I had to talk to her—I needed to do something.

His mind was on fire—as Adrian walked through the ship's halls. He had pulled on his cabana and shorts and left his suite. He hadn't given Meg a chance to visit him—to scold him. Besides, he could try again—Gisela was more than willing to try again.

He had stayed at his room for only a few minutes—it was like all of it came crashing down onto him. He had an idea—he could help Veronica, he knew about her debts and all that—he could somehow clean her name, without leaving a trace that he played a part.

In fact, he thought it was a great idea.

He text Megan—hoping she didn't think this was another way for him to get into Veronica's pants. He hoped Megan would see his charitable efforts at work again—he loved to do that.

And what would be better than helping a struggling woman be free of debt?

He was proud of himself, this could satiate his hunger for her—if he saw her as a someone to help, not hump.

His phone buzzed, it was from Megan—she replied with a sarcastic eye rolling face. He grinned—he knew that she would not refuse his good deeds.

He messaged her his plan—find a way to route money to Mario—and letting him know that Veronica was no longer under his thumb. He was practically giddy.

Suddenly, a voice chimed behind him.

He stopped, recognizing the shrill cry of Cressida—he turned around reluctantly.

"There you are!" She threw her arms around him— pulling him in close.

His phone buzzed again, and he tried to look at it.

Are you sure?

Megan needed his confirmation. But, as he tried to text back, Cressida pushed his phone down.

"I was thinking that we could have dinner tonight—" she batted her eyelashes at him. Her hair was a platinum blond that shone brightly—her eyes were heavily colored with blue shading, outlining her own blue eyes. She smiled tightly—and leaned towards him, letting him get a good view of her breasts.

He tried to back up, but she held on.

He looked around—wondering how far it was to Veronica's office—he must have been another couple hallways away. He wondered if he could outrun Cressida.

"Umm—I believe I have dinner tonight with Gisela," he smiled back at her. He couldn't put it off much longer, he needed to make the announcement day after tomorrow—he figured. He wrapped his hands onto hers and gently peeled her off him. She grinned wickedly for a moment.

"Are you sure about that?" she smiled.

He looked around—he was pretty sure that Gisela was returning for round two—right?

Cressida batted her eyes at him, "Well—we will have to see if that's true tonight..." she slipped off of him completely. She turned and walked away—giving him a seductive wink.

What did she mean by that?

Adrian got a feeling that Cressida was more conniving than she led on—and he wondered for a moment what tricks were up her sleeve.

As she sauntered away, she called to him, "If you find your date doesn't show—you know where my room is."

The words chilled him a little—what had she done?

Adrian took a step back and turned back down the hall. He was riddled with a suspicious curiosity.

But, he tried to shake himself free of it—as soon as he saw Veronica's door appear in his vision, down the hall. His nerves returned to him, he pulled out his phone—remembering that he was going to confirm with Megan. But, then the door to Veronica's office opened.

Brian stepped out of her office, shrugging on his pants.

Adrian stopped short and ducked into the nearest hallway—Brian didn't see him.

Adrian's heart pounded in his chest as he heard Brian's footsteps walk towards him. He looked around, and slipped behind a small machine for ice, pushing himself into the corner.

He heard Brian's steps walk by—he was whistling.

Adrian felt anger burn within him—and he stepped out carefully to watch Brian walk away, with practically a hop in his step. Adrian felt jealousy build within him—had Brian been with Veronica?

Adrian turned back to her open door, and he rushed through the hall towards it. As soon as he stepped up to the door, he froze. He held his hand in midair, ready to push the door open.

What if he had been right all along—what if she hadn't wanted Adrian from the beginning?

He gulped—the feeling punched him in the gut. Then, he heard the sound of water rushing. Veronica was at her sick—and the sound of water was followed by gags and coughs, like she was throwing up.

Adrian felt the need to check on her, overpower his insecurity. He walked into the room.

His heart fell—it smelled like sex— the kind of air that mingled with sweat and saliva.

She was in the small bathroom—joining to her office door, a private restroom. The door was closed and he heard her definitely this time—she was throwing up. The sink turned on and then back off. Then, he heard her voice—she was talking to herself.

"I'm OK—I made it through—I'm fine," she spoke softly.

Adrian's stomach tightened—she didn't sound like a woman who had experienced the joys of sex. She sounded ragged and worn—not like the woman who had moaned lustfully in his arms. The hairs on his neck stood.

She opened the door and walked out into her office.

Adrian stood there—speechless.

Veronica caught sight of him and gasped, jumping backwards.

"Holy hell—" she placed her hand over her heart, "you scared the crap out of me."

Adrian looked at her, not sure what to say—he didn't know how to explain his reason to be here. This small office smelled hot and sweaty and it suddenly felt claustrophobic. He didn't even remember why he came to her door.

But, then his eyes caught the hem of her skirt—it was torn wide open.

Jealousy blared through him— he felt his hands ball into fists, "What the hell happened?"

Instantly, his body tensed and a hundred thoughts flashed through him—Brian's stupid whistle, Veronica throwing up, and now her open skirt.

Veronica looked down to her skirt, her mouth falling open— "I—It was an accident—" her eyes were wide and she stumbled over her words.

She was lying—he could tell. Pain burned through him.

How could I be so stupid?

Of course, Veronica had a right to give up her virginity to Brian—but, Brian wasn't worth her.

"He doesn't deserve you—" Adrian turned to go, "and he doesn't deserve your virginity either." He couldn't handle it—he turned and ran back through the hall.

Veronica called after him, telling him to stop.

But, he sprinted—surprised at himself, he just wanted to get as far away as he could.

Adrian felt trapped—he was stuck on this stupid boat. He ran until his breath hurt his lungs. He had no idea what had possessed him—but, he felt like a mad man. He ran past the dining room—wondering if Cressida or Gisela was waiting for him. He ran past the pool and the open deck and finally he made it to his room.

His body guard wasn't there—he was probably waiting for him at dinner.

Adrian slumped into his room—slamming the door and wandering into his room, lost.

The room was dark, and he looked out onto the open ocean—taking in the shine of the moonlight—it felt painfully beautiful.

Suddenly, he heard his door open—fuck, he forgot to lock it.

"I'm not in the mood right now Meg—" he figured she would have the audacity to open his door.

The door closed and locked quietly. He looked up—surprised to see her familiar silhouette.