With the plan in mind, I discreetly retrieved the bottle from my bag and waited for the right moment. When the cabin lights dimmed and passengers began settling in with their books and headphones, I slowly twisted open the bottle and let the scent waft around our seats. The fragrance was potent, as I had hoped, and I noticed the woman’s immediate reaction. She wrinkled her nose and shifted uncomfortably, glancing around as if trying to pinpoint the source of the smell.
I kept my composure, pretending to be engrossed in a magazine as I resealed the bottle. A few minutes later, when her feet crept back up onto my husband’s seat, I repeated the process. This time, her discomfort was more noticeable, and she exchanged whispered complaints with her friend. I saw her glance at me, trying to assess whether I was aware of the situation, but I maintained an air of innocence.
