Chapter Twenty Five

A heavy silence hung between them as Alice stared at the bouquet in front of her. Alice inhaled slowly, then exhaled, forcing herself to remain composed. She could feel Kelvin’s eyes on her, silently pleading, silently challenging.

Then, with a measured calm, she reached for the bouquet. She didn’t hold it close or smell the flowers, but the mere act of picking them up was enough of an answer.

“Alright,” she said, her voice even, betraying nothing. “Let’s have breakfast.”

Kelvin, however, looked relieved. Without another word, he pulled out her chair as she stood, an uncharacteristically chivalrous move that did not go unnoticed.

As they sat, the waiter immediately brought over another tray of breakfast for Kelvin, as if he had already placed the order in anticipation of her agreement. Alice arched a brow at him, but he only smirked.

“You were that sure I’d say yes?” she asked.

Kelvin leaned back in his chair, his smirk turning into something softer. “No. But I wanted to be prepared if you did.”

Alice hummed noncommittally, cutting into her pancake. She refused to let herself be charmed—not after everything.

They ate in silence for a while, the atmosphere surprisingly peaceful. Outside the large window, the ocean stretched endlessly, the morning sun casting a golden hue over the waters.

“So…” Kelvin finally spoke, setting down his fork. “I'm guessing you spent the night with Kimberly?”

Alice scoffed, stirring her tea. “That’s an odd question. Is this a way of questioning my fidelity?"

Kelvin sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "No, Alice, I was just worried"

She placed her cup down carefully. “Why?”

Kelvin let out a slow breath. “Because,” he said, “I thought about it carefully and I realized we need to enjoy this moment as husband and wife” His voice was softer now, his expression unreadable. “before we part ways"

Alice scoffed, "Are you trying to say that you would forgo Anita for the period of our marriage?"

"If it would mean having to do that then, yes" Kelvin replied without hesitation.

Alice’s fingers twitched on the table. For a brief second, she felt a warmth she wasn’t prepared for. But then she remembered the situation of things.

She picked up her fork again. “Words are easy, Kelvin.”

Kelvin exhaled a short chuckle. “I know.” He leaned forward slightly, his voice lowering. “Thats why I'm going to show you that I mean them”

Alice didn’t respond. Instead, she continued eating, pretending that her heart wasn’t racing, pretending that the idea of Kelvin trying to win her over wasn’t unsettling. Pretending that she wasn’t afraid of what that might mean to her.

***********

After breakfast, just as Alice stepped out of the café, Kimberly appeared beside her, arms crossed, a teasing smirk on her lips.

“You look like you need a distraction with Kelvin's public display of affection earlier” Kimberly observed, tilting her head. “And lucky for you, I happen to be an expert at keeping people busy.”

Alice let out a soft chuckle, grateful for the opportunity. “What do you have in mind?”

“A little shopping at the onboard boutique, then maybe we can hit the spa or do something fun. You in?”

Alice replied, "I'm in"

Kimberly, linked her arm with Alice’s as they strolled toward the boutique.

The boutique was elegant, filled with high-end designer wears, jewelries, and luxurious perfumes. Kimberly wasted no time in dragging Alice to a rack of beautiful dresses.

“Try this,” Kimberly said, holding up a silky red gown. “Something tells me red would drive a certain someone crazy.” she was referring to Kelvin.

Alice shot her a glare. “Kimberly.”

“Relax, I’m just saying,” she said with an innocent grin.

Alice rolled her eyes but played along, trying on a few outfits as Kimberly cheered her on. For the first time in days, she felt lighter, laughing at Kimberly’s dramatic reactions to each outfit.

After shopping, they headed to the spa, where Alice allowed herself to enjoy a much-needed massage. The tension in her body eased, but her mind remained restless.

“So,” Kimberly said as they lounged in the relaxation area, sipping fruit-infused water, “What did Kelvin want?"

Alice exhaled. “He wants to make up for his attitude towards me. He wants to behave like my husband for the three years of our marriage.”

"And what about Anita? He would just ignore her?" Kimberly asked

"According to him, Yes" Alice replied. Then added, "But I don't believe him. He has something up his sleeves. But a part of me still wants all of these to be true. I want my husband to love me and forget about that Anita. I'm stupid, aren't I?"

"No you're not" Kimberly pulled her into a comforting hug, "This is what every woman wants. I also wanted it for the longest time. And for

your sake my friend, I pray that you get what you want"

Alice appreciated her friend’s words, and just relaxed in her comforting hug.

---

Alice returned to the suite that afternoon, she found Kelvin leaning against the couch, arms crossed, an unreadable expression on his face.

“What now?” she asked warily.

Kelvin smirked. “We’re participating in the couple’s challenge tonight.”

Alice blinked. “Excuse me?”

“I signed us up,” he said, completely unfazed by her disbelief. “It’s a fun event for couples to compete in different activities. Grandma’s expecting us to have more ‘romantic moments,’ so why not?”

Alice narrowed her eyes. “You didn’t even ask me.”

“I knew you’d say no,” Kelvin said smoothly. “So I saved us both the trouble.”

She exhaled sharply. “You can’t just decide things for me, Kelvin.”

He stepped closer, his gaze steady. “I can especially when I want to gain your acceptance"

Alice heart tugged a bit but she ignored it.

“Fine,” she muttered.

Kelvin’s lips twitched in amusement. “Thank you"

********

The ballroom buzzed with excitement as couples gathered, ready for the evening’s challenge. The event host, a lively man in a sharp navy suit, stood at the front of the stage with a microphone in hand.

“Welcome, everyone! Tonight, we’re putting your relationships to the test with a series of fun yet revealing challenges! Let’s see how well you trust each other, how much you know about each other, and just how strong your bond really is.”

Alice shifted uncomfortably beside Kelvin, resisting the urge to glare at him. She was sure they would fail for they had no bond whatsoever.

Kelvin, on the other hand, looked completely at ease. His hand rested lazily in his pocket, his expression unreadable except for the faintest hint of amusement dancing in his eyes.

The host continued, “Our first challenge is the Trust Test!”

A collective murmur spread across the room as staff members handed out silk blindfolds.

“The rules are simple. One partner will be blindfolded while the other guides them through an obstacle course. The goal? To prove just how much trust you have in your significant other.”

Alice sighed. "Of course."

Before she could protest, Kelvin took the black blindfold and turned to her, his lips twitching. “Ready?”

“I should be the one guiding you,” she grumbled, but he was already moving behind her, tying the soft fabric around her eyes.

“You don’t trust me?” he asked, his voice teasing yet oddly gentle.

Alice’s breath hitched as his fingers briefly brushed against her skin. “Not even a little.”

Kelvin chuckled. “Well, too bad. Because you’re stuck with me.”

The moment the host signaled the start of the game, Kelvin’s hand found her waist, firm but not forceful.

“Step forward,” he instructed. “There’s a small hurdle in front of you, lift your leg a bit higher.”

Alice hesitated but did as told. Surprisingly, she landed smoothly.

“Good,” he murmured. “Now, take two steps to the right.”

She obeyed, following his directions, and before she knew it, she was halfway through the course without stumbling once.

But just as the thought crossed her mind, Kelvin said, “There’s a puddle ahead. Jump over it.”

Alice frowned. “A puddle?” it sounded bizzare to have a puddle in the middle of the ballroom.

Kelvin’s grip on her waist tightened slightly. “You don’t trust me?"

She decided to give him the benefit of doubt. With a deep breath, she jumped—only to realize there was no puddle at all.

Kelvin burst into laughter, catching her before she lost her balance. Alice ripped the blindfold off, glaring at him. “You lied.”

He grinned down at her. “Had to test how much you trusted me.”

She huffed, shoving his shoulder. “You’re insufferable.”

Kelvin only smirked. “But you listened to me. And look, we won more than most of these couples who are practically in love”

Alice kissteethed

The host clapped. “Well done, couples! Now, we're going onto the next challenge—How Well Do You Know Your Partner?”

Alice groaned. "This was only getting worse."

The couples were seated at small tables, each pair given a whiteboard and marker. The rules were simple: the host would ask questions, and each person would write down what they believed their partner’s answer would be. The couple with the most correct answers won the round.

Kelvin leaned back in his chair, smirking at Alice. “Lets see how much we know each other”

Alice rolled her eyes. “We're only going to fool ourselves because, we know nothing about each other. At least, I know you’re a menace.”

The first question flashed on the screen. “What’s your partner’s favorite dessert?”

Alice hesitated before writing down dark chocolate cake—a guess based on the few times she’d seen him eat it.

When they revealed their answers, Kelvin looked at her board and raised a brow, wondering how she got it. “Not bad.”

She glanced at his answer for her: Vanilla ice cream.

She blinked, surprised. “How did you—?”

Kelvin smirked. “You always choose it for dessert, even on this ship”

Alice swallowed, suddenly feeling exposed. She hadn’t even realized he’d noticed such a small detail.

The next question came up. “What’s your partner’s biggest fear?”

Alice hesitated again, then wrote carelessly: Losing his birthright.

When they revealed their boards, Kelvin’s gaze locked onto hers.

His answer for her was, Being abandoned.

Alice’s throat tightened. She quickly looked away, pretending to be unaffected.

They were indirectly correct in their answers.

The game continued with more questions, each one peeling back the layers of their relationship. Despite herself, Alice couldn’t ignore one unsettling realization—Kelvin knew her better than she thought and she knew him more than she thought. And the worse thing was that, She was starting to care.

For the final round, couples had to pop balloons between their bodies—without using their hands.

Alice barely had time to react before Kelvin stepped closer, his chest nearly brushing against hers.

“This should be fun,” he murmured.

Alice swallowed hard, her heart hammering. The moment the timer started, Kelvin pressed against her, the balloon trapped between them. She could feel his warmth, his breath near her temple, his hands resting lightly on her waist.

“Relax,” he whispered. “You’re stiff.”

Alice scowled, making Kelvin chuckle but he didn’t back away. Instead, he slowly moved, guiding her with him until—

Pop!

The balloon burst between them. Alice stumbled slightly, but Kelvin caught her with ease, his arms steady around her.

The room erupted in applause, and Alice took a step back, needing space.

The host grinned. “And that wraps up our couple’s challenge! Everyone, give yourselves a round of applause!”

As the crowd cheered, Alice felt Kelvin’s hand brush against hers.

When she glanced up at him, he wasn’t smirking this time. Instead, there was something softer lurking beneath the surface.

Alice quickly looked away, ignoring the flutter in her chest.

Kelvin might be playing a game, but what scared her most…was that she might actually be losing because that was what she had always wanted and prayed for.

The host beamed as he stepped back onto the stage, his voice echoing through the ballroom. “And the winning couple, who absolutely nailed every challenge, showing trust, knowledge, and undeniable chemistry… is Kelvin and Alice Sander!”

A round of applause and cheering filled the air. Alice stiffened as all eyes turned to them. She hadn’t expected to win—she hadn’t even wanted to participate. Yet, here they were, standing at the center of attention.

Kelvin, however, looked completely unfazed. He placed a hand on Alice’s lower back, guiding her toward the stage.

“Come on, darling,” he murmured teasingly. “Let’s claim our prize."

They stepped onto the stage, where the host handed them a neatly wrapped gift box. “Congratulations! Your prize is a luxury spa date for two at the ship’s exclusive spa, complete with a couple’s massage and a private dinner.”

The audience clapped. Before Alice could dwell on it, the host grinned mischievously. “But before you go, there’s one final requirement for our winners.”

Alice listened keenly.

“Tradition calls for the winning couple to seal their victory with a kiss!”

The crowd erupted into cheers, encouraging them.

Alice’s breath hitched. She turned sharply to Kelvin, panic creeping in. But Kelvin was relaxed.

Kelvin took a step closer, lowering his voice just for her. “We are married Alice, married people kiss”

Alice’s lips parted slightly. Something fluttered in her chest. She was going to do it. Her first kiss with her husband. But then something flashed her mind for a brief second, her kiss with Daniel. She brushed it off.

Kelvin’s eyes darkened for a brief second before he reached for her, his hand cradling the side of her face gently. He was slow… deliberate.

He leaned in, his lips brushing against hers in a way that sent an unexpected shiver down her spine. The pressure was soft, lingering—long enough for the crowd to erupt in cheers, yet intimate enough to leave Alice breathless.

For a moment, she forgot about the people around them. Forgot about the game, the charade, even the wariness she felt toward Kelvin.

It was only when he pulled away, his thumb grazing her cheek lightly before he dropped his hand, that reality snapped back into place.

Alice blinked up at him, dazed.

Kelvin smirked ever so slightly, but there was something in his eyes—something different, something he did not plan to feel in the course of winning over Alice.

The host laughed. “Well, I think that was more than just a victory kiss! Congratulations once again to our winning couple!”

As they stepped down from the stage, Alice’s heart was still hammering. She refused to look at Kelvin, but she could feel his presence beside her, his fingers grazing her back lightly as he guided her toward the exit.