The Green Eyed Stranger
1337 Words
Serenity’s POV
By seven o’clock the next morning, I nearly cancel three times.
The first time is while I’m brushing my teeth.
The second is while I’m zipping up my suitcase.
The third is when the cab pulls outside the cruise terminal, and I see hundreds
of people moving excitedly onto the cruise.
But what stopped me each time was Chelsea’s words “ You deserve to enjoy
your life too.
”
Once out of the cab, I notice the people around.
Beautiful women.
Husky men.Designer clothes.
I instantly feel out of place.
“Don’t overthink this Serenity.
” I mutter under my breath while gripping the
handle of my suitcase, a little too tight.
A sharp horn blasts nearby, making me flinch.
“Serenity!”
I turn back to see Lisa and Chelsea.
Before I can get a word out, Lisa throws her arms around me dramatically.
“Oh my God, you actually came!” She squeals, squeezing me tightly.
“I can’t breathe Lisa” I say with a light laugh.
Chelsea walks towards us with a soft smile, her huge sunglasses resting on
top of her head.
She’s beautiful.
They both are.
“You look amazing”
, she says, holding my hand.
“Liar.
” I say with a scoff.
“I’m serious.
”
“I agree.
” Lisa says, pulling away to look at my face.
you’re here to attend a funeral.
”
“Now stop looking like
“I still think this was a bad idea.
” I say with a sigh.
“That’s because you hate fun, Serenity.
” Lisa says with a hearty laugh.
I gasp dramatically.
“ I do not hate fun, I’m a fun person.
”“Name one fun thing you’ve done this year.
”
I open my mouth to defend myself.
I close it.
Shit. She right.
Lisa laughs triumphantly.
“Exactly.
”
Before I can say anything, Chelsea gently takes my suitcase from my hand.
“Come on.
” She says softly.
“You’re here now, that’s what matters.
”
That’s the scary part.
I’m actually here.
……….
Half an hour later, we’re standing on the upper deck; the chill ocean breeze
brushes against my skin.
I should be enjoying the view.
Instead a knot forms in my chest.
I don’t belong anywhere this luxurious.
“Serenity, take a breath, you’re spiraling again.
” Chelsea says squeezing my
hand.
“I’m fine.
”
“You’re chewing the inside of your mouth.
”
Damn.
She got me.How does she know me so well?
I immediately stop.
Thankfully, Lisa appears holding three colorful drinks with tiny umbrellas
sticking out of them.
“I got cocktails guys.
” She announces with a grin.
“It’s barely noon Lisa.
” I say.
“And?” She shoots back.
Chelsea takes one with a smile.
” Thank you.
”
Lisa shoves the last one in my hand.
“What’s in this?” I ask suspiciously.
“What’s in a cocktail, Serenity? Alcohol obviously.
” She says rolling her eyes.
“You need to relax.
” Chelsea says.
I hesitate before finally taking a sip.
The sweet taste takes me by surprise.
Wow this is actually good.
For the first time since I got here, my tense shoulders loosen slightly.
Chelsea notices immediately.
“There she is.
” She says with a light smile.
“What?” I ask.
“You look lighter.
”Something about those words make the knot in my chest loosen.
“Oh my God. This has to be God’s gift to women .
’’ Lisa gasps.
“What now?”
Lisa grabs my arm aggressively.
“Do NOT look immediately.
”
In haste to know what she’s talking about.
I look immediately.
I gasp.
A man is standing by the entrance of the upper deck, he’s surrounded by
people but somehow stands out naturally.
Tall.
Broad shoulders.
Dark tousled hair.
Then I catch a glimpse of his eyes.
They nearly make me drop my drink.
Deep green eyes.
Deep enough to reel people in.
Reel me in.
Something strange settles deep in my stomach as he walks past a group of
men in expensive suits. They greet him instantly, moving aside without
hesitation.
He carries himself with a quiet authority. Like he’s used to being obeyed.
I gasp as his gaze suddenly shifts.Straight to me.
Not Chelsea.
Not Lisa.
Me.
He doesn’t smile, but he doesn’t look away either.
He just watches me intensely.
I look away.
“What the hell? Do you know him?” Lisa whispers beside me.
“Don’t stare.
” I manage to mutter.
“Sorry, are you blind?” Lisa hisses.
fantasy.
”
“This man looks straight out of a billionaire
I glare at her.
“Lisa.
” Chelsea says, shoving her lightly.
“What? I’m just being honest.
” Lisa says with a shrug.
Against my better judgment, I look back at him.
Big mistake.
He’s still looking at me.
Shit.
There’s something deeply attractive about the calmness in his expression as
he looks at me.A blonde woman suddenly approaches him, trying to touch his hand
flirtatiously.
He barely reacts.
His gaze stayed locked on me.
I suddenly feel very aware of myself.
I glance down at my stomach instinctively.
Adjusting my shirt to cover it up.
“You’re panicking.
” Chelsea says softly.
“No I’m not.
”
“You’ve adjusted your shirt twice in 10 seconds.
”
I hate Chelsea sometimes.
“Oh my God. Serenity thinks he’s hot.
” Lisa says with a mischievous grin.
Before I can argue, the man is walking toward us.
Oh my God.
What do I do?
My heart bangs against my chest as he stops in front of us.
Up close, he’s even more attractive.
And definitely intimidating.
He’s tall enough that I have to tilt my head slightly upward.
He’s dressed in a black shirt rolled neatly at the sleeves.
Wearing a silver watch glistening on his wrist.Definitely expensive.
And those eyes.
God, those eyes are criminal.
For a second, nobody speaks.
Then Lisa smiles brightly.
Of course she does.
“Hi.
” She says extending her hand.
“Hello.
” He replies taking her hand in a firm handshake.
His attention immediately shifts back to me.
“How are you finding the cruise so far?”
His voice is deep.
Smooth and effortless.
I force myself to answer normally.
“We just boarded, no?”
He smiles in amusement.
“Fair enough.
”
Silence.
Akward silence.
“You seem nervous.
” He says suddenly.
“I’m not nervous.
” I blurt out almost immediately.Another smile.
Heat floods my face instantly.
“I’m Damian.
” He says with a smile.
God.
Even his name is attractive.
Lisa nudges me and I completely forget I haven’t responded.
I try to form the words but I’m stuck.
Thankfully, Lisa comes to my rescue.
“I’m Lisa, this is Chelsea, and this gorgeous grumpy person here is Serenity.
”
Lisa says with a grin.
His gaze sharpens at my name.
“Serenity.
” He repeats slowly.
The way he said my name made my stomach flip aggressively.
I clear my throat awkwardly.
“ it’s nice to meet you.
” I finally say.
“We should probably go.
” I say nudging Chelsea and Lisa.
He smiles coyly.
other.
”
“Enjoy the cruise Serenity, I hope we get to see more of each
Before he leaves he nods at Chelsea and Lisa.
Lisa grabs my arm the second he’s gone.
“What the HELL was that?” She practically screams.’’ I think he likes you.
’’ Chelsea says .
I burst out laughing almost immediately.
’’ Likes me? He could never.
’’
‘’ Shut up Serenity.
’’ They both scream in my ears.
‘’ You never know’’ Chelsea says with a shrug.
The probability of a man like that taking interest in a woman like me is zero to
none.
But I’m not mad at the possibility of that happening.
- Writer
