Awe, I just love the new reviews and story follows and favorites.

Thank you to everyone for your support.

Now, here is your Chapter 14…

I returned to my cabin after my brisk walk out on deck feeling refreshed. The tip of my nose was pink, and my face cold. I had ended up spending more time out there than I had intended. I spent the whole better half of the afternoon breathing in the chilly arctic air. Unfortunately, my new found vigor fizzled away when Cal stepped out of my bedroom.

"What do you want?" The voice came from my mouth but sounded nothing like me. It was cruel and vindictive. I watched as Cal was taken aback by my tone.

"I wanted to say that I'm-"

"That you're sorry? Well no, I'm the sorry one, Cal. I'm sorry that I ever fell in love with you. I'm sorry that I ever became entangled in your web, your web of lies." Then, I laughed; it was the laugh of a maniac. It came from somewhere outside of my body and scared me.

"Please, Charlotte, don't be like that baby…" He stepped forward, his hand brushing my cheek. I knew he expected me to melt, but that was out of the question. His touch felt repulsive on my skin, and I cringed.

"You don't get it. I'm done, Caledon. I've realized that you never really loved me like I loved you. I would tell you to go back to your precious Rose, but the thing is…she doesn't want you either." I shook my head stepping away from him.

"How dare you act like this to me?" He had put that snub-nosed snob look on his face, like he was so high and mighty.

"I'm only treating you how you deserve to be treated. For so long, I bowed down to your control. I did whatever you wanted; I was the perfect woman, but that wasn't good enough for you. As everything falls apart in your life, don't blame me. It is no one's fault but your own. You've ran Rose off; you made her miserable. Well, I'm standing up for myself now, too. You won't control me anymore." To my surprise, Cal listened without interrupting. He got a pitiful look on his face as he fell back onto the couch with a sigh. He looked up to me, and his face had grown kind.

"You're right. You are the perfect woman." He patted the spot next to him on the sofa, even managing a small smile. However, I refused to fall into the same routine that I had grown so accustomed to.

"Yes, I am." As I repeated this to myself, I realized exactly why I believed my own words, and it wasn't because of Cal. "Someone very kind has allowed me to understand that, a man who has shown me true compassion; someone who has shown me a kindness that you never did. He treats me like a human being, not like he owns me. That's the difference between you and him; I honestly believe he could love me one day. He might not yet, but at least he can one day. You, on the other hand, will never be able to really love me the way I deserve. I will only ever be second best to your money. I wish you luck, because with an attitude like that Cal, you will never ever satisfy any woman." For a brief moment, it was hurt and pain that I saw in Cal's look. Quickly, he resumed his ever present poker face.

"I suppose you're speaking of Mr. Andrews, hmmm? If you think he's so amazing, let's see how great you'll find him when he has no job."

"What are you talking about? You can't do that to him, can you?"

"Dear, you underestimate me. I've got many connections, and great deals of them happen to be with the heads of the White Star Line." He smirked, and it took all my willpower to constrain myself from smacking him across the cheek.

"Why do you do that? You always threaten people to get what you want, why not let people enjoy their own lives without interfering?" My question clearly took him off guard, but then he quickly moved towards me, wrapping me in his arms.

"Because I want you Charlotte Carter, and don't plan to let anyone steal you away from me that easily." I struggled to remove myself from his grasp.

"Let me go! You've already lost me. Regardless of Thomas, I couldn't bear to spend another moment as your girl. You are insufferable. I've wasted so much time loving you, but now, I finally realized that I must move on." His grip loosened, and I was able to slip away. Slowly, he made his way to the door. Before leaving, he glanced a solemn look full of sorrow in my direction.

"I'll leave you be now. Despite what you may think, I want you to be happy. Feel free to stay here the remainder of the voyage and pursue whatever you'd like with Mr. Andrews." With that, he exited quietly closing the door. I sat down breathing hard. I was exhausted, as it was so emotionally draining to not give in to him. I still loved him, but I just knew I had to do what was best for me.

Lou entered in to see me sobbing into my hands. Exasperation clear on her face as she comforted me like she had done so many times before. I had lost myself, and I felt bad that she had to deal with my tears so often. I wanted to be happy again. I truly did, and I had an idea of how I could make that happen. So, I asked Lou to help me clean up for dinner. She dabbed cool water along my red eyes and tear-stained cheeks. Then, it was time to dress. I chose a deep brown, satin gown that resembled the color of mahogany. It was rich like a dark chocolate. My mood wouldn't allow me to wear bright colors, but I refused to wear black. That color should be reserved for widows and funerals. Even better, the darkness of this brown made the brown color of my hair and eyes appear lighter. It made me feel like a new woman. Lou must have sensed this because she styled my hair in a completely new up do. I kept the makeup minimal and even smiled at myself. I was ready for dinner and ready to see Thomas.

My footsteps echoed around me as I made my way down the hall. My heart pumped rapidly. I was excited but nervous to tell Thomas my feelings during dinner. I reached the first class dining saloon with ease. The Titanic had become familiar to me, but she was not home. I could not wait to be free of her confines. I loved the ship, but she had ruined my life. Boarding her was a great mistake that I wished I could unmake.

People weren't being seated yet, so I searched amongst the groups of the now familiar well-dressed people for Thomas. I wandered along anxiously. As I passed more people, I began to wonder if he was even going to show at all. The doors opened, and the swarms of hungry socialites began to file in. I was swept with the wave and deposited within the middle of the room. I glanced around still searching for Thomas; instead, I found that Cal had also been pushed along to the center of the room. Our eyes met in an awkward exchange. He stepped forward but retained a slight distance. He made idle chat about the live music. I agreed that it was lovely, but then I caught sight of Thomas and rushed off in a whirl of my full skirts.

He saw me and his whole face lit up as he smiled his sideways smile. He may have been many years my senior, but he always looked like a young school boy with that grin. I threw myself into a hug with him. I told him how happy I was to see him, but decided to share my new found feelings with him after dinner. He directed us toward a table of older couples, and he explained that he had promised them that he would join them for dinner tonight. They were nice enough, and there was pleasant conversation throughout the evening. A few times throughout the dinner, Thomas would go and make his way throughout the dining room. He would sit briefly and chat as he made his rounds. Once he had finished, we were free to leave. He excused us from the table, helping me from my seat, and offering his arm. He guided us out of the masses of still eating and conversing people. I tugged a bit on his sleeve getting his attention. Then, I raised up onto my tiptoes to whisper into his ear, "I've got something to tell you, but we need some privacy for this talk I think." Seeing the gears turning in his mind made my smile grow even wider. He patted my arm and told me he had just the place.

So, we entered the lifts, and they took us down to second class. I followed his lead as he showed us down the winding halls. Down here, it was still beautiful, but more modest. It wasn't as lavish and over the top. Still, it was more than my mother and I could have ever hoped to afford on our own. We stopped in front of a cabin door, and Thomas began to fumble around with some keys. He slid the correct one into the door, and we entered the room. I walked in surprised at the difference in size from my own suite. The blueprints sprawled on the wooden desk told me right away that this was surely Thomas's own cabin.

"How's this fer private?" Thomas came and wrapped my body in his warm arms. Then, he began to slide his jacket off tossing it onto the desk chair, and now, I was definitely sure this was his quarters. I found myself confused.

"It's funny…I had always believed you would have stayed in First Class."

"Oh no, those aren't my people, Charlotte. Y'see, I'm not a big time business owner or an heir to a great family fortune. I'm just a hard-working shipbuilder." As he spoke, I could see the easy Irishman that he was. His simplicity hit me like a breath of fresh air.

"Those aren't my people either." I kept my eyes locked with his as I moved toward him.

"I knew ye were different. I could see that ye were real." His arms engulfed me yet again as he whispered into my ear, "Anyways, what was it that you were wantin' to tell me?" I felt my heart beating hard against his chest. I looked up into his soft eyes and smiled.

"I want you to kiss me Thomas Andrews." He drew me in even closer that I could even feel his heartbeat. I closed my eyes waiting to feel his lips delve into mine. I felt his breath right before he reached my mouth. I was eager and excited. There was the lightest flutter of touch on my mouth, but then it was done. I stood there a moment more; my eyes still shut hoping he was going to come back with the fervor I had been expecting his kiss to exhibit. He cleared his throat making me open my eyes. He didn't make eye contact with me and looked away bashfully. I touched my mouth wondering if he had even kissed me at all. Confused, I moved my eyes to the floor replaying the moment in my head.

"Did I…do something wrong?" I moved my focus back to Thomas and shook my head. Suddenly, I no longer wanted to be standing there. I felt bad for him. The tension in the room was smothering. I wasn't sure why he had kissed me like that, if he had even kissed me at all. Nonetheless, the whole situation just felt wrong. I second-guessed my decision about my feelings for Thomas. I was driven by passion, and it felt as if Thomas had none. Of course, I hadn't been expecting Thomas to tug at my hair wanting to ravish my whole body like Cal had always done, but there needed to be some kind of chemistry. I did not know how to approach Thomas with my question, so I decided the best thing to do was to be straight-forward.

"Thomas, did you feel any kind of spark when you kissed me, anything at all?" He fidgeted uncomfortably.

"To be honest, no," He quickly reached for my hand, "but only because I couldn't stop thinking about my wife." His answer hurt me. I nodded my head slowly. "It isn't yer fault, and I don't know why she was in my mind. I didn't want her to be, all I wanted to think about was you." He squeezed my hand, but I had no clue what to make of this or how to respond.

"Maybe it just wasn't meant to be between you and me." I choked back my tears, not wanting to show him my hurt. I had been so sure that this was what I wanted.

"Don't say that, maybe after…" I shushed him.

"This is all so confusing. I think it's best that I leave here tonight as your friend." I gave him a quick hug and began to move toward the door. He stood where I left him, just staring.

"I can walk ye back." His voice sounded weak, but he made no movement toward me.

"It would be better for both of us if I go alone." He nodded his head, and I knew he agreed.

Hmm, what'd you think?

Hope y'all enjoyed. There's more to come.

Sincerely,

Courtney Daisy