Chapter 2: Who the hell was Jason?

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~CHRISTIAN~

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I glared angrily at my phone as I dialed Sloane's number again, and just like the other times, it didn't connect.

I was so close to losing my temper.

Alone in the ship's private lounge, I sat at a vantage point where I could see whoever stepped into the bar.

Sloane and I agreed to meet up here. I personally booked the tickets for this trip. But hours went by, and I didn't see her.

I was beginning to get worried.

I pulled out a velvet box from my pocket and flipped it open.

A diamond ring winked up at me, the square shaped stone glittering like stars. A small smile touched my lips as I gazed at it.

It belonged to my mother, one of the few belongings she left behind before she died.

And I was ready to give it out to the love of my life. I planned to propose to Sloane tonight. It was why I booked this trip, for both of us.

Apart from proposing to her, I also wanted to reveal my true identity to her.

Sloane thought I was a penniless man with a troubled past and endless debts. Well she would, because that was what I showed her. And she fell for me.

But unknown to her, it was all a disguise. I was more than just a poor man with a past. So much more, and I was ready to reveal it to her.

Sloane and I have been together for a year. The first time I saw her, it was at a nightclub in Paris.

She caught my attention as she danced on the stage, right above the crowd of wealthy men who struggled to have a glimpse of her.

After she performed, I followed her behind the stage, and spotted two men who tried to assault her.

I came to her rescue, knocking the men unconscious. And when I looked into her eyes, that was the moment I fell head over heels.

It started with coffee dates and private steamy sessions in the night club, but before we knew it, we were deeply in love.

She was bubbly and full of life, a broken model with dreams to be a star someday.

Her kind nature reminded me so much of my own mother, and that was probably why I fell for her. My mom would have loved her.

My smile faded suddenly and I slammed the box shut.

Thinking about my mother's death was the last thing I wanted to do. I managed to keep that memory locked away for years.

I wouldn't want to reopen old wounds. Not today.

I grabbed the glass of vodka before me and took a sip as my mind rolled over the memories of the past years.

I was surprised when my father suddenly sent for me, after years of being away.

It was unusual, as I had always been a shame to the family. The illegitimate son of the Cartwright family. The famous playboy.

I vowed never to return to New York, never to return to the Cartwright Mansion.

But fate had other plans.

I emptied the contents in my glass and snapped my fingers to signal the lounge's waitress.

She hurried in with another bottle of vodka and placed it before me. Her blonde hair slipped over her shoulders as she leaned down and poured a shot.

"Leave the bottle." I muttered, and turned back to my phone.

I tried calling Sloane again, but it didn't connect. I was beginning to get really frustrated.

A thought suddenly occurred to me. Maybe her cell phone was switched off.

I decided to text her, instructing her to come to suite six to meet me. Whenever her phone came on, she would receive it.

Just then, my assistant, Eric, walked into the lounge.

He was on the phone, and he rounded up his conversation as he lowered to the couch beside me.

"I couldn't find her." He said. "I searched everywhere. Are you sure she's on this ship?"

I tried not to snap when I answered. "She's here. Maybe she's having a hard time finding me."

"And her phone is still switched off?" Eric asked.

I nodded, taking another sip of the vodka. It tasted strange, somewhat.

"What do we do now?" Eric asked. "It's almost midnight."

"I texted her the number of the suite." I answered. "I'm sure she'll see it and meet me there."

Eric huffed a relieved sigh. "That should work then. Oh, one more thing, I saw your nephew."

I nearly choked on my vodka as I sat up abruptly.

"That brat is here?" I snapped.

Eric chuckled and poured himself a glass of wine.

"He's right in this bar as we speak. I was a little surprised to see him here."

"That kid is trouble." I leaned back and poured another shot of vodka. "He's as dumb and as clueless as the rest of the fucking family."

I despised every member of the Cartwright family, but I despised my nephew more.

The boy was as unpleasant as his late father, who had been my half brother.

He was the last person I wanted to see on this cruise, and I intended to keep it that way.

"I think I'll turn in for the night." I rose up, taking the bottle of vodka with me.

"Do you want me to search for Miss Sloane again?" Eric asked.

"Just keep an eye out for her." I replied. "If you see her, send her up to the suite."

"Yes, boss." Eric nodded.

I turned and walked out of the lounge, taking the private exit that led straight to my suite.

My steps were steady as I walked back. The evening air felt cold, and the ship rocked softly against the waves.

I stepped into my suite, finished the entire bottle of vodka and suddenly felt hot.

Sweat broke out of my skin, and my head ached. My eyes watered, and realization dawned on me.

I had been drugged.

That fucking waitress must have roofied my drink before serving it.

This wasn't the first time something like this was happening to me.

Back in Paris, someone had spiked my drink. Fortunately, Eric had caught the woman responsible.

I could feel my vision blurring out as the drug, whatever it was, took effect. It was a good thing I left the bar.

I staggered to the bathroom and stood under the shower for a few minutes, letting the cold water clear my head.

Afterwards, I changed into a pair of slacks, crawled into the bed and slept off.

...

I woke up to someone kissing me.

I opened my eyes which still felt heavy and scrutinized the woman straddling me in the dark.

Sloane. She was finally here.

"My love." She whispered, and I perceived the tequila in her breath.

I kissed her, holding her close to me. Fuck! I missed her so much.

"You're drunk." I whispered as I flipped us over, covering her body with mine.

She giggled and whispered something about wanting to seduce me.

Sloane and I never had sex during our relationship, and I never pressured her.

But tonight, I could feel she wanted it, just like I did.

I was gentle with her, and as her thighs tightened around me, as her fingers tangled in my hair and pulled me closer, I knew I had made the right choice.

I collapsed beside her, breathing heavily. I heard her whisper about how amazing it was, and I chuckled.

"It was amazing," I murmured.

She rolled into my arms and smiled blissfully.

This was the moment.

I grabbed the velvet box beside me and flipped it open, holding it to her face.

"Sloane, my love, will you marry me?"

"Oh, Jason." She gasped, grabbing the ring and slipping it on her finger. "Yes. Oh yes, I'll marry you."

But then I froze, at the same time she did.

Who the hell was Jason?