The fabric of this suit felt heavier, Jack could've sworn he was cold sweating. He was going to fight for his place at the table (quite literally) and for his relationship. Today they were going to meet with the new investors who were interested in closing a deal with the DeWitts, but they wouldn't treat him like a boy no, he would dress up and play the part.

Remember they love money, so just pretend you own a gold mine and you're in the club.

"Your hair looks good slicked back" Rose walked up to him

"Thanks, that makes me less nervous"

"Why are you nervous? I'm the one who must be. Inviting everyone an hour early so my mother wouldn't find out and delaying my death for another hour"

"You shouldn't worry about this, you're a natural born leader"

Dressed in straight white trousers and a green blouse with blunt sleeves, Molly arrived as if having tea. "Ain't nothing to it, is there Jack?" He stared at her blankly "Remember, the only thing they respect is money, so act like you've got a lot of it" She basically pushed the two of them through the glass doors. Let the hunt begin.

As they entered the swirling throng, Rose leaned closer to him, pointing out several notables. "There's the countess of Rothes, and that's John Jacob Astor, the richest man on the ship right now, his little wifey there Madeleine is my age and in a delicate condition, see how she's trying to hide it? Quite the scandal. And that's Benjamin Guggenheim and his mistress Madame Aubert. Mrs. Guggenheim is at home with the children of course... and over here we have Sir Cosmo and Lucile, Lady Duff-Gordon, she designs naughty lingerie among her many talents, very popular with the Royals"

Jack realized all eyes were on them. He was holding hands with Caledon Hockley's fianceé, of course all stares would be on him, what did he think?

At sight he was the heir to a railroad fortune perhaps, new money obviously but still a member of the club. Molly knew perfectly her way through the crowd, just like Rose, she had met everyone and had worked with most of them at least once.

"Hey Astor" Molly approached an older gentleman accompanied by his wife. Both of them dressed to the teeth for the gala.

"Well hello Molly, nice to see you"

"J.J., Madeleine, I'd like you to meet Jack Dawson" Rose introduced

"How do you do?" Madeleine shook his hand

"Pleasure"

"Hello Jack, are you of the Boston Dawson's?"

"No, The Chippewa Falls Dawson's actually"

"Oh yes" JJ nodded as if he's heard of them, then looked puzzled. Months ago, Jack would've lied or improvised something to make him look more important, but right now he didn't care about what anyone thought of him, he knew where he came from and was proud of it. He stayed true to himself.

"Cal's a lucky man. I know him well, and it can only be luck" they overheard someone say.

"How can you say that Colonel? Caledon Hockley is a great catch"

The blood ran down to their feet. None of them needed to turn around to verify that the voice belonged to Ruth DeWitt Bukater. The couple slowly made their way to the back of the room unnoticed where they found a fake plant to hid behind.

"I thought you said you moved the event an hour!"

"I did! She's not supposed to be here!"

"How she found out then?"

They got even more frustrated when someone on the other side of the plant cleared his throat for them to come out.

"Hiding something Rose?"

"A pleasure to see you Cal" The girl showed herself "We both know we're hiding something"

"And it better stays hidden. Just as your little stowaway. Very brave of you to invite him to a gala like this"

"Listen" one step closer and she would hit "If you think I'm ashamed of him think twice, because I'm not. What's more, why don't we take this opportunity to announce our breakup?"

"You wouldn't dare"

"I'm not wearing the ring"

"I'll bring you the necklace then"

"Cal! Nice to see you!" Molly to the rescue. "Should we get a drink? This is gonna be a long night" The dark-skinned said as she took off one of her rings and put it discreetly in Rose's finger.

"Right after you" He genuinely smiled and walked behind her, didn't even bother looking back at Rose or Jack.

"Alright, time to mingle. Are you ready?"

"I am"

"Don't be scared, just remember, you're my best friend until we say otherwise. And keep your hands to yourself, just do that and we'll be fine."

"Sorry"

Many people knew the girls and were very fond of them, so it was not difficult for them to accept Jack as well. The first evening atmosphere consisted of a lounge, high tables and a bar, with waiters constantly bringing small canapes and drinks from the kitchen. It was not difficult for Jack to find a topic of conversation, everything fluctuated between travel and art, the latter clearly being something much more subjective. The first impression of him: someone cultured.

The comparisons did not take long in showing, with the verdict from most of the attendees that Jack would be a better match for Rose. Of course, she had the last say, and who were they to judge? Finally, dinner was ready to be served.

"My cheeks hurt from smiling that much, how do you do it?"

"Imagine a world when everyone tells you that you should smile more"

"You have to smile to succeed?"

"Touché"

"Jeez... remind me to never tell you to smile..."

"You don't have to, when I'm with you I just do" Jack laughed "Go with Molly, I'll be with Cal" She instructed.

Jack took his place on the table and sighed. He didn't notice when Rose motioned surreptitiously for him to take his napkin off his plate.

"How do you like your caviar, Sir.?"

"No caviar for me thanks, never did like it much" The redhead smiled shyly. Is it because I told him I hated caviar?

Salad was served next, Jack reached for the fish fork, but Rose gave him a look and picked up the right fork, prompting him with her eyes. He changed forks.

"Are these all for me?"

"Just start from the outside and work your way in" Molly helped

"And where exactly do you live, Jack?" Not again...

"Well, right now my address is the RMS Titanic, after that I'm in God's good humor"

"And how is it that you have means to travel?" Why does Ruth hate me so much? Ma'am, don't you want to see your daughter happy? Please understand that I didn't screw up her relationship, it was already broke. If Ruth loves Hockley so much, why doesn't she adopt him already!

"I work my way from place to place, you know, Tramp steamers and such, but I won my ticket on Titanic here through a lucky hand in your scholarship program, a very lucky hand"

"All life is a game of luck"

"A real man makes his own luck Archie, right Dawson?"

"And you find that sort of ruthless existence appealing, do you?"

The last time Jack went through this, the intrusive questions drowned him... but not tonight. He wasn't hiding behind the paper anymore.

"We'll yes ma'am I do" Ruth didn't look so pleased, it wasn't the answer she was looking for. Nevertheless, Jack continued: "I mean, I got everything I need right here with me. I got air in my lungs and a couple blank sheets of paper. I mean, I love waking up in the morning not knowing what's gonna happen" he looked at Rose "or who I'm gonna meet" then took a glance at the beautiful landscape of Ibiza from the terrace "Or where I'm gonna wind up. Just last year I was sleeping under a bridge and now, here I am, traveling on the grandest ship in the world having champagne with you fine people, I'll take some more" he signaled to the waiter passing by. "I figure life's a gift and I don't intend on wasting it. You don't know what hand you're gonna get dealt next, you learn to take life as it comes at you. To make each day count"

"Well said Jack" Molly applauded

"Yeah yeah" Archie repeated

"To making it count" Rose proposed a toast which was gladly followed by everyone. She was so proud of Jack; he had just earned the whole table. This guy was something else.

With every minute, Cal Hockley became more and more vulnerable through the evening. He was no longer in power, no longer in control. His fiancée didn't depend on him, his family wasn't there... he realized he hadn't done anything by himself. All the things for which he was respected were thanks to his family. He felt empty, frustrated... helpless. He couldn't allow his secret to be known when he didn't have the upper hand. He had to do something!

"Join me for a Brandy, gentleman?"

"Next it'll be brandies in the lounge" Rose mouthed to Jack "And they retreat into a cloud of smoke and congratulate each other on being masters of the universe" he felt the need to laugh but resisted.

"Joining us, Dawson?" Gracie said, "You don't want to stay out here with the women, do you?"

"Sure, I would love to"

That was everything but expected. Rose and Molly exchanged glances. Jack was definitely a shark; they were wrong to judge the size of his gills. The rest of the men got up and headed to the lounge below the terrace, leaving the ladies at the round table to enjoy a clear and calm night sky.

"Are you coming Cal?" Jack remembered his manners

"Thank you, but i'll pass. I've got to go"

"Probably best. It'll be all business and politics, that sort of thing. Wouldn't interest you" In his rage, Cal got too close to Jack, looked at him in a menacing and vindictive way and exited the building a minute later alongside Lovejoy. When did the valet get here?

"Excuse me, I must cut a flower. Molly would you be so kind to join me? I don't wish to go alone" Rose said between the laughs and the teasing. Molly waited until they were out of reach to stop holding back her response.

"Cut a flower?! Who are you? The Queen?"

Both ladies laughed all the way to the first floor where the restrooms were and found Jack waiting for them outside.

"What are you doing here? I thought you were with the rest of the men?"

"I said I wanted to use the restroom, that's all"

"Well Cinderella, my job here is done" Molly said "Enjoy your evening guys, I'll see you tomorrow"

Both of them hugged Molly tightly, without her none of this would've been possible, neither the gala nor their relationship. The girl said her final goodbyes and went back to grab her bag.

"And by the way, they're all in. I'll send them the contracts this week"

"Congratulations!"

"God yes! Thank you! I have to call... the lawyer and an accountant and..."

He didn't let her finish, Jack had already his lips on hers. The kiss wouldn't be complete without a couple of gentle caresses, taking advantage of the fact that Molly was already gone. Caresses that betrayed the elegance of the event, but that needed to be lit anyways.

"You were amazing" Rose said when she had the chance to breath, her smile wasn't going anywhere at this point.

"Thank you for saving me, but I was only being myself"

"That's the best part"

The star-crossed lovers brought their lips together once more in a slow dance. Tired of struggling to reach her boyfriend, the girl jumped into his arms to deepen the kiss. They did not care much about the commotion that was taking place on the terrace, they were very busy celebrating their love.

"Yes, they were kissing on a video"

"That can't be, she's engaged to Hockley"

"Of course she can't commit to a man, she can't even commit to a diet"

"Neither her weight nor her health is a matter that concerns you."

"Oh, please Ruth, we're just talking"

"This is the video, look. That young man looks exactly like Jack"

Ruth knew perfectly well that her daughter had long ago changed suitors, the real fear was that this new one would not help her daughter much in society, he had absolutely nothing to offer. And she had to admit as well that she saw Caledon as a son after being in charge of him for so many months of travel, Ruth could not allow his name to be harmed. The teenagers' game had gone too far, she had to stop them both.

"Care to explain, young lady?"

Rose instantly regretted coming back to the table, all her allies were gone. Why had that lady saved this video on her phone? Get a life! She thought.

"That's acting, it was a joke"

"Is that Jack?"

She sighed "Yes, it is"

The boy turned around when he heard his name being called. Poor decision. "Is everything alright?"

"Everything alright young man, we were just talking about ladies' stuff"

"Wait, don't go. Stay" Rose demanded

"It's a women thing, right Rose?"

"There is no such thing. You are basically throwing us under the bus and disrespecting my relationship. At least do it in front of us, not behind our backs"

"A lady doesn't talk back, Rose. Ruth! Tell her something!"

"She can speak for herself. And she already told you, that video is fake"

"I never knew you were that... liberal. Kissing other boys when engaged..."

"It was acting!" Rose answered louder and angrier this time.

"I don't know how you plan to run a company when you're so emotional. That's why you need a strong man by your side"

"Excuse me, I need no one by my side! Neither does Molly and she runs various companies with an excellence performance if you must know"

"The black grain in the rice..."

"What did you say?"

"I mean. I'm just saying what everyone else is thinking. She probably has another business on the side..."

Rose took two steps closer to the lady completely furious but Jack was quick enough to hug her from behind and securing her arms so she wouldn't do anything that she would regret in the morning.

"LET ME GO! WHY ARE YOU NOT DEFENDING HER?!"

"You have to choose which battles you wanna fight! A fist fight with an ignorant person is not worth it!"

"Let me go!"

"Come on Rose, we're leaving" Ruth replied with the same fury. She couldn't stand this person anymore. After grabbing her and Rose's things, she walked back to the pier and back on the ship murmuring the worst.

"This wouldn't have happened if you hadn't gotten your nose in the business! The damage is done, don't fight with people anymore please"

"Are you defending her, Mother?"

"I am not. I'm saying you stay out of this; I know how to handle people like her. And you, keep your hands off my daughter" Ruth said with the most coldness as she pushed Jack's arms out of the way and grabbed Rose's hand.

"Mom!"

"You will never see this boy again; do you understand me?"

"Mom he's my-"

"Your what?"

"My boyfriend!"

"That's over now. And you. If I see you near my daughter ever again, I will have you expelled and off the ship in the next port. Do you understand me?"

"Yes ma'am" Jack whispered with a lump in the throat

"Mom please don't do this" Rose had started to cry

"You were fine before you met him! You didn't scream, you didn't fight, you always did what I told you to do, you were obedient. Look at you now!"

"But she wasn't living ma'am, she was broken"

"Don't talk to me like that, I know my daughter. She was fine and she is fine. She just needs a corrective" Her mother grabbed her arm and forcibly pushed her into the elevator.

"Jack! Wait no! JACK!"

Could he actually run after her? He knew she was probably gonna get hit tonight. She risked it all for him, he was willing to risk it all for her as well.

Jack headed for the stairs and ran up to first class. The suit felt even heavier, especially his pants. The adrenaline did not let him slap, there was only one thing in his mind: Rose. His phone rang midway through, he recognized the tone immediately.

I'm running away, meet me at the first-class entrance, the lobby near the elevators.

Alright, I have to come down again. The stress was consuming him, he leaned against the railing of the stairs to breathe a moment and wipe the sweat off his face before heading back downstairs. It was a long night already.

Jack opened the emergency door and sat in one of the couches to wait for his girlfriend. Nothing else was seen as his knee rose and fell in anxiety. At times he would stand up for a walk, putting himself at risk of digging a trench in the ground.

"Jack! There you are, I've been looking for you everywhere"

"Marina, right now it's not the time"

"Why are you so stressed? Is it tomorrow's exam?"

"Yes" he said, urgent to shut her up

Jack could really swear he lost consciousness for a second, but by the time he got it back, the blonde's lips were on his. Terrible reflexes Dawson.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't know how to tell you, I got carried away. Jack you are so beautiful, you have always been there for me, and you have supported me in everything. You really are an excellent companion and I know that you are leaving soon... I would like to continue seeing you; if you want to, of course"

Something red caught Jack's peripheral view. Rose had seen and heard everything. This couldn't be happening... not now! She trusted him, didn't she?

"What? NO"

"Is it because I'm older?"

"NO! I have a- Rose! ROSE!"

The poor girl's gaze was heartbreaking. She was hurt, and badly. She wiped away the tear of a broken malachite and ran off.

"Jack whats going on?"

"I have a girlfriend!"

"You what? You never mentioned it!"

"Fuck no! Just. Don't come looking for me, alright? We'll talk later. ROSE! COME BACK!"

Too late, the elevator door had already closed. The image of the girl hugging herself, giving herself the comfort, she needed so as not to break into a thousand pieces, that image would live in Jack's mind.

He had to get her before she reached the suite, her mother could not see her cry for anything in the world! And since Rose was the transparent person that she was, it was sure Ruth was going to be told everything. Or worse, Rose was going to hurt herself.

The boy put himself in her place, her self-esteem had been fluctuating since that day in Paris... no, he couldn't leave her alone. The first thing Jack spotted was a cleaning cart, he didn't think much about it and took a key card to get on the elevator and have access to her floor.

Something possessed him to open the door with the card without knocking, maybe the sound of vomiting coming from the bathroom.

"Baby don't do this!"

"DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO! YOU DON'T EVEN CARE ABOUT ME!" Rose screamed in a ragged voice. She had changed beforehand into a pair of soft pink jeans and a white shirt, which was already stained. "IF YOU CARED SO MUCH THEN WHY YOU KISSED THAT BITCH?!"

"Don't call her that. It was a misunderstanding! I didn't kiss her!"

"Let me guess, it was acting!"

"No baby, none of th-"

"DON'T CALL ME BABY"

"B- Rose please, don't do this. You know I love you. Don't throw-

"I don't want you! Get out!"

"Fine. Break up with me, hit me, do whatever you want, but I can't let you relapse again"

"I want Tommy..."

"What?"

"AT LEAST I KNOW I CAN TRUST HIM"

"FINE, I'LL GO GET HIM"

Jack stormed out of the suite burning in jealousy. Rose had known exactly which buttons to push. Fate had Tommy wondering how the dinner went, so it wasn't hard to find him; he was already stepping off the elevator.

"I was looking for you"

"What is that?!"

"What?"

"Jack is that... no... no! I told you to not do anything!"

"What are you talking about?"

"It's falling out of your pocket!"

Jack caught a glimpse at the hanging Swarovski's chain and recognized the object immediately. Fearfully, he took out the complete necklace before it fell.

"Why is this in my pocket?!"

"You tell me! Man, what did you do?"

"Hey guys, what- where did you get that?"

"It was in my pocket! I don't want it! Molly, have it!"

She stepped back "No no no. You have to return it to its owner"

"You're right" Jack mumbled. What was going on? One thing after another... How did the infamous necklace get there? That would explain the extra weight in his pants, but who and when could've put it in there?

'I'll bring you the necklace then'... The sudden appearance of Lovejoy at the gala... The proximity of Cal...

Of course! He put it in my pocket.

He found the door half open, an invitation to come in, truly. It didn't look like he had been there less than ten minutes ago, because the place was full of guards. Cal was there waiting for him, Lovejoy, Ruth as well as Rose.

"Cal, what's going on?"

All eyes fell on the necklace in the hands of the boy.

"I swear I didn't take it! Someone put it in my pocket I only came here to return it!"

"This drawing has your initials, right?"

"Real slick Cal, look at the date. That was ages ago"

"I know from a good source that you have been obsessed with the necklace for a long time. What did I tell you, dear? He also probably has some side chick whom he'd share the money with..." Cal whispered into Rose's ear.

"Don't listen to him Rose, don't!"

"One of the crystals from the chain is missing!" Ruth exclaimed

"Search him" Cal ordered. Lovejoy pulled at Jack's coat and Jack shook his head in dismay, shrugging out of it. The Master at Arms patted him down.

"You know I didn't do this, Rose, you know it"

"This is absurd, he's not a thief"

"Mr. Hockley" The Master at Arms pulled out the universal card Jack had borrowed. His face said it all.

"I just borrowed it, I was gonna return it..."

"An honest thief!" Cal celebrated "We have an honest thief here, don't we?"

A pair of handcuffs were placed on his wrists. The Master at Arms had ordered the guards to take him out of the suit and to the brig; Jack fought back but hurt his wrist in the process, this couldn't be happening.

"Wait! No! I didn't do it! Rose!"

"Come on son..."

"You know i didn't do it! Rose! ROSE!"

"Come on, there's a good lad, come on"

"YOU KNOW I DIDN'T DO IT! YOU KNOW ME!"