Chapter Nineteen

Alice made up her mind to keep herself within the confinement of her luxurious suite that day. She wanted to avoid Daniel by all means. The kiss was an indication of trouble for her. She was married and as customs were concerned, she is to be chaste in her marriage. Kissing Daniel was a taboo and her heart skipped for fear whenever she thought what the society would do should such an act be exposed before them.

Still, with all the negativity from Daniel kissing her, was a ray of sweetness. Daniel was her first kiss ever. A part of her wished that she was not tied down in a wicked marriage, then she would have probably enjoyed that moment with Daniel. Perhaps, she and Daniel would have been something more than just casual friends.

Alice thought it prudent to stay completely away from Daniel. She was married and Grandma Janet would kill her should she ever indulge in anything romantic with Daniel, not to mention the ostracizing by her village and the taunts by the society.

After getting ready that morning, she joined Kelvin in the living room who was about to watch a romantic comedy movie. Kelvin had earlier protested but later gave in. Alice ordered a medium-size bag of popcorn which came in few minutes into the movie.

She sat on the comfy sofa, watching the movie and enjoying her popcorn, while Kelvin sat at the opposite end of the couch, his body angled slightly toward her. They were both simply dressed in indoor casuals, indicating that neither of them had any plans of leaving the suite that day.

Alice, who was emotionally fighting the feelings of the kiss with Daniel, threw herself into the movie, laughing occasionally at the antics of the characters, her laughter genuine but brief.

Kelvin stole a glance at her as she laughed, his chest tightening in a way he couldn’t explain. All he had even done since their wedding was to push Alice away, building walls between them, that he’d never thought what it felt like to simply be in her presence. And now, seeing her like this—relaxed, beautiful in her simplicity—he couldn’t help but notice the warmth she brought to the room.

“Is it really that funny?” he asked, his voice breaking the silence.

Alice turned to him, one eyebrow raised. “You don’t think so?”

Kelvin shrugged, a small smirk playing on his lips. “It’s… okay. Predictable, maybe.”

Alice rolled her eyes, tossing a piece of popcorn at him, involuntarily. “Oh, please. Like you’re an expert on movies.”

He caught the popcorn mid-air, surprising them both. “Maybe not, but I know when someone’s overreacting to a bad joke.”

Alice shook her head, unable to hide a small smile. “Well, excuse me for having a sense of humor.”

Kelvin chuckled, a sound that felt foreign even to him. He leaned back against the couch, his gaze drifting to the screen but not really watching. Instead, his mind wandered to their dinner the night before. The image of Alice in her elegant dress, the way she moved with effortless grace during their dance—it all played in his mind like a movie of its own. Occasionally, he would steal a glance at her, admiring her beauty subtly.

Alice was also stunned at the little familiarity and friendliness between them that noon. She wondered if it was the same Kelvin who had done

nothing but hate her from their wedding night. For the first time in their marriage they shared a laugh. That was the miracle the absence of Anita could do. Alice thought to herself, if Anita could be completely removed from their lives, then Kelvin would probably be able to love her.

As the movie reached its climax, Kelvin found himself studying Alice more than the film. The way her eyes lit up during the funny moments, the way she absentmindedly tucked her hair behind her ear—it all seemed so… human, so real.

When the credits rolled, Alice stretched and stood, heading toward the mini-bar for a glass of water. Kelvin followed, leaning against the counter as she filled her glass.

"Why are you indoors today?" He asked her calmly.

"I could ask you the same" Alice replied.

"You know I've been indoors ever since you had Anita out of the ship" He peered at her.

Alice rolled her eyes, "And you see what good that is doing to you, can't you?"

He hesitated a bit, "You tell me" he asked.

"We can finally get to spend our honeymoon just the both of us, no third-party" Alice indulged him.

"She's not a third-party. She's the woman of my heart" Kelvin said.

Alice did not expect those words to sting her as it did but she swallowed the pain and replied him, "You're on a honeymoon with your legally wedded wife. You should at least honour that. After the cruise and definitely after the divorce, you can have your happily ever after with the woman of your heart"

Kelvin felt the hidden pain in her voice and he felt a bit of regret. He watched her as she finished the glass of water in her hand and poured more water into the glass.

"Why are you indoors today?" He asked her again.

"I want a time to gather my thoughts, that's why I'm indoors" She replied and brought the glass to her mouth, downing the liquid.

"Let's go out today. We can do something fun..... like swimming" Kelvin said.

Alice dropped her glass down on the counter and peered at him, "You're joking, aren't you?"

"I'm not. I'm taking your advice by honouring our honeymoon" He had a little smile on the corner of his lips.

Alice blinked and chuckled, "Let me guess, Grandma is making you do this as another quest"

"She's not." Kelvin denied.

"Then why are you wanting us to go out today, of your own will?" Alice questioned.

"Because.....you are my legally wedded wife" He said and Alice found her heart melting at his words.

She was quiet for a moment, holding his gaze. Then she let out a soft sigh, "It wouldn't hurt to at least get to do something with you. I'll go change" she said and walked into the bedroom.

Kelvin nodded, his gaze lingering on her as she walked away.

******

Kelvin and Alice made their way to the ship's pool area later that afternoon. They entered the open space, where lounge chairs surrounded the shimmering blue water. A few other guests were scattered around, some sunbathing while others enjoyed a leisurely swim.

Alice walked slightly ahead of Kelvin, her modest swimsuit—a one-piece—fitting her perfectly. She had a light sarong tied around her waist and carried a small towel. Kelvin couldn’t help but admire how effortlessly graceful she looked, even without trying.

They found a couple of lounge chairs side by side and placed their towels down. Alice glanced at Kelvin, who had already shed his t-shirt to reveal his well-toned physique. She quickly averted her gaze, focusing instead on tying her hair into a secure bun.

"I forgot to ask...." Kelvin drew Alice's attention, "Can you swim?" his face showing doubts.

Alice laughed lightly, "You're a joker. Why didn't you make sure of this little detail before getting me a swimsuit and bringing me out here?"

"It escaped me" he smiled, "So, can you swim?" he asked again.

"Yes I can." Alice replied.

Kelvin nodded in surprise. He was not expecting that she would be able to do such recreational exercise as he had been so judgemental of her being a typical villager.

"What would you do if I had told you that I can't swim?" Alice asked him.

"It's easy. I'll have to teach you how to swim" he replied.

"Nice" Alice said.

“Ready for a swim?” Kelvin asked, his voice light.

Alice nodded, slipping off her sarong and walking toward the pool's edge. The water sparkled under the sunlight, inviting and cool. She dipped her toes in first, testing the temperature, before easing herself into the water.

Kelvin followed, taking a clean dive into the pool and resurfacing a few feet away from her with a smooth stroke. He ran a hand through his wet hair and grinned. “Not bad, right?”

Alice chuckled softly. “It’s nice. Refreshing.”

They swam leisurely for a while, occasionally exchanging light banter. Kelvin splashed water at her playfully at one point, and Alice retaliated with an unexpected flick of water that hit him squarely in the face.

“Hey!” he exclaimed, laughing. “That’s unfair!”

“Fair game,” Alice shot back, grinning for the first time ever.

As the water cooled their bodies, the atmosphere between them began to relax. Kelvin found himself watching her more closely, not just because of her beauty, but because of the light in her eyes—the hint of a smile that had become so rare.

After a while, they drifted toward the pool's shallower end, resting against the tiled edge. The sun was beginning to dip lower in the sky, casting golden hues across the water.

“I didn’t expect you to agree to this,” Kelvin said, breaking the companionable silence.

Alice tilted her head slightly. “And I didn't expect you to ask me out to this”

"Yeah.....I don't even know why I did" Kelvin said.

"I know why" Alice said and Kelvin faced her, waiting for an answer, "You're missing your Anita and this is one way to feel like you're spending the afternoon with her"

Kelvin looked away with a little feeling of guilt.

"You know, you never should have married me Kelvin" Alice spoke.

"I had to. Grandma was going to cast off like I was a mere servant. I didn't want to lose my inheritance" Kelvin replied.

"So, you selfishly married me to be the one to suffer, right?" Alice asked.

Kelvin looked at her and she held his gaze, "I'm sorry.... I was selfish. I could only think of one thing then, getting my inheritance. And I also felt that you has suck up to my grandmother because you wanted the wealth of my family"

Alice scoffed, "That is so lowly of you to think about another. Your wealth mean nothing to a woman like me." Kelvin lowered his gaze, "I just wish that you hadn't brought me here to face all that I'm facing right now."

"At least, you have secured for yourself half of my inheritance" Kelvin said

"That is a compensation for the deceit and emotional pain you have put me through. But it doesn't actually cover up for what I'll face in the society, in my village, after the divorce. I'd rather not be married to you than to be a divorced billionaire" Alice said.

Kelvin was quiet. Something stung his heart. He realized that he was unfair to have put her in such a situation. But he could do nothing. He was in love with Anita, he could not just leave her and his inheritance was his birthright, he could not just forsake it.

They sat in silence for a moment, the gentle lapping of the water filling the gap.

Kelvin broke the silence, “You’re… strong, Alice. Confident. I used to think that you were weak and fragile.......” He trailed off, shaking his head as though marveling at the realization.

Alice gave a small, dry laugh. “That was your mistake, Kelvin.”

"Yeah......" he smiled. "You are, after all, a perfect fit for the high society, Alice,” he said quietly, his gaze steady on her.

She looked at him, startled by the sincerity in his voice. For a moment, she didn’t know how to respond.

"Be careful now, Mr Sander, we don't want to risk you falling in love with me and breaking Anita's heart" She joked, chuckling.

Kelvin realized himself and gave her a small smile.

Alice’s breath hitched, and she looked away, unsure of what to do with the sudden tenderness in his words. Kelvin was also unsure as to what he was feeling. The sudden softness for Alice was something else.

They stayed like that for a while, the silence between them not uncomfortable, but filled with unspoken thoughts.

As they eventually climbed out of the pool, Kelvin handed Alice her towel without a word. She wrapped it around herself, her movements slow and deliberate. They walked back to their suite, in silence. Both of them struggling with the new bond trying to bind them together.