The Choice: The Pocket Watch Chronicles

by Ceci Giltenan

  “Absolutely. But I’ll take that. Just grab your purse and your carryon.”

  “Are Benjamin and Daphne going with us?”

  “No. I haven’t seen them today. Daphne sent a text saying they were leaving about an hour ago. They want us to meet them for dinner. It’s just you and me for now.”

  Moments later, they were downstairs and a porter was leading them towards the alley to the Grand Canal.

  “Ooh, wait a minute. I want to get a picture of this,” said Sara.

  “Of the alley?” asked both Mark and the porter in unison.

  Sara laughed. “Yes, the alley. I have an idea for a book.”

  Mark grinned. “That’s my girl.”

  ~ * ~

  By five that evening they were comfortably installed in their stateroom, a large suite with a private balcony that looked off the back of the ship. Mark had cracked open the bottle of champagne that had awaited them and Sara sipped on a glass while nibbling one of the beautiful canapes the butler had delivered. “Staying in a suite certainly does have its perks.”

  Mark grinned. “Yes, it does, but Benjamin is beyond pissed that they fouled up the reservation and we didn’t get the penthouse.”

  “The penthouse? A cruise ship has a penthouse?”

  “This one does. It’s a huge suite—an apartment really—with multiple bedrooms, a living room, dining room, private sundeck with its own pool and spa, and a fulltime butler and steward. They deliver absolutely anything you want from any restaurant at any time. There is even a private elevator and exit. The only time you have to leave it or mingle with the other passengers is to go to the casino or one of the shows. But even just staying in this suite still makes it possible to avoid most of the other passengers. All suite guests have access to the concierge lounge and of course, room service is available.”

  “All of those things sound nice, but what’s the point of going on a cruise if we don’t mingle once in a while? It’s fun to meet other people. Benjamin could have hired a private yacht if he wanted to be alone.”

  Mark arched a brow. “Hired a yacht? Christ Sara, have you forgotten who he is?”

  “No, but you’ll have to pardon my momentary lapse into the ordinary world.”

  Benjamin Samuel Talbot was the son and heir to Samuel Talbot, owner of Talbot & Company, a firm that had been building ships since the late eighteenth century. For the last eighty years, they had focused solely on building yachts and for the last thirty years specialized in custom luxury yachts. The quality of their ships was globally renowned and their clients were among the wealthiest people in the world. The Talbots themselves were billionaires. Next to them, the Hollands looked like paupers.

  She shook her head. “Frankly, it surprised me that he was willing to consider a commercial cruise at all—even in the penthouse.”

  “Daphne wanted to try it. She thought it would be fun for a change.” Mark rolled his eyes. “She said it would be ‘like camping.’”

  “You have got to be kidding. She compared a luxury suite on a cruise ship to camping?”

  Mark nodded.

  “Where do you get these friends and how can anyone be so far removed from reality?” It was a rhetorical question. She knew exactly where he had met them. Mark and Benjamin had gone to the same prep school and had been best friends for years. Daphne had attended the sister school in the same town. She reconnected with them a few months ago when she bought a Porsche from Mark. Their detachment from reality was most likely due to the fact that they were all trust fund babies. Of all of them, Mark was the only one who actually held a job and he earned a significant amount of money doing what he does best: being charming and convincing people they needed to buy a status car. It’s still a Lamborghini even if someone else owned it first.

  Benjamin didn’t even pretend interest in Talbot & Company. He understood the finances and as long as things were ticking along as they should, he didn’t care about anything else. Trying to be polite, Sara had once asked him about ship design. He had brushed her off. “I couldn’t care less about ship design. We employ experts in every field and pay them well to maintain Talbot & Company’s prestige. Why should I waste my time on it?”

  Mark smiled indulgently at her. “They’re a different breed, Sara. Not like you and me.”

  “Not like me, you mean. I didn’t grow up wealthy.

  “But you are now.”

  “I’m comfortable—not wealthy. I make a nice living as an author, perhaps a little better than some, but that’s all.”

  “I’m talking about the settlement from your family’s accident. You have millions at your disposal.”

  Sara didn’t like to be reminded of that. The millions Mark referred to was money she had been awarded to settle the wrongful death suit out of court. She hadn’t wanted the suit filed. Both of her parents had life insurance through their jobs as well as a small amount on Josh. That money had been enough to cover all expenses, finish her master’s program, pay off her student loans, and allow her the time she needed to write and become published. Now, she lived off of her royalties.

  But when the accident happened, given the nature of it, the attorney who was the executor of her parents’ estate insisted on it. “This was a tragedy that never should have happened. Think of their pain and suffering.”

  She frowned. That was exactly why she didn’t want the lawsuit. It did make her think of their pain and suffering and she just wanted to put all of that behind her. So, when the parents of the girl who caused the accident offered to settle, she accepted just to make it go away. She didn’t want to think of how her family suffered or have to relive it. So that money remained untouched. To her attorney’s horror, she had dumped it in stock and didn’t think about.

  “You know I don’t intend to use that for myself,” she told Mark.

  Someday she would have to deal with it. She’d find a way to use it to raise awareness about distracted driving or to help other victims. But for now, it just reminded her of the most horrific eleven days of her life and her unspeakable loss.

  “I’m sorry, babe. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  “You didn’t. I am just…well I’m not like the three of you. As long as I can work and pay my way, I don’t need more. Frankly, I would gladly live out of a car if it meant I could have my parents and brother back.”

  “I know you would. I’m sorry. Daphne was just teasing Benjamin with the camping comment. You know how he can be. For that matter, the fact that he agreed to a commercial cruise just to please her is a sign of true love and dedication. He’s mellowing.”

  She arched an eyebrow at him. “Mellowing?”

  He laughed. “Yes, mellowing. He’s angry but he’s still here. He didn’t storm away when his money couldn’t fix the foul up.”

  “That’s true.” A smile flirted at Sara’s lips. Benjamin handled problems by throwing money at them and given his deep pockets, he was accustomed to getting his own way. Frankly, it would have been amusing to watch as his tried and true method failed, but it had all occurred before she and Mark arrived on the ship. “What happened anyway?”

  “I’m not sure. Benjamin was certain his assistant booked the penthouse for all of us, but the computer indicated that two of the larger suites had been reserved. If the mistake was hers, he’ll have her head.”

  “Poor girl.”

  “It won’t be pretty. He tried everything in his arsenal to get the penthouse including offering to pay the couple who’d been given the prime suite three times the cost of the cruise if they would agree to change. He even offered a huge bribe to the guest services officer to make it happen. The man wouldn’t budge. It seems the couple in the penthouse are also VIPs and what’s more it’s their honeymoon. However, the old retired couple who had booked the Admiral’s Suite—the finest stateroom next to the penthouse—were there checking in and heard all of this. They were happy to take the money and trade suites. So Benjamin is mollified, if not happy.”

  “Wow. Who a
re the newlyweds?”

  Mark chuckled. “That is a mystery. Occasions such as weddings, among the world’s rich and famous, are usually media events. But there hasn’t been one recently—at least not one we’ve heard about. We have no idea who they might be.”

  “Ah well, I’m very happy with this suite and I have no problem with mingling.”

  Mark put a finger to her lips. “It’s probably best if you don’t say that to Benjamin.”

  Sara was aghast. “You mean I can’t have my own opinion?”

  “You can have it, gorgeous, just don’t share it with him—at least not until his temper cools.”

  So, several hours later, when they met Benjamin and Daphne, Sara plastered on a smile and kept her mouth shut. It was especially irksome when Benjamin spent a good hour complaining about the “general incompetence exhibited by the crew and cruise line.” Her impression of the cruise had been stellar so far and she itched to say that.

  Daphne joined in as Benjamin ranted. “It is galling, darling. Did you ever find out who the honeymooners are? Perhaps they need to learn not to interfere with Benjamin Talbot.”

  Sara bit her lip. Really? Their sense of entitlement knew no bounds.

  “Of course, no one from the cruise line would tell me, but I think I know who it is. I saw Elizabeth Quinn strolling on the deck with her new husband earlier.

  Mark frowned. “Who is Elizabeth Quinn?”

  “Elizabeth Matheson Quinn.” At the blank expressions on Mark and Daphne’s faces, he rolled his eyes. “The granddaughter of Alastair Matheson.”

  “The lawyer, Alastair Matheson? Founder of Matheson & Matheson?” Asked Mark. “I’m surprised we didn’t know about that wedding. It should have been a big affair.”

  “You would have thought but it wasn’t. I made a few calls. She married a nobody. She was in a car accident in February, sustained a head injury, lost her memory and fell in love with some pediatrician from New Jersey. I doubt the Mathesons are overly happy about it.”

  Daphne huffed. “I’ll bet he’s just after her money. What a barracuda.” Daphne’s eyes swept towards Sara as if insinuating that she too might fall into that category.

  Sara wouldn’t dignify it with a reaction. But for the first time all day, she was sorry Benjamin hadn’t gotten his way. This might have been a wonderful evening if Benjamin and Daphne were dining alone in the penthouse.

  “So how will you make them pay?” Asked Daphne.

  This was the last straw. Sara could no longer hold her tongue. “Oh, come on. They’re newlyweds. Leave it alone.”

  Benjamin scowled at her. “I don’t care who they are, and normally I would make sure they knew they’d messed with the wrong person.”

  “Normally?” asked Daphne. “You don’t intend to have revenge.”

  “Sometimes one has to choose one’s battles. Picking a fight with the Mathesons could come back to bite Talbot & Company in the ass. They’ve been our corporate lawyers for years. It isn’t worth it.”

  Sara stifled a smile. It sounded like the mighty Benjamin Talbot might not be the biggest bully on this playground.

  Chapter 3 – What if I Fall in Love?

  After dinner, they went to the casino. Sara didn’t enjoy gambling herself and soon grew bored watching Mark and Benjamin play as if they were spending Monopoly money. She tried more than once to get Mark to return to their suite with her. “You know I don’t really know much about gambling,” She lowered her voice to a whisper, “but I know all about a few other things we both enjoy.”

  He kissed her temple. “Yes, you do, but humor me for a while. You don’t have to know how to gamble. All you have to do is look beautiful and bring me luck.”

  So, reluctantly, she stayed and watched, absolutely bored to tears. Finally after several hours, she tried again.

  “I’m really tired Mark. I was up early and it’s almost one in the morning.”

  “Oh, babe, I should have remembered that.” He kissed her. “You go on to bed.”

  Daphne patted her on the arm. “Bless your heart. You do look exhausted.”

  Sara ignored the insincere comment. “Don’t be too long, Mark.” She leaned in, kissed him, and whispered in his ear, “Wake me.”

  He gave her his winning smile. “You bet, babe. I’ll join you soon. The casino closes at three.”

  Two hours wasn’t her idea of soon, but she decided to refrain from commenting. As she walked away, she heard Daphne say, “Well, you can’t really expect someone like her to understand the excitement of high stakes gaming.”

  Sara found some measure of satisfaction when she heard Benjamin’s derisive laugh. “This isn’t high stakes gaming.”

  ~ * ~

  Sara woke the next morning curled up next to Mark. Evidently, he hadn’t wakened her when he returned from the casino. Rolling onto her back, she caressed his cheek. “Good morning, handsome.”

  Mark groaned. “Too early.”

  Sara frowned. “Are you going to sleep away our first day at sea?”

  He opened one eye, leaned forward, and kissed her. “I have no intention of sleeping the day away—just a little bit more of the morning.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Not completely. Order some breakfast for us and I swear I’ll get up when it arrives. I have a surprise for you anyway.”

  “A surprise?”

  “Yes, but you don’t get it until I have had another twenty minutes of shut-eye.”

  She gave him a stern look. “Twenty minutes.”

  He grinned at her. “There’s a good girl.”

  She laughed. “I’m not all that good. Sleep for twenty-one minutes and you’ll see.”

  He chuckled and closed his eyes.

  She ordered breakfast before taking a quick shower. She was dressed in a pale-yellow sundress by the time the butler arrived with the food.

  After the butler left, she nudged Mark. “You’ve had your twenty minutes, sleepy head. Up,” she demanded, playfully.

  He groaned, but got out of the bed and came to the table in all of his naked glory.

  She arched a brow at him. “Hmm, on second thought, maybe we should both go back to bed.”

  “Now that I’m up and a plate of bacon and eggs awaits? Not a chance, gorgeous.” He looked at the clock on the desk. “Besides, you have an appointment in twenty minutes.”

  “No, I don’t.”

  He gave her a sly grin. “Yes, you do. That’s the surprise. I felt really bad about sleeping through our time in Venice, so after I woke up yesterday, I called the ship and booked a spa day for you.”

  “You didn’t have to do that.”

  “I thought you liked spa treatments.”

  “I do, but…”

  “No buts. It’s all arranged, a salt-glow, facial, and massage.”

  “What are you going to do for the next few hours?”

  “I think I’ll have a workout, then catch a few rays. Look for me by the pool when you’re done. If I’m not there yet, grab a couple of deck chairs for us.”

  “Okay. But it’ll probably take three hours for all of those treatments.”

  “Oh, right. I’m sure I’ll be done with my work out by then.” He glanced up at the clock. “Not to mention the fact that it’ll be lunch time. You know it’s an unwritten rule that one must eat every three hours on a cruise. How about we meet at Houston’s at half-past one. That’ll give you plenty of time.”

  “You want to have lunch at the steakhouse? The buffet would be fine.”

  “It might be, but lunch at Houston’s is one of the perks of staying in a suite. We don’t have to brave the masses at the buffet and I want everything to be perfect for you.” He kissed her. “That’s a promise for later. Now, you’d better go so you aren’t late.”

  Sara grinned at him. “I’ll see you later then.”

  She made her way to the spa feeling loved and pampered. When she arrived, the desk attendant greeted her. “Good morning, madam. Would you like to make an appo
intment for a spa treatment?”

  “I think I already have several appointments scheduled. My name is Sara Wells.”

  The attendant checked her computer. “Ah yes, here you are, Miss Wells. A salt-glow, facial, and massage. We’ll be starting with your salt-glow. Janet will be ready for you in a few minutes. Have you sailed with us before?”

  “No, this is my first cruise.”

  “Then I’ll show you around the thermal suite while you wait.”

  “Thermal suite?”

  “Yes, Mr. Holland has arranged access for you for the whole cruise. We have a variety of different steam rooms and saunas, heated stone beds, a huge whirlpool, and quiet areas where you can simply relax.”

  “That sounds great, but I didn’t bring a swimsuit.”

  “You have time to go get it. I’ll show you around when you return.”

  Sara hurried back to the stateroom. The thermal suite sounded heavenly. Mark hadn’t changed the sign from “do not disturb” to “make up cabin.” Either he’d forgotten to change it or he was still getting ready to go to the gym. She let herself in.

  Mark’s back was to the door and he still hadn’t dressed yet. “Mmm, you can’t get enough of me, can you?”

  She laughed as she shut the door behind her. “No, silly, I just need my bathing suit.”

  A sudden scramble revealed what she hadn’t seen at first—Daphne on her knees, with Mark balls deep in her mouth.

  Sara gaped for a moment. “Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God.” She turned away and fumbled with the door.

  “Sara it’s not…”

  She didn’t hear how Mark finished that sentence because she was out the door and running down the passageway.

  She had gone from feeling loved and pampered to betrayed in a matter of moments and she could barely keep it together. When she reached the elevators, a door was closing and she rushed through it.

  “What floor dear?” asked an elderly lady.

  Sara, who hadn’t fully worked out her destination, stared blankly for a moment.