Faking It(17)
Before long, the deckhands had safely dealt with the fire on the mast and Captain Harper was addressing us, reassuring us that all was well. Apart from the mast, he told us, there was no damage to Aphrodite and no further cause for alarm. The boat’s radio was now out of order, but the internet was still working and, in case of dire emergency, there was a satellite phone. “That’s life at sea, folks,” he ended with, cheerfully.
Obviously shaken by the accident, the mood in the dining room was somber. Each couple or, in D Cash’s case, threesome, cuddled together while Sarah, Misty, and Tanya served drinks and tried to remain upbeat.
As the time rolled past three in the afternoon, however, we saw the clouds part and radiant, heavenly sunshine began to scorch the sundeck, steaming away the gathered raindrops with alarming speed. Surprisingly, Ada was first to run back to the light, dragging me with her and discarding her bikini top almost immediately, then demanding I rub oil into her bare shoulders and back. The other girls quickly followed us and soon, with the skies clear and the ocean mirror-flat once again, it was like nothing had happened. The stewards went back to their shifts, two serving drinks while one rested below, while my friends returned to their alcohol, sunshine, and sex-fueled frolics again in the lead up to dinner.
Misty
Following the same plan as yesterday, I ate below as Tanya and Sarah served dinner. Our togas were gone, replaced by our stewards’ black, Asian-inspired tunics, and we’d toned down our makeup. Still, I was more simply pushing food around my plate than actually eating. The roast lamb and potatoes Tarquin had made for the crew were excellent, of course, I just couldn’t seem to stomach it.
“Don’t worry, darling,” soothed Tarquin as he spooned out crème br?lée mixture into a set of small bowls, “I doubt I’d have much appetite after yet another near-death experience.”
“I know, right?” I agreed but, inside, that was nothing like what I was feeling. So yesterday, I thought to myself, that was fun. I fall off the boat on purpose to see if he’ll save me. Today was scary. I would have actually died if he hadn’t tackled me out of the way. That asshole! Why does he have to go and make it so hard to hate him? I need this revenge; I owe it to my father.
Tanya came down the galley steps. “If you’re not up for working tonight, babe, I can cover for you,” she offered, kindly.
“Thanks, Tanya, you’re the best. But I got this,” I told her. I had some stuff to work out.
“If you’re sure?” she smiled. “Then, you’re up.”
Dinner was over and I was left by myself with the guests. It looked as though it might not be such a long night after all. Henry was already doing tequila shots with D Cash and Ruby and, before long, had to retire. Bella helped him to his cabin, but she didn’t look happy about it, yet again.
Paul now had Veronique and Britney in their tiny bikinis, leaning against the yacht’s rail, posing for his camera in front of the glorious sunset. And, even though it was clear skies over Aphrodite, the still-present storm clouds in the distance made the setting sun appear even more spectacular as it lit up the retreating cumulus with fiery oranges and reds. The girls called me over to pose with them for a few shots, and Paul was over the moon, jabbering furiously about his three gorgeous blondes. But, as the shutter kept clicking, the sexy, nearly naked babes began slowly kissing each other, gradually becoming ever more passionate. Not wanting to get caught up in this over-familiar and potentially dangerous situation, I excused myself back to the bar.
I noticed D Cash and Ruby soon slinking off together, while the blonde on blonde make-out session was getting so heated it was becoming embarrassing. It was getting tough to look away, so I had to politely but firmly suggest they retire to somewhere a little more private. Paul was more than happy to escort the two beauties below deck. I wondered, as D Cash had made no fuss about giving up one of his women, if the two playas had come to some sort of arrangement. If so, I asked myself, what were the terms?
“Sorry to be the one to tell you,” Tyler’s voice made me jump slightly as I watched the new threesome disappear below deck, “but you’ve made a pretty huge error.”
Uh-oh! I got that knot in my stomach again, the one that appeared every time I felt like I’d been found out. I summoned my best, reinforced smile.
“Oh really? I never make mistakes, Tyler, you should know that by now,” I told him, as brazen and cocky as I could manage. I poured another large measure of twenty-five-year-old Glenmorangie into Tyler’s glass, as Ada sauntered up to the bar and rested both hands on his shoulder.
“Ada pointed it out,” he offered.
The knot in my stomach grew even larger. I should have guessed. Not only was Ada incredibly attractive, she was devastatingly intelligent. I should have been worried more about getting found out by her. Men will fall for a pretty smile, I reminded myself, it’s the women you are trying to cross that are the real danger.
“Minerva,” said Ada, cryptically. I stared blankly into her beautiful Japanese face. “You guys used Roman gods and goddesses for your party. The Goddess Athena is from Ancient Greece. The Greek capital city of Athens is named after her. In Ancient Roman mythology, Athena is known as Minerva.” She was smiling as she schooled me. There seemed to be no malice, Ada appeared to be merely imparting some knowledge for fun, making pleasant conversation, yet I couldn’t help but feel like she was claiming some kind of a victory. Ada turned to Tyler. “It was one of my favorite subjects when I was at school in England,” she smiled at him.