Carols with a stranger
1000 Words
Lily
“There is a perfect reindeer costume for you,” this man beams while I shake my head, feeling self-conscious. I expect someone to say something about me not belonging here at any moment now.
“Oh, come on. You will be the red nosed one. Santa’s favorite.”
His mischievous eyes and the laughter behind me make me shake my head again, but I am wearing the costume a few minutes later and having the best time of my life.
Two hours later, we have sung, laughed and pretty much practiced all the carols I know, and I feel strangely at home. There is definitely more to life than being accepted by your cruel father and his family. Definitely more than mopping over a cheating lying bastard like Paul.
I must have been lost in my own world because I find Vince tagging on my sleeve.
“Come watch the stars with me, My Lady.”
I shrug and follow him. This is by far the most fun I have had in like forever. Three hours later we are on the ship’s top floor balcony talking and laughing about nonsense. It feels good to talk to someone who does not seem disgusted by me. It is almost midnight when he suddenly become serious.
“Life is too precious to end prematurely, My Lady. I would say, you have a duty to make those who hurt you regret it. You can’t do that if you are dead.”
I guess we are back to the knife story. I was hoping he had forgotten about it.
“Fine, I was planning to end my life, but I have realized that I did not survive that horror household to end my life now. All I need to do is leave all of them behind. It might be hard, but I can definitely survive outside of the Reeds estate and their controlling, soul-sucking, depression hub.”
“That is the spirit!” he beams, his eyes sparkling at me. I find myself smiling at his infectious emotions.
“How about you hang around the ship a bit longer?”
I shake my head. Now that I have decided to leave the Reeds behind, I can’t wait to get off on the next island we stop at and never look back.
“Please, I need you.”
His words take me by surprise, but I have made up my mind.
“I am not the hang around type, nor am I in the jovial cruise mood.”
“I know, but I need your help. My family are going to join this cruise in a day or so. I desperately need a make-belief girlfriend.”
“What? Why?”
“We are kind of in the same boat you and I.”
“How so?”
“My betrothed is carrying my brother’s child,” he says with an emotionless tone, and I can’t tell if he is serious or pulling my leg.
“You are making this up, aren’t you?”
I just can’t think of any woman who would cheat on this man. Not only is he hot, his personality and sense of humor are just amazing.
“Nope.”
I study him for a moment and see something familiar flash in his eyes.
“I am sorry.”
“It’s okay. It was an arranged courtship,” he says and shrugs his shoulders, but this man is wounded. I would know, because I can see myself in those illusive eyes.
“Arranged courtship?” I ask and he chuckles.
“Don’t ask,”
“Okay. Did you love her?”
“I don’t know. I deeply cared for her. She was meant to be my wife.”
“I am sorry and, yes, I will be your pretend girlfriend, but be warned, I am not very lovable.”
I guess I can hang around a bit longer to help the only person who noticed me in this ship.
“Oh, you are just perfect, My Lady.”
I can’t help but blush. “How about you stop flirting and tell me what I need to know about you.”
“Like what, My Belle of the ball?”
“Like stuff your parents will expect me to know about you if I am your girlfriend.”
“Okay. I am Vincent, my friends call me Vince. I am twenty-five years old, a Leo and an extrovert. I speak fifty languages, fluent in forty. I play a guitar, and I have a black belt in karate.”
“Impressive!”
“Ok, your turn,” he says and looks expectantly at me.
I let out a nervous laugh. I have never had to say anything to anyone about my life, not that there is much to say. I nervously play with my pendant, not knowing where to begin.
“There is nothing much to know about me. I am Lily, short for Lilian, twenty-one years old, Aries and introvert. I only speak English. I don’t have any friends, nor do I play any instruments, and I have no accomplishments.”
“I doubt it, My enchanting angel. Lilies are very intricate and the most revered of all flowers in the entire universe.”
I am now blushing like a fool, while he continues to make my heart flutter.
“Which means you do not know yourself, but it is okay. We are going to explore just how intricate you are.”
I clear my throat and look away. This is my tune to leave before I make a fool of myself.
“I am going to call it a night now.”
He laughs, a heartly sound that makes me smile.
“Fine. We should arrive at Jeffee island around ten mane. I would have executed my day duties by then. Shall we explore the island together?”
“I’d love that. Merry Christmas, Vince.”
“Merry Christmas, Lily.”
- Writer
