Chapter 4

Melissa hadn´t told them more of her than would have been necessary. Only a few things in which nobody should have interest in. It surprised her that Hockley had showed interest. And not only interest. Everytime she told something about herself he had listened. Everytime.

"I haven´t introduced myself yet. My name is Ruth Dewitt Bukater, Rose´ mother. May I ask you why you call your marriage unhappy?", a woman asked. She looked like Rose with the same fiery red hair but she was much older. Melissa hadn´t even noticed that the word "unhappy" had slipped out again.

By then Melissa saw a quick movement with the corner of her eye. It was Rose turning her look towards the ground. She was obviously ashamed by her mother.

But it would have been more than rude not answer her mother´s question so I did after a short nod. "Let me tell you about it so far that love has never existed in this marriage. I without love I´ll never marry anyone again. The marriage lasted only seven years but that was still too much before he died."

All people on the table didn´t even dare to swallow the food they were eating. This time really everyone had listened.

Especially Rose seemed to be touched by her story. She shook her head barely noticable. "Would you please excuse me?", she then asked and left the table.

Melissa took her chance of getting away from the whole situation. She couldn´t deny that she felt quite uncomfortable among this people: "I´m afraid I have to leave also. Again I want to thank you for inviting me tonight. I enjoyed your company but unfortunately I must go back now. Goodnight."

The young woman got up from her seat, turning to leave as she heard Hockley´s voice: "Ms. Thompson, if you don´t mind I walk you back to your cabin?"

That wasn´t really a question but still she waited for him to walk over to her. She didn´t know why she had taken his over. It couldn´t be out of respect because she felt non for those stuck-up people.

In deep silence they wlaked through the long corridors. From time to time their eyes met but not a word was spoken. Melissa soon realized that walking through a second class area was very bad for Hockley´s pride. But right that fact made her smile. Her arm was still linked to his and showing him around in a lower class was amusing for Melissa. "It´s right here", she told his after a time, that had been too long for his liking, and pointed at her cabin´s door.

Reaching into her purse she took out 200$ and handed them to him. "Your money, Mr. Hockley."

But to her surprise he just shook his head instead of taking it and replied: "No, I want you to keep it. Mr. Lovejoy, my valet, was so kind and found somebody to repare the watch for free. That frees you from all debts."

"But I thought the money was the reason you walked me here for", Melissa said truthfully. She was confused of his sudden behaviour and the smile he gave her.

Hockley already took a few steps backwards so that she wasn´t able to give it to him though. "Actually not. But you´re right, I´m here for a reason."

Melissa´s eyebrows narrowed in confusion: "And the reason would be?" This senseless conversation made her smile by accident. "It´s not because of the watch. After everything you said tonight I expect you to have a need for talking about it. If you need somebody, I´ll be there", he said, now also smiling.

She soon found her normal expression she showed arrogant-money-people usually and called him back. He had turned to leave again.

"What makes you think I need to talk? I mean, to you, of all people?", I asked him. Again this stupid grin had to appear on her face. Hockley shrugged and with a "I bid you a good night, Ms. Thompson!" he was gone.

Melissa felt as if she couldn´t understand the world anymore. All the questions he hadn´t answered her kept spinning in her head.

Walking into her cabin she sat down on her bed. The faces of all people she had met on her first day reappeared in her mind and also formed opinions about them. Rose had looked so touched by her past that maybe she could identify herself with it. But she didn´t much about this red-head. Only one thing was for sure: Hockley would be the last person she would ever to talk to.

So Melissa could only hope that she wouldn´t have to do with those people again. They could do with all their money what they wanted.