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This is a work of fiction. Names,

characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination.

Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any

resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies,

events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.

I signal the bartender for a refill. Although he’s calm, his eyes speak concern and hesitation as he pours another shot of brandy on my tumbler before proceeding on shining the glasses with a rug. With a mocking chuckle, I toss my head back and gulp down the liquor in one go.

This bartender must be thinking I’m one of those rich bit¢hes who only knows how to

spend money, party all night and be pretty before spreading her thighs in a whim. Well, maybe I am. No, not yet. But I’ll certainly will be soon. So very soon.

So miserable, this life. I just finished my nursing course and also gotten my

license that’s why I’m now here basking my prize in an all-expense paid one-week luxury cruise ship. The one and only Diana Cruise Ship that’s coveted by all. This should be fun, right? It’s even named after me! Only few can

afford to be here. But for me, huh! It’s all free, bit¢hes!

I want to laugh so much until I cry. Free, my a$s! I twirl the ice in the glass and fish out one cube and toss it in my mouth like a candy, hoping it’ll help freeze up my burning emotions that’s slowly breaking down my resolve. The coldness seeps through from my mouth up to my head and brain freeze instantly attacks. Huh! If only eating ice can kill me right this instant, it’ll be an easy escape.

I ask for a few more shots from the bartender until I feel my head buzzes and my vision doubles. I don’t care, though. I’m celebrating so bite me! I had my spa earlier in the day so my body is smooth and free of hairs, nails buffed and my hair nicely curled. I feel as beautiful as a princess.

Another mocking chuckle comes out of my lips as I get to my feet and stagger towards

the exit. It’s still ten in the evening and it’s early to call it a night so I go straight to the upper deck, hoping to inhale the cold sea breeze. Maybe then I can wish upon the stars for a way out of my impending doom.

I grip on the railing when my head spins. Wow. I’m really pretty buzzed, huh? I blink multiple times to clear my head a little but it just makes me want to puke instead. I close my eyes and sigh. This silence and darkness… It only makes me think of the problem I’ll be facing. Tomorrow…

I shake my head. NO! I’m on my vacation now, so I shouldn’t be thinking about those things. I’ll cross the bridge once I get there and hoping the bridge has crumbled down before I could make it. Huh! If only it’s how that easy.

“I get it. I know! Stop calling me already. I’ll work on it!”

I turn to the owner of the cold voice a couple of meters away from me. Ugh! With his towering built, my headache dramatically worsens. Just how tall is this man exactly? Is he a giant? My knuckles turn white as I grip the railing tighter when I feel my stomach knots. Shit! I think I just drank poison rather than brandy.

“Just what the fu¢k do you think you’re doing?”

“Huh?”

Before I can understand what just happen, I’m harshly pulled and wrapped inside a very strong and warm embrace. The sudden move makes me all the more upset and I suddenly puke. The bile liquid that comes out of my mouth bubbles up like a fountain that splashes to the man’s clothes.

“Fu¢k!” The man roars but instead of pushing me away, he suddenly carries me up and

rushes back inside. “What the hell is wrong with you? Didn’t anyone tell you that you should ensure to have someone to carry you if you get drunk? Otherwise, don’t drink if you’re alone.”

“I’m celebrating! What do you care!” I answer back in a bitchy manner while clutching my throbbing temple.

“Celebrating? By throwing yourself out of the deck? Don’t you know if you die, the owner of

this ship will also be dead?”

“Huh?” I frown but don’t answer him anymore.

I thought he was concerned about me but he’s only thinking of the ship’s reputation? If I happen to have accidentally fallen out of the railing earlier and die, Diana Shipping will be dragged along the scandalous news. I really

don’t have an idea that I looked like going on a suicide. I just had a bad headache, is all.

Although my dizziness eases a little after throwing up, his hurried movements still trigger nausea so I just close my eyes and concentrate on not throwing up again. I hear

shuffling noises of clothes and a clicking sound before a door opens and shuts.

Afterward, my body meets the softness of a bed.

I open my eyes and sit up. “Where are we?”

“In a cabin obviously.” He answers rather coldly.

I huffed in ridicule. “You don’t have to care if you really don’t feel like doing this $hit. I’m going back to my own cabin!”

“Stay!”

Although I’m revolting inside me for being treated like a disobedient pet, I can’t refute him because I really don’t think I can manage to return to my cabin at this rate. I’m never really friends with alcohol ever since and today is one of the rare occasions I indulge myself to get drunk.

The man disappears into a connecting bath, probably to wash himself off. Hmm. Wait.

What if? I shake my head and instantly whisk the idea in my head. Have a one-night stand? Pfft! Not that I’ve saved myself for someone special but I hate the drama that comes along with it. And I’m a nurse so I’m paranoid about

potential sexual diseases.

I frown. Since I’m a nurse, I’m also aware of precautions. So why not cease the moment? Condoms still exist, right? I strip my own soiled clothes and even take off my underwear. Tomorrow the ship will finally dock and my dream-like life will all end. I’m still celebrating tonight though so I’m going all out to be living my final days as a free woman.

I stand and wobble my way towards the bath and push the door open. The man has his clothes strewn on the tiled floor, his buck näked under the shower. I sweep my eyes at his gorgeous frame, my drool coming out of my lips when I see that thing standing between his thighs. Wow. Yummy!

“Go back to bed and let me finish washing. I’ll tend to you later.” He says with a frozen face although his eyes are busy roaming up and down my own näked form.

“Why? Can’t we just share a shower together? It’ll be easier and more practical this way.” I flash him my seductive smile as I join him inside the stall.

“You’re drunk so it’s dangerous for you to be standing on a slippery floor.” He sounds as stoic as the voice of an electronic speaker.

“Shut up! I’m seducing you right now, don’t you get it? So act according to the script. You should just accept it and get excited for me.”

He doesn’t say anything anymore as he watches me taking the soap from his hand and glides it on his muscled chest. He really is so broad, the soap will definitely be all gone once I’m done with him with all these muscles.

I look up at his face and momentarily stop what I’m doing. Why do I feel like I’ve seen him before? This feeling, his touch. It’s so familiar. I blink when he suddenly turns around, giving me his back so I resume soaping it, too, chancing a pinch of his nice a$s. I grin. This man. I think I’ve hit a jackpot!

When he turns around again, he’s holding a cup of water out for me. “Wash your mouth.”

Ah. Ok. I take a gulp and gargle my mouth a couple of times. Once I’m done, the man

carelessly throws the cup back to the sink and grabs for my nape before sealing my mouth with his fierce kiss. I push him away and scowl at him, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand.

“Wow. You really have to make me gargle before kissing me, huh?”

“I don’t want to ruin the mood.” He answers before kissing me once again.

And forcing me to gargle isn’t ruining the mood? Ah, whatever. He’s really good at kissing though and I can’t help but answer him with as much force and greed. Tongue swirling, lip nipping and hands all over our näked bodies. Hmm, I could get used to this!

“Welcome home, Mr. Damari. Your father is waiting for you in the study.” Julius announces after opening the door for me.

I murmur a thanks while loosening my scarf to pull it off of my neck before marching

across the living room and climb up the second floor. I don’t know what father’s agenda today is all about but as soon as I was notified of his call, I immediately come over the villa without any delay.

The last time I’ve lived here was during my high school. But when I take up my college at the university in the city, I’ve moved out and have lived alone by myself. I only come for a visit from time to time but always stay during thanks giving and Christmas. Although now with dad’s condition, I want to spend more

time with him, but the villa is rather far from the office and way impractical for coming and going.

I give a perfunctory knock at the door to the study before pushing it open. My father is standing by the huge window, leaving his wheelchair for a moment, while his nurse is on the couch in standby. As soon as the door opens, my father turns around and nods at the nurse to give us a moment before he motions

for me to go to him.

I give my father a hug and a kiss to his cheek and he pats my head in return before I help him sit back behind his desk. I then round the table and sit in front of him and wait for any directives. Perhaps he calls me about company concern. Although I’m still new to managing it with my tender age, I’ve come to

apply my knowledge with auspicious result.

“Graysen, I’ve called you because I have something to tell you. Although I’ve already

decided, I still want your opinion and hopefully your approval on the matter.”

My back straightens at my father’s tone. Already decided? Wanting my approval? Is

he… Is he planning to remarry? Dread suddenly wraps my entire form. I don’t

want to deprive my father of his second chance of happiness but at this day and

age, a lot of women are only after his money, especially with his age.

“What is it, dad?” I ask directly, wanting to get this conversation done with.

“A certain Joshua Coleman came into one of our casinos and lost a lot of money. He wasn’t able to pay his debt before he died. But he gave his house and vineyard

as collateral.”

Dad slides a folder to me so I pick it up although I don’t open it just yet. I feel like the lightweight folder holds so much for my future. I’m both anxious and scared.

“Apparently, the house is registered to his brother, John Coleman who has a daughter, Diana Coleman. When I had Albert checked up on the father and daughter, I found out that John had also been dead a year ago, leaving his daughter orphan. Therefore, Joshua was only Diana’s sole guardian and didn’t have the right to the property. Although he had the title of the land, this will be passed on to the niece as soon as she turns of age. Right now though, Diana is just sixteen and can’t decide on her own. You know that we’re all businessmen, right Graysen? Besides, the vineyard is really so tempting. That’s why I made a decision.”

“What decision?” I ask just above whisper.

“I want this kid to be your sister. I’m going to adopt her so the property under her father’s name will be transferred to me without abandoning this child alone. With that, both parties will be of win-win, don’t you think?”

“Sister?” I repeat in astonishment before flipping the folder open.

Among all the words that scatter in the paper, only the picture at the right upper corner is all I ever noticed. Long red hair, gray eyes, pretty nose, cheeky smile and beautiful face. So angelic. So seductive… So… Perfect! To my

surprise, I feel both my chest and pants tighten.

Stunned, I suddenly bolt up from my seat and hurry down the door. “Sorry father, I’ll think about this first. I’ll tell you my answer the soonest possible time, I promise!”

With that, I run into my bedroom and slam the door shut. I have to leave just so I can hide my sudden bulging crotch from my father. With shaky hands, I flip the folder open again. Oh, my God! She can’t be my sister! No way! This girl. I can’t accept her to be my sister! I clutch my chest to calm my heart while looking down between my thighs.

I’m already twenty-four not fourteen for Christ sake! Why am I having a boner just by looking at a picture! Besides, it’s just a decent picture where I don’t even see any flesh lower than her neck. What the hell is up with my reaction all of a sudden?

But I really like her though. My heart is beating faster and wilder the longer I stare at her beautiful face. Why haven’t I met her before? Right, she’s still sixteen. She’s still a baby compared to my age. But I can wait. I will wait for her. But I definitely can’t be her brother.

With a determined huff, I grip the folder tight and open my bedroom door once again. I return to my father’s study and open the door without knocking. Dad is still sitting patiently behind the desk as if already expecting my return.

“Well?”

“I’m sorry, father. But I can’t have her as a sister.”

Dad’s eyes flash with disappointment and understanding at the same time. He nods at

me and motions to the seat in front of him, probably ready for a long discussion. But I don’t take it. Although my knees are shaking, I need to be on my feet of what I’m about to say next. I need to act like a mature man for the proposition I’ll offer.

“I want her to be my wife, father.”

“Wife?” My dad repeats in astonishment, his eyes bulging in surprise. “But she’s just a

child, son.”

“I’m willing to wait. I’ll wait for her. I…” I look at the picture of my future bride and my heart slams against my chest one more time. “I love her already.”

After a long dazed silence, my father suddenly barks out a loud laughter like I just told him a really good joke rather than a heart wrenching confession. I scowl at him, ready to fight him about this but he just waves his hand at me, shaking his head in disbelief.

“I know you took almost all of your attributes from me but I didn’t know you’ll also take this side of me, son. Don’t you know that I’ve eloped with your mother when she’s still fifteen?” Dad laughs one more time as if remembering the past like it only happened yesterday. “But her father found out and sued

me. Good thing your grandpa bailed me out from jail and advised me to wait until Grace turns eighteen.”

“Then does this mean you understand me, right?” I ask excitedly.

“Of course.” He waves his hand dismissively. “Alright. I’ll arrange this matter with the Coleman’s lawyer. Go now!”

I pull out Diana’s picture before returning the folder back to my father and dash out of the villa with a renewed spirit. I’ve never felt this excited and happy after mom died. It’s like color has returned into my life. Ah! I’m in love!

I kiss Diana’s picture and tuck it in my jacket pocket just above my heart. Giving it a light tap, I look at the bright blue skies and smile. Diana, my sweetheart, I’ll wait for you. Through my love, I’ll show you how this world

can be as sweet as a candy.