Her Billionaire's Reckoning

14. Encounter

Alice's Point of view

As soon as I walked away so as not to be a third wheel, I found herself aimlessly roaming around the deck of the ship.

There were lots of people around, mostly in groups of two and above, enjoying themselves as they talked and drank while some cozied up to each other, yet I felt lonely.

Just 10 minutes away from my friend and I feel lonely. I really need to do something about this. Else I will end up having the most boring vacation.

The night breeze blew on my exposed skin, making me shiver from its cold, so I decided to go back to the room and get a shawl at least.

The stairs that would lead to the rooms were on the other side, and at that moment that I made that decision, I turned to that direction and suddenly bumped hard into someone. The heel of my shoe turned, making me lose my footing and almost giving into gravity.

Luckily, whoever the gentleman was caught me before I fell on her butt and made a complete embarrassment out of myself.

Shocked and embarrassed at the same time, I found myself staring into a pair of hazel green eyes which also seemed to stare at me.

Who is this good-looking gentleman? And why isn't he letting go?

"Uhm, excuse me," I tapped on his shoulder as I balanced on my feet. "I think you can let go now."

"Oh right, sorry," the man said almost immediately, taking his arm from around my back, and I stood up straight. "Are you alright though?" he asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I nodded, taking a good look at him.

He looked to be in his thirties as he stood at about 5"11 with a fit but non-muscular build. His blonde hair was stylishly messy, drifting with the wind with thick strands swaying back and forth, to uncover hazel eyes that had warmth in them. He sports a simple white T-shirt with beige shorts and brown sandals.

By the time I was done taking a good look, it seemed that he had done the same, making me look away in embarrassment.

He saw my obvious embarrassment and laughed. "Are you here with someone?"

"Yes. I'm here with my friend, but she's hanging out with someone right now."

"Don't tell me she left you all alone to hang out with someone else."

"No. I left on my own so as not to be a third wheel. What about you?"

"I was hanging out with my cousin, but he changed his mind to do something else at the last minute."

"The feeling must be sick, right?"

"You get it. So why don't the two of us make the most out of this night? Make it a memorable one?"

"Your idea of a memorable night isn't R-rated, is it?"

"Absolutely not. Unless you want that, then I will be happy to make all your fantasies real," he winked, making me chuckle. "The name's Chris, by the way," Chris extended his hand.

"Alice," I replied, putting my hand in his.

"Care for a dance, Alice?" Chris held my hand and squeezed it lightly. "I heard they have a dance club, and it's a short walking distance from here. I've had some drinks that I would like to shake off, and while at it, show you some of my best moves."

"Ohh! I might just beat you at your own game," I said with a smirk.

"Challenge accepted."

*

Zack's POV

Not intending on getting myself drunk tonight, I looked around the bar, watching other people mingle.

I was supposed to enjoy this trip with my now ex-girlfriend, but instead, I found myself hanging out with my cousin who obviously doesn't want to be here but was forced to, and now he is trying to drink away his misery.

Am I that bad of a companion? Would Emilia have enjoyed being out here with me? When did it all go wrong? Why...

No, I should get a grip on myself. I can't let thoughts like this keep getting into my head. She has probably forgotten about and is likely having the time of her life with her boyfriend. Then why should I be like this?

I raised my glass, planning to gulp my drink in one go, when something caught my eye and I stopped, focusing my gaze on it.

It was slight, and for a split second, but I was sure I wasn't drunk enough to be seeing things.

At the corner, the guy, now satisfied with what he had done, raised his hand from over the drink before passing it over to his female companion, who was obviously unaware of what had just happened to the drink, telling her to take it.

Luckily, his companion said no. Obviously not interested in the conversation, but the guy kept on a fixed expression while insisting.

With the noise at the bar, and the distance between us, I couldn't hear what they were saying, but it was obvious that the woman rejected the drink as she stood up, and I found myself sighing in relief when all of a sudden he grabbed her arm, stopping her from moving.

With that fixed smile, it would look to any onlookers who weren't paying attention that they were having a simple conversation and having fun with each other, but the woman's face showed discomfort.

"Whoa," Chris beside me gasped in amusement. "Don't tell me you've got your eyes set on that woman waiting for her to be alone to take your chance. You sure move on fast," he laughed tipsily.

"Hey Chris, look closely," I nudged him. "I believe the girl's in trouble. That guy keeps insisting she takes the drink. I have a very bad feeling about this."

"What are you going to do about it then? Be her night in shining armor and save her from having a drink? She's at a bar for damn’s sake," Chris complained.

"No, I literally saw him slip something into that drink. What if..." I trailed off, thinking of all the possibilities.

"Just let them have their fun. Why do you insist on being a good Samaritan all the time? You are not even at work right now," Chris sounded annoyed.

"Why is he not letting go of her? I really think I should do something about this," I placed my drink on the counter and stood upright. Not bothering to listen to what Chris was saying, I headed to the corner where the couple was seated. But as I moved closer to the two. Things started to look a little bit different.

For one, the woman didn't look uncomfortable. Instead, she looked annoyed at the man who wouldn't let go of her, and just when I thought she was going to tell him off, she let out a smirk, as she clutched onto a shiny object.

A minute more and the guy would be the one in trouble.