Chapter 47: The Flight: Mei’s “Retirement” Gets Suspended
Ava exhaled sharply as she and Ryan filed onto the crowded plane, dodging elbows, oversized bags, and a family arguing loudly over who got the window seat. Her nerves were already frayed from the whirlwind of packing, last-minute client handoffs, and Mei’s meddling. But this—this would be her moment of peace. A quiet flight to mentally prepare herself for what was waiting in New York: billionaires, psychics, and algorithms. No distractions, she told herself.
She glanced at her ticket: Row 22. "Great, middle of the plane," she muttered, clutching her carry-on as she navigated the narrow aisle.
Ryan, walking just behind her, smirked. "Could be worse. We could be next to someone eating tuna salad."
"Please don’t jinx it," Ava replied. She craned her neck, searching for their seats.
And then she froze.
Sitting in Row 22B and 22C, as if they belonged there, were Mei and Harold. Mei was sipping tea from an insulated travel mug that screamed "matchmaking queen," while Harold was deeply engrossed in a guidebook titled Hidden Pastrami Gems of New York City.
Ava blinked, certain her eyes were deceiving her. "No. Absolutely not."
Ryan, spotting the same scene, broke into a grin. "Oh, this is already worth the price of admission."
"Grandma?" Ava hissed, her voice a strangled mix of shock and frustration. "What are you doing here? I thought you were retired!"
Mei looked up, her face glowing with an innocent smile that could disarm even the most hardened skeptic. "Oh, hello, dear! What a coincidence! Harold and I decided to take a little trip to New York. You know, soak in the culture, explore the city, maybe help you avoid making a fool of yourself."
Ava’s left eye twitched. "You sent me to New York for this conference! You practically shoved me out the door with suitcases in hand!"