He loves me, he loves me not.
1601 Words
I was fairly good at rolling sushi, but my rolls compared to Chef Dan's were quite abysmal.
Still, I didn't want to see the sights, or watch any of the entertainment dance or sing. I wanted to be in this kitchen.
I came back the next day.
I was placing the fresh sushi up on the ice for people to take, I wanted to see if they liked my rolls. Then I heard a familiar voice.
" Oh, I see the cream doesn't always rise to the top." Said Lana Hill, as she took a spring roll from the counter.
My mouth hung open seeing her here, on this very cruise, what are the f*****g chances?
Behind her was Charles Hudson.
I smiled and greeted them warmly. But strained to talk. My eyebrow rose feeling like I might be choking...
___________
My throat was killing me, it was hard to swallow, but my arms were no longer chained, I was lying loose in the big plush bed.
" Sir, water...please. I am no longer drug crazed, I will behave. Promise." I said, as I closed my eyes and cried.
Manuel stroked my hair.
" I heard you, I know you have been through so much. I want you to stay loose now, but Phina, if you fight me, it's back in the chains."
" Yes, I have no fight. My body craves the drugs. That tall man is the devil, if I had a gun...I think I could shoot him in the head. Sorry, I forgot who I was talking to, never mind. I'll behave now."
____________
" Surprise." said Charles.
" Your dad invited me to join you guys on this cruise, he said it was his gift to me that he had owed me for giving his daughter her first real job.
Lana here caught on and surprised me by joining me here." He smiled, but I could see the strain around his eyes.
I could also see that he looked angry at ME. What did I do?
I removed my coat and hair net and excused myself, telling Chef Daniel I would see him tomorrow.
" Actually I'm off tomorrow, I would love to have dinner with you though."
That blew me away. I nodded. "Okay I'm in room 228, call me when you are ready."
He kissed my hand slowly, looking into my eyes. Whoa, he was very into me. I was feeling...flattered.
Lana laughed. "Wow, desperate." She sneered under her breath.
I looked away without commenting. She was so rude. I quickly ditched them as they rounded the corner.
I escaped up to the sun deck not wanting to be anywhere near Lana Hill, or Charles Hudson for that matter, I think I never wanted to see them again.
Why would daddy do this to me?
Now I wondered if he missed the cruise on purpose trying to get me and Charles alone.
He wouldn't know that Charles' fiance, Lana would be here too.
I removed my shoes and sat near the railing, looking out over the water.
Everyone arounding me left at dusk to go to dinner and watch the on board entertainment.
I lay back in a lounge chair and looked up at the sky, feeling so alone.
Still, it was so very beautiful.
He found me there.
" Talk to me, you didn't quit Prestige, you were fired." Charles said with his arms crossed over his broad chest.
I looked up, not meeting his gaze.
" So true." I admitted.
" Why the hell didn't you tell me you were having problems, Lana was afraid to tell me you were not making the cut. Was it me? Did I become too distracting for you?"
I held up my hands, keeping quiet. I was so mad.
He sat next to me then put my hand in his, holding it to his chest.
" I'm sorry. I keep thinking of you alone and pregnant, I owe it to you to at least have a good career. I'll talk to dad and place you in an understudy position in another company."
" No, please. She won't like that very much." I said.
" Who? Your mother?" He was a dolts.
" Your future wife Charles! That's what this was all about. Have you seen how much I have been at the office this past month?" I felt incredulous at his blindness to that b***h.
He nodded and sighed, as he lay back in his chair.
" That is true." He crossed his legs.
" She was jealous of you then?" He just caught on.
" I didn't want you to be dissapointed in her firing me because of our past. It's fine, I'm happy now just taking this cruise, being a burden to my parents."
" I am quite flattered actually." He turned to face me.
" Uhg...men." I stood up and yawned.
" So are you still stuck on me Jo?" He asked watching my face for the truth.
" It's fading fast when the sss is trying to destroy my life, my reputation." I admitted.
" Jo, our families have been friends for years. It doesn't have to end now, I'll talk to her."
" I think she might be listening right now actually." I saw her behind a large post.
Lana came out of the shadows and hugged Charles, satisfied that he really loved her and friend zoned me.
" You were pregnant Jo?" She asked me. I think she knew this already, she seemed to know everything else.
" Right after college, Charles doesn't even remember our little drunk tryst, so there is that."
Lana hugged Charles tighter.
" I am not sorry I fired you, but I see things a bit clearer now.
I was feeling a bit...well jealous is the right word actually. I won't let you have my guy, he's mine." She said quietly, as if she was justified now.
Charles held her chin up.
" I see you baby, don't be mad. I didn't even know you back then." He kissed her.
I left quickly, practically running away from them. It was finally over. At least I knew now that he only felt sorry for me all this time.
The next evening I had dinner with Chef Daniel.
He complained about the food. I thought it was very good.
He was a perfectionist.
I could see that we would not be compatible at all.
I bid him farewell after the meal and went to my room.
Tomorrow was the day we would go into town on an excursion. I stayed to myself, reading alone in my cabin.
I liked it that way.
Charles text me.
" Meeting for breakfast, your parents are joining us on shore. 9am, be there Brennan."
" Will do friend." I sent back.
_____________
I wore a white bikini under my gauzy white and floral sun dress. I was hoping to enjoy the beach today.
I found the group in line for waffles. I had a coffee and water.
Lana wore a long red and floral sarong, her toned, rounded shoulder was tan and sun kissed. She was a natural beauty to be sure.
Charles was never far from her side. It made me sick.
I tried to look away from their PDA.
I heard someone rushing up behind me, it was my father.
I screamed as he spun me around.
Mother came too. She looked beautiful in a cream color short and white blouse ensemble.
" How have you been Squirt?" dad kissed my face.
He kissed my cheek very tenderly, slow motion like...lips on my face....
____________
"I'm sorry I had to bruise your sweet face. I can't give you the drugs you crave. You were not quieting down.
I feel real bad about it, but if you scratch me like that again, I have no choice." Manuel kissed my cheek.
"I might hurt you baby girl. I don't mean to, but you will learn my ways."
I shook my head.
" None of this can be real. I'm having a nightmare. You are not real, not here with me."
He kissed my eyelids and then my lips. You...are...mine. I'm going to be your whole world. I am very real." He placed my hand over his erection.
"But...Phina, if you fight me, I will probably just w***e you out. You won't like it having so many men f**k you.
So just behave now, you will see. My house is your new home. We will be married on Sunday. I need you cleaned up from the drugs by then, my mother is coming."
I stayed quiet. Married to a monster, how can this be? He wants to w***e me out? I started to plan his death in my head.
____________
We all walked down to the town and mom and Lana flocked into the little shops, dragging dad and Charles with them.
I walked over to a small coffee shop and had another cup.
Charles found me there. He sat down with me and took my hand.
" I think I'm in love with you Jo." He said as he watched for the sss, Lana.
I closed my eyes.
" Please don't tease me Charles. You know how I feel about this." I said quietly.
I felt angry now, he wasn't serious, he never had been.
He leaned in to my ear.
" I want to touch you, kiss you. You are all I can think about. I just need time to end things with Lana. Can you give me some time Jo?"
- Writer
