Chapter 43 Last night
Ariel
Derek Malone’s cruise ship,
8 hours ago,
I didn't open my eyes for a full minute even after regaining consciousness. I was more focused on the soft sheet rubbing against my skin and that low, distant sound I could hear humming somewhere in the walls. I finally opened my eyes to see where I was.
Hmm, a room. And a very bright one at that. I closed my eyes briefly to shut out its sudden rays. God, my eyes hurt, and my head…
I tried to raise myself up into a sitting position but gave up after a minute. I felt so weak; it was ridiculous considering the fact that I didn't do anything last night. Or did I?
I tried to gather what I could of my memory as I glanced down at the silk pyjamas I was wearing. Silk pyjamas? How did that even get on my body?
I remember putting on a red dress that someone sent earlier today in a box; ah, Mr Coleman, he said he gave it to me and the car that took me to the dock. I remember giving that lady my phone and the band…
I glanced down at my hands to see nothing there. There was a strange mark there around my wrist, though, like someone had held on too tight…
Huh?
Then there was the speech, the stairs and…
I raised my hand to my head suddenly, a sharp pain making me wince. Fuck. The fuck!
What else? I couldn't remember anything, like my mind had suddenly shut down and was now waking up. What?
Wait, i do remember Anasta…
Fuck! The splitting pain went through my head again.
“Miss?” I raised my head up slightly as a knock sounded on the door. “Yes.” I croaked out and whoever it was walked in. It was a woman and obviously staff from the uniform and name tag she had on her shirt.
I pushed myself up eventually into a sitting position, despite my heavy limbs and growing headache.
“Sorry to wake you. Just wanted to inform you that we're approaching the dock and it's best if you start getting ready.”
“Oh.” I took a proper look around the room. White walls, a huge dresser, and a brown door, I'm guessing, lead to the adjacent bathroom. I nodded. “Yeah, no. Thanks. Thank you for informing me.”
“Is there anything you'll like me to help you with?” I was already shaking my head before I thought to ask. “Where is everyone?” The whole place just seemed so quiet.
“Probably getting ready in their rooms.”
“Oh.” I hesitated before asking again. “Yesterday… must have been fun, right? I just can't seem to remember anything?” I nearly missed the apprehension in her eyes and even questioned if I saw right because she hit me with a smile almost immediately.
“Maybe it's the drinks. You seem pretty hungover. Should I get you some soup… or water?”
I shook my head. “No. Thanks.” For some reason, i had a feeling this wasn't just an hangover… Even though I did have quite a few symptoms of a hangover. I swung my leg slowly over the bed. “Where are my…”
Oh, I saw them neatly folded by the dresser. My gown and my purse. And one more thing, General Yuri but I stopped myself before I could ask. I don't even know if anything happened with him last night or if we made it past just talking.
I fisted my hands around the sheets and sighed. Like damn, why can't I remember anything?!
I glanced back at the lady when I heard a light shuffle of feet. Right. She looked like she was waiting for anything else I might have to say. Uh… nothing. “That will be all.”
“Okay, ma.” She pulled open the door to leave but glanced back to give me one last look before closing the door behind her.
I cocked my eyebrows. What was that?
After a hot steamy shower I felt the need to take, due to how weird I felt in my body for some reason. I noticed the third thing that seemed off to me thanks to paranoia and my incredible ability to overthink. My underwear.
Okay, listen, when I left my apartment yesterday, I remember putting on black and red flowery panties with a matching lace bra and nothing on my skin.
Fast forward to this morning: I have marks I can't explain on my skin. I wasn't wearing underwear when I took off my pyjamas for that shower and now was staring at a pair of underwear that definitely wasn't mine.
That isn't just paranoia, is it? Something is wrong and I can't seem to place my hands on it.
I picked up the pale pink lace bra. Do I call staff or what or was this my fault? Maybe something did happen with General Yuri and my underwear got lost in the process.
Just the thought of it made me want to puke.
I decided to just put them on like that because I'll be fucking embarrassed if I make a whole scene about it and then, in the process, people find out that i slept with…
I actually gagged, my forehead splitting again.
Fuck.
Why can't I just remember the night?!
By the time I was done putting on my dress, there was another knock on the door. “Ariel?” I froze at the sound of his voice, a dark feeling settling in my stomach. General Yuri?
Why do I feel…scared?
The knock sounded again, reminding me that I haven't replied him. “Yes.” I croaked out yet again.
“Can I come in?”
“Y-yes.” I glanced at the mirror on the dresser, immediately patting my rustled hair down and I turned to him with a smile.
“Good morning, beautiful. You look gorgeous.” My smile wavered as he walked in, that feeling increasing as he stepped closer.
“Thank you.”
“Did you have a good night's rest?”
I took an unconscious step back when he got super close. “Yes. I just don't seem to… remember much of it though?”
“Oh, must be the drinks. You did have a lot of it last night… and puked.”
“Oh.” So I guessed right?
He raised his hand to tuck a hair behind my ear, making me cringe. “It's all good though. We should head up. We're close to the dock.”
Ah… finally. I needed to get out of here.
On getting to the main deck, I was greeted by the faces of quite a number of people, or should I say their stare and I noticed him immediately.
Gregory Lancaster. Well, he was the one staring at me weirdly while Anastasia stood by his side, not even looking in my direction.
Everyone went back to whatever it is they were doing, which was mostly chitchat, as the dock drew closer.
Hmm, the guests seemed fewer than last night. Not so weird since it was possible they were still in their rooms getting ready but for some now-annoying reason, I felt like that was not the case. Like my brain was trying to tell me something, but it was sending the signals in Morse code.
I followed General Yuri to the side deck where Mr Coleman stood with Derek Malone. They seemed pretty deep in a conversation and didn't even acknowledge us when we walked out.
“What is it?” General Yuri asked, already reading the tense atmosphere.
“It's Vincent Russo. He sent a hit on his nephew.” Mr Coleman replied on Derek's behalf, his gaze focusing on me for a moment. Oh fuck. I remained still, hoping to God I didn't give away my surprise at the mention of Vincent’s name.
“Why?”
“I don't know. He’s probably looking to finish what his dad started.”
"Literally stupid.”
Silence reigned for a second.
“What are you going to do?” Gen. Yuri asked
“Oh, I'm going to kill every last one of them. First he pulls that stunt, and now he has the nerve to put a hit out on my family?!”