For The Thrill
1078 Words
Maxim:
I hated my father for always forcing me to do whatever he wanted and threatening to take my inheritance when I decided to do my thing, but the sight of Soraya's mother in the arms of her boy toy filled me with so much hatred.
Noticing how nervous Soraya became, I squeezed her hand and pulled her tight to my side
"Mother," she forced a tight-lipped smile. "You look really good this morning."
But the woman wasn't even listening. Her eyes were on me and she was giving me a very strange look.
Did she think that was going to seduce me?
"And who is this really handsome man?" She asked.
"I am her boyfriend, Maxim," I replied confidently. "Nice to meet you, ma'am."
She frowned. "How did you meet him so fast?"
"Oh," I replied again. I was really good at this pretending thing. And being an Italian A-list actor also helped. "We used to text back and forth on i********:. We have also met a few times."
Her ex-boyfriend frowned. "What is he saying, Soraya?"
"You heard him right," she snapped. "I've been seeing someone behind your back."
I was impressed. "I didn't even know she had a boyfriend. Your loss, my gain."
Her mother smiled. "He looks even better than Tristan. See? Maybe finding out was a good idea."
Soraya's mother was shitty.
"What the f**k, Cleo?" Tristan gave her a bewildered look. "Why would you say that in front of me?"
She waved him off, her eyes on me like all she wanted to do was devour me right here. Soraya immediately got into a protective stance, and while that was cute, I felt sorry for her.
"We should all have breakfast together, what do you think?" Her mother suggested, fluttering her lashes again. "I'd like to know who my daughter is dating. See if he's good for her."
"That would be nice," I smiled, wanting to be out of here. "But unfortunately, my friends are over at the other table and we always eat together. See you around, ma'am."
I pulled Soraya along with me, livid to the point where all I wanted to do was throw them into the sea.
"That was...easy." She sighed.
"I hate them both," I replied and looked down at her. She was sad. Really broken. "Don't worry, I'll make them pay."
"Why are you so invested in helping me?" She asked.
"I hate people."
Dinner went by in a blur and all I could think of was how to make things bad for those two.
Who knew escaping from the toxic claws of my parents to find peace of mind on a cruise with my best friends would turn out so interesting?
It would have been even better if this was a movie. But wasn't it fun behind the cameras?
Anderson, my best friend, wasn't exactly pleased by the turnout of things. I knew he was interested in Soraya. He had seen her yesterday, seated with an equally beautiful older woman and couldn't stop talking about her. But I got her first.
"Stop sulking man," I said as soon as we made our way to the cruise court. Soraya had gone back to her suite to get her things as I suggested she move in with me to make our fake relationship more believable. "I know you like her."
He turned to me. "Why did you even suggest a fake relationship? C'mon, Maxim. Do you realise that life is more serious than that?"
Trey chuckled. "C'mon, man. We're on a cruise for the holidays. Let Maxim have fun before he goes back to his real life."
Anderson ignored him. "You should end things with her before things get out of hand. You know what I am talking about."
"No one will know, Anderson," I glanced at him. "And once it's over, you can start things with her."
He ran his fingers through his hair. "Do you realise this woman is heartbroken and in a vulnerable state?! Why do you think fake dating her will get her the revenge she wants?"
"Because she needs it?"
"No!" He snapped. "She's going to fall for you and it'll be so easy because she's looking for an emotional connection. What the f**k is wrong with you?"
"I didn't think about it," I shrugged. "The damage has been done. But don't worry, I can always control it."
"Like you're controlling the marriage situation back home by running off?" He glanced at me.
"I am not getting married to Aliyah and that's final," I replied angrily. "My parents don't get to decide s**t for me."
"You know you can't say no because your inheritance depends on the choice you make now," He leaned towards me. "If this gets out and your parents see it, you'll be in a lot of trouble."
He was right. I had several issues to deal with, but I didn't come here to think about it. I came here to forget about it.
"f**k you, Anderson." I replied finally. "You know I don't want to get married to Aliyah, so why bring it up?"
He shrugged. "Because this might become messy. What if you fall in love with this Soraya woman?"
"I won't," I scoffed. "Emotional connection has never been my thing. Worry about her because I know you want her."
"Woah, Woah," Trey held Anderson back. "You both shouldn't fight over a woman you just met yesterday."
Shaking my head at him, I turned and walked away. I found Soraya standing at the other side of the cruise, a luggage in her hand. Standing there for a short moment, I watched her, hair flipping in the wind as she let out a deep sigh.
She wiped another tear and shook her head.
I couldn't even imagine the pain she was going through. The betrayal she had gone through was enough to make anyone a villain and honestly, I didn't blame her.
But first of all, we had to get acquainted with each other.
And on this holiday, I intended on trivialising my problems and having fun. Who cared about the outcome of it? I intended on living in the moment.
"Hey, beautiful woman."
She turned to me, her eyes slightly puffy. "Hey, Mr Handsome."
"Are you ready to make life a living hell for your mother and her little boyfriend?"
She smiled for the first time since we met, and hell, my chest squeezed.
"Of course.”
- Writer
