Onboard Deception

by Liz Turner

  “Please lower your voice and let’s discuss the matter privately.”

  “I’m staying right here!” Melissa insisted, pouting stubbornly. “I volunteered to write a review of my experience abroad this ship and I intend to get my money’s worth out of my stay.”

  “Come on, love,” the man with her begged, embarrassed. “Don’t make a big deal out of nothing.”

  “Nothing?” Melissa screeched. “Would you describe the filth of our ‘luxury’ cabin as being ‘nothing’?”

  “Uh, Sarah…” Gabriella called to the passing Sarah Lang, who was eyeing the situation warily. “Would you mind stepping over here to assist?”

  Sarah gave a curt nod and joined Gabriella.

  “Can you please check who was assigned to clean Melissa Riley’s cabin?” Gabriella asked.

  “Certainly.” Sarah smiled at Melissa and Gabriella. Her eyes then scanned the list of cabin numbers and surnames as her finger swiped up her tablet. A slight scowl spread across her face.

  “Is there a problem?” Gabriella said.

  “I apologize, ma’am. It appears I was assigned to inspect this cabin after they cleaned it, and I failed to do so.” Sarah’s pale cheeks flushed pink.

  Gabriella blinked, stunned. In all her years of working alongside Sarah, the young woman almost never slipped up. The only weakness she’d ever displayed was falling in love with one passenger, but even that had been sorted out and he now worked by her side as part of the crew.

  “I’ll see to things immediately,” Sarah assured the irate Melissa.

  “No.” Melissa waved a finger in Sarah’s face. “I don’t trust you anywhere near my room! My things are in there already, and by the look of that necklace you’re wearing, I’d say you’ve already had your fingers in my suitcases!”

  Sarah gave Gabriella a look of horror and vehemently shook her head.

  “Pardon, but Sarah is one of our most trusted employees,” Gabriella interjected firmly.

  “Are you saying I’m a liar?” Melissa snapped.

  “I think you’re mistaken, Mel,” the man bravely interrupted. “Have a closer look. Yours is similar, but not like that one.”

  “My boyfriend gave me this necklace,” Sarah said, her fingers protectively around the small gold pendant hanging from its delicate chain.

  “Well, maybe your boyfriend filched it out of my luggage!” Melissa accused.

  Gabriella was surprised by how the loss of control could render someone relatively beautiful like Melissa, with her Barbie-doll blond hair and crystal blue eyes, into something hideous. “Are there any more complaints you’d like us to address?” Gabriella continued tactfully.

  “No,” the man answered quickly. “Everything’s fine, thank you. We’ll just return to our cabin.”

  The woman turned on him. “Shut up, Ron! I won’t be returning to that disgusting cabin! I demand we receive an upgrade!”

  “We’ll see what we can do,” Gabriella assured, eager to silence the woman. Other passengers had stopped to gawk at the spectacle, and Gabriella didn’t want news to spread that a single complaint about a cabin would cause an upgrade.

  “Perhaps you’d like to enjoy a lunch on the house while you wait for the crew to make the arrangements?” Sarah suggested.

  “Thank you. We’ll gladly accept your offer,” Ron said hastily, his expression both apologetic and mortified.

  Chapter 3

  Unhappy Diners

  “What’s going on?” Gabriella asked Sarah, who was still playing with the gold necklace around her neck.

  “Nothing. Why?” she said.

  “Don’t play with me, Sarah. Why would a passenger accuse you of stealing a necklace?”

  “I really don’t know.” Sarah turned away from Gabriella. “Sebastian gave it to me two days ago. But you know him—he would never steal.”

  “Well, he doesn’t need to steal. He’s worth a fortune. But how well do you really know him?” Gabriella asked, studying her friend’s reaction.

  “What do you mean? We all know Seb. There’s not much about him he keeps hidden.”

  “It’s just strange that he throws away everything, including a lucrative career, and joins a cruise ship to work as a deckhand,” Gabriella pointed out.

  “But he did it for me.” Sarah narrowed her eyes. “Are you doubting the sincerity of his love for me? It was the only way we could be together since passengers and crew members aren’t allowed to date.”

  “I know that. And I respect Sebastian for being willing to do that for you. But just be careful…”

  “Careful? For what reason?”

  “Things seem to move pretty quickly between the two of you. I’d just hate for you to get hurt.”

  “I’m fine,” Sarah said stubbornly. “Everything between Sebastian and I is great. We have no secrets.”

  “I’m just trying to be here for you.”

  “I appreciate that. But next time, let me ask for the help first before you thrust it on me without warning.”

  “Okay, point taken. I didn’t mean to intrude on your personal life,” Gabriella sheepishly conceded. “Will you see to their new cabin, then?”

  “Sure thing.” Sarah quickly exited the office.

  Gabriella stared at the closed door for a moment.

  Something didn’t feel right. Sarah wasn’t herself and seemed overly defensive of Sebastian.

  Gabriella logged into one of the computer stations, pulling up the list of crew members assigned to cleaning the various cabins. She scrolled until locating the Riley luxury suite and confirmed her suspicions—they had assigned Sebastian to cleaning Melissa’s room, not Sarah.

  Gabriella stared at his name, wondering why Sarah had covered for him, and why Melissa had accused Sarah of stealing a necklace from her. Had Sebastian been the one who’d stolen from Melissa and then pawned it off on his girlfriend? And if that was the case, why would Sebastian even need to steal if he was practically a millionaire?

  Gabriella fought down another wave of nausea, the dizziness clouding her brain for a few seconds. She steadied herself against the desk while trying to figure out if she was just hungry, or ill.

  Once recovered, she stepped out of the private office, determined to beam positivity at everybody she passed. This cruise, like nearly all of their cruises, would be successful, enjoyable, and highly rated if she had anything to do with it.

  “Watch out!” someone suddenly screamed.

  Gabriella quickly skidded out of the way as a green-faced passenger hurled half his insides across the deck. The wave of viscous remnants from a previous meal sloshed across the deck’s surface, catching a few bare ankles and an unfortunate child who’d been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

  The resulting carnage was met with high-pitched squeals, a mini stampede, and unfortunately, a few more cases of public vomiting.

  Gabriella, for the first time in her life, fled the scene, clutching her own mouth, refusing to allow her own body to spew in public.

  “What’s the problem?” a bemused Sebastian asked as Gabriella nearly ran him over on the way to the restroom.

  She pointed wildly in the massacre's direction and attempted to continue on her way.

  Sebastian grabbed her arm and steadied her. “Are you okay?”

  Slowly, the colorful display around her was overwhelmed with tiny floating black particles that ballooned in size until her vision was shut out by complete darkness.

  Refusing to allow the captain’s wife to slam her head onto the deck, Sebastian lifted her petite frame and charged off to the doctor’s room.

  The landslide of puke would have to be dealt with by the next unfortunate crew member who went that way.

  “What’s going on?” Gabriella asked groggily as she came to, her lips numb and her head spinning.

  “You had a minor incident,” Nancy informed. “Sebastian brought you in. You were pale as a ghost and clammy to the touch, but you don’t show signs of fever, and with a little hydra
tion, you’ve rapidly improved.”

  “What’s wrong with me?”

  “Nothing as far as I can tell. Probably food poisoning. You’re not the first patient I’ve seen today.”

  “What are you talking about?” Gabriella asked, slowly swinging her legs off the bed and sitting up. She stared at the drip pipes attached to her arm.

  “You were severely dehydrated,” Nancy explained. “And you’re not the only one. I’ve already seen quite a few cases of food poisoning this morning. Everyone seems to have symptoms similar to yours. Do you remember what you ate for dinner last night?”

  “I pigged out at the pizza buffet,” Gabriella admitted guiltily. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but I’ve just had these terrible cravings for junk food lately. Usually, I’m a healthy eater.”

  Nancy gave her friend a knowing look, one eyebrow raised. “I’m sorry, Gabi, but I think you may need to have a word with the kitchen staff. Most of the people I tended to mentioned pizza when I asked them what they’d eaten.”

  Gabriella sighed, adding it to her growing mental list of things to check. “I’ll look into it.”

  “Now please go home and get some rest!”

  “On my way,” Gabriella said. “I don’t think I have the strength to deal with anything else today.”

  “Good,” Nancy crooned, unused to her friend taking orders so easily, especially when they involved rest.

  “Gabi!” Sarah’s voice popped up behind her. “I’m so glad I found you. You weren’t responding to my calls. I need your help!”

  “Can’t it wait?”

  “It’s that Melissa Riley woman again.” Sarah rolled her eyes. “She’s making my life a living hell. Every time she sees me, she guns for me with some menial task or other. I will punch her in the face if she if she keeps it up.”

  “Okay, calm down. This isn’t like you. I’ve never heard you threaten to punch anyone, let alone a passenger.” Gabriella held a hand against the wall to hold herself upright.

  “She asked me to take off her shoes because the ship was rocking too much for her do it! And let me tell you—she might be pretty on the outside, but I don’t think foot hygiene is on her list of priorities. But she threatened to put it in the review if I didn’t comply!”

  “I’m sorry,” Gabriella sympathized. “She is difficult, and I’m thinking this whole review thing is a load of rubbish. When I’m up for it, I’ll have a conversation with her about the limits of what our staff will and won’t do. Removing shoes is definitely not on our to-do list.”

  “Thank you,” Sarah grumbled, although doubtful Gabriella’s speech would have much of an effect. “I wish she’d get terrible food poisoning like everyone else and just drop –”

  “What do you mean ‘like everyone else?’” Gabriella asked, alarmed.

  “There have been a lot of cases of public throwing up today. It’s very unlikely that it’s because of the seas, as it’s been the calmest weather we’ve ever seen.”

  “Yeah, I know. I was nearly a victim at one of those public spewings. It was awful. Nancy mentioned it might be something coming out of the kitchen too. Have you checked anything out?”

  Sarah rolled her eyes. “I tried to, but Ms. Riley spotted me and decided I could make better use of my time by tending to her.”

  “All right.” Gabriella took a deep breath, mentally preparing herself. “Let me see what I can do.”

  “Thanks, Gabi. Are you sure you’re okay though?” Sarah asked, her brow furrowed.

  Gabriella nodded and quickly darted off.

  ***

  “Excuse me!” The now familiar, snarky voice carried across the busy dining area.

  “Yes? How can I help you?” Gabriella asked politely.

  She placed a large plate of untouched oysters in front of her. “My fiancé picked these from the oyster buffet for me, but upon closer examination, I can tell they’re off,” Melissa droned with a wrinkled nose.

  Gabriella frowned. The oysters looked fine to her, but she wasn’t about to begin another world war by disagreeing with a passenger, especially one claiming to be writing a review. She lifted the heavy plate from the table. “I’ll see that our head chef inspects these. I apologize for the inconvenience.”

  “Well an apology will not fill my stomach. I’m starving! I’ve barely been able to eat a thing since I boarded this awful ship.”

  “I’m afraid my fiancé has a very sensitive stomach,” Ron explained timidly. “She’s a very picky eater. Perhaps some soup might help?”

  “Would you care for some soup, Ms. Riley?” Gabriella asked as politely as she could manage.

  The snooty woman thought for a second before nodding once, her need for food overpowering her desire to be difficult. “How badly could you people mess up soup?” she retorted. “I’m not surprised everyone is throwing up around here. The food is well below standard.”

  Gabriella felt a prick of anger rise inside of her, and her neck hairs stood on end. “Again, I’m sorry you haven’t been satisfied with the food prepared here. But I assure you, our meals have always received high praise and excellent ratings.”

  “Well, not once I submit my rating,” Melissa said, her lips curving into a sneer.

  Gabriella dipped her head politely before making her way to the kitchen. “I’ve had a complaint about the oysters, Ben,” she informed her head chef.

  “Impossible!” he roared. “I checked them earlier today, and they were as fresh as the fish still swimming in the ocean.”

  Gabriella stooped to give the plate a whiff. “They smell fine to me, but I’m no expert.”

  “Just to prove it, I’ll eat one myself,” Chef Ben said proudly. He squirted a generous dose of fresh lemon juice on an oyster and sucked it down with a noisy slurp, smacking his lips in delight. “Perfect! Would you care to taste one yourself, madam?”

  “Oh, no thank you,” Gabriella said, her stomach doing an uncomfortable backflip at the thought of the slimy, snotty texture sliding down her throat. “I haven’t been feeling too well. I’m afraid an oyster would send me over the edge.”

  “Suit yourself. It’s a pity these are wasted now, contaminated by her filthy paws!” He glared in the prissy's woman’s direction, whose table was close by to the buffet. “I’ll keep them for the best worker in the kitchen today.”

  “She’s ordered some soup instead. Please take extra care while preparing it. She’s on the rampage and will sink us if something else goes wrong.”

  He gave Gabriella a reassuring nod. “I’ll see to her dish myself.”

  “Excellent. Thank you for your hard work, Ben.” Gabriella patted his thick arm. For a large man, he moved with surprising ease through the hot, cramped kitchen, barking orders at his staff. Workers around him scuttled into action like a well synchronized machine functioning on full capacity.

  They were an excellent team, and Gabriella doubted they would make such a fundamental mistake as sending out bad oysters or pizza.

  She glanced out of the kitchen and toward the dining area to find Melissa Riley watching her with a sly look masking her painted face.

  Chapter 4

  Fishy Findings

  “Not again,” Gabriella wailed, slamming the bathroom door behind her and leaping for the toilet.

  It was about four in the morning and Gabriella felt like she was beginning a new morning routine—one which might help with the extra pounds round her waist, but wasn’t very healthy for her in the long run.

  “What’s going on, hun?” a sleepy Nick stumbled into the bathroom behind her.

  “Go away!” Gabriella shouted before heaving into the toilet again. “I don’t want you to see me like this.”

  The tall man crouched down next to her and gathered her loose hair in his enormous hands, holding it back for her. If she wasn’t throwing up, Gabriella would have found the moment almost romantic.

  “I’m worrying about you,” he breathed into her ear while she took a break from the retching. H
e stroked his free hand gently along her back.

  “There have been quite a few cases around the ship,” Gabriella said in a whisper, lacking the strength to speak loudly, her chin resting on her arm cradling the toilet seat.

  “I heard. What do you think is going on?”

  “I’m not sure. It could be the food, but everything seemed fine in the kitchen last night. Besides, I hardly ate anything.”

  “What about the stomach flu? That catches on like wild fire when it hits a cruise ship…”

  “I thought about that.” Gabriella paused abruptly for another session over the toilet bowl, then returned to the conversation as though nothing had happened. “But we keep the ship clean and sanitized. It just makes little sense.”

  “It happens to all ships at some point or another. It’s the result of too many people living in a confined space. It’s an easy breeding ground for germs, especially something as dangerous as the dreaded norovirus.”

  Gabriella rolled her eyes. “That’s honestly the last thing we need right now. How can you be so calm in the face of this all?” She sighed and told her husband about Melissa Riley, her fiancé, and the review they were supposedly writing.

  “Honestly, we have enough positive reviews to not have to worry about the odd negative one,” Nick said. “And by the way you’ve described her, I doubt her review will hold much credulity if she’s the one writing it. So I wouldn’t worry about it too much. I’m more worried about you. What did Nancy say?”

  “She’s prompting me to take a pregnancy test,” Gabriella coughed out.

  “A what?”

  Gabriella flushed the toilet before staggering to her feet to wash her face and mouth. “You heard me,” she said in between splashes of water, lingering at the wash basin longer than necessary, afraid to see her husband’s face.

  “Yeah, I heard you, but I don’t understand why she would recommend something like that.”

  “There’s usually only one simple reason women take pregnancy tests, my love.” Gabriella paused before continuing. “Would it be so bad…?”

  “Would what be so bad?” Nick asked with a dazed look in his eye as though contemplating worlds far away from him.