The Winter He Thawed My Icy Heart

Chapter 3: Savant

Seductress of the Seas. Unlike other cruise ships, they only cater to sixty-nine passengers per trip. When you went to the port, there were good-looking butlers and waitresses straight out of New York Fashion Week offering champagne and a snack topped with caviar.

Before you embark on the ship, the staff would look at you from head to toe, ensuring you follow their strict dress code. It should be elegant, seductive, or sophisticated. Another requirement was you should wear a mask all the time whenever you're on the cruise ship.

"Welcome to the Seductress of the Seas, Miss Savant."

Oh, I forgot to add. We're given name tags based on the character they assigned us. I didn't know why they called me "The Savant." I didn't hate it or love it, though.

"Honey, relax. You're wearing heels right now. I won't give you a bandage if you cry later."

Initially, Rodick was Liv's honey daddy, but later on, they fell in love and got engaged.

"That won't work, Rodick. You know when she's excited, you'd better put a leash on her."

"Guys, let's check out rooms!"

Olivia dragged me to the spiral staircase. I didn't understand why her man saw her as a fragile glass when it was clear she had an extraordinary strength. Where else would I get these bruises whenever she's excited?

"You know we could use an elevator."

"Ehh, don't you see how crowded it is?"

After thirty steps, we reached the floor where our room was. I expected to see a "the backrooms" style hallway only to see a bougie style one. Instead of wallpapers with outdated designs, Renaissance-style paintings adorned the walls. At first glance, it seemed like these artworks were randomly placed, but it had a story.

"Thanks to you, I have to check the other floors too, to know what happened to her."

"What are you talking about?"

"So, you noticed it too."

Liv didn't stop until she got an answer from us, so I let Rodick explain and got inside my room.

I gasped as I stepped inside my stunning suite. The centerpiece was a king-sized four-poster bed draped with a sheer curtain. Instead of a window, I have a sliding door with instant access to the balcony.

I hopped onto my bed and slept. When I woke up, I received a text from Liv saying they looked around the ship.

I should probably do the same.

Since I prioritize comfort over the aesthetics, I put on a pair of black heels suited for the dress code.

Only my footsteps broke the silence of the hallway. It was a bit creepy, but I told myself I was not in a horror movie to feel anxious.

When I thought I would be alone in the elevator, a man stood behind it. Just like me, he wore a mask and has a nameplate. Although he was silent, his perfume made quite a statement. I knew the exact brand he wore because it was a hit amongst businessmen, but there was something in him that made the scent curated for this man.

Was it his body chemistry? I wouldn't know.

"What was that?"

I blushed when I ended up in his arms. This elevator became crazy and shook all of a sudden, causing me to lose my balance.

"I'm sorry, Mister. I didn't mean to..."

"It's alright. This stuff happens sometimes."

My poor heart hadn't recovered from the shock when a couple joined us.

What were they doing here? I went all the way here to forget about their existence! Why did he have to ruin my plan for the second time?

The jerk turned his back to give a look at me. At first, I thought this mask was to make everything over the top. Who would have thought I could use it to my advantage as well?

I glared at him while he looked down on me. His eyes were locked on my chest. I should've taken out his eyeballs so his pleasure of lusting over women ended a long time ago. There was no way I would let this slide without a fight. I mouthed, "You're small," back at him.

His face turned red. He was about to say something when the man beside me switched positions with me and hung a shawl on my shoulder.

Even in silence, his build and stare were enough to intimidate anyone. Nick looked away, and that's what I did too.

"Where was he?"

The enigmatic man disappeared when we got out of the elevator. I guess I would hold on to his belongings until we meet.

My stomach growled at the sight of the food, but I didn't get to eat until I met with Liv.

"Are you sure about it? Maybe they were completely different people."

"I know what I saw." I said before munching on an apple wedge.

"Then, you just need to find your knight in shining armor!"

I squinted at Liv's suggestion. "I can handle myself."

She grinned like a child who did a mischief before she gulped her wine and said, "Who knows? He might be your next boyfriend."

Rodick tapped Liv's shoulder. "Don't force your friend into a relationship when she just got out of a messy breakup."

Liv giggled. "Honey, if I was not this aggressive, don't you think we would end up together?"

I poured myself wine to drown out their conversation around me. Being heartbroken made me a bit sensitive to lovey-dovey talks.

"Now that I've remembered it, the shawl was from the remarkable young man I knew. That thing dangling on your back costs around five grand."

My hypothesis was right. He belonged to the silver spoon community.

"Really? Do you think he would be the future husband of Sera?"

I facepalmed internally. Where did she get the confidence to say something outrageous like this? How did I become friends with this crazy woman?

"What were you saying, Liv? Should I buy brakes for your silly mouth?"

"This time, I will side with my honey. If you marry him, it will be beneficial for my company."

"See? Even Rodick approved it. Why don't you look for him?"

I got it, lovebirds. No need to be a matchmaker just to chase me away.

My empty social battery was a cue to step away from the Christmas party that was about to start. The perfect charging station was one of the decks since everyone's goal was to warm themselves up.

The frigid wind whipped on my face. My breath formed clouds in the air, and I thought I was like a dragon letting out fire.

"Was it fun? Playing with your breath?"

My head turned around to see who was the person who witnessed my silly moment.

"Huh, if entertainment what was you're looking for, you were in the wrong place Mister."

It might sound snobbish, but deep inside, I wanted to lock the doors in my room and bury my head in pillows because of embarrassment.

He wasn't threatened, and instead, he joined and imitated me.

"You're right, Miss Savant. It's fun."

Urg. I should've gone straight to my room.

"Miss Savant, was the Christmas party boring?"

I raised my eyebrow. Wasn't it enough he disturbed my social recharge session, and now he was asking my opinion about the party?

"Uhm... I wanted to know because... I know the organizer."

There was no harm in venting out with a stranger, right?

"The party was cool. You can tell the organizer they did a great job. It was just... I didn't believe in the magic of Christmas."

He whimpered as if he was in pain.

"What a tragedy, Miss Savant. Did something happen to make you turn into a Christmas hater?"

This man was probably a theater kid with the way he had exaggerated facial expressions. I couldn't help but to roll my eyes at him.

Seraphina, why were you making bad decisions one after another?

"It was true. Christmas magic is not for everyone."

"What if I convince you that Christmas magic is alive?"

"Sir... I looked at his nameplate. "Mister Knight, you don't have to prove anything to me. And why are you so pent up with this as if you're one of Santa's helpers?"

"What if I prove to you that Christmas is for everyone?"