A New Year’s cruise

Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Unmasking the Past

The ship moves steadily through the waves, the gentle rocking beneath my feet almost soothing. But I don’t feel soothed. In fact, I feel more restless with each passing hour. I’m not sure whether it’s the fake dating or the constant proximity to Steven, but something is changing in me. There’s a tension I can’t quite shake, a pull that draws me to him even though I’m supposed to be keeping things casual.

We’ve been playing this game for a few days now. I act like his girlfriend—laughing at his jokes, allowing him to touch my arm just a little too much, all while I’m supposed to pretend that this doesn’t bother me. That I’m not bothered by the way his eyes seem to follow me everywhere. That I’m not bothered by the way my heart skips a beat when he leans in just a bit too close.

Tonight, it’s all coming to a head. We’re at the main dining room, the table set for a grand New Year’s Eve dinner. The place is filled with laughter, glasses clinking, and the hum of excited conversations. But I can’t focus on any of that. My thoughts are consumed with Steven.

"Maria," Steven says, his voice low and warm, breaking through my haze. "You look stunning tonight."

I glance up at him, startled. He’s leaning across the table, his gaze intense as always. My heart does that ridiculous fluttering thing again, and I hate myself for it. This is all part of the act, part of the plan. Nothing more.

"Thanks," I reply, trying to sound casual, though the words feel heavy in my mouth. "You look... good too."

He grins, his teeth flashing white against the dim lighting. "I’m just here to make sure you enjoy yourself."

The way he says it, like it’s his mission in life, makes my chest tighten. I’m not supposed to feel anything. But I do. And it’s only getting worse.

"You really don’t have to do this, you know," I say, pushing my food around on my plate. "We could just… forget the whole deal. Go our separate ways. Pretend this never happened."

His smile falters for a fraction of a second, but only a fraction. He doesn’t let it linger. "You don’t really want that, Maria," he says softly. "You need this. You need to take control again."

I look up at him, searching his eyes for any sign of dishonesty. But all I see is determination. And something else. Something darker, like he’s carrying a weight I don’t fully understand.

"I thought I was the one getting revenge," I murmur, my voice barely above a whisper.

Steven leans in closer, his eyes never leaving mine. "We both are. But sometimes the best way to get back at someone is to make them believe you’ve moved on." His gaze turns calculating. "And when you’ve done that, when you’ve made them jealous, that’s when the real revenge starts."

The words hang in the air, heavy with meaning. I swallow hard, trying to steady myself. "And what happens after that?" I ask, my voice quieter than I intended.

He doesn’t answer immediately. Instead, he takes a sip of his wine, his eyes still fixed on me. "After that," he says at last, "we let the chips fall where they may."

Before I can respond, a voice interrupts us.

"Well, well, well. Look who we have here."

I turn toward the voice, my stomach twisting into knots. It’s Rex—Steven’s rival. He’s standing at the edge of our table, a smirk playing on his lips as he looks between us. His gaze flicks to me, his eyes narrowing slightly before moving back to Steven.

Rex is tall, with dark hair that falls just short of his shoulders and a sharp jawline that only adds to his commanding presence. He’s dressed in an impeccable suit, as always, and there’s a certain arrogance in the way he carries himself.

"Rex," Steven says, his voice colder than it was a second ago. "What do you want?"

Rex’s smirk widens, and I notice how he looks at Steven—not just with disdain, but with something else. There’s history between them. I can feel it in the tension in the air, thick enough to cut with a knife.

"Just checking in on you, Steven," Rex says, his eyes flicking to me briefly before settling back on him. "You seem... awfully cozy with Miss Maria here." His voice is dripping with sarcasm. "Didn’t know you had it in you."

I can’t help the heat that rises to my cheeks, but I try to keep my expression neutral. "What’s it to you?" I ask, my voice sharper than I intend.

Rex raises an eyebrow, amused. "Oh, nothing. Just curious." He leans in closer, his eyes never leaving mine. "You should be careful, Maria. People like Steven, they don’t do things without a reason. He’s got a reputation for making people disappear."

The words hit me like a slap to the face. I freeze, my heart thudding in my chest. Did he just say that? Did he just threaten me?

I glance at Steven, my breath catching in my throat, but he’s calm, his expression unreadable.

Rex looks satisfied with the reaction he’s gotten. "Anyway," he continues, straightening up. "I’ll let you two get back to your little... act." His eyes flicker to me again. "But remember, Maria, nothing stays hidden for long. Not even on a ship like this."

With that, he turns and walks away, his footsteps echoing in the grand dining room.

I don’t know what to say. The air between Steven and me is thick with tension. His hand rests on the table, just inches from mine, but he doesn’t touch me. Not yet.

Finally, I find my voice. "What was that about?"

Steven leans back in his chair, his expression cool but his eyes dark. "Don’t worry about Rex. He likes to make threats, but he’s all talk. Just ignore him."

I shake my head, still feeling the weight of Rex’s words. "He said you made people disappear."

Steven’s eyes narrow. "That’s a lie. Rex is a manipulator, Maria. He tries to play mind games with everyone."

I don’t know whether to believe him. The way Rex spoke—it didn’t sound like a lie. "I don’t know," I say quietly. "It didn’t sound like a lie."

Steven reaches across the table, his hand resting over mine. It’s unexpected, and the warmth of his touch makes my pulse quicken. "Maria," he says, his voice low and serious. "I’m not the kind of man Rex wants you to think I am. You have to trust me on that."

I look at him, really look at him, and for the first time, I feel a flicker of doubt. What if he’s hiding something? What if Rex is right? I pull my hand away, needing distance, needing space to think.

"I don’t know what to think anymore," I murmur. "Everything’s becoming so complicated."

He sighs, his expression softening slightly. "I get it. But the truth is, Maria, you’re in this now. And I’m not going to let anything happen to you."

But I don’t know if I can believe him.

The rest of the dinner is a blur. My mind is too clouded with Rex’s words and the doubt that’s creeping into my thoughts. What if Steven has an agenda? What if I’m just another pawn in a game I don’t fully understand?

I try to shake off the feeling, but it sticks with me like a shadow.

Later that evening, Steven finds me on the deck again, staring out at the dark ocean. The night is colder now, the stars shining brightly overhead. I don’t hear him approach, but when he speaks, his voice is right behind me.

"Maria," he says softly. "You okay?"

I turn to face him, feeling the chill of the night air but also the warmth of his presence. "I don’t know. Rex—he said some things that made me question everything."

Steven steps closer, his eyes steady. "Rex is just trying to manipulate you. He’s a liar, and he knows how to play on people’s fears. But you’re stronger than that, Maria. Don’t let him get to you."

I don’t know if I can just brush it off. But for now, I take a deep breath and nod. "I’ll try."

He smiles slightly, his hand brushing my arm in a comforting gesture. "That’s all I’m asking for."

But the truth is, I’m not sure who I can trust anymore. Steven, Rex, or anyone else on this ship. The lines between truth and lies are starting to blur, and I’m scared of what I might uncover.

As the night stretches on, I can’t help but wonder: how much of this is real? How much of this is just a game? And when all the secrets come to light, will I be able to handle the truth?