Onboard the Cruise Ship. Chapter 15

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My blotchy face recovered by Tuesday, it was time to go back to work. In honour of the funeral for my heart, I don in all black today.

Frank was assigned to drop off the luggage packed with Nate's items in the charity box.

I was greeted by the sight of bleeding markets and a 300 point drop in the morning. It was murder on the dancefloor at the markets today. A correction from the previous rally.

"I'll never cheat on you again, nor will I ever follow my emotions anymore", mumbling to myself referring to the markets.

If it's any consolation, at least the stock market doesn't hide things from me. What you see, is what you get. He was in a bad mood today, throwing his temper with murderous price slashing.

I might be being dramatic, yet it was better than being depressed.

Thankfully this opportunity presents future discounts on solid counters. I concentrated on work today and nothing else.

By the time market closed, I was looking forward to sparring in Muay Thai. I want to kick, and I want to fight. I was paired with a girl my size that day.

We made a pact not to hit each other's faces but we were welcome to bruise everywhere else and promised not to hold back. Sparring is a great way to release pent up anxiety and frustrations.

Since my sex life is back to nil, I foresee myself spending more time in the MMA gym.

I was tired when I arrived home that night, exhausted till the point that the bed no longer felt large and empty anymore. It was a good sign, the first baby step to forgetting. I mustered the courage to delete all our messages, rereading it one last time before hitting the delete button. Once it was erased, I feel a sense of accomplishment. Words, I realised, can be so carelessly spoken.

The short week passed in a breeze, I started painting during my idle time after work. After 5 hours, my mindless brush strokes revealed a painting of a forlorn heart on a rose stem underneath the lavender moonlit skies shining through leafless branches.

It looked a little doleful, yet I liked it enough to hang it in my living room. If I died alone with a hundred cats one day, perhaps my remains would be found amongst my then extensive art collections and my story would be told.

When Friday arrived, my emotional thermostat was no longer out of whack. Infact, it probably read zero. I was hollow, void of any feelings. There were no anger, sadness or denial. Perhaps I've made it to the last stage of ending a relationship. I am now at acceptance. The days passed by like a sigh, though I've ended my habit of glancing at the phone and counting the hours since we last spoken. It was probably only a couple of days yet it felt like weeks. The memories of our short but intense moments spent together felt hazy and distant.

The event on the cruise ship is held today. Since Thomas and John are attending, we decided to leave together. The ship leaves in the evening and the timing was perfect. Trading hours has ended hence we could leave with a peace of mind.

Once Sarah arrives, Frank takes us to the port. We adjourn to our respective suites, Sarah and mine side by side, opposite the boys.

The main reason why Sarah and I never share a suite is due to my air-conditioning temperatures. She'll be freezing under my rules and I'll be sweating profusely if I were to accommodate her.

We decided it was best we slept in separate rooms whenever we go on holidays. I'm reminded of how Nate grumbles about it all the time, yet he would curl up under the comforter and hug me for warmth as if his life depended on it.

Pushing the nagging memory out of my mind, I slide open the glass door leading to a private veranda. The suite was decent. It was spacious enough with a living and dining area separate from the bedroom with crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. There is a walk in wardrobe, and the toilet had a built in whirlpool jacuzzi overlooking the ocean.

After unpacking and settling down, we agreed to meet in an hours time. The party was separated into two themes, one pool party and a masquerade ball. There was plenty of time before the party starts hence we decided to hit the casino instead.
As we walked to the casino, there were plenty of familiar faces. It was as if the entire Manhattan city decided to aboard the cruise ship for the weekend.

"Our plan tonight, is to get Brooke laid so she'll stop being so grumpy at work", grins Thomas, slinging his arm casually across mine and Sarah's.

"Try that and my plan tonight will be to prevent you from getting laid", I warned Thomas concealing my smile.

Once we've arrived the casino, I head to the roulette table, whilst the 3 of them went to the baccarat table.

I wasn't a fan of card games that were purely based on 100% luck. I wasn't the extremely lucky type, neither did I have talent at counting cards. Poker wasn't as fun betting against the dealer. Amongst all the odds laid out, the risk reward ratio for roulette is the highest at 50% betting on the colour red or black.

It wasn't about the money, due to my competitive nature, I just didn't like to lose. An hour passed quickly, at the peak I was up about 52 grand then it quickly dwindled to 28 grand on a 2 grand bet, then it plateaued and I was getting bored.

John comes over and tells me that the pit boss is opening one table for a mini poker tournament.

"The buy in is 250 grand, do you want to join?", he asks.

"Sure, reserve a slot for me. I'll be there after I head to the ladies. Where is it?"

"It's first come, first serve basis. Hurry", he replies, pointing to a room with the door closed on the far end of the casino.

By the time I cashed in my chips and entered the room, there were two empty seats but it was already reserved. One of them was at the men's room, and the other at the bar.

Sarah offers her seat but I declined. "Slay em woman", I smiled encouragingly. Besides, it would be fun to watch Sarah mess up the dynamics of the game and confuse everyone with her blind calls.

I head to the bar and get a drink, whilst waiting for the game to start.

"Hi, we meet again. Are you stalking me?", it was Jake Parker with a neat glass of scotch sporting an easy going smile on his face.

"It's you again. Plot twist, perhaps you are the one stalking me", I replied, friendlier this time.

"Technically, it'll be easier the other way round since you attended my club opening, and my cruise ship in an event I'm organizing to promote my new cruise line", he replies, looking amused.

"Oh, I had no idea. Maybe you should give me a list of what you own, and I'll avoid all the places", I retorted jokingly.

"What would be the fun in that? By the way, can we meet for drinks later? I've got something to attend to now", he says.

"Maybe", I replied. I grabbed my drink and we started walking but we were heading to the same direction.

"Are you joining the game as well?", he asks.

"Wanted to. The slots were full. You must be the guy at the bar".

"You can take my spot, I'm just passing time anyway", he offers kindly.

"No thanks. I'll watch", I politely declined.

"Alright, what about this, sit with me and be my lucky charm. I'll split the winnings with you after the game", says Jake.

"Better idea, why don't we split the buy in and play as one", I suggested.

"Deal. Time to win some chips", he agrees and we shake hands in partnership. We entered the room and split the buy in at 125 grand each and sat together.

Sarah recognizes Jake immediately and offered a warm smile. The game was yet to start, waiting for the final player. The door opens and it was Nate, to my dismay, with Izabela trailing behind.

Nate was equally surprised as our gaze met across the room, and we exchanged curt nods to each other. I was definitely not expecting to bump into him in the middle of the Atlantic ocean. His eyes narrowed marginally, when he noticed that Jake and I were playing as one. I ignored him completely.

Sarah was grinning broadly. Anymore and her absurdly wide smile would be reaching her ears, kicking my leg from underneath the table.

"Oh my God", she mouthed unable to contain how she found the situation hilarious beyond words. Thomas and John catches on but were behaving civilized about it.

Get ready to hand your chips over, Morgan", says John softly, competitive as always, once the blinds were called.

"Dreamer", I whispered back.

What started as a serious game soon turned into a table filled with full fledged laughter. All thanks to Sarah and her clueless antics combined with her lucky fluke wiping out half the table including Nate. Throughout the whole time, he was impassive borderline sombre, almost like a total stranger.

It was now Sarah, John, another German guy named Leon who plays professionally on occasions and us left in the game.

The river reveals 4, Jack and Queen mixed flush. John folds and Leon calls 50 thousand to follow. Sarah calls as usual, we were holding 2 and 7 but decided to participate to see the next card anyway.

A 2 was dealt and Leon called 100 thousand to follow.

"What do you think?", Jake asks softly.

"I think we should fold", I whispered, since the odds were against us.

"Chicken", he grins tauntingly.

"Chicken? You're calling me a chicken?", I snorted trying not to laugh. I pushed the chips to the table 100k and raised another 100k to follow, while attempting to maintain a straight face looking at him.

Sarah follows. At this point, we've all given up on trying to read her. Jake fakes an exaggerated gasp as the last card dealt an Ace. "Look where your ego has taken us", he whispered.

"Shut up", I replied and we burst out laughing.

Leon looked serious. He stared at us for awhile trying to read us and went all in intimidatingly.

"Ok you decide now. It's ok if you have no balls", I smirked, whispering softly.

He matches my grin, and in slow dramatic fashion he starts pushing the all the chips.

"You're doing it", I remarked.

"Yes I am, no turning back. All in", he announces.

Sarah shoves her chips in Casino Royale fashion, happy to be part of the action. John leans forward to spectate the big reveal of the largest pot tonight.

Leon was holding a 9 and a King, probably buying a straight. Sarah had 5 and 8.

Jake and I started laughing at our sheer luck.

"Jesus, both you girls are either fearless or foolish", Leon grudgingly smiles but shakes our hands before leaving anyway.

John looks at Sarah in amusement and disbelief, "You went in with that?".

She shrugs her shoulders casually and giggles, "Just here to stir things up a little".

"John, now you know what I have to deal with when I play with Sarah", I chuckled.

We decided to end the game since it was only us left and the party started. Thomas has been texting John asking him to hurry.

"I'll see you later?", asks Jake upon splitting our share of winnings.

"I'm sure we'll bump into each other", I replied, warming up to Jake after game.

Sarah and I proceed back to our suites to change while John finds Thomas.

"That was awkward, when Nate entered the room earlier", Sarah burst into giggles once we were alone.

"Tell me about it".

"He looked pretty annoyed though", she remarks, changing into a gold bikini.

"Regardless, he's not my problem anymore. I don't care if he has a swordfish up his ass".

"That's the spirit! You seem to be getting along with Jake", Sarah grins mischievously.

I slipped on a dark maroon V plunge halter one piece, with intricate gold rings wrapped around the straps for detailing and a sheer see through black chiffon wrap around the waist, "He's alright. Just friends".

We head up to the upper deck where the party was held. The event was already in full swing by the time we arrived. The slides were open, people were dancing around the pool and splashing inside the pool.

John texted the location of our cabana for the night which was secured by Thomas.

"Finally you girls are here", exclaims Thomas handing us our flutes of champagne, with John by his side.

"Looks like you've been working the ground already", I smirked referring to an unknown group of girls lounging in our cabana.

"Rule 3 of the stock market. Act fast and seize opportunities", he replies with a grin.

"Cheers to that", I lifted my drink as a toast.

"Since you were getting along with Jake Parker, I figured you don't need a wingman. Let's find Sarah and John their dates", Thomas suggests, clearly oblivious to their attraction with each other.

"You don't have to. Sarah's already got her eyes on John", I replied deviously, watching Sarah looking uncomfortable. Revenge is sweet, afterall she's had her fun.

"Shut up Brooke", she mutters.

"Why so shy Sarah?", I continued, watching her squirm. John was attempting not to smile, yet he looked pleasantly surprised.

"I must have been blind. No wonder John was turning down every girl I sent his way", chirps Thomas before pulling me aside.

"Hey, I'm sorry, this was the only spot left when I arrived", says Thomas softly while nudging his head at the opposite direction across the pool.

I glanced at where Thomas was referring to and it was Nate in his cabana looking handsome as he always does, wearing an unbuttoned white shirt showing off his lean abs and a plain pair of board shorts.

He was with a few 3rd generation heirs, stockbrokers and Izabela with her legs that go for miles.

Thomas must have noticed me glancing at Izabela when he says, "For what it's worth, I think you're a 100 times hotter than her".

I chuckled, "That's kind, though rather unrealistic of you. I'm definitely not Vogue cover neither Victoria Secret Angel runway material. Look she's pretty and I'm alright with that".

He grins sheepishly, "Ok fine, at least you're 10 times richer than her, and so is Jake Parker wealthier than Nate".

I laughed, "You're a great friend Thomas".

"Speaking of which, your new admirer is walking here", Thomas points at Jake, making his way to our table.

"Are you guys having fun?", asks Jake with a friendly smile.

"Yes, it's well organized. Congrats on your opening", I replied.

Sarah appears grabbing my hand, "Let's check out the water slide".

"No thanks, I might die of a heart attack before I reach the bottom".

"I've built the tallest water slide on the sea. It's a 14 storey drop, higher by 4 floors from the last record holder", adds Jake not helping the situation.

Sarah looks excited, "Let's goooo", she insisted.

"You know I'm scared of heights", I replied unwilling to budge.

"Fine, stay here and be a coward", she retorts.

"Ok", I grinned. As if reverse psychology was going to work on me.

"Please", she says changing her tact, "I'm going to stay here until you agree. Lets just go and see. If you're really afraid, I promise I won't force you".

Jake looks amused at our back and forth banters. After awhile, I relented. Sarah can be stubborn when she wants to be. Jake follows us up, along with John.

"Remind me why we're friends again", I groaned as we were on the way to the top. It was really high up, and the people below looked like tiny ants.

"Because I'm one in a million and you love me for that", says Sarah smugly, flipping her hair over her shoulders.

"Unless you're one in 7.7 billion, then you're not that special Sarah. I can find 39 of you as replacement in every country", I smirked.

"Nerd", she retorts.

We finally reached the highest point of the starting drop. The theme of the slide mirrored Alice in Wonderland's journey down the rabbit hole, except alot more sinister looking with a bottomless pit ready to engulf you in darkness and fear once you go down the water slide.

Sarah knowing that I will back out, wouldn't budge till I enter the slide first.

"Come, we'll go down together. I promise you'll make it to the bottom safely", Jake persuades gently in a soothing tone.

The line behind us was getting impatient, leaving me no choice but to sit on a thin kayak like tube that fits two with Jake.

He wraps his arms around my waist tightly as we leaned back before we were pushed down the plunging abyss.

I screamed for dear life with my eyes closed before we plunge into the pool at the bottom after what felt like eternity. We swam to the side, before Sarah and John splashes down after us.

"Told you I'll keep you safe", winks Jake as I gathered myself post the aftershock.

"I'm amazed you're not deaf after all the screaming", chuckles John.

"Nearly bro, nearly", replies Jake unable to conceal the smile on his face.

"Let's go back to the table for a drink", suggests Sarah.

Jake gets up and offers his hand to help me out of the pool. We were right in front of Nate's cabana. A man dressed in all black hands Jake a pair of towels.

As Jake wraps a towel around me, I caught a glimpse of Nate staring in our direction with his eyes narrowed and his arms crossed. I pretended not to see him as we walked to the other side of the pool where our cabana was.

To be honest, it wasn't as if we ended in horrible terms. We just weren't friends to begin with. There isn't anything left between us to hold on to, or make pretend we were going to hang out and have coffee like best buds. I am determined to carry on with my life without him, before he came along.

We have a few round of drinks at the table before Sarah and John heads to the dance floor leaving Jake and I alone.

"I've been meaning to ask, if you're were always so cold and mean to strangers", says Jake with an easy smile.

"Depends. To be fair, you asked if we've met and I answered the truth".

"Fair enough, I'm glad I bumped into you here. Come, follow me", he grins, grabbing my hand towards the middle of the dance floor.

"What is it?", I asked as he was standing there anticipating something.

"Wait for it".

A few seconds later foams starts shooting towards the dance floor as the clock strikes 12 midnight.

"This", he wore a mischievous grin dumping a handful of foam on top of my head. The dance floor turned into a foam war as everyone was throwing foamy bubbles at each other. I responded immediately by returning Jake the favor.

Sarah and John found their way to us and joined in the foam fight. It was awhile since I've last laughed because I was having fun, not for the sake of it, ever since the whole Nate ordeal.

It was getting packed and a little rowdy before Jake guides me out to an emptier corner by the deck.

"You know, I left you a message the next day after we first met", he notes casually.

"I didn't realise", I answered honestly which was the truth since my mind was preoccupied with other matters.

"Are you seeing anyone now?", he asks.

"No, but I'm not ready to date. I just got off a complicated relationship".

"Let me guess, it's that guy walking over here now", he grins knowingly.

I was about to turn around when Jake placed two hands on my shoulders, "Wait. Don't look. His coming".

"Brooke", a firm hand grips my right arm and I knew it was Nate.

"Nate", I nodded in acknowledgement. We were civilized and curt, it was hard to picture us frolicking around playfully as how we used to, just a couple of weeks ago.

Jake extends his hand out, "Jake. Jake Parker".

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