A Waterside Peril
1796 Words
“ You think that I sent that?” Chloe asked, her face stunned as she stared at us. I couldn't tell if she was pretending or not. “Here is my phone. Check it.” She said as she slid her phone on the table.
Zachary reached for it without a second thought and opened it. Jealousy burned in my stomach as I realized that he knew her password. Connor never trusted me enough to tell me his. After checking for what seemed like minutes, Zachary dropped her phone back on the table.
“It better not be you, Chloe,” Zachary warned before turning around, about to leave, when Chloe's voice echoed.
“ Zachary, my birthday is next week. My parents would love for you to come. Your parents would be there too.” Chloe said, her words making Zachary tense up immediately. My hands clenched at my side. It was my birthday too. “It can be celebrated on the ship if you want.”
“ It's your birthday. Why are you asking me?” Zachary asked before grabbing my hand as he left.
Heading into the hallway, I couldn't help but shift away once we were out of everyone's watchful eyes. Zachary looked down at me, I was finally gaining his attention.
“No one is watching us. We don't have keep holding hands.” I said removing my hand from his. “If you'll excuse me,” I said running away before he could stop me.
“ Charlotte!” Zachary's voice echoed but I still ran.
Moments later, I found myself standing in front of the basketball court section on the ship. The place was mostly empty with a few people playing on the court. It was so beautiful decorated with Christmas decorations that I couldn't turn away. Heading inside, I found a place to sit down while I watched them play. The peace and quiet in the court was a stark contrast to the turmoil inside me. I knew I shouldn't blame Zachary. He didn't know that my birthday was coming up either.
“ Do you play?” A voice asked bringing me out of my thoughts.
“ Excuse me?” I asked as I stared at the handsome blonde athletic man in front of me.
“ Do you want to play? I can teach you if you want.” He said smiling at me exposing his dimples.
“ I'm not dressed for it. Besides, I just came to-”
“ I know. You came to clear your head. The peace and quiet plus the view. Divine.” He said using his hand to imitate a kiss making me smile.
“ Is this some sort of pick-up line?” I asked trying to look serious.
“Maybe. But trust me, there is nothing a game can't fix. Common. Go change. The lockers are that way. I'll wait for you.” He said signaling towards that the back door by the far end of the room.
Changing into one of the outfits, I placed my old clothes in the locker and walked out. My hair was up in a ponytail and I tried to soothe the t-shirt hoping it was okay. I had played basketball before as a child and even hoped to chase it as career but I was not tall at all to do so.
“ I'm not sure if I can make a shoot.” I said trying to discourage the handsome stranger in front of me as he kept his eyes locked on mine without a single word.
“ It's alright. I'll carry you.” He said smiling as I walked up to him.
Catching the ball, I bounced it a few times trying to gain momentum. The ball felt unfamiliar in my hands as I bounced it against the polished floor, the sound echoing in the near-empty court. I glanced at the man standing nearby, his easy grin giving him an air of confidence. His relaxed demeanor made it seem like he belonged on the court, and I couldn't help but feel a bit self-conscious.
"Alright," I said, brushing off the nerves. "Let’s see if I remember how to do this.”
“Confidence. I like that,” he said with a chuckle, crossing his arms as he watched me line up the shot.
I bent my knees, focused on the hoop, and released the ball. It hit the backboard, rattled around the rim, and fell out. I groaned softly, shaking my head.
“Not bad for a warm-up,” he teased, retrieving the ball. “But let’s fix that form.”
He stepped closer, holding the ball out for me. His blue eyes sparkled with mischief as he tilted his head toward the hoop. “Feet apart, knees bent, and keep your elbow in. Got it?”
I nodded, mimicking the stance he demonstrated. He stepped behind me, his hands lightly brushing mine as he adjusted my grip on the ball. The closeness caught me off guard, but I tried to focus.
“Now, aim and follow through,” he said, his voice low and encouraging.
I steadied myself and shot again. This time, the ball sailed smoothly into the hoop. Relief and pride surged through me, and I couldn’t help but smile.
“There you go!” he said, clapping his hands together. “Natural talent.”
Just as I was about to answer, Zachary appeared, his eyes fixed on me as he walked towards us. I could tell that something was wrong but I didn't care. I was jealous and I knew it was stupid of me.
“ Charlotte, we need to talk.” Zachary said as he stared at me and the handsome stranger.
“ I'll get going now. Seems like your boyfriend is mad. I'm Paul, by the way.” The handsome stranger said as he handed me his card.
My eyes flickered to the name written on the card. Paul. Paul Byers.
“ You're Paul Byers?” I asked stunned as I watched him leave. Turning around, Paul winked at me mischievously before leaving.
“ Can you explain why you just left? What are you doing here?” he asked, his voice calm but laced with something darker.
“Taking a break,” I said, crossing my arms. “Is that a problem?”
“It is when you disappear without telling me,” he said, his tone clipped. “You’re supposed to be my girlfriend. People are watching.”
I lifted my chin, refusing to back down. “You mean Chloe is watching?” I asked before tearing my gaze away. “No one was watching when I left. And last I checked, this arrangement wasn’t real. So, why does it matter?”
Zachary’s jaw clenched, and for a moment, I thought he might walk away. But instead, his voice softened, the words almost a whisper.
“It matters to me.”
“ Stop.” I said trying to walk past him when Zachary stopped me grabbing my hand.
“ What's wrong with you? Why are you so upset?” He asked but I refused to say anything.
“Nothing. Can I have some space to breathe?” I asked, my voice sounding harsher than I intended.
Something shifted in Zachary's eyes and I couldn't help but give myself a mental slap as I watched Zachary step back, his eyes unreadable as he let me leave.
********************
“Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you…”
The cheerful tune spilled out from one of the restaurants, blending with clinking glasses and laughter. The place had been rented out by Zachary and Chloe’s parents, their wealth shining in every detail. It was the kind of world I could never fit into, and honestly, I didn’t even want to try. My steps carried me toward the bar instead.
It was my birthday too, though no one seemed to care. Not my parents, who were still furious at me for breaking things off with Connor. He’d been their perfect son-in-law in the making, and I had ruined it.
“Happy birthday, Charlotte.”
The voice made me freeze, every syllable slicing into me like a bad memory come to life. I turned, and there he was—Connor. His smirk was as unwelcome as the box he slid across the counter toward me.
“Here’s your gift. I thought you’d like it,” he said, like it was some grand gesture.
I stared at the box, then shoved it back toward him. “What is this supposed to be? An apology for cheating on me? I don’t want it.”
“For God’s sake, Charlotte, how long are you going to drag this out?” His voice was thick with exasperation, but his smugness was louder. “It’s just a present. I’m the only one who even remembered your birthday, anyway.”
Before I could fire back, another voice interrupted, smooth and unwavering. “Who said you were the only one who remembered?”
My breath hitched as I turned. Zachary was standing there, sharp and devastatingly handsome in a dark suit. His eyes flicked to mine, a teasing grin tugging at his lips as he crossed the room and slid his arm around my waist.
“Hello, love,” he murmured, his words warm and intimate, sending my pulse into chaos.
“I thought you were with your parents,” I whispered, suddenly hyper-aware of every move he made.
“It’s not my birthday. Why would I stay?” His answer was simple, yet it hit me like a whisper to the soul.
Connor’s face darkened as he stepped closer, his jaw clenched tight. “Are you done with this little show? Charlotte, why can’t you see he’s just toying with you? But I guess noticing things like that isn’t really your strength.”
His words stung, sharp and deliberate. I turned to face him, my voice low but steady. “Are you calling me dumb?”
Suddenly, a scream pierced through the restaurant.
Everyone froze, heads turning toward the sound. Near the railing of the outdoor deck, Chloe was flailing, her arms windmilling as she teetered on the edge.
“Help! Somebody help me!” she cried, her voice high-pitched and panicked.
The crowd surged toward the deck, but no one moved to act. My breath hitched as Chloe’s foot slipped, and in one horrifying moment, she lost her balance and plummeted over the edge.
A collective gasp erupted, the sound blending with the splash of water below.
“Chloe!” Zachary’s voice was sharp and commanding as he shoved through the frozen crowd. Without a second thought, he climbed over the railing and dove into the water after her.
- Writer
