Chapter 9 - Aboard

*Mia Taylen Gideon's POV*

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"Deck 8, Cabin 26," Kelly uttered when we finally got aboard the cruise ship, and we are heading to the elevator for us to go down to our rooms. And, I snapped my head to her since I don't know if where did she get her cabin location already.

"How did you know if where your room is located?" I asked her curiously as we follow the four men who walk ahead of us, and she showed me the key in her hold with a deck and room number tagged with it.

"Where did you get that?" I asked her, and her eyebrows met while looking at me with her puzzled face. Girl, I should be the one to look at you like that. Why don't I have one of those? Where should I get mine?

"Mr. Einar gave it to me, Mia. Hey, Mr. Conor, what is your room number?" She answered, and called out the man nearest to us.

"D8, Cabin 27. Why? Oh, we are neighbors, Miss Baylor. Of course!" The sales and marketing manager replied jovially, and he looked at me like asking for mine.

"I don't have one, yet. I'll just ask for mine if we'll arrive on our deck. Maybe our boss forgot to hand me my key." I told them, which they nodded their heads in response as we stopped in front of the elevator, and we waited for it to open. 

Well, he better not leave me clueless about where should I stay, or act like he forgot that I am with them, or else I will really throw him overboard. How can't he notice me with my huge luggage when he distributed the keys to his employees? 

And, while we are inside the elevator, I can't help but bite my lower lip to restrain myself from grinning as I noticed that it's so damn quiet, that even one's heartbeat can be heard.

Then, I cleared my throat when Kelly gave me a look like asking if what's the matter with me, and the grumpy-looking boss turned his stern gaze to me. No, I don't want to let out a laugh, so I took a deep breath and focused my attention on the deck level indicator, and we are two floors away.

"Ladies and gents, treat this trip like a real trip. Well, except when I will communicate with you through emails, and if we should assemble for a meeting and conference, probably tomorrow. And also, for the party tomorrow night, it's optional for the rest of you to attend or not." Mr. Einar announced as we stepped out of the elevator, and we all agreed since that's the purpose of why we are here. This is a business trip.

"Alright, now, go to your respective cabins, and relax while you can. I'll just send you further information, later." The boss instructed that made the rest of us head to separate ways. 

Then, I cleared my throat loudly to catch the attention of the forgetful human being that has his back on me, while he's about to walk to his room which is probably a luxurious suite. 

"Mr. Einar, are you forgetting something? Someone, particularly?" I asked him, more like, reminding him. And, he slowly turned to face me while he has his right hand in his pocket and the other is holding his suitcase. 

"Such as?" He asked me with his left eyebrow raised in questioning.

"Me!" I answered as I emphasized my whole self with my whole baggage, and his thick black eyebrows met in unrest.

"What do you mean, Maia?" He asked me like a real rascal, and I let out a scoff as he is freaking doing it. He better not... Hmm.

"Where the heck should I stay? Where is my cabin? Everyone else got theirs. Where is my key?" I let out a bit mad but sounding so polite, and the scoundrel just blinked his eyes multiple times while a smirk is slowly forming on his face.

"Try to find it. Good luck." He answered as he turned his back on me, and walked ahead to somewhere. And, that just made me grit my teeth in resentment as I just don't get it. Is he trying to make fun of me? Or, is he trying to be an asshole like what he really is?

I just fucking want to curse him on this cruise, badly. 

Alright, Mia, don't worry, because, right after this trip, you will be a free woman. Just a little more torment to withstand. Andrew, my boy, good luck in hooking up with Jassy. I am rooting for you because my fate lies in you and your reproductive system.

And as the annoying man turned to the hallway on the left, I let out a groan of frustration. Then, I went to follow him. 

How would I find my damn room if I have no idea if there it is? I don't even have a room number. He is surely making this harder for me. Well, he indeed let my baggage pass through inspection from the guards when we got onboard, yet this is one of his exchange for it. Maybe he really knows that I won't be able to do his condition which is cooking his meals at the office because he knows that he will lose. Well, I just can't wait to win, and finally, be out of his hold.

"Mr. Einar, wait up! Where really is my cabin, if I do have one? You won't be wanting me to settle right in the hallways, or at the promenade deck, or the lido deck, because I will really drag your company's name if someone will ask me if why am I cabinless. Was it a term? Well, or... you wouldn't want to make me go and find a lifeboat for me to go overboard, then I'll go home. Or, I will just swim the sea to get to the port." I ranted and warned him, while I walk faster to catch up with him to annoy him so that he would just give me my key and direction. Oh, trust me, mister, I can be an asshole, too, more than you can think of, and you wouldn't like it even a bit.

Then, he halted in his tracks and turned around to look at me with his unimpressed face. And, I just showed him my widest smile. Let's see if who gets irritated, this time.

"Will you shut your loud mouth, Maia? You'll disturb all the lodgers of this deck and even the ones above and below." He retorted with his absurd justification, and I just smirked as I stop about six feet away from him.

"Oh, well, I will really make a scene if---" I exclaimed to prove to him that I am not bothered with it, but he cut me off as he tosses me something in his right hold.

"There. Will that shut you up?" He asked with his stern voice, and I looked at the thing that landed on the nice wooden floor of this ship as I didn't catch it. It's a key! Finally!

"Yeah! Thank you so much, boss! This is just what I need." I answered that made him shake his head lightly, while he let out a sigh of annoyance. I couldn't have threatened him if he just gave it to me earlier.

Then, I bent down to pick it up as I let go of one of my suitcases in my hold.

"Alright, now, where could be my...? Deck 8, Suite 5...?" I uttered as I read the tag of the key in my hold, which made my eyebrows met in confusion. Suite?

Then, I looked at the number of the door closest to me on my left. Suite 4.

And, I walked past the stone-cold boss as I went to the next door which is about twenty meters from the other. Why would he let me stay in a suite anyway? I actually prefer the oceanview cabin or just even an inside cabin. Suite to me sounds like expensuite. It's expensive as fuck but it's gonna be worth it if you have lots of money. Maybe he is gonna make this trip a farewell celebration for me with a luxurious experience, and he's making me want to think that I shouldn't resign. Hmm, no can do, Mr. Blackbeard.

Then, I stopped in front of a huge tinted glass door, and I noticed that the annoyed annoying man started walking my way.

When I have finally opened the door and stepped in, my mouth dropped in awe as I got the sight inside it. It's enormous. Damn, it is just like a five-star hotel room, but with a touch of an ocean view. Well, maybe there is a jacuzzi in here. Of course! That's even much better.

And, my head snapped behind me as I heard the door was shut close by my boss. 

"What the hell are you doing here?" I asked him in shock, and he chuckled as he just walked past me to head to the sofa with his suitcase. And, I just looked at him in complete confusion. What the fuck?

"We are sharing a room, Maia." He uttered with his devilish smirk, which just made me gulp and squinted my eyes as I try to process it properly in my nervous system. 

What did he just say? Share a room? No!