Chapter 4

4

That's it. I can't believe that I did it. I can't believe what just happened. I was dumbfounded while my friends got ready because it was almost seven o'clock and we had to go to the lobby for our DTR.

"Hey? What's wrong with you?" Seji asked when she noticed that I was just sitting and staring at something.

"Who owns this?" I almost ran the distance between me and Hennah when she was already holding the white longsleeve that Maddix had put on me last night. 

I grabbed it from her and looked away.

"What's your problem? You don't need to just grab it harshly." Hennah frowned while looking at me.

"Did you go out last night?" Seji asked again while staring at my hand. "You don't wear things like that," she added.

"I-I didn't go out," I stammered while saying that.

I don't know. I'm confused. I should be happy, right? That's a huge improvement, but why am I thinking about our kiss last night instead of the next thing I'm going to do to get closer to him?

I'm just 18, but I've already kissed some guys. Kissing is not new to me, but why is it so hard to get rid of it in my mind? Until now, I can still feel Maddix's lips on me, and I hate that!

I held my breath. Of course. What do you expect? He is 26 years old—way older than you, Aliyah. He is a really good kisser. Fvck! I can't believe that I am thinking things like this.

He has more experience. His good looks are the big evidence that many women have passed through his life. I can't believe myself that, in the middle of my anger towards him, for a few minutes I lost my mind thinking about him. I was so distracted by the way his lips owned mine. His lips are so good. And his caresses made me fvcking weak.

I just hope I don't see him now. I didn't know how to face him and looked normal. Fvck! This is. Not really good.

I knew I had to approach him and make a way, but I couldn't help but wish I didn't see him now. I'm disgusted with myself because I did enjoy his kiss.

I looked so drunk while kissing him. I enjoyed his kiss, and I couldn't accept it.

I'm not dizzy anymore. I think going there last night helped me overcome my dizziness. I don't know why it suddenly became easy to endure the sea sickness I was feeling right now.

I can't sleep after what happened. I was busy signing the DTR when I felt someone standing beside me. His familiar perfume says who he is. Even if I don't look, I already know. I hate how I already memorise his smell.

I tightened my grip on the pen and continued to sign, even though some people there had already greeted Maddix.

I heard him talking to the manager, so I didn't look up.

"Yes, Sir. We have already informed the other ship that you are going to transfer," the manager said, making my eyes look up.

He is going to transfer to the other ship. Will he leave? He noticed that I looked up, so he glanced at me, but he immediately looked away.

"Okay," he said simply before turning away.

"Are you leaving?" It was too late to notice that I was wrong to ask that. All their eyes shifted to me, and the other regular employees raised their eyebrows at me like they were asking who I was to question their boss like that.

He stopped leaving and glanced at me. My face turned red with embarrassment. Okay. What the hell, Aliyah?

"I-I mean... I'm ah... I'm sorry." I just want to be swallowed up by the ground because of the embarrassment. Seji elbowed me, and all I could do was close my eyes.

When I glanced at him, I saw his lips rise. I thought he was going to say something more, but he completely turned his back and left us.

"What was that?" Hennah kept laughing while looking at me.

"What's that?" Seji asked, and I saw her curious stare at me.

I was about to say something, but I noticed the manager's sharp look at me. Okay. I should zip my mouth. What did you think and ask, Aliyah?

"In my office, Miss," the manager ordered firmly at me.

I saw Seji's concerned eyes when I glanced at her. I smile at her to assure her that I'll be okay. I followed the manager to his office. As soon as I entered, she immediately confronted me.

"Do you know who you just asked a question, Miss?" I pursed my lips and shook my head.

As if I could say yes, I know that. I kissed that guy last night! Damn it, Aliyah! You're about to be scolded, but now you can still even manage to think of something like that.

"Yes, Ma'am. He is the owner of this ship," I bowed and said.

I jumped in shock when she hit her desk.

"You know, but why do you still ask him that question? What are you? His girlfriend?” She laughed at me, but was still angry. 

 

“You're going to leave? You asked that kind of question to him? That was the owner of this cruise ship, Miss. It's embarrassing. That's Mr. Villaranza!" She said emphatically.

"I-I'm sorry," I stammered because the rise in her voice was a bit scary.

"And who are you to ask him if he's leaving? Are you out of your mind?" She continued.

She came closer and grabbed my name tag. I know that I am wrong for asking that. 

"Miss Aliyah Degiulda, I'm warning you. If this happens again, I will drop you from your performance here," she said before approaching her seat.

She continued scolding me, but I was thankful when her cell phone rang and she had to answer it.

I have so many things to do, but instead of going back to the lobby to finish signing the DTR, I walked to his room. I sighed before opening the door, and I almost celebrated when it wasn't locked.

I closed it quickly because someone might suddenly see me while entering his room. When I closed it, our eyes met. Again, I saw the rose on his lips. He adjusts his necktie while looking at me. He wasn't even surprised when I entered.

"Are you really leaving?" I repeated my question to him.

"Are you really like that? Asking everywhere without even thinking where you are? You know what? It's good for you to just stay silent," he said immediately, ignoring what I said.

"So you're leaving?" I said, and I was really irritated.

"I just want to inform you that I am your boss here, Miss Liyah," he said before turning around and taking the watch from the side.

"Give me your number, then," I said rudely.

He didn't speak. When he glanced at me, he looked at me with a serious look.

"What happened last night was a mistake. I just let that happen to stop you being curious about things. You're just a fucking kid who wants to feel like an adult. Let's forget what happened. You're just curious, Miss Liyah. And besides, I don't really like kids."

I couldn't believe what he said. So after what happened last night, that's just nothing? The irritations that I am feeling for him boiled over. I thought about him all night; I couldn't sleep, but he didn't seem to care. It's embarrassing. I expect something.

I distracted myself all day to forget about it. I'll forget that shame for now, but that doesn't mean I'll give up. I just want to take his heart and leave him eventually. I just need to break his heart.

"I'm telling you to stop, Aliyah. Just focus on your work immersion.” Bella said to me over the phone.

 

“I don't want to stop,” I said weakly.

"You are just wasting your time. Just accept the fact that you are just a kid for him," Bella said again. I called her when the night came. I just felt that I needed someone to talk to. 

"You know why I'm doing thi--"

"But you know that you are just wasting your time. You will never get Maddix Villanueva to fall for you. He always says that you're just a kid. And besides, he is known to be a womaniser. He can get even the most beautiful celebrity if he wants. Remember the trending last week? The last time he was linked with a famous celebrity? I'm sorry for saying this, but you really can't make him fall in love with you because for him, you are just nothing but a kid. And I'm sorry if you will be hurt by this question, but who do you think you are to make a business tycoon like him fall in love with you?"

I was silent and stared in front of me. My friends were already asleep, but I was here at the balcony cabins talking to Bella and thinking something.

Am I really wasting my time?

"Just wait for the karma to get even, Aliyah. Stop your plan,” she said last before saying goodbye because her mom called her.

The next day, I decided to focus on my work on the ship. There are times when the sea sickness that I feel comes suddenly, but there's a time when I feel fine, and that's a big help in making my work more smooth.

I need to fix my work. I noticed that the manager is watching me a bit, as if she is looking for a loophole to bring me down completely.

"There he is." I glanced at Seji when she said that.

Seji and I were now both placed in the hotel lobby. Last time I was placed in a restaurant, and now I am here. This is the last time that we shifted because our work immersion will end in just two days.

The company gave us an extra day and one night to relax because on our tenth day, the ship was still in the middle of the sea.

I glanced at what Seji was saying. One of the American passengers approached me several times to ask for my cell phone number. I closed my eyes in irritation.

"Hi, beautiful," he greeted me, and even though I was a little irritated, I still managed to smile at him.

"Hello, Sir. I hope you are enjoying staying here," I said with a smile.

"Of course I am, but I would more than enjoy staying here if you gave me your number this time."

I sighed. Yesterday, he went back and forth trying to get my number, and all I did was give him excuses several times.

“Just give your number and just block it when the work immersion is over," Seji whispered to me while a smile remained on her lips.

I wanted to roll my eyes, but I stopped myself. He is a passenger, and even though I feel so annoyed, I still have to smile.

"Okay, sir. Give me your phone, and I'll put my cell phone number there, but I can't promise to reply immediately because I have work,” I politely said.

His smile grew, and he gave me his phone immediately. I put my number in and gave it to him immediately. I just want him to go away and stop bothering me.

"Thanks, Sweety," he said happily before turning around, but I blinked when several employees in the lobby greeted someone.

"Good afternoon, Sir," greeted Seji so I glanced over to our side, and I saw him now staring at me with his dark eyes.

Maddix Villaranza. He is here again, and I don't know why I suddenly feel excitement knowing that he is here again.

 

"Good afternoon," he just greeted them, using a baritone voice.

I followed him with my eyes when he turned and left completely. He has two companions. A woman and a man. I snorted and just looked away from where he was going.