Misty
Following the same plan as yesterday, I ate below as Tanya and Sarah served dinner. Our togas were gone, replaced by our stewards’ black, Asian-inspired tunics, and we’d toned down our makeup. Still, I was more simply pushing food around my plate than actually eating. The roast lamb and potatoes Tarquin had made for the crew were excellent, of course, I just couldn’t seem to stomach it.
“Don’t worry, darling,” soothed Tarquin as he spooned out crème brûlée mixture into a set of small bowls, “I doubt I’d have much appetite after yet another near-death experience.”
“I know, right?” I agreed but, inside, that was nothing like what I was feeling. So yesterday, I thought to myself, that was fun. I fall off the boat on purpose to see if he’ll save me. Today was scary. I would have actually died if he hadn’t tackled me out of the way. That asshole! Why does he have to go and make it so hard to hate him? I need this revenge; I owe it to my father.
Tanya came down the galley steps. “If you’re not up for working tonight, babe, I can cover for you,” she offered, kindly.
“Thanks, Tanya, you’re the best. But I got this,” I told her. I had some stuff to work out.
“If you’re sure?” she smiled. “Then, you’re up.”
Dinner was over and I was left by myself with the guests. It looked as though it might not be such a long night after all. Henry was already doing tequila shots with D Cash and Ruby and, before long, had to retire. Bella helped him to his cabin, but she didn’t look happy about it, yet again.
Paul now had Veronique and Britney in their tiny bikinis, leaning against the yacht’s rail, posing for his camera in front of the glorious sunset. And, even though it was clear skies over Aphrodite, the still-present storm clouds in the distance made the setting sun appear even more spectacular as it lit up the retreating cumulus with fiery oranges and reds. The girls called me over to pose with them for a few shots, and Paul was over the moon, jabbering furiously about his three gorgeous blondes. But, as the shutter kept clicking, the sexy, nearly naked babes began slowly kissing each other, gradually becoming ever more passionate. Not wanting to get caught up in this over-familiar and potentially dangerous situation, I excused myself back to the bar.
I noticed D Cash and Ruby soon slinking off together, while the blonde on blonde make-out session was getting so heated it was becoming embarrassing. It was getting tough to look away, so I had to politely but firmly suggest they retire to somewhere a little more private. Paul was more than happy to escort the two beauties below deck. I wondered, as D Cash had made no fuss about giving up one of his women, if the two playas had come to some sort of arrangement. If so, I asked myself, what were the terms?
“Sorry to be the one to tell you,” Tyler’s voice made me jump slightly as I watched the new threesome disappear below deck, “but you’ve made a pretty huge error.”
Uh-oh! I got that knot in my stomach again, the one that appeared every time I felt like I’d been found out. I summoned my best, reinforced smile.
“Oh really? I never make mistakes, Tyler, you should know that by now,” I told him, as brazen and cocky as I could manage. I poured another large measure of twenty-five-year-old Glenmorangie into Tyler’s glass, as Ada sauntered up to the bar and rested both hands on his shoulder.
“Ada pointed it out,” he offered.
The knot in my stomach grew even larger. I should have guessed. Not only was Ada incredibly attractive, she was devastatingly intelligent. I should have been worried more about getting found out by her. Men will fall for a pretty smile, I reminded myself, it’s the women you are trying to cross that are the real danger.
“Minerva,” said Ada, cryptically. I stared blankly into her beautiful Japanese face. “You guys used Roman gods and goddesses for your party. The Goddess Athena is from Ancient Greece. The Greek capital city of Athens is named after her. In Ancient Roman mythology, Athena is known as Minerva.” She was smiling as she schooled me. There seemed to be no malice, Ada appeared to be merely imparting some knowledge for fun, making pleasant conversation, yet I couldn’t help but feel like she was claiming some kind of a victory. Ada turned to Tyler. “It was one of my favorite subjects when I was at school in England,” she smiled at him.
“Well, I’ll make sure we get it right next time,” I said companionably.
Ada kissed Tyler’s cheek, working her way slowly down his neck. I looked out to sea, trying to give them some privacy. It was full nighttime now and the moon must have been hiding behind the remains of those earlier storm clouds. Nothing but the blackest darkness surrounded the boat.
I heard Ada whispering. “I don’t think I can wait much longer, darling...” she purred, before getting up and stalking off. She watched to make sure Tyler’s eyes followed the movement of her body as she slowly reached the stairs, then laughed to herself as she descended.
“I’ll be right there, darling,” he called after her. “I’ll just finish this drink.” He turned back to me. He let out what sounded like a nervous laugh. “Alone at last,” he stammered.
I gave him a warm smile back. Yup, and now you’re mine, I thought to myself, and was actually surprised by the anger I felt welling up inside me. Sure, he seems nice on the surface, but people like him and his gorgeous lady barely notice the rest of us struggling to get by. Paul and D Cash, they’ve made the most of their talents. They’ve capitalized on being able to do something few others can and reaped their rewards. All Tyler had to do was be born. That’s luck, not talent.
On the outside, though, I kept it as cool as can be. “She’s amazingly beautiful,” I said, nodding to the stairs Ada had disappeared down, “and you guys seem very happy together.”
“We do?” he replied. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to sound so... it’s just, we’ve only been seeing each other for about three weeks.”
“I see,” I smiled. “Well, in that case, I’ll say I’m sure you will be very happy together.” I was trying to stay mad at him, but I was starting to find his odd nervousness around me charming.
“Yes, that’s what everyone says,” Tyler looked back at up at me. He looked straight into my eyes and I felt my heart beat a little faster.
What the hell…? I kept my expression even.
“The truth is, her position is right, her age is right, her fortune is right,” the word ‘fortune’ caused me to grind my teeth. “For me, she just seems to be so... right,” he almost seemed to spit out that last word. He looked back down at his drink, “Sorry, Misty. I must be making you uncomfortable, talking this way.”
I leaned in until my eyes were level with his again. “Not at all,” I smiled. “I told you; when I’m behind the bar, it’s part of the job. Anyway, if I can’t listen to someone who’s saved my life, twice now…”
“Please, will people stop talking about that,” Tyler chuckled.
He drained his glass and I refilled it. After a few seconds of silence, I decided to ask him about his work.
“Do we have to? Really, it’s just another thing that I have to do, because of my father.”
Poor little whiny rich boy, I thought, my resentment quickly welling back up. “He must have been a great man,” I said. Nearly time. Just waiting for the exact moment to hit him with what happened to me.
I saw Tyler’s jaw clench. “He was great at business,” he allowed. “He made billions. But the more I find out about how he made that money, the more I want to do it differently.”
I felt my stomach flip a little. “What are you talking about?” I asked.
“It’s like the deal we finalized before this trip. Henry and I,” he said. “The board, my board, wanted to buy and dismantle this yacht building business.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Flashback images of my father ran through my head. “Would have made us a billion dollars, with a little gray area maneuvering…”
“Like leaking the failing company’s financials to devalue it,” I said, without even realizing I’d spoken.
“Exactly,” he smiled. Then he seemed to really hear what I’d just said. “Wow, there’s really no end to your talents is there?” I didn’t respond, just gave him and enigmatic smile. I was fuming inside. Precisely like your father did to us, ending his life and ruining mine.
“Anyway. Henry and I had to fight them every step. I mean, that would have been three thousand people out of work. I couldn’t sleep knowing I’d done that,” he continued, sorrowfully. “So, I made the board invest in them instead. Way smaller return, but the yacht company survives and all those people keep their jobs.”
I froze for a second, astonished, making sure I had heard what I’d just heard. I’ve had him all wrong. I can’t hold him responsible for the sins of his father, I realized. I reached out and touched his cheek. “That’s the right thing to do,” was all I could say. “And Ada?”
“What do you mean?”
“Is she…” I was struggling to find a delicate way to put it. I gave up. “Is she another thing you have to do, because of your father?”
Tyler snorted, suddenly choking on his scotch. He waved away my concern and recovered quickly. “Ah, Ada. Yes, he’d totally approve of her,” he laughed quietly. “No doubt he would’ve tried to steal her from me. Want to know a secret?” He sniffed, gave an embarrassed smile, drained his glass again, and whispered, “I think she wouldn’t have thought twice about jumping him, either.”
Now, it was my turn to burst out laughing. And not my professional, clipped and clean steward giggle, but my real, throaty, uncontrolled laugh. He laughed with me and a moment later, we were smiling stupidly, gazing into each other’s eyes.
“Listen, I know you’re off limits,” he touched my hand and I felt him trembling slightly. “But maybe, after the charter, I could see you?” He kept his eyes on mine as he waited for the answer.
I felt my heart tightening this time, instead of my stomach. I can’t believe this, my mind raced, I came here to hurt him, but now I feel like I really like him. I never dreamed he could be so vulnerable and so obviously alone. He’s trying so much to mend the damage his father did, even the damage he did to me. Could we really work together? He wasn’t the billionaire tyrant his father was and now I could acknowledge all the feelings of attraction I’d been trying to suppress. “I’d... I think I’d like that,” was all I managed to say.
I was suddenly aware, as we leaned on our elbows, the teak bar separating us and his hand on mine, that our faces were so close. I stared into his stunning, gray-green eyes for what seemed like an age, then took a chance. This time I know it’s real, I told myself. I leaned in toward his mouth, and he did the same. We came so close I could feel his soft breath caressing my sensitive lips, when his phone, screeching angrily from the counter top, made me jump.
“Goddammit,” he hissed as the moment passed us by. I giggled nervously. Tyler read the text message to himself. “It’s Ada, of course,” he told me. I let out the breath I’d been holding as I stood back up looking for a glass or a cloth, anything to look busy. For one instant, I’d forgotten all about his hot, rich girlfriend below deck.
“You’d better go,” I said, trying not to sound downcast. It was a stupid idea. I wanted to desBrett him, not sleep with him. Except… now I knew what he was really like. “After all, I am off limits.”
“Misty, come on...” he began.
“No, it’s fine, you’re with her. Maybe you can still call me after the charter and we’ll meet up, like you said,” I smiled, desperate to hide the tears that were forming in my eyes. Get a grip, girl!
“I should go, let her down easy,” he said. I nodded.
He means well but I can’t see that happening. She’s so beautiful, he’ll never resist her. Not while I can’t touch him and she can offer him everything. Forget it, Misty, I thought as he headed downstairs to the master suite, you’ve missed your chance.