Chapter 2: The Stranger’s Proposition
855 Words
Sierra stared out at the dark sea, the fireworks overhead bursting in vibrant colors, each explosion mocking her with its brilliance. She felt like a hollow shell, her anger and heartbreak swirling in an endless loop. The laughter and cheers of partygoers on the deck only amplified her loneliness.
The man hadn’t left.
He leaned on the railing beside her, silent but present, his calm demeanor an odd contrast to the storm inside her. For a moment, Sierra considered walking away, but where would she even go? Back to her cabin to wallow in self-pity? She clenched the railing harder, willing the tears to stop.
“You know,” he finally said, his voice low and smooth, “watching fireworks alone feels wrong. Almost tragic.”
Sierra turned to him sharply, ready to lash out, but the smirk on his face stopped her. There was no pity in his expression, just a quiet curiosity, as if he were trying to unravel her.
“What do you want?” she asked, her voice colder than the ocean breeze.
He chuckled softly, the sound rich and surprisingly comforting. “I was going to ask you the same thing. But considering the death grip you have on that railing, I’m guessing your answer involves revenge.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You don’t know anything about me.”
“Not yet,” he admitted, straightening to his full height. Up close, he was even more striking—tall and broad-shouldered, with sharp features softened by just a hint of mischief in his eyes. “But I know a broken heart when I see one.”
Sierra stiffened. “I’m not interested in small talk with a stranger.”
He nodded, as if expecting her reaction. “Fair enough. No small talk, then. How about a deal?”
She blinked. “A deal?”
The man took a step closer, his eyes gleaming under the fireworks’ light. “You’ve got a cheating boyfriend ruining your holiday, and I’ve got… my own reasons to stay off certain radars this week. What if we helped each other out?”
Sierra frowned, unsure whether to be intrigued or insulted. “Help each other how?”
“Fake dating,” he said simply, his tone so casual it made her jaw drop.
“Fake… what?”
“You heard me.” He leaned against the railing again, his smirk widening. “You need someone to show that ex of yours what he lost. I need someone to keep me looking occupied. We play the part, make it convincing, and when this little cruise is over, we go our separate ways.”
Sierra laughed bitterly, shaking her head. “This is ridiculous. You don’t even know me.”
“I don’t need to know you,” he countered, his confidence unnerving. “I just need you to play along.”
“And why would I do that?” she asked, crossing her arms.
He shrugged, his smirk softening into something more serious. “Because it’s better than spending the rest of this cruise miserable and alone.”
Sierra hated that his words stung because they were true. She’d spent months fantasizing about this trip, and now it was a nightmare. Ethan had humiliated her, and all she wanted was to wipe that smug look off his face.
But could she really trust this stranger?
“Who even are you?” she asked finally, her voice laced with suspicion.
“Theo,” he said, holding out a hand. “Theo Ashford.”
She hesitated, her gaze flicking between his hand and his face. “Sierra Blake.”
“Nice to meet you, Sierra,” Theo said, his grip firm but warm. “Now, what do you say? Shall we make your ex regret every decision he’s ever made?”
She hesitated, the weight of the evening pressing down on her. Fake dating Theo for the sake of revenge was insane. But as she glanced back at the bright ballroom behind them, imagining Ethan and that blonde laughing at her misery, a spark of defiance lit in her chest.
“Fine,” she said, releasing his hand. “But I have rules.”
Theo raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Rules?”
“Yes, rules,” she said firmly. “This is just for show. No actual… you know.”
“Understood,” Theo said, though the glint in his eye suggested he wasn’t as innocent as he seemed.
“And I call the shots,” she added.
“Of course,” he said, a hint of a smirk tugging at his lips. “Anything else?”
Sierra hesitated, then nodded. “One more thing—this ends the moment we step off this ship.”
Theo’s smirk softened into something almost genuine. “Deal.”
As another round of fireworks lit up the night sky, Sierra felt the weight on her chest lift ever so slightly. She didn’t know what she was getting herself into, but for the first time that night, she felt like she had some control.
This trip wasn’t over—not yet.
- Writer
