Chapter 11
As Maria hung the phone up, she felt more at ease with everything. As soon she glanced around her small quarters, she heard the page for dinner being served at the front of the plane. She loved flying first class, just hated take offs and landings.
Her room was only about ten by twelve feet and painted in pale mint green. It came with a small closet, a twin captain's bed with six draws underneath it, and a four-draw dresser. She made sure that all of her clothes were put away after the plane had taken off and they were finally allowed to get up from their seats.
She was lucky enough to have her own bathroom. The room was only large enough to hold a stand up shower, a toilet, and a corner sink with a cabinet underneath. She placed her hair stuff under the small sink but, not all of it fit under there.
The flight attendants provided her with fresh towels every day, which she thanked them every time they did.
Maria had found many ways to keep herself busy. She made her bed each morning. Then she went up front to eat breakfast with the rest of the passengers. Afterwards, she would take a shower and get fully dressed. She then took her dirty clothes down to the washer and dryer at the front of the ship and washed her clothes. Sometimes, she would take a nap, other times she would converse with the other people on board the plane, and sometimes she would read up on Saturn.
As she stepped out of her room, she met the two foul smelling men who walked straight by her as if she wasn't even there. Maria just rolled her eyes and followed them at a safe distance to the dining area.
Tonight they were serving barbecued chicken with mashed potatoes, peas, and sweet rolls.
As Maria looked at the other two guests, she couldn't help but feel that she knew who they were. She knew it was impossible because she had never seen them before in her life.
She sighed at the niggling feeling that she was receiving off of them and began to eat. She still missed her mother's cooking but, this was definitely second best in Maria's book.
"So, where are you heading to?" one of the men asked.
He was about an inch taller than Maria and was on the pudgy side. He had a full head of white hair and pale blue eyes.
"Oh, I'm going to Saturn" Maria said as she took a drink from glass of water.
"Oh really. Why would you be heading there? No one who goes there ever comes back." The other man questioned.
He carried very similar characteristics to the other man but he was a larger around the middle than the other one and he had dark blue eyes. He also appeared to be about ten years older than the other one.
"Well, what can I say, I love adventure" Maria knew it was a partial lie but she was not about to give anyone information. She did love adventure; just this was not what she would call fun. As far as she was concerned, this was almost a business trip with a little added bonus.
"You must be an adventurous young lady in order to venture out by yourself at such a young age" the first man commented.
"And you? Where are you two heading off to?" Maria asked.
"Us? My brother, Hugh, and I are heading to Jupiter to finish up some negotiations" the younger man said.
"Oh, I didn't know that Jupiter had been colonized" Maria said.
"It really isn't but it is right now at the beginning stages of development. It is an excellent planet to have meetings at" Hugh quickly stated before stuffing his face full of food.
"Okay" Maria agreed before gently sliding her plate away from her.
"Not very hungry this evening are you?" Hugh questioned when he noticed that Maria only finished about half her meal.
"No, I just don't have much appetite right now" Maria said as she stood up and began to walk toward her sleeping quarters when Hugh's voice stopped her.
"Will you join me later this evening? I would dearly love to know more about you" he asked as he lit up a cigar.
"You know, I think I will have to take a rain-check on that. I am not feeling too hot right now" Maria stated, trying to fake a headache as she placed her hand on the side of her head.
"How about breakfast tomorrow morning?" he inquired.
"I'll already be here for that so why are you even asking?" Maria decided it was time to question his motives.
"Of course. How foolish of me. Your company is quite a pleasure compare to that of my brother" he stated.
"Thank you for the compliment" Maria stated as she rose from the table and then gently slid her chair back under the table.
"You are quite welcome, my dear. So, tomorrow around eight?" he asked as he watched Maria start to exit the room.
"I'll be here when they page for breakfast" Maria softly smiled and then left the room, exhaling, sighing with relief that he didn't further pressure her.
"Very lovely young lady, don't you think?" the older brother asked.
"Yes, Hedrick, very lovely" Hugh stated.
"Do you think Darrius would approve of her?" Hedrick questioned.
"Most definitely" Hugh agreed.
