by Berri Fox
Cody doesn’t even seem to notice my despair, and instead kneels down to look Alex in the eye. “Tell you what. That dragon has nothing on me, you and your auntie should take a quick walk around the block and by the time you come back, I will have slayed him.”
Genius. Why couldn’t I think of that? With a sigh of relief, I notice that Alex has stopped crying.
“What if he breathes fire?” Young Alex is now entranced, looking at Cody as if she’s a superhero as he hands the bear back to her. With a creative mind like that, she definitely is a hero to me.
Abbie laughs. “Good thing we have fire proof armor!” She winks in my direction, and once Alex agrees, the women both give me a thumbs up.
“Take the rest of the day off if you have to.” Cody assures. “I’ll tell Rachel that we can cover for you.”
I hold my breath, thankful that I have such good friends. “Are you sure? I think he just needs a little air.”
“Absolutely. Take him for a walk, and if he doesn’t calm down then take him home and don’t worry about us.” Abbie pats my shoulder and I thank them both before whisking Alex away.
A short walk may be exactly what he needs. Halfway out the door, I realize that I’ve forgotten my own brilliant idea for my mystery novel. Perhaps a short walk is what I need to get the juices flowing as well. It definitely couldn’t hurt.
Three
Ashley
The taxi ride isn’t long to get to the wharf and by the time I get there I’m actually starting to feel more like myself. The Advil has kicked in and the fresh air has woken me up out of my hangover, transforming me back into my usual bubbly and confidently exciting self. So when I pay my fare and saunter down the gangway to find whoever it is in charge that I need to talk to, imagine my surprise when I see the gorgeous cruise liner and my intentions are instantly shifted.
Sure I was heading down here to talk to the Chief Purser –or whoever it is that I need to talk to– about the fact that my brother’s plans have changed, but maybe they don’t have to change. Maybe I could simply take them on for him. That would be just as helpful, right? Suddenly after the ship comes into view my mind goes from intending to cancel Robin’s cruise for him to wanting to go in his stead.
Plus I’d much rather have a nice long vacation on a cruise, than have to deal with the fallout of my epic breakup and the party. I still don’t think that the whole PR situation is my fault, but that doesn’t matter if Robin doesn’t agree. He’s going to make me deal with it and play nice for the media and that just doesn’t sound nearly as fun as a couple of weeks on the water.
If I’ve got a choice between drinking on a lounger on the deck, gazing out at the water, and staying home to deal with Robin and his grumpy ass, then you bet I’m going to pick the cruise.
Suddenly the whole situation and dealing with my brother’s anger and annoyance with me seems completely unreasonable and I’ve made up my mind, and I flash the most charming and flirty smile I can when I see an older gentleman walking towards me. He’s got a kind face and soft eyes, and a bald spot on his head that’s more endearing than it is frightening, as odd as that sounds. He strides over and holds his hand out to me with a grin, nodding as he offers his hand.
“Hello there Miss. I’m Sandy Potts and I’m the Chief Persor here.” He says it with a smile and a knowing chuckle, brow cocked. “Forgive me for saying so miss, but you look a little lost. Can I help you with anything?”
Oh, this is going to be easy.
“Well actually you can,” I say with a purr, smiling. “You see I had made some arrangements and reservations a while back, and I’m here to board the cruise. I’m not too early, am I?”
There, I’m no longer going to be dealing with Robin and his grumping about the party at the hotel, I’m going to be enjoying myself on a cruise! This is turning out to be a much better day than I planned.
He smiles back at me and nods, pulling out his tablet to do what I assume are check the guest list and mark me as in attendance.
“Sure thing; I’ll just need your name to check you in and then you’ll be all set.”
“Robyn Carmichael.”
He frowns, looking at me, then down at his list, and then back up at me again. I can almost see the gears turning in his head as he tries to figure out if he’s made an assumption, and to take the tension off –and save my own ass– I laugh, shrugging with a flirty smile and a wink in his direction.
“Oh Mr. Potts; you assumed that I was a man, didn’t you? It’s alright,” I say with a reassuring smile and a sigh. “It’s a common assumption and I don’t take offence. Robyn isn’t just a man’s name you know; you ought to be less surprised that a wealthy woman wants to treat herself to a cruise.”
“Of course, of course, Miss Carmichael.” He stumbles over his words and blushes a bit, obviously feeling caught off guard. “Forgive me for the assumption.”
I knew that Robin often had others do his bidding and make arrangements for him, but it still surprises me that so few people actually know what my brother looks like. Not that I’m complaining, obviously —I just talked myself onto a cruise meant for him— but it’s still amusing to think about.
“No need to apologize, honestly. I get it all the time.”
He nods gratefully and smiles, and then he ticks off a few more things on his list with a smirk, looking over my shoulder like I’m forgetting something. I cock my brow at him and smile, giggling quietly. I’m not sure what he’s looking for, but I figure if I flirt and bat my lashes a bit then I’ll be able to end the conversation quickly enough and start enjoying myself.
“Mr. Potts are you looking for something?”
“Well no,” He replies with a chuckle, smiling and shrugging his shoulders, “I’m just wondering where your girlfriend is.”
Robin’s girlfriend Emily was obviously going to be attending the cruise with him, but she certainly wasn’t going to be attending with me. I didn’t have to worry about her coming down to the wharf and ruining things though, at least; Robin had called her to let her know that the trip was cancelled. So I decide to just bluff my way out of it for simplicity’s sake, and to get on the ship.
So I offer him a warm smile and nod, winking.
“Oh she’ll be along, she wouldn’t miss it. She’s just getting a few last minute things before she meets me here.”
There, that should take care of that.
He breathes a sigh of relief and I wonder why he’s so concerned with my brother’s girlfriend; it seems odd. Then he flashes me an ear to ear grin and nods, swiping his screen and marking things off as he speaks, clearly reading from a list.
“Oh good, because your proposal plan is all approved and in place. You’re clear to do it over the captain’s dinner at the end of the first week, and all of the requests you made have been accommodated and put in place. I promise you, miss; this will be a gesture that she won’t ever forget!”
Well, shit.
I didn’t realize that Robin was planning on proposing to Emily this week on the cruise, so now I’ve got to somehow come up with a lie to not only cover up the fact that I’m not my brother, but that I don’t have a fiancé. Fuck, I don’t even have a girlfriend anymore. I feel a brief split second of regret at getting myself into this but I force a smile to my face and nod, keeping up the happy façade.
“That’s great news! Thank you. For now though,” I say with a sigh and exaggeratingly looking at my watch. “I’ve really got to get going and get checked into my room. I hoped to do some shopping and have a trip to the spa before we departed, to get myself into the vacation mindset.”
I shake his hand again and thank him once more for his help, and I run off towards the cruise ship before he has a chance to spring anything else on me or ask any more questions. I have no clue how I’m going to get myself out of this lie, let alone having to spin another one on top of that when he asks me something else.
I really didn’t think this through, did I?
I’m not a
bout to let this ruin my fun though; I’ve got a cruise to attend and I’ll be damned if something as simple as forged identity and non-existent fiancés for a marriage proposal get in the way of my fun.
It shouldn’t be that complicated to figure out, right?
Four
Jess
I can’t stand the look on the poor little guy’s face. He always looks withdrawn and serious, like he’s thinking heavy thoughts. No child should ever have to look like that.
It was just a silly kid’s story; I don’t know what set him off so badly about it. The other moms were trying to be sympathetic, but I could almost hear the echoes of ‘what the fuck is wrong with him? Or her?’
Sure, I might be imagining it. They seemed understanding enough about letting him go to a quiet place to chill. I just couldn’t stand to be in there another second. I’m totally new to this. Sue me if I’m not yet comfortable in the role of ‘mom’.
The only thing I can think of to cheer Alex up is take him to see some ships. We head towards the wharf and he starts to perk up. Color soaks back into his cheeks and his eyes glow bright. I have to gulp down my sadness for a second, because I know what that smile hides.
It wasn’t the monster that scared him. Its losing too many people, his security, practically everything that he knows.
I look down at him and my chest literally aches. I would do anything to take that pain from him. Can I bring his father back? No. Can I stop my sister and make her change? No.
The best thing I can do is love the little guy to pieces and try and comfort him as best I can. I wish I had the money for the best schools, the fanciest toys, anything that could give him some faith in life and some security.
But I can’t. I’m fucking broke. I literally have no idea what I’m doing here.
As we approach the dock Alex starts running and pointing. He’s truly forgotten the monster, at least for now. He loves the boats so much.
He stops and stares at the Golden Hind. He has to stretch his head way back to see right up to her top decks and windows. I can practically hear him panting in excitement. He doesn’t know how to process seeing a ship so large and luxurious.
“Auntie Jess?”
“Yes, sweetheart?”
“Can we go on?”
My hand tightens on his. It’s a bad idea. We aren’t welcome there; we can’t even afford to spit on the deck of this ship. Alex starts jumping and tugging my hand.
“Please? Please? I just want to see the view from the deck. Its not going yet—see? People are coming up and leaving again.”
“I don’t know…” I’m hung. There definitely is people coming and going, family members helping with luggage and kissing people goodbye. I don’t really decide, but when Alex starts dragging me towards the ramp, I let him take me.
My stomach does a twist and a flip as we go up the ramp. Nobody looks twice. Nobody asks me for a ticket. I see ship crew and other employees, but they don’t even look at us.
“Okay, Alex.” I say quietly as we get to the top deck. “Just a quick look around and then we go, okay?”
He beams at me and that smile that lights his eyes makes it all worthwhile. I can’t regret this. We’ll get off soon and everything will be fine.
Alex pulls his hand from mine and runs back and forth, looking over the edges and exclaiming with excitement. Other women give him indulgent looks. I start to relax. Its okay. Everything’s going to be fine.
Its funny, I’ve been telling myself that for weeks. Every time I do, more shit gets dumped on me. This time is no exception.
I start to move towards Alex, calling him and holding out my hand. If he’s not ready to go, then I’ll bribe him with ice cream or something… Not that I can afford it. At this point, I might as well spend my last bucks on ice creams. That few dollars certainly isn’t going to fix my rent situation.
Alex looks up at me and grins wildly. He yells “Hide and seek!” and bolts into the crowd.
Panic leaps into my chest, shuddering in my throat. I lunge after him, but he’s already gone—how the fuck do kids even do that?
I run up and down the deck and now people are looking at me. I notice a staircase and head down it, calling for Alex.
I’m starting to get really scared as I navigate the hallways. He could be anywhere, and I can’t search the whole ship. Maybe if I find a crew member and explain… Surely this isn’t the first time a renegade child stowed away with an unfortunate career.
As I get about halfway down the stairs, I hear a giggle. Sighing in relief I turn towards to supply cabinets in the corner of the stairwell, hurling them open. Alex is inside grinning like a maniac.
“You found me Auntie Jess!”
“Yes, I did.” I wrap my arms around him and take to the stairs again. I’m not letting him go this time. Its time to get off this boat.
As I come out at the top of the stairs the wind pushes my hair back and something feels different. Alex points in glee.
“We’re moving Auntie Jess! Look.”
With a cold sinking feeling I do look. We are definitely moving. A quick glance around tells me the dock is slipping away swiftly.
I drop Alex to the ground, and he runs to the rail to watch the big ship cleaving the water. I pull out my phone and quickly google the punishment for stowing away on a luxury liner.
The fines are ridiculous and there is even the possibility of being arrested and charged. I’m slowly sliding into panic as I read through the list.
Well. I’m fucked.
I look up quickly and see Alex still have a great time watching over the edge. I hurry towards him and almost trip over a guest.
“Watch where you’re going.” Her voice is smooth, dismissive. Her eyes appraise me with cold focus. I stutter uselessly for a few seconds before she rolls her eyes and takes a step back.
“You’re running around like a child.” She scrunches her face up as if my crime is a physical sensation. “You could have seriously hurt me.”
“I’m sorry.” I don’t know what else to say.
She narrows her eyes and glares and I just turn around, take one step and gather Alex back into my arms. I pick him up and head towards the back of the boat. People are looking and sooner or later, people will realize we don’t belong.
As we walk through the thinning crowd, I shoot off a few texts. Even though my friends are sympathetic, no one actually has any advice.
I walk even slower towards the back end of the ship. People are thinning out a little, but I still feel like we could be caught, there is no where Torun.
I see some official crew members walking through the crowd and I bet they are going to check tickets or something. The idea fills me with panic, and I hurry down the opposite deck with Alex.
There are a number of supply closets along the inside wall and I go through a couple. One is totally empty, and I pull us inside, shutting the door behind us.
Alex giggles, feeling like we are playing some kind of extreme hide and seek. He’s amused that we are both doing silly things like hiding in closets and he can’t stop giggling.
My brain is racing. I don’t know what to do. I’m utterly screwed. I hear footsteps moving past outside and if there is a next level above panic, I’ve just found it.
I stroke Alex’s hair, trying to shush him. My mind is racing, but in circles. I’m not actually figuring anything out I am just effectively, freaking out.
I start to feel a bit slippery, like the world is running away from me. I can’t lose my shit like this. I’ve got a kid to look after!
That doesn’t seem to help. It just makes me think about my failings. I stroke Alex’s back gently, wondering how the literal fuck I’m going to get us out of here.
Chapter # 5
Five
Ashley
I make my way onto the ship and I’ve got to be honest; I’m impressed. Sure it’s not like I’ve never been on a cruise liner before, but there is something to be said for a ship that has class and eleg
ance, all the while still remaining modern and fun. It’s a delicate balance that many seek to achieve, with only a few actually succeeding.
This particular ship definitely managed to toe that line and end up on the good side, and I’m not above saying it either.
So I spend a few minutes just enjoying the view and the quiet, relishing in the fact that I’m here on the water sand not avoiding the press or answering any of their pestering questions. Not to mention the fact that while I’m here it means that I’m not in Robin’s office listening to him drone on and on about how I’ve ruined his hotel’s image, I’m irresponsible, blah blah blah. I just know that if I were back at his office he’d be making me do some sort of interview or talk to the media about what happened, and I’m just really not in the mood for that.
Besides I’m also really not much of a fan of talking to reporters and putting on a fake smile when I’m just not feeling their vibe. Shopping and relaxing in the sun while the ship sails across the ocean is much more enjoyable than answering invasive and personal questions about my breakup on live TV, thank you very much.
The only downside to my impromptu cruise trip in Robin’s name is just the tiny little matter of how the hell I’m going to explain my lack of girlfriend. I’m not really sure how I’m supposed to do a public and extravagant proposal to a woman who doesn’t exist, but I’m going to have to try and figure this out. I’m sure there’s got to be at least one woman on this ship who wouldn’t mind playing pretend, after all. I’m a hot girl who’s rich and willing to flaunt it and spoil any girl who’s willing to play along.
I don’t think that a couple thousand dollars and a week of being pampered just to pretend to be my fiancé is a bad deal, but so far I’m not having any luck. I’ve struck out more than a couple times already while trying to flirt and catch someone’s attention, which is odd for me.
