Chapter 1: Unplanned Encounter

The hum of the engines died down as the Boeing 777 taxied to the gate, signaling the end of the long 10-hour flight from Tokyo to Los Angeles. As the first officer, Alex Harris, stretched his tired muscles, he felt a mix of relief and exhaustion. He had been on his feet for most of the flight, ensuring the smooth operation of the aircraft and assisting the captain in navigating through the crowded skies. As the passengers began to disembark, Alex gathered his belongings and followed the rest of the crew to the gate. He couldn't wait to get home and rest in his own bed. The thought of a hot shower and a good night's sleep was all that kept him going. As he walked through the airport, Alex noticed a couple standing by the arrivals gate, scanning the crowd with anxious expressions. They looked familiar, but he couldn't quite place them. It wasn't until they caught his eye and waved enthusiastically that he realized who they were. His heart sank. It was his parents. Alex's mind went blank as he tried to process the unexpected encounter. He hadn't planned on running into them here, especially not in his uniform. His parents had no idea he had become a pilot, let alone a first officer on a major airline. He had kept it a secret, worried that they would worry too much about his safety. As he approached them, Alex's parents beamed with excitement. "Alex! Oh my goodness, it's so great to see you!" his mom exclaimed, rushing to hug him tightly. Alex's face grew hot with embarrassment as he hugged them back, trying to play it cool. "Hey, Mom. Hey, Dad. What are you guys doing here?" His dad, a stout man with a bushy mustache, grinned. "We were in the neighborhood and thought we'd drop by to surprise you. We didn't know you were working today." Alex's eyes darted around, hoping no one was watching the awkward reunion. "Uh, yeah. I, uh, I had a flight come in. I just got back from Tokyo." His mom's eyes widened. "Tokyo? That's amazing! We're so proud of you, Alex. We had no idea you were flying international flights." Alex's face turned beet red as he realized he hadn't thought this through. He hadn't told his parents about his career change, and now he was standing in the airport, wearing his uniform and trying to downplay the situation. "So, what do you do, exactly?" his dad asked, his curiosity getting the better of him. Alex hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. He didn't want to lie to his parents, but he wasn't ready to share his new career with them just yet. "I'm, uh, working in... aviation," he stammered. His parents exchanged a confused glance, and Alex knew he had to think fast to get out of this situation. But for now, he was stuck, trying to navigate this unexpected encounter with his parents in the airport.