Three: Dinner For One

Classy elegant semi-formal Chanel dress was the one she chose for her first dinner on the cruise. She recently purchased it for the sole purpose of her trip. She bought a few items for the vacation and even the tags were still attached to them.

Blue is her favorite color, deep dark blue that matches her skin tone and her dark brown hair. She didn't want to be overdressed for the occasion, but she didn't want to be underdressed either. Ludus Oceania was a plush establishment, everyone must look like they belong in that ship. She always tries to dress the part.

She grew up in a middle-class family, then she became a beauty queen and appearance was everything. Everything she owned, or put on her body was nothing less than posh. Olivia enjoys the finer things in life, it's what she had been accustomed to for some time. She had a certain nature about her, the way she carries herself, one can tell that she came from money.

"Adele Leighton," she said to the Maitre'D.

Adele Leighton is her alter ego. The name she uses to hide in plain sight. She had used it since she was in college to do all sorts of things that she didn't want to associate with Olivia Harmon. Sometimes she gets confused about which of the two identities was her real self because she seemed to enjoy both of the lives she led under the two names.

The Maitre'D looks at his guest list and immediately finds her name there. He smiled politely and gave her a half nod.

"Ms. Adele Leighton ... dinner for one, right this way Madam," he stepped out of the podium and gestured his hand for Olivia to follow him.

She fixed her Sapphire earring on her right ear and walked behind him into the dining area. A huge hall almost the size of a five-star hotel ballroom with an extravagant round crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling in the middle of the room.

Some of the guests had occupied the round tables in their suits and dresses similar to her style, but none drew more attention than her. She's used to people turning their heads whenever she walks into a room, and that dining area was no different. Olivia hung her head up high, her eyes looking straight at the Maitre'D in front of her, she never pays attention to people especially when their attention was focused on her.

The Maitre'D pulled up the chair on a table for two right next to the large window. She had paid an extra $100 per night for the special seat with the ocean view, another luxury she will not deny to herself. On the right corner of the room, there was a grand piano and someone was playing a soft jazzy tune as their dinner music.

"Your seat for the night, Ms. Leighton, should you not be pleased with the setting, please let me know and we can move you to another area," he said.

She adjusted her seat with a smile, "This is fine, thank you," her eyes gazed at the ocean. She could hardly see anything, only the ship's balcony that was illuminated by the lights on deck.

"The view is much nicer in the morning, perhaps you would like to reserve the same seat for breakfast?"

She was a little disappointed at what her $100 worth for that seat was, but the thought of looking out that window in the morning was enticing, "Yes, please."

He nodded politely, "Very well ... we have your menu card for the night, do you wish to change your order or add another item to your list?"

She thought about it for a moment, "No, I'd like to stick with the list, please, and champagne," she clinked on the empty glass next to her.

"Of course, Madam." The Maitre'D signaled one of the waiters to bring the champagne to her table. "Would you like us to leave the bottle on your table, Madam?"

She curved her lips, "Yes ... leave it with me, thanks."

"Very well, your entree will be served very soon, will there be anything else?"

"No, thank you."

He proceeded to show her an electronic button under her table to call for assistance before he bowed and left.

Finally, she was alone again with her champagne. She took a sip as her eyes glanced at the piano player who was looking in her direction. He blushed for getting caught admiring her beauty. She smiled and lifted her glass.

Her eyes then traveled to the entrance when a man entered the room. It was the young man she saw earlier at the pool. He was dressed in a tuxedo and a woman's arm looped around his, a different woman.

She looked away. She kept her eyes on her table. "Don't look around." She reminded herself. Looking around a room when she was sitting all alone doesn't end well with her. Someone was bound to assume that she was looking for company, they would come uninvited and she would have to make all kinds of excuses for them to leave her alone. Her beauty was her gift and her curse. She hated to be in that kind of situation, it was an obstacle for her to travel alone.

The music was lovely. The lighting was not too bright, not too dim for a dinner setting. Although, she wouldn't mind if they were a bit shaded where she sat. Dark blue carpet with a large pattern in beige lined the floor, such an exquisite blend that fused with the whole interior of the room.

The food was first-class fine dining, she didn't mind it from time to time. With the best champagne of the house, she enjoyed every last bite of it. She was a little tipsy after her fourth glass, and her mind was already wandering to the hot tub in her suite. Her 1500 square feet suite is 5 times the size of the standard cabin size.

A huge mirror on one side of the room gave a false sense of space that the room was more spacious than it already is. It was framed with glamorous carvings that were painted in gold, the mirror also faces the bar. As she admired the details of the carving, something caught her eyes. Someone was looking back at her through the mirror. It's him.

She casually turned her gaze another way as she sipped on her drink. She was already done with her dinner, so she should consider going back to her room before she had too much to drink.

Before she could get out of her seat, she felt a presence coming from behind her.

"I'm sorry to interrupt," a thick husky voice greeted her.

She looked over her shoulder, the young man she had been seeing that day stood towering over her. He was more handsome up close. She thought he was wearing a black suit, as it turned out, it was a slim fit navy blue suit paired with leather brown shoes. He was clean-shaven which complements his sharp jawline. His clear blue eyes were not shy looking straight at her.

She was stunned for a brief moment. Surprised at the attractive young man standing behind her.

He smiled, a dimple curved on his left cheek. "I'm sorry ... you don't know me ... I just thought ..." he looked down on the floor and pressed his lips together as if to find the right words to say. He too seemed to be stupefied by how stunning the woman in front of him looked.

His hands were inside his pockets. He quickly gained back his composure and stared into her eyes. "I just want to tell you ... you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my life," he smiled again. There was a twinkle in the corner of his eye. "I'm sure you get that a lot ... " he scoffed. "But I can't let the night go by without telling you that."

She didn't react immediately. All her radars were sending her mixed signals. She appreciated a nice honest compliment, but there's always that question that lurks behind it. Is this guy for real?

She curved her lips slightly, "That's very kind of you."

She stood up, she knew she had to leave it at that. She wasn't there to flirt. She wasn't there for a hook-up, especially not with a man who easily looked like he was at least 10 years younger than her.

"I was just about to leave," she widened her smile. "Thank you ... I hope you'll excuse me, I don't mean to be rude."

He stepped out of her way half bending his back, "Not at all ... have a nice evening."

She gracefully walked away from him without glancing back. With her every step, eyes were immediately drawn to her. Including the young man whose chest was throbbing after that brief encounter with the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, and the woman who will surely break his heart to pieces.