Chapter 1: Turbulent Living Arrangements

Alex had always been drawn to the thrill of the skies. As a 22-year-old first officer on a 777, he spent most of his days soaring through the clouds, taking passengers to their destinations, and living out of a suitcase. His job was exhilarating, but it also made it difficult to maintain a sense of stability and normalcy. To avoid the hassle of finding a new place to stay every time he was back on land, Alex had made the decision to find some roommates. It wasn't easy, but he finally found a couple, Rachel and Mike, who were around his age and seemed like great people to live with. They were both in their mid-twenties, working regular 9-to-5 jobs, and seemed to have a sense of routine that Alex envied. The three of them hit it off immediately, and before he knew it, they were signing a lease on a small apartment in a decent neighborhood. As they were unpacking and getting settled, Alex found himself hesitating to share too much about his job. He didn't want to be "that guy" who was always talking about work, but he also didn't want to arouse suspicion. So, he decided to keep his work life as secret as possible. He told Rachel and Mike that he worked in "management" and that his schedule was just really unpredictable. Rachel and Mike seemed to accept this explanation without pushing for more details. They were friendly and curious, but not nosy, and Alex was grateful for that. As they spent more time together, he found himself enjoying their company and feeling like he had finally found a sense of home. The apartment was small, but it was cozy, and the three of them quickly fell into a comfortable routine. Rachel was a graphic designer, and Mike worked as an accountant. They were both quiet and reserved, but they had a great sense of humor, and Alex found himself laughing more and more in their presence. As the days turned into weeks, Alex found himself struggling to balance his work and personal life. He would be gone for days at a time, flying to different cities and countries, and then he would return home, exhausted, and try to fit in with Rachel and Mike's routine. It was a challenge, but he was determined to make it work. One evening, as they were sitting in the living room, watching TV, Rachel turned to Alex and asked, "So, what's it like being in management? Do you have to travel a lot?" Alex hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. He smiled and said, "It's...interesting. Yeah, I do travel a bit, but it's worth it." Rachel nodded, seeming to accept this vague response, and the conversation moved on. Alex breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that he had dodged a bullet. But as he settled back into the couch, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was living a lie. How long could he keep his secret safe? And what would happen if Rachel and Mike found out the truth about his job as a pilot?