Chapter Sixteen

The ship glided smoothly away from the Italian coastline, the city lights twinkling in the distance as night fell over the water. Alice returned to her suite after the dance class, her body slightly tired but her mind alert. The day had been eventful, but now she had to face another task: the video call with Grandma Janet.

When she stepped into the suite, Kelvin was already there, pacing back and forth with his phone in hand. He glanced up when she entered, his expression taut.

“You’re late,” he said curtly.

Alice sighed, setting her bag down on the chair. “Relax. I’m here, aren’t I?”

Kelvin didn’t respond, instead tapping furiously on his phone. A few moments later, he turned the screen toward her. The familiar face of Grandma Janet appeared, her sharp eyes narrowing as she looked at the couple.

“There you are!” Grandma Janet exclaimed, her voice tinged with both delight and suspicion. “I was beginning to think you two were avoiding me or that something wrong was going on.”

“Of course not, Grandma,” Kelvin said smoothly, a practiced smile on his face. “Alice just had a lot going on yesterday.”

Alice forced a pleasant expression, leaning closer to the camera. “Yes, Grandma. I’m so sorry I missed the previous calls. I was sea sick and I'm only just recovering and adapting to life on the sea”

Grandma Janet raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “Hmm. I suppose that could happen. It's your first time on a ship so I get you're body will have some reactions, but thank God you're alright now, Alice. I want to see you both happy and enjoying yourselves.”

“Absolutely, Grandma,” Kelvin cut in quickly, his tone almost overly reassuring.

Grandma Janet’s gaze remained sharp as it shifted between the two of them. “In fact, I think it’s time I see more than just your faces on a screen. I want a proper video—something romantic, the two of you doing something special on the ship. Dinner, dancing, whatever couples do on these fancy cruises.”

Alice blinked, caught off guard by the demand. Kelvin stiffened beside her, clearly thrown as well.

“Grandma, that’s not necessary,” Kelvin began, but Janet cut him off with a dismissive wave.

“Nonsense! It’s very necessary. A marriage isn’t just about existing in the same space. It’s about sharing moments, making memories.” Her expression softened slightly. “I know it’s not easy sometimes, but if you don’t make the effort, what’s the point?”

Alice bit the inside of her cheek, holding back the urge to laugh bitterly at the irony of Janet’s words. She glanced at Kelvin, whose face had tightened into a mask of reluctant compliance.

“We’ll do it, Grandma,” Alice said finally, her tone even.

Grandma Janet’s face lit up. “Wonderful! I’ll be expecting that video soon. And remember, make it romantic. None of this stiff, posed nonsense.”

Kelvin forced a smile. “Of course, Grandma. You’ll have it by tomorrow.”

“Good. Now, enjoy your evening, both of you. I love you both so much.” Grandma Janet gave them a pointed look before the screen went dark.

As soon as the call ended, Kelvin dropped the phone onto the table and ran a hand through his hair. “Romantic video? Seriously?”

Alice crossed her arms, leaning against the back of a chair. “You heard her. It has to be done.”

“You don’t even care about this, do you?” he snapped, glaring at her.

Alice met his gaze steadily. “No, Kelvin. I don’t. But your grandmother does, and for some reason, keeping up this charade is important to you. So, figure it out.”

Kelvin exhaled sharply, his frustration palpable. “Fine. I'll see what I can come up with. I don't know why Grandma keep insisting on things as this. If only she knows how hard it is for me”

She raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. Then, she shook her head, tired of the tension that seemed to define their interactions.

“I’m going to shower then have a good night sleep,” she said simply, heading toward the bathroom.

Kelvin sank into the elegant sofa and turned on the television, perhaps something to divert his mind from the difficult mission he was going to embark on. He wished Anita was around, he would have spent that night with her in his arms, giving him comfort and a wonderful time.

*****

It was the first time since the started on the cruise that Alice was waking up with Kelvin beside her on the bed. The feeling was a little bit different. She stared at him for a while, a feeling of wanting to be in his arms, to be loved by him flooded

her. He was her husband and they were supposed to have an amazing marriage.

She had dreamt of so many sweet things, romantic moment between them before their wedding. She had hoped to be showered with love in abundance, and somewhere in her was that desire for those dreams to come true - for Kelvin to love her.

She slowly and quietly ran her hand through his silky hair and then ran her small fingers down his chin with a longing. He seemed to be deep in sleep because he did not move.

'If only you can see beyond Anita....If only you can see me, your wife' she said within her.

Then Kelvin, sleepily turned. Alice quickly removed her hand and got up from the bed. Oblivious of what she as doing to him she sat up on the bed and saw her heading towards the bathroom. He sighed and turned away from her and quickly headed out of the bedroom to the living room area to drown himself in the television.

He felt so alone without Anita and added to that was an unwanted obligation to be involved in some romantic activity with Alice whom his mind has programmed for hate and disgust.

He was neck deep in the movie he was watching when the delicious aroma of a perfume saturated the air and seduced him. He turned to see Alice, simply dressed in a yellow flowery patterned gown. He must have been seeing things or maybe his heart was confused for in that brief moment he thought she was beautiful - not just because but damn attractive. He quickly stopped himself from being caught staring like a fool as she turned towards him.

Alice, headed for the door and Kevin wondered.

"Where are you going?" He asked

Alice stopped and faced him, "Should that concern you?"

"Yes. You're supposed to be my wife and this is

supposed to be our honeymoon. Where you go is my concern" He replied

Alice peered at him and at his flimsy excuse, "Since when?" She asked

"Since the moment you had Anita off this ship" He retorted.

"So, you want to put a hold on my life here because I got rid of that pest?" Alice scoffed, "Aren't you too irritated by my presence or am I now tolerable for you?" she asked.

Kelvin could not answer immediately. He was indeed finding her decent and classy. He had never expected her to be able to adapt the way she has done. His mind had registered her to be an illiterate who would always disgrace him before the society, but here she was, gracefully maneuvering her way through.

"Grandma wants us to get involved in some romantic activity on this ship. That's what we need to do" He spoke with authority.

"Grandma also wants that we live together, happily and in love as man and wife, you're in no way doing that" Alice folded her arms.

"You really want to make things difficult for me, right?" Kelvin asked.

"Absolutely. It's a little payback for how you're about to ruin my life. When you've figured what romantic activity we're doing, you let me know. I'm going to have breakfast" Alice turned and left the suite.

Kelvin sighed, rubbing his forehead hard. He just could not wait for the whole situation to end. He fell back on the sofa and distracted himself with the television.

******

Alice headed to the dining area for breakfast. She was waiting for her order when Daniel came and sat with her on the table.

"Good morning beautiful!" he smiled, flashing his handsomeness - something Alice quickly dismissed.

"Good morning flatterer" Alice replied.

"Flatterer?" Daniel raised an eyebrow with his smile still plastered on his face. "I'm not a flatterer" he said.

"Sure" Alice replied sarcastically

The waiter came with Alice's order and Daniel ordered his before he left.

"Yellow looks very good on you" Daniel started.

"Thanks" Alice replied carelessly. She did not want to take Daniel or his flatteries to heart. It will be

foolishness to complicate her already complicated life.

Daniel kept staring at her admiringly, allowing himself to openly soak in her beauty.

"You know, if you keep staring like that, your eyes will fall out" Alice teased.

"Ouch" Daniel lowered his gaze and Alice

suppressed a smile as she started with her breakfast.

"What are your plans for today?" Daniel asked.

"Apart from my dance class this evening, I don't know." Alice replied.

"Why didn't you tell me that you take dance classes?" Daniel asked with interest.

The waiter returned with Daniel's order, set it down and left. Daniel started with his food as soon as he left.

"You want to join me?" Alice asked

"Hmm-mm. With utmost pleasure" Daniel replied.

"You want to give Kelvin another reason to go crazy on me" Alice chuckled.

"Why would he care if you dance with another?" Daniel asked.

"He feels I'm defaming him with her 'character-less' behavior. Apparently, I'm supposed to avoid all contact with men and

probably just lock myself indoors, being obedient to him because I'm married - to him" Alice tuts and took a bite of her food.

"But he gets to keep his girlfriend after marriage and bring her on your honeymoon. He's unbelievable." Daniel sighed

"Well, he's got the wrong girl to play with. I have already set him and that 'thing' he calls a girlfriend straight. She's already out of this ship" Alice bragged.

"How'd you do that?" Daniel was impressed.

"That's my secret" Alice smiled at him.

Daniel adimired her, "You're really very.....I don't know the perfect word to use...."

"Unpredictable?" Alice looked at him.

He nodded, "Yes. And it's what makes you really attractive"

"Attractive indeed" Alice scoffed and continued with her food.

"I'm serious. If you had turned out to be this typical village girl without a complete education, there would be nothing desiring about you" Daniel replied, eager to explain his point.

"And who is desiring me? You or that husband of mine?" Alice was also interested to know more.

Daniel's heart was quick to admit how he had begun to desire her more than ever with how she had managed to prove herself very smart with Kelvin and Anita. Still he could not bring himself to admit it. Alice would just run away from him. He preferred to be a friend to her and keep his feelings deep in his heart than to risk never ever having the privilege of being close to her.

"I can tell that Kelvin's desiring you a little" Daniel spoke.

Alice burst out into a mocking laugh, not loud enough to disturb the other passengers eating. Daniel found himself, gradually being lost in that enchanting view of her laughing.

"Kelvin will desire me? He would rather remain single for the rest of his life than want me" Alice shook her head.

"Then he must be very foolish not to" Daniel replied with the hope of ending that conversation right there.

But Alice wanted more, "I've been meaning to ask you something"

Daniel looked up at her, wondering, "What is it?"

"Why are you still single? And don't you tell me things like you haven't found the right one cause I've seen girls clamoring around you on this ship." Alice watched him closely.

Daniel found himself flushing at her words but was not sure how to reply without hinting at his feelings for her. "Well...." he started

Alice added immediately, cutting him short, "I can imagine how may advanced you have gotten and would still be getting from girls back home. After all you are handsome. Why haven't you gotten a girlfriend?"

"Well, I'm not in love with any of those girls" Daniel replied.

"And I'm to believe that?" Alice scoffed, staring at him in the eye as if to catch the lie there.

"It's truth" Daniel defended. "Those girls are no doubt beautiful and maybe we'll cultured but my heart does not yearn for any of them. And I want to marry for love"

"Ah....So what kind of girl would you fall in love with?" Alice asked again.

Daniel derailed in this fantasy as he saw a perfect picture of the woman after his heart - Alice "A simple girl, kind, loving.....smart, unpredictable, resilient, never allowing anyone walk all over her simplicity."

Alice got carried away in his brief discussion. She was sure why she felt he was talking about her.

"That's basically on the surface. Do you want me to tell you more about her?" Daniel beamed with smile - one that Alice was certain in her heart that he was definitely talking about her.

"No" Alice shook her head and looked away from him, a little nervous, facing her food.

Daniel noticed her sudden disturbed look, "Are you okay?" he asked, concerned.

"Of course. I'm fine" Alice glanced at him, smiling nervously.

They ended the time talking about other things.