Chapter 4

I’m standing in front of The Queen Odette and I’ve never been more simultaneously scared and excited in my entire life! 

Zeke left three days ago. He was gone before I even woke up and relieved the house staff of their duties. It was the first time I was completely alone in the house. 

Walking around in pin-drop silence was definitely weird at first. But I later found comfort in it. I was surprised to see the fridge and pantry filled to the rim with food. But then I remembered that Zeke has an event a day after he returns and if I show up looking like I haven’t eaten in a month, people will talk. 

Nic came over two hours later and stayed with me for those three days. She even brought a tech guy who removed the tracker I had no idea Zeke planted on my phone. We decided to leave the tracker functioning but kept it on my bedside table. That way Zeke will think I’m still at home dying in silence. 

I shake myself out of those thoughts. I’m not at home. I’m not alone. I’m not Zeke Richards’ wife, even if it’s just for a month. 

The Queen is even more breathtaking in real life. Pictures don’t do it justice. The massive expanse of metal is painted  immaculate white and boasts of 17 decks, each decorated with the finest luxury items and offering different types of recreational services. 

There’s a sauna and spa, 5 different 3-Michelin-star restaurants to choose from, a children's water park, a children's playground, a full-size basketball court and a tennis court, a fully equipped gym, a luxury beauty salon, a zip line that is 10 decks high, a 1,000-seat theatre, a 9m rock-climbing wall and a swimming pool on the highest deck in the shape of a swan. 

The luxury cabins are en-suite and have hot tubs, minifridges, walk-in closets, king-sized beds and a view of the ocean from ornately decorated balconies. 

To cut the long story short, it’s a heaven on water. 

I’m still staring at her in awe when the sound of laughter catches my attention. I’m standing in line, waiting for my set to be escorted aboard the ship. We’re going in sets of 10 and the set before mine just entered. The elderly couple in front me have been giggling at each other since I got here and their energy is infectious. 

I silently hope we end up being cabin neighbours. I wouldn’t mind having that energy near me throughout the cruise. I’m gonna need it to keep my anxiety at bay.  

They’re still laughing when a fine gentleman in service attire walks over to us with a polite smile on his face. 

“Good morning everyone and welcome to the cruise of a lifetime. My name is Travis and I’ll be escorting you to your cabins. But first I’ll give you a tour of the ship and answer any questions you might have. If you’ll just follow me?” He says in a British accent. 

He leads the way aboard the ship and shows us around. Each and every deck is as beautiful and as luxurious as the last. I commit the location of the spa to memory as I plan to be a regular customer.  

We finally get to the cabins and each guest is shown to their room one after the other. 

“Vienna Carter. Room 148.” Travis calls out and holds out a pair of keys. 

“Yes, that's me. Thank you.” I walk to the front of the line and Travis hands me my keys with that polite smile of his. I thank him for the tour and bid the rest of my group goodbye as I unlock my door, walk in, and shut it behind me. 

I smile. 

I make my way to bed first. The plush bedding sinks softly as I place my hands on it until I feel a soft but firm mattress underneath. 

The vanity beside the bed is ornately decorated with gold handles on the white, mahogany drawers and a stunning mirror in the middle. I catch my reflection in it. The look of pleasant surprise on my face makes me smile even harder. 

I move to the tiny couch placed in front of the plasma tv hanging on the wall. It looks like an open oyster and I guess I’m the pearl inside. My luggage sits in the middle of the room. A tag with ‘Room 148. V. Carter.’ written on it is tied around the handle. V. Carter. Not Z. Richards and V. Carter. Just V. Carter. My smile stretches wider. 

The full length mirror is placed opposite the bathroom door and is decorated just like the one on the vanity.The bathroom is tiled with emerald marble and a blinding white tub with gold feet sits in the middle. A sink faces the tub with a cabinet above it and a gold towel rail beside it. 

I walk to the shower with a glass door at the end of the bathroom. Some complementary products are already placed on the shelves inside. I take one last look at the tub I’ll probably be soaking in every night and walk back to the bedroom and sit on the bed. 

This is going to be my home for the next month. My home. No Zeke. Just me. 

No tears. No wounds. No pain. No shouts. No insults. 

Just me. 

A tear falls out of my eye. Then another. And another. My throat closes up and I start balling. My breath is shaky and rough as I try to calm myself down to no avail. Only one thought keeps coming to mind. 

I’m free. 

I’m free from his wounding words. His searing slaps. His bruising belts. His painful punches. 

I’m free from him. 

I’m free for only a month. But I’m free all the same and I’m going to make sure this is the best month of my life. 

                                          ***

My eyes flutter open as I wake up from the best sleep I’ve had in two years. I feel refreshed and energised even with the fact that I slept fully dressed in the clothes I wore this morning. 

I check my phone for the time and realise I’ve been asleep for 9 hours. I already have five missed calls from Mom and Nic each. I start to dial my mom back when a voice speaks through the intercom. 

“Good evening passengers. This is your captain speaking. I welcome you officially aboard the Queen and wish you a wonderful stay.” His voice is firm but playful in a way.

“We will be departing at precisely 8:00 pm. In case you want to attend the departure party, it’s happening on the main deck and from what I can see, it’s already started.”

He’s interrupted with a cheer from the guests already on the main deck. 

“So head on up and have fun folks but don’t get too crazy and if you can, save me a drink or two.” He ends with a light chuckle. 

I debate on whether I should attend this party or not. My goal is to get my old self back and she would definitely attend this party. But it’s been so long since I was in a social setting on my own. I don’t think I know how to act. 

I decided to call my mom first. I’ll tell her that I’m okay and  settled and then I’ll call Nic. She’ll help me decide. 

I open my phone again and try to dial my mom but there’s no service. I walk around the room for a minute or two and still nothing. Travis said there will be times at sea where we won’t have service, but we haven’t even left the port yet. 

I open my room door and step outside. There has to be service somewhere on this ship. As I shut the door behind me I notice someone leaving the room next to mine as well. 

My cabin neighbour

Sadly he’s clearly not the man who stood in front of me today with his wife. But oh well. 

I prepare myself to meet him with a smile on my face until he turns around. 

And my world implodes. 

My mind goes blank and my body comes to halt. I stare at him shamelessly. Refusing to believe that he’s real. That he’s standing in front of me right now. That I can reach out and touch him right now.

His face has aged a lot in the past two years. He has deeper smile lines and dark circles under his eyes. I’m physically unable to look away from him. 

Tears spring to my eyes as I watch him. I try to speak but nothing comes out. His facial expression morphs from calm and settled to disbelief and then... irritation. He balls his fists and lets out a sharp sign, watching me. 

My brain starts functioning again and I’m finally able to form words. 

“Hans.” I say in a low, shaky whisper. 

The only man I’ve ever loved. The man I threw my life away for looks at me with eyes filled with pure hate and disgust. He finally speaks in that same deep, low voice that sent shivers down my spine only two years ago.  

“What the fuck are you doing here, Vienna?”