Chapter 1

It has been way too long, I think to myself as every pore in my body absorbs wonderful UV rays. I peel my eyes open after a quick nap on my towel and am blinded by the ball of yellow surrounded by the bluest sky that has ever graced my vision. The sweet sound of rolling waves caresses my ears along with the slapping of water against the side of a ship. This is the best vacation ev-. My thought process is interrupted by the silent vibration of a cell phone.

At first I think that it is one of those work-obsessed, jerks who are non-stop on their cell phones, and then I realized that it is the low toned vibration of my blackberry. No surprise, really. I am one of those workaholics. I mean, when is the last time I didn't get a work-related phone call in a ten minute time period? Oh I know, never. During my vacation not even being an exception! I look at my shiny new blackberry, five missed calls.

I open the missed calls folder and only one name catches my eye. Stephen Vladimir Reymont. The words that could possibly come close to describing this man are sweet, sympathetic, gorgeous, amazing, generous, and anything thing else that is positive. He is the best boyfriend a girl could ever ask for. And he is mine. The mere thought of this wonderful human being makes my heart skip a beat and my lips tingle for the touch of his rough, callused fingers. I sigh and press the number two on the touch screen of my phone, his speed dial. After four endless rings, from the other line Stephen finally answers.

"Rose! I've been so worried why haven't you answered my calls?" His low, rough voice exclaims through the phone lines.

"I'm sorry, babe, I fell asleep in the sun. And, I think I got a sun burn." I lightly touch the skin on my arm and watch it change color.

A chuckle wavers through the terrible cell phone connection. "So how is your cruise? You missing me?"

"Of course!" More than you know, I think to myself. I sigh, lean down and remove my laptop from its bright pink case. I slowly move my fingertips along the flowery pattern until I reach the zipper. I close the case and return it to its original place on the floor.

"Not working too hard are you, Rosa?" Stephen asks and I quickly suspect that he heard the zipper of my laptop case. Also, he loves to say my name in Russian. He is going to college to be a translator. So many languages! He speaks German, Chinese, Spanish, French, and is beginning to speak Russian fluently.

I blush furiously, "I'm trying not to! It's just a reflex!" Feeling slightly guilty, I return the laptop into its pocket in the case. For the first time since I woke up, I stare at the wide open ocean. The expanse of water looks endless. Even the thought of being stuck out here makes my stomach churn. There would be no leaving. I sigh and begin to stand; all possible joints in my body begin to pop. "I really should have gone to The Grand Canyon or something."

"Why is that?"

"I just realized that I hate being on a ship," I shudder. I pick up my blue and green stripped towel and walk bare-foot across the deck. "I think I'm gonna get sea-sick, soon."

"Not now I hope", Stephen says. I can just picture the man crossing his fingers. He hates sickness. Not just throwing up, but if someone has a cold or the flu he will not go near them. Every three seconds he would be in the bathroom washing his face and hands with ice-cold water.

"No, defiantly not. I promise!" I laugh, loudly, as I open the door to my cabin. I swing open the wooden door and look around my tiny sleeping space which contains one small metal cot, a bed side table, a wooden lamp (that is not very fire-safe), and a large dresser.

Continuing to listen to Stephen complaining about college, I change my frilly, purple bikini into a pair of dark, size 2 skinny jeans and a long, light green, flowery shirt. Finally, we say our farewells and I press the red END button on my cell phone. I lift the small mirror, which was lying on my dresser, to my face and run my hands through my dark red ringlets. Sighing, I return the mirror to its original position, and then fall backwards onto my cot. For a moment after that, I just listen.

Being at the bottom of the ship, my cabin is almost completely underwater. Looking out the porthole, from across the room, you could see all sorts of sea life. Little fish are propelled from one side of the ship to the other because of the strong waves from the engine. The rhythmic sound of water being crushed onto the starboard side of the ship is coming from way above my room, near the deck. My eyes drift closed slowly and I let my mind float away into dreamland.

BUUUUUMMMM! BUUMMM! BUUUUUUMMMMM

The sound of a repetitive, low-pitched alarm jolts me out of my light, restless sleep. My mind starts racing at the speed of sound, trying to remember what three beeps and a hesitation mean. I draw a blank and rush to my dresser, open the bottom drawer, then remove the small, but thick, guide to the cruise ship. Flipping to the 3rd page, I skim the words until I reach the fourth line down.

When you hear three consecutive beeps and a slight hesitation, we urge all passengers, for your own safety, to report to the well-deck and put on your life vest. From that point on you will be given instructions on how to proceed and whether or not it is a drill or a real emergency.

My body reacts before my mind does and I am running down the hall before I can even comprehend the situation. When I finally catch up with myself I am already at the well-deck, last in line to receive a life-jacket. Finally reaching the front, I am greeted by a nice man in a blue, marine metal decorated vest, handing me a life jacket.

"Thank you for cooperating, ma'am. Please continue on to the pool deck and relax. This is only a drill and will be over within the half hour." The ex-marine gives me a warm, reassuring smile and gestures to the area behind him.

Making my way across the deck is a challenge. Cramming this many people in this small of a space is not the brightest idea. If this were really an emergency there would be immense panic that could possibly create a mob of angry sunbathers. I push my way in between bulky life-vests all the way to the railing. There are not as many people here and so much fresher ocean air to breath. I lean against the only thing between me and cold, icy water and let my mind wander.

Soon, there is an announcement, by the same man that gave me the life-jacket, "All passengers are asked to return their life jackets and may resume their previous activities. Thank you for cooperating." The strict, tenor voice recedes from the microphone and people slowly begin to disperse. All the different voices, bass, soprano, or tenor, blend together and begin to get softer as people leave.

"Ma'am, you alright?" The voice immediately calls my attention. I turn from the sea to the man who gave the announcement under a minute ago. He is a young man, in his late twenties, with a clef chin, very protruding cheek bones, and a square face. He has bags under his eyes which give him the look that would make you think he hasn't slept in days, weeks maybe. The stubs on his chin give him the 5 o'clock shadow. The most notable part of his face, though, are his clear, ice-like blue eyes.

My analysis of him takes seconds and I quickly respond, "Yeah, I'm fine, thank you."

"That's good. I was just curious why you aren't leaving. There is plenty to do on this ship, is there not?" For the first time, this young man's tone changed from official to sweet and out spoken.

"No, no I just," pausing for a second I realized that I haven't been doing anything. Relaxing, yes, but there are so many things to do on this huge ship! I could be shopping at the gift shop, swimming in the pool, soaking in the hot tub, or even getting a professional massage at the Spa! "I don't really know what to do. I guess I figured that I have so much time to do everything…"

"That you would just relax the first few days?" He smiles his gorgeous, warm, inviting smile, again. "That's a great idea. I wish I could relax." The man offers his hand, "The names Antonio Valken, but you can call me Tony. My last name is spelled with a 'V' by the way. Even if it sounds like the word Walken." He smiles, like he knew I would ask sooner or later, "Its German."

The corners of my mouth turn upward slowly, "Good. Thanks for letting me know, because I defiantly needed to know that for lots of reasons."

"Well, when you are texting your friends about that hot ex-marine from the drill earlier today, you might want to know how to spell his name" Tony winks.

I let my mouth gape for a few seconds, "I don't think that will be happening anytime soon."

"Oh? And why would that be?"

"Because this girl," I reply, pointing my thumb to my chest, "is already in a relationship."

"Oh. Too bad." Tony pulls a chair over and sits on it so his legs are spread apart and the back of the chair is facing me. "I was hoping this lady could accompany me to the café for a cup of coffee."

I sit on the railing, facing him, "Just because I'm dating someone doesn't mean I can't go out with a friend for coffee."

"So we are friends?"

"Well," I think it over, "Okay acquaintance. It doesn't mean I can't go out with an acquaintance for coffee! You happy, now?"

"Yes, very."

"So, are you takin' me out for coffee today or tomorrow?" I smirk.

"What? I figured we would split the check!"

"No way! I'm a college student who doesn't have a penny to spare. And you're the one who offered to go out."

Tony puts his hands up in defeat. "Alright, alright I'll pay! Jezz. I just thought…" He forces some tears to spill from his eyes.

"You are so over dramatic!" I laugh and playfully punch him in the arm. My small fist makes direct contact with his bicep and I can immediately feel his rippling muscle through his thick navy blue vest.

"I should get going. I'll meet you here at 10:30 tomorrow morning?" Tony suggests, and I realize his eyes are back to normal

"Eleven-thirty." I respond. "I like to sleep in."

"Sure. See ya then." He smiles, and then stands up strait. Tony gives me a military salute and turns away to leave. Before even taking three steps, though, he turns around and offers to return my life-vest for me. I thank him and we say good-bye, again.

For some reason, thinking back on that conversation makes me smile. He is such a nice man. And he is way too persuasive. I would never let any other guy make a move on me like that without throwing a fit. Shaking my head, I hop down from the rail and make my way across the deck to the gift shop.

Walking into this room reminds me of a store at a mall at home, The Big Apple. The isles are full of racks of clothing, while the walls are coated with shelves of antiques and souvenirs. I let my eyes lead me around the store. When I am checking out a magnet that says, Live, Love, Cruise, and be happy, something on the counter catches my eye. A list of things you can order for your cabin!

"Can I help you Ms.?" I look up to a chubby woman, around 40 years old, watching me study the sheet of paper. Her heart-shaped face and large brown eyes glitter with the excitement of seeing a new customer.

"Um, yes how can I get the…" My eyes quickly scan the list for options and I decide on the first one I read. "…television in my cabin?"

"Oh, darling, that's easy. Just pay with me and I'll let the custodians know to bring a small TV into your bedroom. And it's only for the cheap price of twenty dollars per week!" She is obviously a sales woman.

"Alrighty then." I sort through my bills until I find a twenty and hand it to the woman. "One week is fine, thanks."

"Perfect, sweetie. Now what is your room number?" She asks happily.

"Room J36." I reply.

"Okey Dokey! But I am obliged to let you know that when you sleep that far down in the ship, there is a possibility of water leakage and you should place the television at high elevation. Thank you so much for shopping!"

"Thank you!" I take my receipt and begin my decent to the bottom of the ship.

At my cabin I undress and climb into my plaid, fuzzy, orange pajama pants and my pink camisole. I pull multiple blankets over my body and roll over, my back facing the door. The cot is uncomfortable, but it will do. As long as I have a place to rest I am happy. And although my mind is still flying from my conversation with Tony, (even though I would never admit it out loud) the unbelievably attractive man, I fall asleep quickly. And, sleep way past eleven-thirty A.M.