“Ugh! You can’t be serious! Are you really making her sit here?! Miss, you better do something about it!” Louis Newman grumbled as he saw a mother-of-three approaching his adjacent seats with the help of a stewardess.

“I’m sorry, sir,” the stewardess replied gently, showing him the tickets. “These seats have been assigned to Mrs. Debbie Brown and her children, and we can’t do anything about it. I’d request you to kindly cooperate with us.”

“You don’t understand, Miss! I have a crucial meeting with foreign investors. Her children will keep chit-chatting and making noises, and I cannot afford to lose this deal!”

“Sir…” The stewardess had just started speaking when Debbie interrupted her. “It’s all right. I can sit somewhere else if the other passengers are willing to swap seats with my children and me. That isn’t an issue for me.”

“Not at all, ma’am!” the stewardess shot back. “You’re sitting here because you paid for it, and you have the right to be here! It makes no difference whether someone likes it or not, and sir,” she turned to Louis, “I’d appreciate it if you could be patient until the flight is over.”

Louis Newman, a millionaire businessman, was irritated that the stewardess had refused his request. What bothered him even more was that he was forced to sit next to a woman who, in his eyes, seemed out of place in business class, dressed in modest clothing.

He put on his AirPods to avoid any conversation with her and turned away as she settled in, helping her children buckle up. The boarding process completed, and the flight took off. It was the first time Debbie and her children had flown business class, and as the plane ascended, the children’s excitement was palpable. “Mom!” exclaimed her daughter Stacey. “Look, we’re finally flying! Yay!”

Some passengers smiled at Stacey’s joy, but Louis wore a scornful expression. “Listen,” he said, turning to Debbie. “Could you please ask your children to be quiet? I missed my previous flight and have a critical meeting. I don’t want any disruption.”

“I’m sorry,” Debbie replied politely, motioning for her children to quiet down. Louis’s meeting lasted for most of the flight. Debbie noticed he was a businessman in the fabrics industry, often referring to his handbook filled with designs and fabric samples.

After his meeting concluded, Debbie approached him. “Do you mind if I ask you a question?”

Louis, having just secured a deal and feeling a bit more relaxed, agreed. “Sure, go ahead.”

“I noticed you had a handbook with fabric samples and designs. Do you work in the clothing industry?”

“Yes,” Louis replied. “I own a clothing company in New York. We just closed a significant deal. I didn’t expect it to work out, but it did.”

“That’s impressive. Congratulations!” Debbie said. “I run a small boutique in Texas, which my in-laws started in New York. We recently expanded to Texas. I was really impressed with your designs.”

Louis responded with a sarcastic laugh. “Thanks, lady! But our designs are top-notch, created by the best designers. We’ve just partnered with the leading design company globally. A BOUTIQUE, SERIOUSLY?” He muttered loudly enough to mock Debbie.

Debbie felt humiliated but tried to stay composed. “I understand. It must be quite a big deal for you.”

“A big deal?” Louis smirked. “A poor woman like you wouldn’t understand. It was a million-dollar deal! You’re here in business class, but you don’t seem to belong. Maybe next time, you should try economy and stay among your boutique crowd.”

Debbie’s patience was wearing thin. “Listen, sir,” she said firmly, “I understand it’s my first time flying business class, and I struggled with the check-in process. But don’t you think you’re overstepping? My husband is on this flight too…”

Before Debbie could finish, an announcement came over the intercom, signaling their arrival at JFK. But the pilot, Captain Tyler Brown, had more to say.

“I’d like to thank every passenger on this flight, especially my wife Debbie Brown, who is flying with us today. Debbie, honey, I can’t tell you how much your support means to me.”

Louis’s face flushed with embarrassment as he realized Debbie’s husband was the pilot.

“This is my first time flying an A-class flight, and I was nervous. Thank you to my wife, who supported me and agreed to fly with me despite her own fear of flying, just to comfort me. Today is a special day; it’s not only my first flight back after a long period of unemployment but also the day we first met, which I believe you’ve forgotten. On this day, I’d like to propose to you again. DEBBIE, I LOVE YOU!”

Tyler stepped out of the cockpit and, on one knee, proposed to Debbie with a ring. “Would you like to spend the rest of your life with me again, Mrs. Debbie Brown?”

The plane’s passengers were captivated by the touching scene. As Debbie tearfully accepted, the passengers applauded. Louis stood there, stunned and humiliated. Before exiting the plane, Debbie approached Louis and said, “A materialistic man like you, who only thinks about money, would never understand how it feels to have a loved one beside you. Yes, my husband and I live simply, but we are incredibly proud of our life together!”