7. Aquatic Alien
1175 Words
[Day 2: Dec. 21, The Ophelia Cruise Ship]
~Octavia~
The bright glow and warmth of the early morning sun hit my face, nudging me from sleep. I squinted, rolling over in the plush, king-sized bed, relishing its softness.
A strange, light-hearted happiness bubbled within me—a feeling I wasn’t used to, was it because of Dave or because I'm finally free from the clutches of my toxic boyfriend?
My lashes fluttered open, blinking against the sunlight pouring through the floor-to-ceiling glass door that led to the balcony. Sheer curtains swayed gently in the breeze from the crack I’d left open last night.
Yawning, I stretched lazily, my arms arching above my head as I sat up. The sheets slipped to my waist, cool against my skin. I slid into the soft flip-flops neatly placed beside the bed, their cushioned soles cradling my feet as I stood.
I glanced at the other side of the bed—it was perfectly made, the sheets untouched. Dave hadn’t slept here.
A pang of curiosity struck me. Where could he have been?
Sliding the glass door open, I stepped out onto the balcony. The cool morning air nipped at my skin, making me shiver. Beyond the railing, the ocean stretched endlessly, the surface sparkling like tiny diamonds under the rising sun. The waves were calm, their gentle rhythm blending with the faint hum of the ship’s engines beneath me.
I wrapped my arms around myself, taking in the sight. The horizon was a soft blend of blue and white, like a watercolor painting. It was breathtaking.
The cold began to creep into my bones, and I retreated back inside, closing the balcony door behind me.
Dave was probably off handling business. Even on a luxury cruise, I doubted he ever fully turned off the "industry devil" persona I’d heard so much about.
Grabbing my phone from the nightstand, I frowned at the lack of notifications. Not even a missed call from my mother, which was unusual. Mom was never one to let me go more than a day without checking in, often with unsolicited advice or concerns about my life choices.
She’d been furious when I told her I was coming on this cruise with Nathan. She never liked Nathan and had warned me against settling for someone who drained me emotionally, drawing from her own painful experiences with my father.
“Once you’re in, it’s nearly impossible to get out,” she’d said. And she wasn’t wrong. It took her fifteen long years to report Dad for physical assault. Even after he was sentenced to ten years in prison, she blamed herself and pitied him.
And now, wasn’t I just like her? Sticking with a man who subtly tore me apart piece by piece? I’m sure she’s gonna laugh her ass off when I tell her about yesterday and how I ended up being Dave Carter’s fake girlfriend.
A sharp pang of emotion hit me, but I quickly pushed it aside, forcing a smile as a text notification lit up my screen.
Lila: Ophelia is making a quick stop at Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. Craig and I are on our way as per the boss’s orders. See you soon, bestie!
A smile spread across my face. Thank God, Lila—my best friend and partner in crime at Empire House—and her boyfriend from production would be joining.
Nathan had initially refused to let anyone else from the team join the cruise, claiming budget issues, but here they were. It didn’t make sense, but honestly? I didn’t care.
Lila was everything I wasn’t: bold, outspoken, and fiercely protective. She’d always hated how Nathan treated me, but with her job on the line, she’d kept her opinions to herself—except during our countless venting sessions.
Octavia: Wow, that’s lovely! Can’t wait to see you, bestie.
I hit send, the soft tone of the notification feeling oddly comforting. Exhaling, I dropped the phone onto the nightstand, my thoughts drifting back to Dave.
Where was he?
My stomach growled, reminding me I hadn’t eaten since dinner last night. Turning toward the mini-fridge, I froze when I heard the faint sound of water splashing from the balcony.
What in the world…?
Curiosity got the best of me and I stepped out onto the balcony just in time to see something—or someone—emerging from the small infinity pool on the balcony. Its surface rippled as the person surfaced from below.
My heart skipped.
For a split second, I thought it was some aquatic alien invading the ship—silly me.
But no—this was something else entirely, a freaking shirtless hot guy.
Dave.
Water glistened on his skin as he emerged, droplets cascading off his broad shoulders. His jet-black hair clung to his face, slicked back as he ran a hand through it. He pulled himself out of the pool with effortless grace, muscles straining with every movement.
His bronzed skin glistened in the morning light, every inch of him a perfect blend of strength and grace. Broad shoulders led to a chiseled chest, his abs so defined they looked carved from stone.
My eyes trailed lower, following the sharp V-line disappearing into his snug boxer briefs, clinging indecently to his powerful thighs.
I swallowed hard, heat rushing to my cheeks. He looked like something out of a high-end cologne ad—the kind of man you only saw in magazines or daydreams.
He grabbed a towel from a lounger, casually running it through his damp hair before dabbing it across his chest and arms. The movement made his muscles ripple, the play of light accentuating every ridge and plane.
The salty air seemed heavier now, or maybe that was just me. My stomach flipped, and for a moment, I forgot all about food.
This—this was enough.
My gaze lingered on the droplets trailing down his skin, and before I could stop myself, my tongue darted out to wet my lips. I licked my lips, my mind running wild. I could almost imagine running my hands and tongue over those shoulders, tracing the droplets of water down his chest.
Gosh
His piercing blue eyes locked onto mine, sharp and curious, freezing me in place. My heart stuttered, hammering against my ribs as heat crept up my cheeks. I realized too late that I’d been blatantly staring at him, wide-eyed and starstruck.
For a moment, neither of us moved. The air between us grew charged, thick enough to steal my breath. The weight of his gaze pinned me in place. And then—
“Oh my God, you’re so hot.”
The words tumbled out before I could stop them.
A mischievous smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth, slow and dangerously seductive.
I blinked, horrified, as realization slammed into me like a freight train. “Did I just… did I say that aloud?”
The smirk deepened, his expression thoroughly amused, and his voice dropped, husky and dangerously low. “Yes. You did.”
- Writer
