The CEO’s Jet Broke Down Again — Her Assistant Whispered, “I Think She Just Wants the Mechanic Back”
Chapter 2
Mason Reed was standing beneath a hydraulic lift when Lily found him.
The repair shop sat forty minutes outside the city, tucked between a truck depot and an old warehouse district.
It was nothing like Sterling International.
There were no polished floors.
No glass walls.
No assistants running schedules.
Just oil stains, metal shelves, tools, and the constant smell of gasoline.
Mason was repairing an old delivery van when Lily stepped inside.
He looked up.
His expression changed the instant he saw her.
“Lily.”
“Mason.”
He slid out from under the van.
“What happened?”
“Our jet.”
He laughed once.
“Of course.”
Lily frowned.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“The jet broke down again.”
“I heard.”
“You knew?”
“Everyone in aviation maintenance hears when a Sterling aircraft has problems.”
Mason reached for a rag.
“What do you need?”
“You.”
He stopped.
Lily gave him a tired smile.
“Please don’t make me explain the obvious.”
Mason looked away.
“I don’t work for Sterling anymore.”
“I know.”
“So why are you here?”
“Because Ava asked me to find you.”
That made him go still.
“She asked?”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“Twenty minutes ago.”
He shook his head.
“No.”
“Mason—”
“I’m not going back.”
Lily lowered her voice.
“You should hear what she didn’t say.”
His eyes returned to hers.
“What didn’t she say?”
“She never said your name in front of anyone.”
Mason frowned.
“She waited until the hangar was empty.”
He said nothing.
“She told me to find you.”
“That doesn’t mean anything.”
Lily studied him.
“You really believe that?”
Mason looked toward the shop window.
Rain had started outside.
“She made her decision.”
“She was angry.”
“She told me I was replaceable.”
Lily sighed.
“Did she?”
“Yes.”
“Those weren’t her first words.”
Mason looked at her.
“What do you mean?”
Lily hesitated.
Then she opened her phone and showed him a message.
It was from Ava.
Find Mason. Don’t send anyone else. I need him to inspect the aircraft personally.
Mason stared at the screen.
“She could have hired another mechanic.”
“She has.”
“Then why me?”
“I don’t know.”
Mason handed the phone back.
“Neither do I.”
But Lily knew.
She had watched Ava for six months.
She had watched the CEO leave meetings whenever someone mentioned Mason’s name.
She had noticed the unopened coffee mug that still sat in Ava’s private office because Mason used to bring it every morning.
She had noticed the old wrench sitting inside a drawer.
Engraved with one sentence:
For the machine that refuses to behave.
Mason folded his arms.
“Is she okay?”
Lily smiled.
“There she is.”
“Who?”
“The question you actually came here to ask.”
Mason looked annoyed.
“I asked about the aircraft.”
“Sure.”
He picked up his jacket.
“Fine. I’ll inspect the jet.”
Lily nodded.
“You’re not going to take the company job.”
“No.”
“You’re not going to forgive her.”
“No.”
“You’re definitely not going to fall for her again.”
Mason stared at her.
“Again?”
Lily smiled.
“Interesting.”
He walked past her.
“Let’s fix the plane.”
But neither of them noticed the black SUV parked across the street.
And inside it, a man was watching Mason leave.
