I am so sorry this took a while. I've been quite busy with school and there had been a few complications between me and my laptop. I realized that the last chapter was a wreck due to my grammar mistakes. I'm trying to improve. I tend to get B's for my English test but I just love to write and share it with others.
Enjoy! :D
Sitting on one of the couches in the waiting room with the other first-class guests, she pretended to be engrossed on a magazine she bought earlier while waiting for the gates to open. She peeked Gerry Dome leaning against a wall with his girlfriend. He was busy on his phone while she's busy checking her newly manicured nails. On the other side of the waiting room was Lionel. It seemed that he came alone. He's engaged on his phone too. In fact, most of the people in this room is! She wondered her eyes again, searching for the third person. The absolute mystifying person. Not that she cared but she wanted to make sure everyone was there or she'll have to explain to Dennis and unfortunately to Vince.
Nope. He's not here.
She began to look around the room again. He's not here. Either he is late or he knows what she's up to. With that thought, her heartbeat quickened a little. Late. He is definitely late.
The clear sound of a man from the PA system caught her attention. After a long wait, they finally allow the guests in. As expected, everyone stood on their feet and rushed to the gates. Lionel almost ran when the announcement was made. A woman and his husband made a dash to the gates and practically dragging their children along. Talk about child abuse! Looks like everyone's excited.
But she stayed put. There's no way she's joining the stampede. That'll be immature and unprofessional of her. A crew member tried to control the crowd by yelling at them to be calm and line up but it all fall on deaf ears. Sadly, only a few obeyed as the crews led them gradually across the gangway. Stephanie slowly shook her head, witnessing the chaos. She's the only one sitting in that area other than latecomers who passed by the waiting area and went straight to the gates. At least, that's what she thought. She continued to read her magazine. How to survive a shark attack was the topic of the article that caught her attention. At first it was a peaceful read until she heard a high pitched chuckle somewhere in the area. There's no mistake the voice belonged to a woman. Her eyes darted around. There's no other woman around here except for her. It must've been her imagination but as the chuckles commenced again, she began to feel annoyed. She's not imagining this. Angrily, she stood up and walked around the room searching for whoever owns that very annoying and disturbing chuckle.
Her search came to a halt as she found the owner of the voice at a section of the room that she hadn't noticed before. In front of her glares, sat a woman talking on her cell. She must've been hearing something obscene to make her laugh like that. Just by looking at her, we can conclude that she works as a model. Her black hair was done straight to match her outfit; an exquisite looking sundress and bright red pumps. To her idea, she couldn't exactly describe the colour of the sundress as she had never seen it before. Maybe it's in the reds category but it sometimes look like it belonged to the oranges.
Veruca. She recognized. A few days before the cruise she'd been doing a little digging around herself of her victims, their companions and associates. Stephanie cleared her throat loudly hoping the woman will stop her disturbingly irritating giggles. The woman noticed her and realized her wrongs. "Oh, sorry…hey babe I have to go and you better get here fast…I love you too," the woman hung up and kept her phone in her handbag. "I'm so sorry if that bothers you. My boyfriend is running extremely late." She said in a heavy British accent.
"I can tell. Is it work?" Stephanie queried as the woman stood and straightened herself before picking her bag on the couch. In her mind she thought about her third victim. No doubt Veruca was talking to him. Stephanie gave a quick smiled knowing that the woman was as tall as her. She expected taller.
"It is. Ugh! Workaholics!" She snickered. "Veruca Pettigrew by the way," she introduced herself and stretch out a hand which was immediately shook by Stephanie.
"Stephanie." she told her. Unbeknownst to Stephanie, Veruca is mentally rating her looks. Her odd gaze made Stephanie a little uncomfortable and quickly decided to leave, "I think I better get going, the crowd must've gone. Are you waiting for him?"
"No need. I'm already here." She heard an unfamiliar voice behind her and suddenly froze. Slowly, she turned around and met his gaze. Paul Levesque she told herself. "Hey, babe." He looked past her and gave Veruca a small wave. An excited Veruca then happily skipped towards her boyfriend and pecked him on the lips before holding on his bicep.
"You made it! I knew you lied the distance you gave me. You should stop lying to me Paulie. If you really get here late and miss the ship, I'll be left alone there and-"
"I here now. No worries." He assured bluntly. He turned to Stephanie who was standing awkwardly nearby the two. With no hesitation, he held out a hand to her, "Hi, I'm Paul." He said and flashed a smile.
That smile made her heartbeat quicken a little more. What was that? She asked herself. Instead of thinking further, she accepted his hand and smiled back. "Stephanie." She stated simply. Their eyes locked for a minute there. He looked more handsome that the pictures that's for sure though he was just wearing a simple t-shirt and jeans with his blonde hair tied into a neat ponytail. Noticing that their hands are still locked and Veruca eyeing her, she quickly let it go with an innocent smirk, "I better get going. The gates should be cleared by now."
"Yeah, you should." To her surprise, Veruca said that. Paul lowly glared at her and shook his head. She really is spiteful! To say that it offended Stephanie, it didn't. It's a part of her job to be professional in harsh conversations so if Veruca spits fire all over her, then so be it. She could kill her as a result of her actions. If only that was allowed.
Stephanie shifted, getting ready to walk away. Paul noticed that she was looking a little uncomfortable. His features soften again as he spoke, "We'll see you soon Steph. It's nice to meet you."
Oh, you will.
"Perhaps…and it's nice to meet you too." And with that, she turned around and walked to the gates. Her eyes rolled recalling Veruca's bitter words as she crossed the long gangway.
"She's rather plain isn't she?" Veruca questioned her partner when Stephanie was out of sight.
Paul laughed huskily. He just knew the answer to that, "I don't think so babe. I don't think so…."
Meanwhile, back on the ship, once she was in, she was amazed by the plush interior of the lobby. Well, unlike other cruise ships, the walls are perfectly painted with a light purple color with gold boarders. Soft grey carpets everywhere! A staircase is located right beside an elevator that leads to various floors. Not to mention the main attraction of the lobby, a grand crystal chandelier hung on top of the room with pride. The place was crowded, not only with most first-classers but others too including two of her targets. After a little stroll around the lobby, she decided to leave the rowdy place and find her cabin.
Her cabin, or should I say suite, was luxurious even for a small space. There was a mini bar at one corner including a marble counter top. The living room was set with two couches and a TV mounted on the wallpapered wall. Stephanie padded pass those and made her way to the bedroom. She slide the wooden sliding doors open and almost gasped at the sight of the king sized bed. That is way too big. She thought to herself. Then again Dennis must've wanted her to have a 'comfortable' vacation. She went back to the doorway to retrieve her baggage that was sent in earlier and took it to the bedroom. While she unpacks, an announcement was made mentioning that the ship will set sail was heard from a speaker somewhere in the hallway.
She rummaged the secret compartment in the bag and started to pulled out her two precious items, a small bottle of liquid-a gift from one of her friends from the dark side and a soundproof handgun with three bullets. One for each if necessary. She reminded herself. She's not really a fan of messy endings like most people like her do. Usually she'll find an alternative way than killing a person with a gun but sometimes she just had to do it. She placed the items on the bed. At the corner of her eye she noticed a small folded gold card in the middle of the bed. Stephanie picked it up and read:
Dear Miss McMahon,
Welcome and thank you for picking Aphrodite as your choice of cruising. We would like to invite you to our First Night dinner which will be joined by the captain and the owner of this vessel tonight at seven. Feel free to call room service for any necessary needs.
Below the note, an unfamiliar scribbling was written.
Vince called. I know. Welcome aboard! –Harvey-
A smiled graced her lips as she read. Harvey, of course! "This is going to be fun," she told herself and continue to unpack.
"Stephanie!" Paul raised his hand to get her attention. Well, it certainly did. She was a little late that night. Stephanie shot him a genuine smile before he gestured her to his table then to the empty seat beside Veruca. As Stephanie walked to their direction, Veruca cursed her under her breath lowly so Paul wouldn't hear. But that's not enough.
"What's that?" Paul asked her. She plastered a fake smile to him, "Nothing,". She ensured him.
"I thought she was your friend."
"She's not,"
Paul sighed heavily. He utterly know his girlfriend when it came to him and other 'unmarried' woman. Veruca is much famous with her jealousy. And now, with Stephanie walking to their direction its written all over her pretty face.
"I hope you don't mind sitting with us. I mean, well, all the seats are occupied. By the way this is Benjamin Ray and his wife Sophia." Paul introduced her to middle aged man and woman sitting there as they shook hands. He pulled her out the chair beside Veruca. "Thanks," That was sweet of him. Veruca eyed her then to her boyfriend. He's just being kind. Veruca told herself.
"I've read about you in magazines. Top investors of the world, right?" Stephanie asked.
"That's us indeed so watch out!" joked Ben. They all laughed as Sophia swatted his arm, "Don't mind my husband. He's a little giddy sometimes,"
The four coursed dinner went well than Stephanie expected. The presence of Ben and Sophia had made things less awkward. She did notice Veruca trying to spill her wine on her dress but the attempt was seen by Sophia and she quickly asked Veruca multiple questions which eventually changed her mind. What is it with her? There was one question…a common one, a question that which she could not lie about it and couldn't run away from it. Vince's orders.
"So Stephanie, what was your last name again? I didn't have the chance to know." Ben asked.
Without hesitation, she answered, "McMahon. My last name is McMahon"
The face made Veruca, Paul and Ben was priceless. A few people nearby who heard their conversation stopped and looked. Sophia smiled at her pleasingly, unsurprised. Ben choked his food and began coughing for air, Paul nearly spill his drink from his mouth and she swore she saw Veruca's jaw dropped.
"McMahon? I thought…" Ben paused, "I thought Vince doesn't have a daughter. He have a son…what was his name...Shane isn't it?"
"He's my brother."
"Vince McMahon doesn't have a daughter," Veruca stressed.
"Well, we certainly know he have one now," Sophia stated.
They didn't bring out that topic again. Stephanie noticed Paul was quiet during that particular conversation and she was grateful that no one asked about the rivalry between their family company. An hour passed and the five of them were still engrossed with conversations. Although, Paul and Veruca, Stephanie, and the Rays were newly friends, they got along just fine. Except for one of course. They talked about business and how the cruise has been so far.
"You know, I've been wondering…" Ben scratched his chin and continued, "why do they named it Aphrodite?"
"Because she is one beautiful ship!" A voice told them. They turned to the direction of the voice and found a man in his fifties patting Benjamin on his shoulder and smile proudly at them, "Harvey Jenner by the way. Owner of Aphrodite. I see all of you are having a great time,"
Veruca was the one who spoke first, "We are actually. It's an honor to meet you. The name suits the vessel itself. And the meaning is surely lavishing!" She said.
Sophia gave her a wicked grin, thinking that this will be a good opportunity to mess with her, "And the meaning is?"
"The meaning is…is…" Veruca trailed her words. She felt the five pairs of eyes watching her, waiting for an answer. "I'm so sorry. I believe I've forgotten. It must be the wine." She raised her glass with an embarrassing smile.
"Aphrodite is the goddess of beauty and love. In Greek mythology of course. That's what the ship is, beautiful and we're in love with it. The goddess Aphrodite was born from the sea which also symbolizes the ship that's suppose to sail at sea. A beautiful name for a beautiful ship Mr. Jenner. " Stephanie told them. She blushed as they stared at her stunned. Sophia smile in satisfaction as she looked at Veruca. Her jaw practically dropped. Paul stared at her in amazement.
"Finally! Someone who gets it. I hope you all have a wonderful time with Aphrodite. For the guys, there's a club on the fifth floor and for the ladies, you're welcome to enjoy the spa." They exchange thanks and Harvey was off.
Paul turned back to Stephanie, "You read a lot?"
Stephanie nodded and pushed a stay strand of hair behind her ear as he smiled at her. She's blushing again. She should stop. She should really, really stop. They stared at each other for a few seconds until Veruca pulled Paul to her direction and gave him a kiss. That ended a minute later and they both stood from their seats, "Sorry guys but we have to get going. We'll see you tomorrow?" The remaining crowed at the table nodded.
"Don't worry Paul we understand. We'll be off soon." Ben winked at the two and took a sip of his wine. Veruca and Paul continued their way out of the dinning hall and to their cabin.
"What a bitch!" exclaimed Sophia. Stephanie snickered and Ben fell into a fit of laughter by her statement. "Seriously, she did that on purpose. Paul was dreamily gazing at Stephanie and she totally ruin it."
"He's not 'dreamily gazing' at me Sophia," Stephanie told her. Even if she knew it was true, even if she wanted it so bad, she doesn't want to believe it. She was there for work and a vacation at the same time. She have to stop all this nonsense. "Anyway, he have Veruca."
"Yeah, that girlfriend from hell!" she exclaimed again. This time, all of them laughed together in agreement.
In her cabin, she's all set for bed. After gossiping about Veruca earlier, Stephanie excused herself and went to her cabin as exhaustion haunt her. Sophia and Benjamin decided to enjoy the rest of the night at the casino.
She padded lightly to her bedroom and climbed on to the cosy bed. She tucked herself in and awaited sleep but something or should I say some people ware making noises next door. What the hell? She sat up on her bed and cursed whoever's making the noises. That's until she knew what are the noises are actually for. Desperate for sleep, Stephanie twists and turns hoping that sleep will overcome her soon. The pillows that were covering her ears are making her even more uncomfortable. She almost gave up when she heard a loud scream of a woman from next door. That voice was very, very familiar to her and the worst thing is, she's screaming a name…Paul's name.
"You have got to be fucking kidding me." She spoke out loud. She took the pillows and blanket and brought it to the couch in front before sliding the bedroom door shut.
Scratch the fun; this is going to be a hell of a cruise.
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