Chapter Twenty

The next two days, Alice kept herself indoors, watching movies, reading her books and spending an unexpected good time with her husband, Kelvin Sander. It was surprising to Alice how Kelvin was friendly with her in contrast to the disgusting look he would always give her. Kelvin wondered at the ease he had started feeling with Alice.

That morning, Alice leaned back against the sofa, a small cup of tea in her hands as she and Kelvin shared a rare, casual conversation. The tension between them felt distant, replaced by a tentative ease that neither dared to fully acknowledge.

The knock on the door startled them both.

“I’ll get it,” Alice said, placing her cup down on the table. She walked to the door, smoothing her hands down her casual blouse before opening it.

Kimberly stood on the other side, dressed in a summery outfit with a broad smile on her face. Her expression, however, quickly shifted to mock disapproval as she placed her hands on her hips.

“Alice Sanders, where have you been?” Kimberly exclaimed, her tone half-teasing, half-serious. “It’s been, what? Three days? And not even a text! You forgot your new friend.”

Alice blinked, caught off guard by the sudden burst of energy. “Kimberly,” she said, a hint of amusement in her voice. “I’ve been… busy.”

Kimberly raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying the excuse. “Busy doing what? Avoiding the world?”

Before Alice could respond, Kimberly leaned slightly to peek inside the room and caught sight of Kelvin. Her smile faltered, replaced by a wary expression.

“Ah, so the elusive husband exists,” Kimberly said to Alice, her voice taking on a more measured tone. “Hello, Mr. Sanders.” She raised her voice to Kelvin.

Kelvin, who had been standing near the sofa, nodded politely. “Hello,” he replied, his tone neutral.

Kimberly’s skepticism was thinly veiled as her gaze lingered on him for a moment before shifting back to Alice. “Well,” she said, clasping her hands together, “I didn’t come here to interrupt your time together. I came to rescue my friend from her self-imposed isolation. You’re coming with me, Alice.”

“Fine,” Alice said. “Just let me grab my bag.”

As they left the room, Kimberly slipped her arm through Alice’s and began walking down the corridor.

“So,” Kimberly began, her voice dropping slightly, “what’s going on with you and Kelvin?”

Alice sighed, understanding Kimberly, "I really don't know. He suddenly started acting all humane and nice to me"

"Wow! The power of his overbearing girlfriend's absence" Kimberly said.

"I thought so too" Alice sighed again, her face expressing worry.

"You don't look happy" Kimberly said.

"I'm confused" Alice expressed, "What if he's playing nice to get something from me?"

"It could be. After all, you did get him to sign over half of his inheritance to you" Kimberly pointed out.

"Exactly!" Alice replied "And the only reason he's being this nice is because Anita isn't here. The moment we get off this ship, I'm very certain that he'll go back running to her"

"I don't really know what to say to you Alice but I'm definitely sure that the last thing you need is bonding with him. He's already broken your heart and you don't want him doing more damage" Kimberly spoke.

"You're right It's just that I wanted to spend time alone and he hardly leaves the suite since his

girlfriend went back home" Alice said.

"You know what?" Kimberly had an added enthusiasm to her tone, "Let's forget about him and have some great time today"

Alice nodded and smiled.

"We'll start with breakfast. I'm certain you haven't had any" Kimberly said.

"Only a cup of tea" Alice said, giggling a little.

Alice and Kimberly settled into a cozy corner of one of the ship's restaurants, their table bathed in soft morning sunlight streaming through the large windows. The restaurant hummed with the gentle clatter of cutlery and the low murmur of conversations. A waiter had just placed a generous breakfast spread in front of them—pancakes, eggs, fresh fruit, and steaming coffee.

“This is exactly what I need,” Kimberly said, picking up her fork. “A good meal and a good company.”

Alice smiled and reached for her coffee. She took a sip. "You know, these past three days, I've had breakfast indoors and I must say I miss coming out"

"Yeah... you were trying to seize the opportunity of Anita's absence and win your husband's heart" Kimberly winked at her.

"That is not true!" Alice exclaimed as she put down her cup of coffee and started on her plate.

"Really? You know it's true." Kimberly pushed, enjoying Alice's slight embarrassment.

"It's not, okay. We share the suite, and it's

normal for us to be indoors.....alone.....you know.....just doing our individual thing" Alice said.

"This doesn't negate my claims at all" Kimberly chuckled. "And I noticed the way he looked at you just before we left"

Alice raised her head to her, "How?"

"I don't know.....it looked like he was admiring you" Kimberly revealed.

"Ha!" Alice let out. "Admiring me is the last thing Kelvin will ever do. Anita is his perfect woman and I'm nothing like her"

"Darling, you are worth more than that Anita, whoever she is and however she may look. You're beautiful and Kelvin is definitely beginning to see that" Kimberly said.

"I don't think so. He may be feeling guilty about leading me into this marriage deceitfully, but he is not liking me" Alice said.

Kimberly paused eating and looked at Alice, "You guys talked?"

"A little" Alice said. "For the very first time, he admitted his selfishness and said he was

sorry"

"That's bullshit! What is he doing to make it up to you?" Kimberly gave out a little steam of anger.

"Nothing. Apparently, I have compensated myself with half of his inheritance" Alice shrugged.

"He didn't give it to you willingly, did he? If you were as naive as he assumed you to be and didn't play that smart power move on him, he wouldn't care." Kimberly sighed deeply, "I just wish I could give him a very hard beating"

"Hey, relax. The deed has already been done. I can't force his heart to kick Anita away and make him love me. I don't want his love anyway" Alice said.

"You know, he'll definitely regret this and it'll be too late for him" Kimberly said and resumed eating.

"Oh....I would so love that" Alice laughed lightly and started eating.

As they ate, Alice’s gaze drifted to the entrance of the restaurant—and froze. Daniel had just walked in, his tall frame and confident stride immediately drawing attention. He scanned the room briefly before his eyes landed on their table.

Alice’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly looked away from him, hoping that he would avoid her table.

Daniel made his way toward them, his expression unreadable but his movements purposeful. He got to their table and greeted. Alice didn't answer, instead she focused on her food.

"Hi Kim. Mind if I join you?" Daniel asked.

"Sure" Kimberly replied. Daniel took a seat.

"Good morning Alice" Daniel said, his voice calm but with a hint of warmth.

"Good morning" Alice replied reluctantly.

Daniel signalled a waiter and placed his order. Soon, his order arrived and he started eating.

Alice was intentionally quiet as Kimberly and Daniel engaged in most of the discussion. All she wished for was for him to leave. She was right about him from the beginning, as one who would bring her trouble.

Daniel stole glances at Alice as he talked with Kimberly, some of which Alice's eye's met with his. Every single eye contact made Alice more nervous and uncomfortable.

"Where have you been Alice?" Daniel suddenly asked, catching Alice off guard. She thought he would spend that time without a word to her.

Before Alice could regain herself and say something, Kimberly answered the question, "Indoors. Having a romantic time with her dear husband" She teased, smiling.

Daniel raised an eyebrow, surprised and wondering.

"That's not true!" Alice quickly defended. "I was indoors with Kelvin but it was nothing romantic"

"Oh, there were definitely some love Sparks. I felt it when I came to get you this morning" Kimberly winked at her.

Alice smiled, "You're silly" chuckling. The ladies shared a known laugh while Daniel was caught a bit off guard with Alice radiating beauty.

"I'm joking" Kimberly faced Daniel. " You do know about her marriage history, don't you?"

Daniel nodded, "I'm practically family"

"Why don't you talk to him?" Kimberly asked Daniel

"I'm not in the position to talk to him. I'm the family underdog" Daniel replied.

"And I'm guessing that the high and mighty Kelvin Sander will not listen to anyone less." Kimberly scoffed, "You men are so heartless and selfish." she added.

"Most are, but I'm not one of them" Daniel defended.

"That's what you'll say" Kimberly rolled her eyes.

"My mother was greatly wronged by the man she loved. He abandoned her while she was pregnant with me. He treated her like dirt. He denied me even before I was born." Daniel spoke, unveiling his vulnerability.

"I hate him for his wickedness. And I'll never be that wicked and insensitive to a woman, cause that'll mean hurting my late mother's soul" he added.

"I'm sorry" Kimberly said, touched by his words.

Alice was also moved with empathy but said nothing.

"I'll never support men like Kelvin, like my father, who treat woman with disrespect" Daniel livened his mood.

"Thank God there's at least one good man out there" Kimberly said.

"I'm sure there are others too" Daniel said.

"But they're few. it's scumbags like my husband that are everywhere in the world" Kimberly said, rolling her eyes with disgust.

"Do I want to hear about that?" Daniel asked.

"Some other time. I'm not going to ruin my day with his memories" Kimberly said.

Kimberly's phone chimed and she picked it up to read the message. “Excuse me for a moment,” Kimberly said, standing up. “I need to sort this out” She faced Alice, "I'll message you as soon as I'm done."

"Sure" Alice replied.

As Kimberly walked away, Alice’s heart sank. Now it was just her and Daniel.

Daniel leaned slightly forward, his tone softer. “Alice,” he began, “I wanted to apologise to you about the other day”

Her eyes darted to him and then back to her plate. “I don't want to talk about it” she said.

"But you've been avoiding me. You didn't reply my texts" Daniel said gently.

Alice’s grip on her fork tightened. “That's because I had nothing to say to you”

Daniel frowned slightly, his brow furrowing. “You have something to say to me, I know it”

“What do you want me to say?” Alice blurted out, looking at him, her face heating. “That I was right about you being the true definition of trouble? That I've decided to stay away from you completely?”

"Alice...." Daniel called out softly, reaching out for her hand on the table but she quickly removed her hand.

"Stay away from me" Alice said and stood up, to leave.

Daniel stood up immediately and quickly held her arm, stopping her and pulling her to himself - their faces few inches apart. She wriggled herself from his grip but he would not budge.

"Let me go Daniel" Alice commanded, softly to avoid drawing too much attention.

"I can't.....I can't bear the thoughts of you keeping your distance from me forever" Daniel spoke.

"Oh....so I should stick around playing your whore despite being married" Alice blurted out.

"What are you saying Alice?" Daniel's brow furrowed slightly, "You know what we both felt with that kiss. It was nothing impure. It was not lust."

Alice calmed down. Her pulse was increasing as Daniel was about stating that which she had been fighting in her heart.

"You're being delusional" Alice said.

"I'm not. You're trying to dismiss your feelings" Daniel said.

"Can you hear yourself?" Alice asked him.

"You didn't pull back, Alice. You kissed me back long enough for me to know that I meant something to you, to your heart" Daniel said and Alice was calm.

That was what she was struggling to admit to herself. Daniel was someone who has a place in her heart, but she was not sure of the definition of such feelings.

"I'm in love with you Alice" Daniel finally confessed.

Alice closed her eyes briefly, those words sent peace to her soul. She felt an instant beauty and tranquility.

"I fell in love with you from the first day I had seen you in the village and Everytime I'd see you on the television. That feeling, that love has never stopped, Alice. Everyday, it grows. I always long to see you, to hear your voice, to be around you, to see you happy, to see you smile and laugh...." Daniel said and Alice opened her eyes as he was talking.

"That's enough, Daniel" Alice spoke, softly. Light tears streamed down her cheeks. "I'm married...."

"I know and I have no intentions of causing you any trouble, I swear. I won't be the obstacle between you and Kelvin or even with Grandma. I just want to love you. It gives me peace" Daniel said.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The air between them was thick with unspoken emotions. Daniel slowly left her arm and Alice drew back a bit. Her chest still tightened at his words, and she wondered why he would fall in love with her despite her situation.

He was dear to her, maybe a bit more than a friend but as a lover? She wasn't so sure. She had a feeling of wanting to be loved but that should not justify her using Daniel to fulfil that desire. Also the risks of grandma Janet finding out will definitely put her in trouble.

"You need to stay away from me. You need to stop those feelings. I'm not in love with you Daniel." Alice said and walked out from the restaurant leaving Daniel heartbroken.