An Accident with the Millionaire

Dafne White's POV “Daf, you're going to get dehydrated.” Grace rubbed my back as I went through what I thought was an entire box of tissues. “I just can't believe he did this to me.” I sniffled. “He's an i***t; he doesn't deserve you. That damn jerk, I hope his balls fall off from an STD.” I laughed through my tears because she was the best friend anyone could ask for. Everyone needs a Grace in their life. “And to top it off, he has the nerve to send me a message asking for forgiveness.” I showed Grace my phone. "Daf, love, please forgive me. We all make mistakes sometimes, but that doesn't mean I don't love you. She was just a big mistake that I won't make again." Grace rolled her eyes in disgust. “Unbelievable. He ‘mistakenly’ stuck it to your coworker.” A sob escaped me. I thought she was my friend, but apparently not, because she didn't hesitate to sleep with him, nor did he with her. And worst of all, they did it at my work, where everyone found out because the security cameras clearly showed them both in the restaurant's storage room. They made me look like an i***t. It was the most humiliating thing anyone had ever done to me. “Block him, girl. Don't talk to him anymore; you have to forget about him.” I looked at her with my red eyes. “Our anniversary was in two days. He kept complaining that I didn't have time for him, and I...” “Daf, I'm so sorry. I know how much you saved to buy those tickets.” I wiped my tears. For months, I saved up to buy two of the cheapest tickets for a one-night cruise off the coast of Los Angeles. I wanted to surprise him, do something daring, get out of the rut that was my life of working nonstop. I knew that sometimes I wasn't the most dedicated, that I would come home exhausted from 18-hour shifts to earn more money and support my mother and little brother. Waitressing didn't pay much, so I had to work overtime. Sometimes I also cleaned houses for people who needed one-day cleaning services. I found a way, but it was exhausting. I couldn't imagine how difficult it would be if I was still in college. I gave up a lot to maintain our stability, and I thought he understood. Apparently not. There were always complaints like: "We never go out and have fun," "We're like two old people; you're too traditional, Daf," "When are you going to surprise me?" Well, surprise, surprise. I got surprised alright. “Use them, Grace. Take whoever you want, please, but I don't want my money to go to waste.” My friend's sad look deepened. “It doesn't seem right that you don't get to enjoy this. You earned them with hard work. I remember how happy you were when you bought them from that reseller.” I bit my lower lip because she was right. “Besides, do you want them to win? No, ma'am! You get up, you get pretty, and you pack your bags to go on that cruise.” I opened my eyes wide. “What are you saying? I can't do that; I'm not in the mood, Grace.” She shook her head and got up to pull me up. “Enough with the tissues, enough with the tears. You're only giving him the satisfaction and making Ben seem too important. No, no, no! That cheater doesn't deserve your tears. You should be filling your social media with photos of that incredible cruise and all the hot singles you meet there.” I pressed my lips together because that wasn't my style. “It has to be believable, Grace. I don't think I'm in any condition to go and hook up with strangers.” My friend took me by the shoulders. “That's exactly what will cure this heartache! Hooking up and messing around with sexy strangers will make you forget all about your stupid, cheating ex.” It sounded like a bad idea. But I also didn't want to be here, lamenting over him when he was probably already out partying without a care in the world. I didn't want him to see that it affected me, that I couldn't live without him. “But you're coming with me, please. You have to come with me because I need someone to give me the courage to do crazy things.” She looked at me doubtfully. “That's a great idea! I... I would have to sort out some things at work, but maybe I could go with you.” I smiled as best as I could. “Change that face! I want to see you with the face of a woman who's going to party this weekend!” She shook me, and I chuckled. “Alright, calm down; you're going to kill me before that day even arrives.” She started going through my closet to look for clothes. I just tried to improve my mood. I wasn't going to let him ruin everything, let alone give him the satisfaction of seeing me devastated. Grace was right. I was going on that cruise! .......... “Don't worry, honey; you should go out and have fun. You deserve it.” I smiled because Mom was always so sweet. She hadn't left the house since Dad died; she couldn't do it without having a panic attack. “Thanks, Mom. I... it's only one night and two days; it's not too long.” “Have fun, my love. Say hi to Ben for me.” I pressed my lips together. I hadn't told Mom that I broke up with him yet, but it didn't really matter. I'd tell her later. “Bye, Mom. Say hi to my brother. Love you both.” “We love you too, honey.” I hung up the call and sighed. I looked at the small bag Grace had packed for me, which I was sure only contained clothes that were too flashy for my taste. But it didn't matter. I was going to drink, I was going to have fun, and it was going to be the best two days of my life. I would make sure of it. The apartment door opened, and Grace walked in with a frown. “Ready to go?” She sighed and shook her head. “I can't, Daf. My stupid, damn boss said I can't take a day off. I hate him! If I miss just one day, he said he's going to fire me, and I can't lose this job.” I sighed in defeat. “Grace, I'm not going without you.” “Absolutely not! You're going on that cruise, please. You're not going to lose all that money. At least go and make the most of it.” I hesitated, but she gave me her best puppy-dog eyes. “For your friend who's stuck in a job that pays really well but has a damn ogre for a boss.” I smiled and nodded. “Yes, I'll go. Ben will regret leaving me.” I flipped my hair, and my friend squealed with excitement. “That's the spirit! I love seeing you like this, bouncing back and showing him what he lost.” I laughed with her. “He'll come crawling back, and I'll say, ‘Sorry, you're not enough for me.’” We laughed again. Between jokes, I finished packing my bag because I had to leave that afternoon. I was nervous, but at the same time, I wanted to do this for myself. Grace had extra work to do because her boss was apparently a workaholic and had to go to the office at the last minute, so I just took a taxi to the port where the cruise was leaving from. When I arrived, I saw a lot of people boarding. I sighed and looked at the two tickets in my hand. It was a shame one ticket would go to waste. I leaned on the railing and looked at the water. As crazy as it seemed, the water didn't scare me; it gave me peace. “Unfortunately, I won't be able to travel.” I looked to my side and saw a man leaning on the railing, looking at the water. “It's okay; there's always next time.” I felt nosy listening to his conversation. “Alright, bye.” He ended the call, and I continued looking at him. Was he referring to not having a ticket for the cruise? It was just him and me; everyone else had boarded. “Excuse me for being nosy, but I overheard your conversation.” “I would be too…” He turned around, and his light eyes met mine. He stared at me intently. “I know this will sound strange, but I have two tickets. I'm only going to use one. The truth is, it took me months to buy them, and... I was going to come with my ex-boyfriend, but that doesn't matter anymore. Then my friend was going to come, but her i***t boss wouldn't let her. Anyway, consider it a gift.” He raised an eyebrow in confusion. “You're giving me a ticket for that cruise?” He smiled playfully. “Yes. They say that all the good you do comes back to you. If you want to use it, consider it a gift. I'm going to lose it anyway, and you're the only one who hasn't boarded yet, besides me.” He continued smiling. He had very white teeth, and he was honestly very handsome. “Okay, I accept. But on one condition.” I opened my eyes wide in surprise. “That you be my companion. I don't want to go alone; I'd be bored.” I opened my mouth, not knowing what to say. “Me, your companion? Well... I don't know; the truth is...” "Go and flirt with the first guy you meet." Grace's words echoed in my head. Why not? He was handsome, and I was a single woman. “Yes, I accept.”