3. Let the fun begin
1269 Words
[Day 1; December 20th, The Ophelia Cruise Ship]
~Octavia~
I stood there, stunned. The air in the room was thick with tension, and for a moment, everything felt surreal, like I was standing outside my body, watching it all unfold.
Twelve days with Dave Carter? Nathan’s greatest nightmare?
Please sign me up already.
Dave’s jaw tightened as if solidifying his resolve. Without hesitation, he took my hand and, in one smooth motion, slid the ring onto my finger.
Ava gasped, her smugness shattering. “You’ve got to be kidding me, Dave!”
I turned to her, startled by the raw fury on her face. Just minutes ago, she was gloating. Now, her perfect features were twisted in disbelief.
“She’s not even as beautiful as I am! What the hell is this?”
Nathan, his split lip still bleeding, looked just as dumbfounded. His eyes darted between the ring on my hand and Dave’s impassive expression.
But Dave did not even spare them a glance. He turned to me instead.
“It suits you.”
A strange warmth bloomed in my chest. No one had ever said something so simple yet sincere to me.
Ava sputtered, her voice rising. “Dave, you’re insane! Her? Look at her! She’s… she’s plain!”
Dave finally turned, his sharp gaze slicing through her like a blade. “I think we’ve heard enough from you, Ava.”
Ava shrank back slightly, the confidence crumbling from her face.
Nathan sneered, his swollen face twisted in disdain. “This is ridiculous,” he spat. “She’s not even in your league, Dave. What are you playing at?”
Dave ignored him entirely. He never even looked his way.
Instead, he turned to me, his voice calm and firm.
“Octavia, pack your things. You’re moving into my suite.”
My breath caught.
Ava made a strangled noise, her rage filling the room.
Nathan clenched his jaw so hard I thought he might break a tooth.
I did not hesitate.
I nodded.
[Later]
I stuffed my clothes into my suitcase, my hands shaking. The suite I had shared with Nathan no longer felt like mine. The air was stale, suffocating, thick with the weight of memories I wanted to leave behind.
Ava flitted around the room, shoving her designer bags into place, making it painfully obvious she was taking over.
She tossed her hair over her shoulder, lips curling into a smirk. “You better enjoy it while it lasts,” she sneered. “Dave will get bored of you in no time.”
I refused to give her the satisfaction of a reaction. I zipped my suitcase, grabbed the handle, and stepped into the hallway.
Dave’s suite was breathtaking. Twice the size of the one I had shared with Nathan, it had a sprawling sitting area, a balcony overlooking the shimmering ocean, and even a small infinity pool.
I set my suitcase down, feeling out of place in the luxury surrounding me. A few hours ago, I had been begging for Nathan’s approval. Now, I was here with Dave Carter of all people.
He did not say much. He just nodded toward the room, his silence oddly steadying.
For the first time in years, I did not feel like I was walking on eggshells.
“The cocktail party starts in an hour,” Dave said, finally breaking the silence.
He stood by the window, the golden sunset casting a glow over his sharp features.
“You should get dressed.”
I nodded, swallowing the twinge of nerves rising in my chest.
He walked toward me, holding out his hand.
“Your phone.”
I hesitated before handing it to him.
He typed something in quickly, then handed it back. “Call me when you’re ready.” His tone was cool and businesslike.
“Look your best. Don’t forget, Ava is a model.”
With that, he turned and left, the door clicking shut behind him.
I rummaged through my suitcase, searching for something—anything—that would make Nathan look twice.
My fingers brushed over familiar fabrics. Simple dresses. Clothes that suddenly felt inadequate.
After several minutes, I pulled out an emerald-green gown.
One of the dresses Nathan had insisted I wear for this event. Not as daring as Ava’s scarlet dress, but it hugged my curves in a way that felt elegant.
I slipped it on, turning toward the mirror.
For a moment, I barely recognized myself.
The deep green complemented my skin. The neckline dipped just low enough to be daring without being desperate.
I swallowed hard.
“You’re beautiful,” I whispered, trying to gear myself up even though the words felt foreign on my tongue.
Nathan had spent years chipping away at my confidence. Even now, I struggled to believe the reflection in front of me.
I packed my hair into a sleek twist, then texted Dave. The knock came almost immediately, as if he had been standing at the door the whole time.
I took a breath before opening it.
He stood there, dressed in a charcoal suit, the fabric tailored perfectly to his frame. His crisp shirt and the way his watch gleamed under the hallway light made him look even more powerful.
His gaze swept over me.
For a moment, he did not speak.
I fidgeted, smoothing the fabric of my dress.
“I can change if—”
Dave caught my wrist before I could move.
“Octavia,” he said, his voice soft but commanding. “There’s nothing wrong with this dress. You look amazing.”
My breath hitched.
He stepped closer, reaching up to my hair. Gently, he pulled out the twist I had tied it into, letting the waves fall over my shoulders.
“Better this way,” he murmured, a small smirk tugging at his lips.
The air between us shifted.
Dave’s voice broke the moment. “Do you have a makeup kit?”
“Yes,” I muttered, turning back inside. “Nathan bought it for me. He always wanted me to embody the perfect girlfriend, but I never really…” I trailed off, unsure why I was sharing this.
Dave placed his hands over mine on the box.
“Octavia, it’s fine if you don’t want to wear it. You don’t have to be anyone’s perfect girlfriend, okay?”
His words sent warmth flooding through me, and I felt heat rise to my cheeks.
But I took a steadying breath. “If we’re doing this, I want to go all in. Nathan always wanted me to look like this for him, nothing will hurt more than seeing me look hot beside another man.”
Dave smirked. “Let’s do this.”
He picked up the makeup kit, gesturing for me to sit.
“Let me help.”
I blinked. “You do makeup?”
“I spent months watching Ava do it. Trust me, I know what I’m doing.”
I hesitated for only a moment before lowering myself in front of the mirror. His fingers brushed against mine as he opened the kit.
He worked in silence, his touch gentle.
When he was done, I barely recognized the woman staring back at me.
My eyes looked bolder, my lips painted a soft rose, my confidence, though still fragile, flickering back to life.
Dave stepped back, his gaze sweeping over my reflection.
“Perfect.”
I met his eyes in the mirror, and he smiled softly, extending a hand in a gentlemanly manner.
“Let’s go, Tavia. It’s time to give them a show they won’t forget.”
- Writer
