VINDICTIVE

Episode 8

I smiled, pretending not to notice. God, I must have really been drunk to get so paranoid like that. Of course he was just planning surprises. Maybe it's just because this is all happening so suddenly.

I mean, we have only been dating for 6 months. Now not even twenty four hours after proposing we're eloping, surrounded by witches, goblins and god know what else on this ship. But I can't say This is out of character for him. For my birthday he rented out the entire mall for me to shop. Playing all my favourite songs over the PA, he planted surprises in all my favourite stores. He's just, eccentric and romantic, not always being traditional and I really should embrace that, it's who he is and he's going to be my husband.

A hand gently tapped my shoulder, recalling my thoughts from the view. Beside me Liam was on one knee, holding a single red rose. A small note tied to it. Taking my hand, he kissed it before standing and leaving. Quickly I read the note, curious as to what he's planned now.

“Meet me in room 86D on the top floor.

Your afternoon outfit is on our bed XOXO

More surprises await you, my princess.”

Just as I glanced up he turned around the corner, with a smaller man dressed in all black, a vampire-esk cape billowing behind. Raising a brow, I placed the note on the table. Smelling the sweet rose as I went. It was a lovely smell but went straight to my pounding brain. “Ugh”

Cutting across the ballroom I heard my name.

“Miss Millbank, hey!” The bartender called. And it all instantly came back. “You!” I traunted over.

Only just short of shouting I leaned on the counter for support. “What's your name sir?”

“Morgan” he answered plainly as he dried a glass, his smirk taunting me. “Morgan? Thats a stup-“

Reel it back Jules. “Stu-pendious name.”

He whistled silently.

“Nice save. How are you feelin? You and the ”Mr” get on the same page?” Without another word he handed me some water and an orange tablet fizzing on the bottom. “Whats this?”

“Just some vitamin C, take it or don't it's up to you but it'll help that headache a bit”

“... Thank you” I mumbled. Now feeling silly.

“So, you excited?” He asked. “They got me prepping all my drinks like crazy, the boss even dropped on me a huge surprise load of extra drinks. Your fiance must really want a crazy night out here tonight, i swear there's enough back there to get the whole ship hammered” he laughed. “

Taking another drink I slipped into the stool. He wasn't wrong, in the back of the bar there were boxed upon boxes of various drinks.

“He said it was going to be a real rager tonight.”

I sighed indifferently.

“As soon as were announced husband and wife the partys going to go off he said”

“Yea?, and I've been told to get as much of the stock gone as possible. I'm just glad I'm not on the janitorial team, i'll tell ya that much.”

I laughed at that, just picturing the sloppy mess of hundreds of drunkards about. “Just like I always dreamed.”

Shaking my head I finished off the drink, feeling the edge taper off just a bit. “As long as we're married, it'll be alright.” I smiled. Fiddling with the rose in my fingers. “At this point Id marry him at the bottom of the ocean if I have to”

“Well that's true love for ya right there, you better run along now miss-“

“Jules” I corrected. “Call me Jules” with a quick pat on the counter I stepped off the stool. Headed back for the room.

The door shut with a click, the suite all dark. Flicking on the lights as I entered, I nearly fell back from shock. “Surprise!” Came three loud squeals, jumping out from various hiding places around the room. All of them seem to be members of staff.

“Scared the bejesus out of me!” I puffed, a hand on my thumping heart. “W-what's going on?” It was then I noticed the pink balloons and streamers. On the coffee table sat a golden bottle of champagne, next to it a large plate of delicately sized finger sandwiches. “Hi, I'm Amber.” One said, offering her hand to me to shake.

Hesitantly I took it. “And this is Laura and Jenny” She continued, motioning to the other girls. All of them were dressed in black, their name tags gave them away as staff. The first ones I've seen without some Halloween makeup on.

“Hi…” Shaking my head confused.

“Sorry... what are you doing here?” They all giggled. “Welcome to... your bachelorette party!” Laura blew a party horn. Amber handed me a note. “Mr. Vonrough asked us to give you this”

Walking to the couch as I opened it.

“I'm so sorry they arent your friends from back home but, they are all really big fans of yours and thought you guys might hit it off.

I'll see you tonight my darling. I'll be the handsome one at the end of the isle.

Love, Liam”

Leaning back on the couch I sighed quietly. Typical. I mean, It's sweet and everything but It's a little hard to get in a party mood with people you don't know. The sudden pop of cork from behind me shook me from my daze.

Jenny sat beside me just a tad to close.

“You must be so excited” I smiled. “Oh yes. Very” I huffed my tone dripping in sarcasm. This obviously confused them. Amber raised a brow as she took a sip from her fresh glass. “That's the spirit”

Frustrated, I tossed the note to the floor.

“Look, I'm sorry I'm just not in the mood. This whole thing is insane. I hate the theme, I hate that my friends aren't here, I hate that my father isn't giving me away and-“