Carmen stormed out of Simon’s suite, her heart racing and tears streaming down her face. She couldn’t bear to hear another word from him, not after what he had just said. All she wanted was to be alone, to sort through her jumbled thoughts and try to make sense of the pain she was feeling.
Simon’s desperate calls echoed in her ears, but she ignored them, consumed by the storm of emotions raging within her. Her heart felt like it was being crushed under the weight of betrayal and heartbreak, and she could barely breathe through the suffocating pain.
As she stumbled down the hallway, she felt a sudden urge to escape, to flee the ship and leave all her troubles behind. But she knew deep down that running away wouldn’t solve anything. She needed to confront her feelings head-on and come to terms with the harsh reality of her situation.
Her mind raced as she walked, replaying the hurtful words Simon had hurled at her. She couldn’t believ
Carmen awakened with a start, feeling a throbbing headache that seemed to threaten to split her head in two. The sound of the ocean and the shower running somewhere in the distance echoed in her ears, making the pounding in her head worse. She groaned and rolled over in the bed, pulling the covers over her head, hoping to block out the noise.But then she heard it again—the sound of the shower.Suddenly, her eyes flew open, wide as saucers. She sat up in her bed, panting heavily, trying to comprehend what was happening. She searched her surroundings frantically, only to feel a sense of relief wash over her when she realized she was in her own suite, and not in someone else’s room. Her mind was already clouded with a heavy hangover, and being in a stranger’s room would have added to her confusion.Despite this realization, there was still a puzzle to be solved: why was the shower running in the bathroom?Was it Simon who had turned it on?
Carmen was at a loss for what to do next. She knew she had to get off the cruise ship, but after that, her mind was too numb to plan anything. If Molly found out what Simon had done, Carmen was certain her best friend would unleash her wrath upon him without any regard for the consequences. Perhaps that’s why Carmen was hesitant to call her. What she really needed at that moment was to be alone, somewhere quiet, where she could reflect on her life and all the decisions she had made.After Simon left, Carmen found herself taking a cold shower, changing into a fresh pair of clothes, and ordering something to eat in her suite. But as soon as the room service arrived and Carmen looked at the food, she realized she wasn’t even that hungry. Ronin’s words from that morning came back to her, and she felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment once again.It wasn’t as if she didn’t know how his opinion should be the last thing she should be worried ab
Simon stormed into one of his private offices located in the lower decks, hidden away from the prying eyes of the public. The clacking of his dress shoes echoed through the silent hallway, and a burly security guard followed closely behind. The guard stationed at the door held it open for Simon to pass through, but Simon's demeanor was so intense that the guard instinctively took a step back.As soon as they were alone in the room and Simon was sure the door was securely shut, he turned to face the man and delivered a brutal punch to his face. The force of the blow sent the man reeling back, his body crumpling to the floor. Blood immediately gushed out of the man's nose, staining the carpeted floor.The man groaned in agony, holding his face and doubling over. "Fuck!" he cursed between gritted teeth, struggling to get back up. Simon towered over him, seething with anger.Gone was the composed and collected Simon, who normally exuded an air of calmness and contro
As the lift doors slid open, Carmen stepped out into the atrium of the ship, her senses immediately assaulted by a cacophony of noise and activity. The giant pavilion was teeming with people of all ages, each one eager to enjoy the various offerings of the luxury liner. She could see kids darting around, shrieking with laughter, while the staff rushed to assist the tourists with their queries and needs. The air was thick with the aroma of different cuisines emanating from the numerous restaurants and eateries. Youngsters were milling about, chattering excitedly as they made their way to a trendy restaurant, their faces alight with anticipation of a fun-filled evening. Carmen felt overwhelmed by the bustling atmosphere around her. She tried to weave her way through the crowds, but it seemed like everyone was going in a different direction. The sound of laughter and chatter echoed throughout the atrium, creating a disharmony of noise that made it hard to think. As she
As the massive cruise ship finally docked at San Francisco's bustling pier after two long days at sea, Carmen felt an electric anticipation coursing through her veins. The air was thick with the salty scent of the ocean and the distant sound of seagulls calling out, beckoning her to explore the vibrant city that lay ahead. She couldn't wait to immerse herself in the pulsing energy of San Francisco, to taste its exotic flavors, to hear the beat of its music, and to experience the adventure that awaited her. However, wishful thinking was far from Carmen's mind. Ever since Simon had revealed the harsh reality of his world and the cost of her curiosity, she had been consumed by worry. He had given her some time to decide what she wanted—whether to continue pushing for answers or make peace with what she already knew. But the weight of the knowledge was heavy, and Carmen found it difficult to shake off the unease that had settled in her heart. Carmen felt like she was walking on a tightr
As Ronin pushed open the door to the cafe, he was greeted by a sensory explosion. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee tickled his nose, intermingling with the tantalizing scent of baked goods. The lively chatter of patrons filled his ears, accompanied by the clinking of cups and saucers and the whirring of the coffee machines. After a few moments of scanning the bustling cafe, Ronin’s keen eyes settled on the man he was there to meet. He spotted him nestled in a cozy corner near the window, engrossed in a book. As Ronin made his way towards him, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee was replaced with a hint of musty paper, emanating from the stacks of books lining the shelves. Moving with purpose through the maze of tables and chairs, Ronin deftly navigated the sea of patrons. He quickly sidestepped a busy waitress carrying a tray of steaming drinks, her apron brushing against his arm as he passed. He then navigated around a group of friends engaged in lively conver
Carmen sat on the bench for what felt like hours, her mind in turmoil. Eventually, she made the difficult decision to leave the cruise. She couldn’t see any reason to stay, even though she wanted to know why Simon had done what he did. She was exhausted and done with everything that was going on around her. The constant hurt, betrayal, and lies had taken their toll, and she needed a break, a fucking break.Had it not been for Molly stopping her from boarding that flight, she would have been sitting contentedly with her dad. She wouldn’t have met Simon, and she wouldn’t be standing at this perplexing crossroads in her life. Now, her biggest problem was figuring out what she should do next. Should she simply accept whatever came her way as fate, or should she take action and ensure that those who had made her life miserable were held accountable?The uncertainty of her situation weighed heavily on her mind. She felt lost, trapped in a maze with no clear
Carmen couldn’t help but roll her eyes as she watched Molly eagerly jump onto the bed, her excitement radiating off her like a burst of confetti.“Seriously, it’s your very first day on the cruise, and of course, the first thing you want to do is hit the party scene,” Carmen exclaimed, unable to hide a mixture of amusement and exasperation. With a theatrical flop onto Molly’s neatly made bed, Carmen let out a sigh and shook her head in mock disapproval.The sun’s warm rays filtered through the cabin window, casting a soft glow on the two friends. Carmen’s eyes lingered on Molly’s contagious enthusiasm, admiring her carefree spirit. She gave her buddy a tight smile, wondering how she got so blessed to have at least one person in her life she could completely rely on.Because let’s get real for a moment—with the exception of her father, Carmen always felt like she had been let down by everyone in her life