulled up outside the terminal. Due to the rush, the

hundred–member elite unit he had planned to escort had not yet arrived.

51%

“Mr. Hale is already in the waiting lounge,” Sage, who had been coordinating

logistics, reported as he leaped out of the car, determination etched across

his face.

Emmanuel merely nodded and quickened his pace toward the terminal. The

bustling Zovince airport, alive with movement at one–thirty in the morning,

pulsated with surreal energy. Shadows of passengers flickered beneath the

harsh overhead lights, creating an almost dreamlike atmosphere in the

otherwise tranquil night.

Despite their urgency, Emmanuel and Sage adhered to the usual security protocols during the check–in process. As they stood in line, Emmanuel’s gaze wandered around the airport. He noticed two attendants clad in sleek black uniforms heading toward the exclusive boarding area for their private

aircraft.

At first, he dismissed them as just another part of the crowd. However, the

51%

Chapter 2004 The Mysterious Attendant

confident stride of the pair soon ignited a spark of suspicion within him.

Sensing something was amiss, he attempted to bypass security to pursue

them but was swiftly halted.

“Sir, please follow the rules,” a security officer admonished, his tone firm yet

professional.

Seeing the two attendants vanish from view, Emmanuel felt a swell of

frustration. He turned back and quietly relayed his concern to Sage, “Find a

way to notify Mr. Hale not to board just yet.”

Sage hesitated for a brief moment, his brow furrowing in thought, before

quickly nodding in agreement.

With time running short in the security line, Emmanuel spotted a chance

amidst the crowd. Drawing on his remarkable speed, he slipped through the

bustling airport, racing toward the private lounge where Mr. Hale awaited.

At one–thirty in the morning, Ethan glanced at his watch, concern etching

lines across his brow. “Why hasn’t Mr. Wolf arrived yet? I need to board.”

16.33 Wed, Nov 27 a

04 The Mysterious Attenders

The female aide hurried over, her voice a hurried whisper. “Mr. Hale, Mr. Wolf

instructed that you should hold off on boarding until he arrives.”

“Really-” Ethan felt a twinge of uncertainty, his thoughts swirling.

Behind him, the muscular bodyguard finally broke his silence, his voice a low

growl. “Who does he think he is? What right does he have to dictate Mr. Hale’s

schedule? This trip is crucial for the welfare of the people and the support of

the national elections. We cannot afford any delays.”

Ethan understood the significance of their timely arrival in Riverhaven. Any

misstep could be seized upon by his two rival candidates, potentially

undermining his standing in the eyes of the public. Yet, he also recognized

the strategic acumen of the Northern Region General. As one of the

highest–ranking officials in Chanaea, Ethan could surmise the weight of

Emmanuel’s identity.

This man was likely the legendary warrior from the Northern Region, known

for his unparalleled victories in battle. The insistence that they postpone

boarding suggested deeper motives, reasons that extended beyond the

16:33 Wed, Nov 27

Chapter 2004 The Mysterious Attendant

simple necessity of waiting for his arrival.

“Mr. Hale, I’ll accompany you onto the plane. With me around, I can ensure

your safety.”

The sturdy man spoke with unwavering determination, his expression tinged

with irritation. His name was Chester Collier. His father, Pierre Collier, had

been hailed as the strongest bodyguard in the world. Tragically, Pierre had

been ambushed and killed while protecting the former national leader, who

had also fallen victim to the same attack.

In an instant, the reputation Pierre had built over decades was shattered,

leaving a profound impact on his family. As his son, Chester felt a burning

desire to uphold his father’s legacy. He was resolute in his mission to protect

Ethan Hale until the day he ascended to the esteemed position of national

leader.

However, the recent decision by the Northern Region General to assign a

guard team to Ethan was a clear affront to Chester. It implied a lack of faith in

This abilities, suggesting that, with him as the protector, Ethan was still not

Chapter 2004 The Mysterio Attendant

safe enough. The General commanded great respect, and Chester dared not

offend him. Yet, the delay of Emmanuel, who had yet to arrive, ignited a

simmering anger within Chester. Did Ethan truly need to wait for someone

who might not even show up before boarding the plane?

“Very well”

Ethan, a personable figure, had forged a solid friendship with the former

national leader over thirty years. His bond with Pierre, who had diligently

protected him for three decades, only added to the weight of the moment.

Noticing the young man seethed with fury, Ethan decided it was time to

board the plane and await Emmanuel. After all, his schedule was of utmost

importance and could not be delayed any further.

With that decision made, his female assistant and accompanying personnel

followed him onto the aircraft.

To their surprise, as soon as they settled into their seats, a flight attendant

approached, accompanied by another staff member. She delivered the

16:33 Wed, Nov 27

Chapter 2004 The Mysterious Attendant

unexpected news that the plane would be taking off fifteen minutes early.

“Why the early departure?” Ethan inquired, furrowing his brow in perplexity.

“Mr. Hale, we’ve detected a weather issue along the route. To ensure your

safety, we may need to alter our flight path, which would extend our travel

time by an additional fifteen minutes. To guarantee we arrive on time, we

must take off early.”

The male flight attendant explained meticulously, a subtle smirk curling at

the corners of his mouth, hinting at a sense of satisfaction in delivering

unwelcome news.

“Is that so?” Ethan’s frown deepened, his concern growing. “Why wasn’t I

informed of this sooner?”

“Mr. Hale, with your numerous responsibilities, we didn’t think it necessary to

trouble you with such minor details. Our captain can make these decisions

independently.”

16:33 Wed, Nov 27 D

Chapter 2004 The Mysterious Attendant

B

The attendant’s dismissive response left Ethan thoroughly dissatisfied, a

sense of unease settling over him.

51%

#

His female assistant, sensing the tension, was poised to voice her discontent,

ready to reprimand the attendants for their lack of professionalism. However,

the flight crew turned and left without another word, leaving a palpable

tension in the air.

The aircraft doors sealed shut with a finality that sent a shiver down Ethan’s

spine, and the engines began to roar to life, drowning out the last sounds of

their conversation.

“This is bad,” he muttered under his breath, the knot of worry tightening in his

stomach.

At that moment, Emmanuel rushed into the airport terminal, his eyes

widening as he spotted the plane beginning its taxi down the runway.

Without a moment’s hesitation, he sprinted forward, leaping onto the wing

with a determination fueled by instinct.

16:33 Wed, Nov 27 B

Chapter 2004 The Mysterious Attendant

For an ordinary person, such an act would be akin to courting death, but

Emmanuel executed the maneuver with remarkable ease, his demeanor

calm and collected amidst the chaos.

51%2

With the plane departing early and the two figures who had appeared less

than trustworthy still fresh in his mind, Emmanuel surmised that this

connecting flight had to be riddled with trouble. He needed to find a way to

ensure Ethan’s safety.

The roar of the engines grew deafening, echoing around him like thunder,

vibrating through the air. Emmanuel found himself exposed on the wing, the

noise nearly overwhelming. Desperate, he shattered the nearest window and

vaulted inside the plane, his heart pounding in his chest.

What he encountered inside was utterly astonishing.

In this section of the cabin, two men and two women, disguised as

attendants and flight crew, were pulling components from their bags and

loading bullets into makeshift handguns. The sight was surreal, shattering the

veneer of normalcy that air travel usually held.

16:33 Wed, Nov 27 B

Chapter 2004 The Mysterious Attendant

E

51%

tt

As Emmanuel burst into the cabin, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. The

air felt as though it had frozen in place, the tension thick enough to cut with a

knife.