I watched her expression.
She looked at Victoria.
Then at me.
Then at the boarding pass in my hand.
"What seems to be the issue, sir?"
Before I could answer, Victoria snapped, "I already explained. He's demanding my seat."
Elena remained composed.
"May I verify both seat assignments?"
I held out my boarding pass.
Victoria sighed theatrically.
"This is ridiculous."
Elena accepted the document and checked the cabin manifest on her tablet.
She looked down.
Then back at the seat.
For a second, I saw recognition enter her eyes.
She looked at my face again.
Her expression changed.
Not into fear.
Into surprise.
"Mr. Cole?"
I nodded.
"Good morning, Elena."
Victoria looked between us.
"You know him?"
Elena swallowed.
"Yes, ma'am."
Victoria rolled her eyes.
"Well, that's lovely. Can you ask him to go wherever he's supposed to be?"
Elena took a small breath.
"Ma'am, seat 2A is assigned to Mr. Cole. Your seat is 2C."
Victoria's expression hardened.
"I booked this cabin through your platinum concierge service."
"Yes, ma'am. I can see your reservation."
"Then you know who I am."
Elena nodded politely.
"I do."
Victoria pointed at me again.
"Then move him."
Elena looked toward me.
For one brief moment, I could see the professional dilemma crossing her face.
She knew my identity.
She also knew I had said nothing about it.
The cabin was filling with passengers, and boarding needed to remain orderly.
I gave her a small nod.
Not an instruction to embarrass Victoria.
Simply permission to handle the issue according to company procedures.
Elena turned back toward the woman.
"Ma'am, I'll need you to move to your assigned seat."
Victoria laughed.
"No."
Elena hesitated.
"I'm sorry?"
"I said no."
Victoria leaned back.
"I am paying nearly thirty thousand dollars for this trip. I am not moving so some stranger can pretend he belongs here."
The cabin went quiet.
I looked toward her.
"Victoria, you're making this much more difficult than it needs to be."
Her eyes widened.
"How dare you call me by my first name?"
I almost smiled.
She had used several names for me already.
Sweetheart.
Stranger.
Boy.
But hearing her own first name spoken calmly seemed to offend her more than any of the insults she had delivered.
She pointed at the boarding pass.