Rumor Has It: A Bad Boy Romantic Comedy

by Lila Moore

  Her words sent me into a fit of laughter. Distantly, I understood something was wrong. I felt detached from myself, as if the real me was far away looking down on the situation. I rubbed my face and looked down into the water.

  Vaguely, I remembered jumping in earlier this morning. I’d managed to swim all the way to shore. Now, we were too far away, which was fine. I had no desire to go back to the beach or the busy street.

  I would like to swim to the bottom of the sea and live there for the rest of my life. I wouldn’t have to worry about being hurt or used. Luke would find a new girl; my mother would find a new Sugar Daddy. They’d both forget I’d ever existed. It was the perfect compromise.

  I crawled over to the railing and looked down. I’d never seen water so clear before. It was a perfect, crystal blue. Falling into it would be like falling into a mirror.

  A hand wrapped around my waist and pulled me up.

  “Where are you going?” a friendly voice asked.

  I looked up into the face of Carmine.

  “I was only looking at the water. I wasn’t going to jump. Honest,” I said.

  He frowned and made a tsk-tsk sound, chiding me. “You’ve run away once today. No more, young lady.”

  I shrugged and leaned against him, letting him lead me away like a little girl. I’d never met my father. I had no idea who he was. Carmine wasn’t my dad, but it was nice to have a shoulder to lean on.

  My mother greeted us with a big smile.

  “Were you being naughty again?” she asked.

  I giggled and shrugged.

  “You’re a chip off the old block,” she said.

  “Is Luke coming?” I asked, ignoring her comment.

  “In time, princess. What’s important right now is the money. Don’t you agree?”

  “Yes. It’s very important.”

  My mind was foggy. When I thought of money, I thought of Luke. Money connected us; it brought us together. I wanted him now more than ever. If the lure of money drew him near, then that’s what I would use to entice him.

  “When Luke comes, I want to look nice,” I said. “Can I borrow one of your dresses, Val?”

  “I never thought I’d live to see the day you’d ask me to borrow a dress,” my mother said. “If the Botox hadn’t destroyed my tear glands, I think I would cry.”

  “Val, I want to look good for Luke. Will you teach me how?”

  “Please, call me mom.”

  Carmine gave her a strange look.

  “Why are you looking at her like that?” I said.

  Carmine’s eyes darted back and forth, as if he’d been caught in a private moment and was now embarrassed.

  “Gigi, you’ve got nothing to worry about. Mother has taken care of everything,” Val said. “You’ll see Luke soon, I promise.”

  Carmine gave her a severe look. They were keeping a secret from me. I was sure of it. But what didn’t they want me to know? When I tried to concentrate my head pulsed and my vision narrowed. The world spun around me. The memory of being pushed into the back of a car flooded my mind.

  I rubbed my leg. It was sore. Then I remembered the needle. Carmine had injected me with a drug. Luke had warned me not to eat or drink anything because it was drugged. They weren’t bothering to drug the food anymore. They didn’t have to be subtle. No. They were in control now. All it took was a needle full of that mysterious drug to knock me on my ass.

  I rubbed my leg hard. The site of the needle injection felt like a gaping wound. I tried to formulate a strategy. The urge to escape echoed through me like a distant memory or a long forgotten impulse. I couldn’t hold onto a single thought long enough to come up with an escape plan.

  “Do you understand?” Val asked.

  “Yes,” I replied dreamily. “Mother has taken care of everything.”

  “Why don’t you go below deck and get some sleep. It’s been a long day for everyone.”

  Like a robot, I followed a deckhand as he led me to a private bedroom.

  “Sleep well,” he said.

  “Yes, I will,” I said like a zombie.

  I laid down and closed my eyes. Instantly, I fell asleep.

  Luke

  It was dark. There was too much light pollution to see the stars. I’d paid a fisherman a hefty sum to use his boat. He’d agreed to take me alongside the yacht under the cover of darkness. I would sneak onboard and rescue Genevieve.

  Simple, right? Wrong. Nothing ever went to plan. I was prepared for the worst. I’d bought a gun off a local kid. He was hanging out on the beach selling pot to tourists. When I flashed a wad of cash at him, he returned in no time with the weapon. I tucked it into my boot and covered it with my pants leg. Hopefully, I wouldn’t have to use it.

  The fisherman waved to me. I nodded and approached him quickly. The water was as still as ice; the night as quiet as the grave. I whispered to him in Spanish to cut the engine. He looked at me like I was crazy. I grabbed a pair of oars and started to row towards the yacht. I put my back into it and pushed as hard as I could.

  Music floated over the water to us. The closer we came, the louder it grew. It was a soft, melodic sound, jazz from a bygone era.

  I whispered to the fisherman. “Once I’m onboard, wait for me to return. I won’t be long, hopefully. Don’t make a sound until I come back. If you do exactly as I say, there’s a bonus in it for you. Understand?”

  The man nodded. I had to hope he’d wait behind to collect his money. If he didn’t, Genevieve and I would be stuck on the yacht with no exit.

  I directed the small boat around the yacht. There was no way up. A small sting of panic worked its way through my gut. What if I couldn’t find a way on to the yacht? I pushed the thought away. I was getting on that boat. One way or another.

  We pulled around the back. A rope hung loose like a snake before me. I grabbed onto it and pulled. It seemed secure. I nodded to the fisherman, then started to climb.

  Genevieve

  I woke to the sound of music. I sat up in bed. A sharp pain cut through my head. I felt like I was being squeezed in a vice. I laid back down. I closed my eyes and took a breath. My mouth was dry and I could feel my heart pounding behind my eyes, but at least I was able to think.

  Though, when I tried to think back on what happened earlier my mind was a bit hazy. Memories emerged like shadows taking shape in a fog. I remembered the long swim from the yacht, the delicious food in the bar and wandering the streets.

  I touched my leg. I was wearing a dress I’d never seen before. I shuddered at the sight of it. My mother must have dressed me while I was sleeping. No doubt she delighted in treating me like her own personal doll.

  Anger rose up inside me. I touched the spot where Carmine had stabbed me with the needle. It was sore and red. I dug my finger into it. The pain shot through my body like a wakeup call. Suddenly, everything came into focus. I remembered where I was and that horrible phone call I’d had with Luke. I’d told him to pay up.

  What had I been thinking? I wasn’t thinking. The drugs had done the talking for me-the drugs and my mother. It was terrifying how suggestible I was under the drug’s influence. I did whatever my mother wanted when I was on them.

  Now that I was sober, I needed to act quickly. It was only a matter of time before they showed up to give me another injection. I rested my hand on my small baby bump.

  “We’re getting out of here tonight,” I whispered. “I promise.”

  I sat up slowly. The throbbing in my head slowed. I took a deep breath and rose to my feet. For a second, I thought I would pass out. I stood perfectly still and focused on my breathing. Eventually, the dizziness subsided.

  I looked around the room frantically. I pulled out the drawers of the bedside nightstand. I looked beneath the bed and in the bathroom. There were no potential weapons or means of communication with the outside world. I was on my own.

  The door to my cabin opened. I froze. Carmine entered carrying a small brown leather pouch. I had a feeling it contained
the needle and drugs. I made a quick decision. There was no way I could overpower him, so I’d have to play along.

  “Good evening,” he said.

  “Hello,” I said with an affected, zombie-like voice.

  He tilted his head to the side. “Sit,” he said.

  I sat, as if I was following his command.

  “How do you feel tonight?”

  “Fine, Carmine. Do you like my dress?”

  “Yes. It’s lovely,” he replied, disinterestedly.

  I held my breath as he pulled out the needle. He stared at it for a moment then put it back down. He sat down beside me on the bed and lifted my chin, looking in my eyes. He took my wrist in hand and measured my pulse. I knew my heart was beating quickly. I was nervous.

  I did my best to act as if I was still drugged. I kept my body loose and relaxed; I stared up at him from half-closed eyes. Carmine frowned. I could tell he was debating whether or not to give me more drugs.

  “You’re very sensitive to medication,” he said.

  “Yes,” I agreed.

  He nodded and closed his leather pouch. I exhaled forcefully. I hadn’t realized I was holding my breath. He turned to me with a big smile.

  “Your mother wanted me to come collect you. We’re celebrating on deck. Will you join us?”

  “Of course,” I said with too much enthusiasm.

  “Outstanding.”

  He offered me his hand. I took it and let him lead me onto the deck. My mother was dancing barefoot and alone. She spun around with a bottle of champagne in one hand. She wore a plunging, sparkly blush ball gown. Her hair was pinned up in a mess of curls. I have to admit, she looked stunning.

  “Gigi,” she giggled, “come dance with me.”

  I gritted my teeth and smiled brightly. I would have to play her game until I could come up with a better plan.

  I joined her on the middle of the deck. She took my hand and twirled me around like a ballerina. She started to laugh uncontrollably, stumbling and falling into my arms. Up close, her face was flushed and her pupil’s dilated. I recognized that look. She’d been mixing prescription meds with alcohol again. She’d blackout soon enough. Maybe then I could make my escape.

  I glanced back at Carmine. He was watching us with a smile on his face. It was disturbing how nice he seemed, considering he had helped my mother kidnap and drug me. Was he one more person she had manipulated and corrupted? Carmine wasn’t stupid. Had he fallen for my mother’s nonsense? I reminded myself that Luke was smart too and he’d almost completely fallen for her act. Intelligence had nothing to do with it.

  The music was interrupted by a loud crash. My mother stopped dancing. Her eyes narrowed.

  “Carmine, where are the men?”

  I assumed she was referring to the deckhands.

  “I will get them,” Carmine replied.

  “See that they take care of this.”

  I had no idea what was going on. Suddenly, two of the deckhands emerged with Luke between them. His lip was bleeding and his eye was swollen. The deckhands looked worst. He’d given them quite the beating, but they’d managed to subdue him.

  I broke character and ran to him. I wrapped my arms around his neck and squeezed him hard. His arms were held behind his back by the men. I wanted to feel them wrapped around me.

  “Let him go!” I demanded.

  The men ignored me. One of them held a gun. It was pointed at Luke’s back.

  “I love you so much,” I said, tears fogged my vision.

  Luke’s eyes looked sad. “I’m sorry,” he said softly.

  “What?”

  “I’m sorry,” he said again, this time loudly. “I’m not here for you Genevieve.”

  I stared at him blankly. “I don’t understand.”

  He stared past me to Val.

  “What?” she said with a snort. “Are you going to pretend like you came here for me?”

  “Yes. And I can prove it, if you let me reach in my pocket.”

  Val considered him. I thought she’d tell him to drop dead, but he’d piqued her curiosity.

  “Let him go, but keep the gun on him,” she said to her henchmen.

  The men released him, but kept close by. Luke reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, black velvet box. He opened it, revealing a huge, sparkling pink diamond ring. My mouth fell open. It was bigger than the diamond engagement ring my mother had purchased with Luke’s money.

  “Val, would you wear my ring?” he asked.

  I felt a tear fall down my cheek. Was this for real? It couldn’t be. Val ran to him like a moth to the flame. She snatched the ring out of his hand and put it on her ring finger.

  “Oh, Luke! It’s perfect,” she purred.

  Carmine crossed his arms in front of his chest. “Hey, you have to get out of here! Get him out of here,” he ordered the deckhands. They took a step forward.

  “Wait,” my mother ordered. They paused, hesitant of whose orders to follow. “I’m the one paying your bills,” she said. “You work for me.”

  “This is my yacht!” Carmine protested.

  “Not anymore.”

  She looked at the deckhand holding the gun and motioned to him with a flick of her wrist.

  “What is this?” Carmine yelled. “You can’t just take my boat. How could you do this to me after everything we’ve been through together? I’ve given you everything you could possibly want. I even helped you kidnap your daughter.”

  “You’d be nothing without me you pathetic sack of shit,” my mother said with a dismissive wave of her hand.

  In spite of her harsh words, her tone was light. Carmine had outlived his usefulness. Now Val was ready to move on.

  “Toss him overboard. Shoot him if he opens his mouth again.”

  Carmine quickly shut his mouth. The deckhand forced him towards the railing.

  “I can’t swim,” he said.

  “If you want to live, you’ll figure it out,” my mother replied.

  I watched the scene unfold with mute horror. Tears were flowing freely down my face. Luke kept his eyes trained on Val. She was fixated on her new ring. She smiled down at it and wiggled her fingers, so that the diamond caught the light. A prism reflected across her face. Her glassy eyes lit up with excitement.

  “I picked it out just for you Val. Can you ever forgive me?” Luke asked.

  I took a step back, grabbing the railing behind me. The water below was dark, but I could hear it gently lapping at the side of the yacht. Sinking down to the bottom was more inviting than ever.

  “I’ve made so many mistakes,” Luke continued. “But you were right. Eventually, I always see things your way, and now I understand why you did this.”

  My mother glanced up from her ring to consider him. Her eyes were half-closed and she swayed a bit on her feet. The Benzo-Champagne combo had left her wasted. If she was sober, she might not have been so eager to accept Luke’s words. It occurred to me later that there was more to my mother than ruthless ambition and greed. There was a part of her that yearned for love and companionship too.

  “Why did I do it?” she slurred.

  “To be close to me. You want me back. Gigi is just a means to an end. We both know I’m not cut out to be a dad. I don’t want to play house. I want to be with you.”

  Val looked at the ring longingly.

  “There’s more where that came from,” Luke said. “So what do you say? Will you marry me?”

  “Of course!” she squealed.

  She jumped at Luke, wrapping her arms around his neck. I watched him embrace her slowly. He gave me a hard look I couldn’t interpret.

  Val fell into Luke’s arms so roughly she nearly knocked him to the floor. Suddenly, she jumped back.

  “There’s just one thing left to take care of,” she said.

  She planted an open-mouthed kiss on his lips, then turned towards me. The sight of them kissing made me lift a foot and put it on the railing. I was a heartbeat away from jumping when my mother turned
to Luke and said: “Cast her out to sea.”

  “What? She’s pregnant. I would never do anything to hurt her.”

  My mother looked displeased with his sudden rebellious turn.

  “I don’t want you to kill her, you idiot. I want you to order the men to put her on a life raft. The shore’s not far. She’ll be fine. She’ll wash up on the beach.”

  Luke clenched his teeth. The muscle in his jaw twitched. He looked at me with fire and intensity unlike any I’d ever seen in a man.

  “Prepare a lifeboat,” Luke ordered.

  The men were trying to force Carmine over the edge. He wasn’t making it easy for them. He fought them every inch of the way, hitting and cursing at them in Italian.

  The men looked a bit surprised. They were clearly confused by this change in command. First they answered to Carmine, then Val and now this man who’d only minutes before had been their prisoner.

  “Do as he says,” my mother ordered.

  They stepped away from Carmine and started to pull down a raft that was stowed with ropes to the side of the yacht. Carmine took it as his cue to exit. He took off running into the heart of the ship. My mother frowned at the sight of him.

  “Pathetic,” she said. “A real man would have accepted his lot in life and done as I said.”

  She took a deep drink from her bottle of Champagne. She stared at her ring with a sweet smile.

  “You’re a real man, aren’t you Luke?” she said dreamily.

  He didn’t respond.

  She brought the ring to her face and examined it closely. Her eyes narrowed.

  “Hey!” she yelled at one of the deckhands. “Bring a light over here. I can’t see anything.”

  She was slurring her words badly, but the man seemed to understand. He disappeared below deck. A second later, the deck lights turned on. I held up my hand and winced at the sudden brightness.

  “For Christ’s sake,” my mother said, rubbing her eyes.

  Luke took a step towards me, all the while keeping his eyes on my mother and the boat the men were preparing to launch. I’d rather jump into the cold, dark water than give my mother what she wanted. But for some reason, I couldn’t do it. There was something in Luke’s eyes that kept me planted to the spot.