Chapter 40 Awkward

The training finally came to an end.
Today's training involved flight attendants learning emergency procedures. After the class, Wyatt was immediately surrounded by a group of flight attendants. Wyatt was so busy that he didn't have time to look for Yvette, and Yvette also breathed a sigh of relief.
In the cafeteria, Yvette and Sylvia carefully selected their food at the buffet area. Yvette had no appetite; she found the grilled meat greasy, the salad tasteless, and the seafood too fishy. In the end, she only took a serving of mashed potatoes.
Sylvia followed behind Yvette, complaining about the day's training.
"Wyatt really acts like a professor. He demanded that everyone demonstrate and insisted on taking photos and videos. What was supposed to be a routine training session became so serious. You know, I was more nervous today than when I was in school, worried about making mistakes in front of everyone and looking bad in the photos."
Feeling upset, Yvette wasn't paying much attention to Sylvia's words and replied casually, "The flight attendants were here today; that's why there was filming. It won't be like this in the afternoon."
They found a seat and sat down. Yvette quietly began to eat, the sound of the stainless steel fork clinking against the plate echoing crisply.
Sylvia frowned as she noticed that Yvette only took mashed potatoes. "You're not experiencing morning sickness now. Is that all you're eating nutritious enough?"
"I don't feel like eating."
"Even if you don't feel like it, you have to eat. My cousin ate and then vomited during her pregnancy - she ate meat, eggs, milk, vegetables, and fruits, all of it."
Yvette stirred the food on her plate with her fork. "I understand. I'll go get some more food in a bit."
Sylvia didn't continue speaking and also bowed her head to eat. After a while, she glanced curiously at Yvette.
Yvette knew she had something to say and sighed softly. "Just say what's on your mind."
Sylvia replied, "About last night, have you made a decision?"
"What decision?"
"The decision about meeting Violet," Sylvia said, furrowing her brow as she broached the subject. "I think you should listen to me and ignore her. I turned her down for you yesterday as well. You have no reason to see her. You are Albert's legal wife now, pregnant with his child. What's the point of meeting her?"
"Okay."
"Albert was a complete jerk yesterday. He actually clashed with Violet and your mom. Fortunately, your mom handled it gracefully. If it were my mom, she would probably have torn them apart."
Yvette recalled the events of yesterday, her expression gradually stiffening, the muscles in her cheeks feeling a bit sore.
She smiled bitterly. "Isn't it?"
"I was still wondering why you suddenly told me you wanted a divorce. Did Violet contact you? She's able to reach you through me, so she must have contacted you privately many times." Sylvia raised her head, looking at Yvette with a complex expression. "To be honest, I don't know how to advise you. I feel sorry for you, yet also a bit disdainful. You have everything, so why get involved in their messy relationship? It's difficult for you to end it now, even if you want to."
Yvette remained calm, lightly self-deprecating. "Indeed."
"Since the reality cannot be changed, you still have to face it. If Violet continues to pester you, you should tell Albert and let him handle it. Forget about the past; after marriage, the law requires him to be loyal to the marriage and to you. Do you understand?"
Yvette looked at Sylvia's plate for a long time before blinking.
She smiled and comforted Sylvia with her gaze. "I will handle it, don't worry."
She had initiated the divorce, and he had agreed. They should soon have no further contact.
"After this relationship ends, everything will be fine, right?"
Albert was preparing to board the plane when he saw Victor waiting for him.
Already in a somewhat sour mood, Albert furrowed his brow upon seeing Victor. He adjusted his hat and prepared to board, with Victor closely following behind him.
"Do you realize how uncomfortable I was yesterday? I had planned a meal for everyone to perhaps cheer Violet up, but then you and Yvette's family caused trouble. Now, I can't even reach her on the phone. I'm genuinely worried something might happen to her."
Albert, who was walking briskly, turned to glance at Victor after hearing his words. "I told you not to get involved in this, didn't I?"
Hearing this, Victor grew even angrier. "Do you think I want to? If you want me to stay out of it, fine, but you better handle the situation! Now, everyone is in an awkward position. Is that fun for you?"
Albert halted his steps somewhat impatiently. "We broke up two years ago. What more do you want me to do?"
"Don't deceive yourself. Ever since Violet returned to the country, you've shown up at every event she attends. Can you honestly say you've never thought about getting back together with her?"
Albert didn't respond immediately; he fell silent for a moment before replying, "The past is behind us. Yvette is pregnant now, so let's not discuss this further."
"Do you think I want to bring this up? We were all part of the same social circle. Now, because of your breakup with Violet, everything is falling apart. Why?"
Albert maintained his composed expression, slowly lifting his gaze ahead. 
"If that's the case, I'll withdraw from this social circle. Without me, it won't fall apart."
"Albert? Are you willing to sacrifice friendships for a woman? Is that something a decent person would say?"
Albert's words instantly provoked Victor. Grabbing Albert by the collar, his fist raised high, just milliseconds away from striking before Albert swiftly blocked it.
With controlled strength, he pushed Victor away.
"I have a flight duty."
Albert's stern tone and the anger in his eyes clearly communicated to Victor: Do not provoke him any longer, or he will truly lose control.
Knowing Albert for many years and being familiar with his temper, Victor glanced at the onlookers crowding the cabin behind them. He realized this was not the moment to argue with Albert. It would only become fodder for gossip. He suppressed his anger, let go of his fist, took a step back, tidied his clothes, and gave Albert a cold stare.
Lowering his voice, Victor said, "Next week, at my birthday celebration, no matter what issues you have, you must be there on time. If you don't show up, we are no longer friends. Don't make things awkward for our friends with Violet. If you really won't reconcile with her, bring Yvette and make her give up on you completely."
With that, Victor turned and left.
Albert's collar still bore the creases from Victor's forceful tugging at it. As he looked up, the cabin's inhabitants hastily retreated inside.
The sky above had low-hanging clouds, and the impending rain made the atmosphere heavy.
Albert's phone vibrated continuously. Glancing at it, he saw it was Violet calling again. She had already made over a dozen calls.
He held his phone without moving until the call automatically disconnected. When the phone stopped vibrating, he unlocked it, dismissed the missed call notifications, and, as he was about to put the phone away, he opened Facebook. His fingers involuntarily scrolled through the screen until they settled on the chat box with Yvette.
Their last conversation was several days ago, and time seemed to have frozen between them.
'Bring Yvette to Victor's birthday party.'
Thinking back to the words Yvette had said to him yesterday, Albert found it hard to breathe calmly. 
With nowhere for his anger to dissipate, he could only clench his fists tightly.