"What happened to your hand?!" Rose almost choked on her fish.

"Oh, you finally noticed" Jack was irritated, and he had every right to be; they had seen each other three times that day and she hadn't realized he was wearing a wrist splint until now. Tommy, who was sitting between them, pretended he wasn't listening to their conversation and continued loosening his oyster as if nothing was happening.

"I'm sorry I look into people in the eye when I talk to them"

"I literally grabbed your hand! Don't tell me you didn't feel the fabric of the splint"

"I did not! I was focused on our conversation!"

Tommy just took a sip of his champagne, enjoying the gossip and his night off studies. Halong Bay had been one of his favorite destinations so far. The garden of Islands was absolutely stunning, the caves, the people, the food... everything. He would definitely be coming back.

"That's why I didn't call you last night! Here in steerage we can feel every movement of the boat, and due to the rough waves I fell on my hand and had to spend the night in the infirmary because I couldn't walk back to my cabin"

"But are you okay?"

"I can't move my hand, Rose"

"For how long?"

"Two weeks"

"Oh god, baby..." Rose leaned in to kiss Jack right in front of Tommy, who didn't hesitate to show off his disgust at the public display of affection "If only I had known... poor thing, are you okay? Want me to kiss it to make it feel better?"

"I wouldn't have come if I'd knew I'd be third wheeling..."

Inwardly, Jack was satisfied. His ego had stood up at the top of the podium, he was Rose's leading man and now he had proven to be just that. Although Tommy was his friend, he couldn't hide his jealousy.

"You are not third wheeling. Besides I wanted you to come because there is something I want to tell you..." Rose took a deep breath, after telling this she couldn't back down. "I'm taking over"

Tommy's eyes shined with pride as he cracked a smile. He had tried to convince her for quite some time now to take the rails of her family's business and she was finally seizing the opportunity, in her own terms, at her own time.

With each passing day, Jack could witness his girlfriend growing stronger, recovering both physically and mentally. She was standing up for herself.

"And i would like you to be my partner, Tommy"

Tommy's chin fell open, did he hear it right? DeWitt Constructions was one of the biggest construction companies in the world, how was this happening? He was only twenty-three and already given the best job offer of his life! For the first time, he was left speechless.

"Rose I... thank you! Thank you thank you thank you!" With the amount of energy to jump ten stories, he got up and hugged Rose then kissed her in both cheeks. Jack grabbed him by the belt and sat him down.

"But I don't have anything attractive to offer"

"I don't want your money; I want your knowledge. You're enrolled in another business masters back in Ireland and you've shown me time and time again how intelligent you are. Tommy you are so wise, and cultured. I wish more people could meet this side of you. What I ask of you is your advice, and your strategies of course. I can take care of the rest"

Thomas Ryan wouldn't call himself wise or cultured, ever. He was determined to come across care-free and sarcastic all the time, but deep, deep inside, he knew he was a little nerdy. Growing up always being the smartest in the class, of his whole generation really; and graduating with honors, he made his mission to become a new person this trip, he wouldn't be known for being smart, oh no, he would get away from all that and start fresh. He was tired of people liking him only because he would explain things to them or help with homework, he wanted some real friends who didn't "gave a shite" as he would say.

"Thank you again Rose, this means so much to me"

"Thank you, for being my friend"

"Cheers to you both" Jack proposed a toast, raising high his own glass of champagne. So that's why Rose ordered the bottle earlier...

"This is going to be great! With your knowledge, Molly's network, and my resources, I think we will make a great team"

"Is Molly here too?"

"Yeah, I talked to her before dinner"

"Wow this is amazing! I'm partners with Margaret Brown!" He had to say it to believe it.

"Jack, have you saved any money?" Rose asked

"Not really, I just got back to work today... why?"

She would happily give them out to him, but she knew him better. He would never accept it, besides, she wanted to explain alongside with Tommy exactly what she was offering in exchange of what.

"I would like to offer you some shares, if you want them"

"What?" Did they just involve him? He was really being asked to engage in a business conversation. He was being included.

"The price right now is insanely low; you can buy as many as you want"

"Jackie do it, I'll do it for you if you want, it's easier than you think!"

"Wait. Go back, you want me to invest or something like that?"

"You can buy a share for a few dollars, we invest that money you gave us, and return it to you with a little extra cash"

"It's a passive way of earning money. A passive income." Tommy added

"If it's that simple then, no offense but, why doesn't anyone wanna do it?"

"Because they think the company is already bankrupt, they know the relationship with Hockley Steel is in a tightrope, and after we announce our breakup, they'll think the company will be in hands of a little rich girl who doesn't know how to tie her shoes"

Rose was right. Why would anyone expect three youngsters to run a company of international stature? Of course, they couldn't do it alone, they had the support and leadership of the team who was already working in the company, her father's friends and confidents; Rose had known these people all her life, they all had dedicated more than a decade to this company and wouldn't let it sink.

"Alright. You know I fully support you, no matter what you do" Jack lovingly grabbed her chin and sealed their deal with a kiss.

"It's not just for me, it's also for you" his smile turned into a serious gesture "When we dock, you'll continue living in the streets, and i know you're happy that way... but i also know you want to go to college, and I have a feeling you also want to finish high school... I wouldn't ever interfere with your bohemian lifestyle, i just want you to have a roof on top of your head when you need it and food on the table when you want it. I don't promise millions straight away, but at least a fair amount to pay rent and a couple blank sheets of paper"

His eyes filled with tears when he heard her, Rose respected him so much... she really wanted the best for him, even if that meant not being by his side. Jack hugged her tightly before he could start crying.

He would buy a small studio somewhere near Rose, where he could watch the sky and paint it. He would assemble a studio where he could draw, do photoshoots, and experiment with the walls. A small bed at the end of a picture wall where he would keep the best memories of the trip. A big kitchen where his best friend could cook when he came over and that he could turn into a dance floor for Rose. He would also have a special place to hang his backpack, his only companion for all these years, the place where he would keep the same keychains he hadn't and probably will never use, the same tic tacs he forgot were there and his father's watch, the only thing that survived the fire.

For the first time in his life... he had a plan. And was anxious to pursue it.

"We're gonna need this" Rose handed Tommy her notebook

"What is this?"

"It was my father's diary. I sort of took over, as you can see"

"Alright, perfect" Tommy scanned the pages

"I'm so proud of you baby"

"Wait, I have to do something first..."

"Is it a video?" Jack questioned out loud when he felt the camera lens on him. As usual, he froze, not knowing what to do, while Tommy was happy to toast to the camera and make a sign.

"Dinner...with...friends...location...Vietnam... and, post"

"What are you doing?" He chuckled

"I posted a video because i wanted to. I changed my password; nobody has a say in what I do or don't post anymore"

"You're flying away, I love it"

"You taught me how, I just had to free fall first"

"Again, you two are disgusting"

Fabrizio had the night off and was eager to spend the night by himself, so he went to the buffet to have some dinner and continue reading his book. Tonight, he would treat himself from the ship's new Rooftop Specialties. Sat in a table for two against the wall, he enjoyed the classical music as he tasted some roasted potatoes. The warm lightning allowed him to read without forcing his sight, which he did until he sensed someone approaching, he didn't bother taking his eyes off the page; he figured it was the manager or one of the chefs asking if everything was alright. He mentally prepared to answer but was encountered by a much younger gentleman.

"Hey"

Fabrizio put his book down and lifted his head to meet the owner of that nasal but still silvery voice. He found a pair of slanted eyes and a mess of dark hair standing before him, as the Italian boy met his gaze, the trainee reacted with a smile making his eyes disappear.

"How are you doing?"

"Uh... good, good. How 'bout you?"

"I'm glad. Good, thank you. What are you having?"

"Uh... roasted potatoes"

"Are they good?"

"Uh yeah, they're good"

"Have you tried the cheese tea?" The boy standing switched his weight onto the other foot, making Fabrizio realize this was an actual conversation. He closed his book. "It tastes kind of cheesecake"

"Really?"

"Yeah, I mean it's not in the menu, but I know of a few places on land where you can find it... if you want to, of course"

Fabrizio glanced at the hour. They were sailing after midnight; he couldn't risk it. "Uh it's late, next time I guess" Luckily, he didn't have school tomorrow since it was his B Day, a day when his only class was English at 18:00. He was disappointed that they were only staying a day in the country, but he understood they spent a big amount of time in Australia fixing the ship, so they had to make up for it.

"Where's blondie?"

"Who?"

"You're always here with him... I mean not that I've been stalking you it's just... you come here almost every night, and this is one of my tables so..." One of his tables? It says trainee on his badge. Is he like a waiter or something? He looks like he's in his early twenties. How is he working on a cruise? They ask for a ton of experience, don't they? Is he enrolled in the school? The thought of seeing the boy again made Fabrizio shiver. He came back to reality to find an expectation of an answer.

"Oh! Jack? No, he's with his girlfriend"

"He has a girlfriend?"

"Yes"

"And do you?"

"Do I what?"

"Have a girlfriend"

"Oh no..."

"And a boyfriend?"