Tension And Temptation

“I need that money you promised. I can’t get by without it, and now you’re unreachable.”

Xavier's jaw clenched. He’d been expecting this, but it didn’t make it any easier.

“Dad, you know this is my business. I’ve built it from the ground up. You’ve got nothing to do with it,” Xavier said, his voice tight. “You’re just after my money—again. I’ve worked my ass off, and all you do is spend it on booze and keep asking for more.”

“You’re being selfish,” his father retorted. “I’ve got my problems, and I raised you. You owe me.”

“I don’t owe you a damn thing,” Xavier shot back. “I’ve been bailing you out for years. If you want more money, you’re going to have to wait until I’m back. I’m done letting you run my life.”

He could almost hear his father’s anger bubbling over the line. It gave Xavier a twisted sense of satisfaction.

“I’m taking a break, and frankly, you could use one too—from drinking and being a leech. Stop draining your son for once,” Xavier said, his voice cold and unwavering.

“Xavier—” his father began, but Xavier hung up before he could finish and tossed the phone onto the bed.

Xavier’s heart still raced from the confrontation. The familiar anger simmered just beneath his skin, but this time, something else lingered—a deep exhaustion. He wasn’t just tired of his father’s constant demands, but of the endless cycle of bailing him out, only for the same old problems to resurface.

He wasn’t sure if staying on the cruise was the right move, but for the first time in a long while, it felt like something he had chosen for himself—something that wasn’t dictated by his father’s demands or the pressures of his hectic life.

His father had been furious on the phone, seething with anger as he tried to guilt him into giving in yet again. But this time, Xavier had drawn the line. Even if just for a few moments, he had decided to step away from the constant noise and chaos to claim something for himself.

He needed this break, desperately. It wasn’t just about escaping his father’s toxic hold or his relentless business schedule—it was about taking control of his own life, however briefly.

He moved toward the window and stared out at the vast expanse of the ocean.

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden glow across the water, but even the breathtaking view couldn’t calm the frustration churning inside him. The cruise was supposed to be a chance to escape, to find peace, but so far, it had only been one disruption after another. Between the unruly children, the constant noise, and now his father’s demands, Xavier hadn’t been able to relax for a single moment.

He’d managed to sleep well last night, probably for the first time in weeks, but even that wasn’t enough. What he really needed was a complete revamp—a total reset. The kind of peace that couldn’t be found by simply lying in bed but something deeper. Maybe this cruise was a mistake, he thought, his eyes following the endless waves stretching to the horizon.

The ship gently rocked beneath him, and as he watched the sun slowly dip lower, a sliver of calm finally began to creep into his mind. He took a deep breath, savoring the salty breeze as it drifted in through the slight crack of the window. The world outside seemed peaceful, but Xavier knew that the storm in his mind wouldn’t be so easily quelled.

I need something to change, he thought. I need to let go, if only for a little while.

His eyes drifted to the invitation on the table. Maybe the dance party wasn’t such a bad idea after all. He needed something to take the edge off, and Tina might just be the distraction he needed to calm his mind and ease his tension.

Xavier stared at the invitation again, his mind still replaying the bitter exchange with his father. The frustration from the call hadn’t fully left him, but the idea of attending the party was beginning to feel more tempting. What’s the harm in a little distraction? he thought, his gaze shifting to the bottle of wine beside the bouquet.

He poured himself a glass, swirling the deep red liquid as the smooth scent filled the air. Taking a sip, he let the warmth settle in his chest. Maybe tonight would be different. Maybe he’d finally let go, if only for a few hours.

With a resigned sigh, he set the glass down and leaned back in his chair, staring out the window at the ocean. The waves rolled steadily, as constant and unchanging as the turmoil in his life.

The idea of the dance party—of losing himself in the music and the company of someone like Tina—was beginning to seem like just what he needed. Maybe it wouldn’t solve everything, but it might be a step toward finding a bit of peace in the chaos.

Just one night, he told himself, trying to silence the doubts creeping into his mind. One night to forget and start fresh.