High above the clouds in the business class cabin, Oakley moved smoothly down the aisle in her crisp flight attendant uniform.
She stopped near a couple by the window, completely wrapped up in each other. The man, dressed in a sharp suit, held out a small velvet box to the woman, whose eyes lit up brightly.
As he opened it, a delicate necklace sparkled inside, its gems catching the light and throwing tiny rainbows across their seats. Oakley’s eyes widened slightly, and she paused for a second.
“May I, my lovely Winter?” the man whispered, his voice full of warmth and excitement. The woman nodded, cheeks pink, lifting her hair so he could fasten the necklace.
“That’s a nice shade of lipstick,” the woman said, turning to Oakley with a gentle smile.
Caught off guard but warmed by the compliment, Oakley touched her lips. “Thanks, it’s my go-to,” she replied, a little flustered at being noticed.
The man smiled at Oakley and slipped her a generous tip. “Thank you for making this flight special,” he said kindly.
“My pleasure. Have a wonderful trip together,” Oakley answered, her mood lighter as she walked away, the couple’s joy staying with her.
The next day was her only day off that weekend, and Oakley had promised to visit her mother. When she arrived, her mother took her arm and introduced her to Shiloh, her new fiancé.
Except he was the same man from the plane—the one who had given another woman a beautiful diamond necklace. Shock hit Oakley hard, but she kept her expression steady.
“Nice to meet you, Oakley. Your mother has told me so much about you,” Shiloh said smoothly, extending his hand as if they were strangers.
“Nice to meet you too,” she replied carefully, going along for her mother’s sake.
Shiloh took charge of the kitchen, cooking dinner with professional ease. “It’s how I show I care,” he said, serving dishes smoothly.
During the meal, Shiloh shared stories of his travels but carefully avoided questions when Oakley asked about his past.
It only increased her doubts, but she wasn’t sure how to bring it up to her mother. Could she have made a mistake?
After dinner, Oakley stepped outside with her mother, hoping the fresh air would help her think clearly.
The cool breeze on the terrace felt good before asking difficult questions. “Mom, what do you really know about Shiloh?” Oakley asked gently.
“He’s wonderful. A billionaire, heir to a diamond empire. He’s given me such an exciting life,” her mother answered, eyes shining. “We’re getting married in just a few days!”
“Mom, this might sound odd, but I’m sure I saw him on a flight with another woman, and now he’s suddenly marrying you,” Oakley pressed.
Her mother frowned. “Why would you make that up? Can’t you be happy for me? Shiloh loves me. You just don’t want me with anyone after your father passed.”
“That’s not it! Doesn’t his quick move feel strange?” Oakley replied.
“Strange? No, it’s romantic. You’re too young to understand. Shiloh is all about love,” her mother said, shaking her head.
Oakley sighed. “Mom, please think about it. He could be a con man. That scene on the plane… he’s a charmer.”
“Con man? Oakley, that’s ridiculous. Shiloh is a good man!” her mother defended.
“I just don’t want you to lose everything to someone we barely know,” Oakley said, trying hard to make her see.
But then Shiloh appeared with drinks. “Ladies, let’s celebrate,” he said cheerfully, and her mother stepped away briefly.
When they were alone, Oakley glared at Shiloh and couldn’t hold back.
“How can you toy with my mother’s feelings?” she demanded, describing what she saw on the plane.
Shiloh’s smile faltered. “Oakley, I only want your mother’s happiness. No need for bad blood.”
She scoffed and poured a drink over his head. “You think you’re clever, but I see right through you. I won’t let you hurt my mother,” she said firmly. “You’re a fraud!”
Her mother returned, eyes wide at the orange slice dripping from Shiloh’s face. “Oakley, how could you? Shiloh, I’m so sorry…”
Shiloh reassured her. “It’s fine. Let’s not ruin our evening.”
Oakley’s frown deepened as her mother fussed over the man, and she realized she couldn’t convince her that night. But she knew she had to prove Shiloh’s real nature to protect her mother.
It would take time.
That’s when she remembered a key detail from the flight where she saw Shiloh… and Winter.
Oakley waited outside the airline office, gathering her courage before going in. At the desk, a friendly representative greeted her. “Good morning! How can I help?”
“I need to check the passenger list from my last flight. It’s important,” Oakley said, trying to sound steady.
“That’s private information. May I ask why?” the representative asked, brow furrowed.
Oakley hid her anxiety. “A passenger lost something valuable. I want to return it personally.”
“Okay, I can’t show the list, but I can help if you provide details,” the representative said, leading Oakley to a private room.
Once seated, Oakley explained that a passenger named Winter had lost jewelry and mentioned it as they deplaned.
The representative checked and confirmed the Lost & Found department had Winter’s report and had recovered the item.
“Could I return it to her myself? It might mean more coming from someone on the flight,” Oakley asked.
After signing a form, Oakley received Winter’s jewelry and contact information. She called the woman and arranged to meet the next day in a hotel lobby.
Oakley approached Winter—the same woman Shiloh had been sweet with on her last flight—in a quiet hotel coffee shop. Winter recognized her immediately.
“You were the flight attendant on my trip, right?” Winter asked, surprised.
“Yes, that was me. Small world,” Oakley said.
Oakley got straight to it, explaining about Shiloh, her suspicions, and everything she knew. Winter frowned, clearly upset.
“I knew something felt off. Shiloh asked me for a large amount of money for an emergency. I trusted him, and I’m supposed to meet him soon to hand it over,” Winter revealed, leaning back and crossing her arms.
Oakley said this was their opportunity to expose him. “We can set up a plan to catch him. We’ll record it. I’ll disguise myself; he won’t recognize me,” she suggested.
Winter agreed, and they spent the next hour planning every step and possible reaction from Shiloh.
As Oakley left the coffee shop, she felt nervous but resolved. The plan was set, and together they would protect her mother.
In a softly lit upscale restaurant where Winter had arranged to meet Shiloh and give him the money he requested, Winter waited, slowly turning her wine glass.
Meanwhile, Oakley, disguised as a waitress, watched from across the room as Shiloh walked in confidently and greeted Winter.
“Winter, my dear, sorry to keep you waiting,” he said, sitting down.
Oakley approached their table to take the order, and Winter played along perfectly, suggesting they celebrate with red wine.
“Great choice,” Shiloh agreed, his eyes fixed on Winter. Oakley brought the wine quickly, heart racing with each step.
“That’ll be all, thank you,” Shiloh said, barely glancing at her. It wasn’t enough for recognition. His attention returned to his date.
As they sipped, Winter suggested that instead of cash, she could give him a gift—something solid like jewelry—since he’d been so generous with diamonds.
Intrigued, Shiloh pulled out his phone to show her options, from Cartier pieces to Rolex watches and designer outfits.
As soon as his phone was on the table, Oakley saw her chance. She pretended to refill their glasses and “accidentally” spilled some wine on Shiloh’s shirt.
“Damn it! My shirt!” he exclaimed, jumping up in annoyance.
“It’s just a spill, Shiloh. No need to make a scene,” Winter said calmly, giving Oakley a subtle nod.
Oakley apologized quickly, then hurried off, saying she’d get club soda and napkins.
In the chaos, she had swapped Shiloh’s unlocked phone with a decoy and rushed to the restroom to check the real one.
After a few minutes of searching, Oakley found Shiloh’s active dating profile and flirty messages similar to those he’d sent her mother.
Not the full proof she needed, but concerning enough. So Oakley began typing a message, making one last attempt to trap him.
A sudden knock startled her. “I know you’re in there with my phone! Come out now!” Shiloh shouted from outside.
“I’m calling the police!” he declared, voice sharp.
Oakley stood, phone in hand, heart pounding. She opened the stall door to face Shiloh in a tense standoff. He lunged for the phone, but Oakley dodged.
“Stay back!” she warned, pressing against the wall.
“Give me my phone, or you’ll regret it!” Shiloh cornered her, hand reaching out. Oakley screamed, hoping someone would hear, bracing for whatever came next.
In a stark police station, Oakley sat under bright fluorescent lights.
“You’re fortunate Mr. Shiloh hasn’t pressed charges,” a stern officer warned. “This is your only warning.”
Oakley nodded quietly. “I thought I was doing the right thing.”
“Good intentions don’t excuse bad actions,” the officer said before leaving.
Her mother burst through the doors, face full of disappointment. “Oakley, this isn’t the daughter I raised,” she said, voice heavy.
“Mom, I was trying to protect you from Shiloh,” Oakley explained, looking down.
“Protect me by breaking the law?” her mother snapped. “You’ve gone too far.”
An officer stepped in. “Mr. Shiloh has filed a restraining order. Any further actions will result in arrest.”
Oakley closed her eyes, but her mother didn’t soften.
“I don’t want to see you anymore. Learn from this. Goodbye, Oakley,” her mother said before walking out.
Oakley returned to the same hotel where she had met Winter and sat at the lobby bar. While sipping a strong drink, Winter slid onto the stool beside her.
“I heard what happened. I’m sorry,” Winter said, resting her hands on the bar.
“Thanks,” Oakley replied, managing a small smile. “But before everything fell apart, I changed Shiloh’s password on the dating site.”
“That’s smart,” Winter said, intrigued. “We can use that. Let’s warn the other women.”
Oakley laughed as they logged into Shiloh’s dating profile together, sending messages to alert his targets.
“Beware of Shiloh. He’s not who he seems. Protect your heart and your money,” Oakley typed carefully.
Their laughter faded into focused silence as they saw how far this man would go to deceive women.
It was late when Winter closed her laptop and squeezed Oakley’s hand.
“And just think, what we started tonight is only the beginning. Shiloh has no idea what’s coming. Wait until the wedding—it’s going to be unforgettable!”
The morning sun warmed the city chapel as Shiloh, in a sharp black tuxedo, prepared to marry Oakley’s mother.
But he didn’t know today would be the last time he got away with his charming scams.
Oakley watched from the trees, heart racing as the ceremony began. Suddenly, a murmur spread through the crowd.
Heels clicked on the floor as one woman, then another, and dozens more arrived at the chapel. All women Shiloh had deceived.
A woman in a bright red dress shouted, “Scammer!” Her voice shattered the calm.
Shiloh frowned, confusion turning to panic as he recognized her and others.
“He’s a liar!” another yelled.
“You won’t get away with this!” a third added.
The ceremony dissolved into chaos. One woman smashed wedding cake into Shiloh’s face, covering him in frosting.
He tried to flee down the aisle, but a guest tripped him, sending him crashing into flowers.
The women swarmed, using purses, shoes, and bouquets to express their anger, shouting accusations.
Police eventually stepped in, calming the crowd and leading a messy Shiloh away. As quiet returned, the chapel filled with whispers and occasional sobs.
Oakley stepped out from hiding just as her mother exited the chapel, tears on her face. The older woman shook her head at her and got into a car.
Her mother was too proud to admit she was wrong. But Oakley would wait and give her time to heal. In the meantime, she would make sure Shiloh faced the full consequences of his actions.