RULES WE BREAK

It's a dream

Thea's POV;

My eyes flutter open. The sun filters softly through the panoramic windows, casting a warm glow over the room. My head throbs with a dull ache. I groan, raising my hand to my forehead, confused.

"What happened last night? Why does my head feel like I just got run over by a moving truck?" I whisper to myself.

I sit up on the bed, the room spinning for a moment. My gaze darts around, wondering where Shawn is. But then, something feels wrong. I look around, again, but this time, I'm not searching for Shawn. My eyes narrow in confusion as I take in the panoramic windows that offer breathtaking ocean views and fills the room with natural light, the plush furnishings and the stunning details of the suite.

This is not our cabin.

My eyes widen in shock and a small gasp escapes my mouth. I must be dreaming. This must be a dream, because why else would I be in such a luxurious cruise? Of course, it's a dream. It has to be a dream. But, no matter how much I tell myself that it's a dream, I still have the bad feeling that it's not. I glance around again, checking for any sign of an explanation, my hand subconsciously reaching to touch the silky bed lines to confirm it's real.

At that moment, the door opens and a strikingly handsome guy steps inside, carrying a tray with a glass, a bottle of water and some painkillers. Before I can think, a scream explodes from my mouth with a sharp "Aaaaah!" - high-pitched, ragged, and jagged like a blade through the air.

He quickly places the tray on a nearby table, and in just two strides, he is standing beside me. His hand shoots out and clamps over my mouth, silencing my scream.

"Stop screaming," he says. "It's just me."

After a while, he pulls his hand away a fraction of an inch, as if he is afraid I will scream again. But, I don't.

My voice trembles as I finally find my words, and still trying to process whatever that is happening. "Who are you?"

"Really? You don't remember?" he shakes his head, chuckling. "I guess I'm unforgettable...or maybe not, huh?" Then, he smirks and casually sits on the bed beside me, as if he is about to tell a story about a friend.

"Okay, so," he begins, drawing it out with a teasing tone. "We made a deal, right? Fake date, make your ex regret cheating on you. But, you got carried away." He let's out a low chuckle. "You ended up singing a love song about him, which was...well,very emotional for someone who is supposed to be pretending to be over him. And then, you puked on me." He raises an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Not exactly the ideal way to start a fake relationship."

I close my eyes and place a hand on my forehead trying to piece it together. And as if, his explanation is all that I needed, the memories of the previous night slowly starts to return - a crowded bar, laughter, a drink, another drink, and then... Shawn. That pig cheated on me with another woman on board. How dare he did that to me? After everything we've done together? Recalling the scene makes me so angry, and mostly disgusted. It's disgusting how a man would sleep with a stranger when he has a girlfriend.

"Looks like your memories have returned," Jasper's voice cuts through my thoughts. I blink, obviously annoyed, because he interrupted my thoughts. He is standing there with the tray that he walked in carrying earlier.

I stare at him. "What?"

"These," he holds out the bottle of water with an almost exaggerated sigh, as though it's the most obvious thing in the world. "I brought them for you, since you seem like you might need something to stop whining about your headache."

I frown at him, half annoyed, but mostly grateful. "I wasn't whining. I was just trying to piece everything together," I say, taking the bottle from his hand.

Jasper laughs. "Right. Anyway, take them, then. They will help with the headache."

I don't have the strength to argue with him. I swallow the pills quickly and drink the water that he has already poured in the glass.

Jasper folds his arms across his chest and looks down at me. "You know, you should have known better than to drink that much," he says.

Really? It's my fault now for drinking too much? Wasn't he the the one who brought me to the bar in the first place? Wasn't he the one who dared me to drink?

"Are you serious right now?" I raise an eyebrow, clearly in disbelief, but mostly annoyed. "If anyone should be blamed, it's you. You are the one who dared me to drink."

"Alright, alright, alright," Jasper says with a grin. "You win. It's my fault. Happy now?" His tone is playful, and he raises an eyebrow, clearly trying to make light of it. "Anyway, breakfast will be here in a minute. Better get ready," he adds before making his way to the door and exiting the room.

As soon as Jasper is out of sight, I push myself out of the bed, the sheets slipping off my body as I stand. I take a glance toward Jasper's wardrobe and step forward, my barefeet brushing the cool floor.

Well, I don't have clothes to wear, so I might as well put on on of his for the time being. I sigh deeply before tugging at the handle, the wood creaking slightly as I open it. Inside, there is an array of shirts, most of which look far too nice for a casual morning on a cruise, but I'm not a picky person. I just need something that will work.

I pull out a white button-up shirt and hold it up to the sunlight. It's slightly too huge, but with the right confidence, it could work. But still, I frown, clearly not convinced that it's what I need. I feel it's too stiff and too formal.

I toss it aside and grab a navy blue T-shirt, it's fabric soft and worn. I raise an eyebrow at it. "Okay, this one will do."

But then again, I hesitate. "Hmm...will Jasper mind if I wear it?" I mutter to myself, before shaking my head. "Anyway, who cares?"

With a small, satisfied smile, I place the T-shirt on the king-size bed. I pick up a towel and head straight to the ensuite bathroom, because a warm shower is all that my sweaty and sticky body needs right now.