Chapter 18

Before Gio could wander away Sidney announced with a yawn that she was ready to head back to the ship.

"I have a formal dinner to prepare for and I have a feeling that I am going to need a long nap."

She was true to her word because a few minutes in the car and she was fast asleep.

II

She was too stuffed to eat. Rich people didn't really attend a formal dinner to eat, did they? They just wanted to look pretty. So maybe it was a good thing that she had eaten some of Gio's delicious crepes filled with preserves. He'd packed sparkling water and for once she got to watch him eat as he and the driver chit-chatted quietly in Spanish as they took the long drive back to the ship thinking that she was still asleep.

When he looked back and saw her staring at the scenery, he greeted her with crepes and sparkling water. It was the best way to wake up from a nap and almost unreal for her to remember that she was being driven around Spain accompanied by two sexy foreign men, that two days before she had never set eyes on.

She was sitting at her dressing table styling her hair. Gio had laid out her gown a few hours ago before he had left to prepare for tonight's dinner. He reminded her to use the phone if she should need him and then seemed to linger before finally leaving, announcing that he would see her in the VIP lounge.

She hoped he would find time to get some sleep. He was awake before her and had gone to sleep after her and he was constantly on the move. Not that she wanted to think about this right now, but when she returned to her real life she would re-think her work ethic—and most definitely her job choice. She had to do something that she loved doing, so that she could do it as well as Gio seemed to take pride in what he did.

After her hair and make-up were done to her satisfaction Sidney slipped on a black and white asymmetrical gown, which had discreet cutouts in the bodice. The cutouts showcased skin slightly bronzed by Fenty body lava. She applied her earrings and then slipped on black-strapped heels.

This was a completely new ensemble and she walked back and forth in front of the mirror, more than happy at what she saw. She wasn't Sidney Wyatt that could only afford a one-room efficiency because she worked a job that barely covered her expenses. For now, she wasn't the woman that had been dumped by a cheating boyfriend that had married his pregnant ex-girlfriend. She was a mysterious, confidant American that could afford the most expensive accommodations on this cruise ship. No one knew her story and no one needed to.

She grabbed a sheer shawl and her clutch and then headed for the VIP lounge where she hoped to find someone to mingle with.

When she approached the lounge, two hosts greeted her at the entrance. She was about to pull out her black card but one of them greeted her by name. Were there mugshots of the VIPs somewhere in a backroom?

"Hello Miss Wyatt. Welcome. Tonight, there will be one dining table and you will find your seat at your nametag. Please enjoy."

"Thank you." As she headed into the beautifully decorated room, she could barely recognize it from embarkation day. Sparkling lights were carefully strung around almost every surface and there was a pianist dressed in a tuxedo playing a white piano. A violinist was nearby and together they created an atmosphere that seemed almost as if it was from a fairytale.

She saw Gio standing in formation with the other butlers. When he saw her he took a double take and smiled in greeting.

"Jesus Christ…" Paolo whispered. "I usually go for the small ones but…"

"Quiet." Nicco hissed. But Gio noted that he too, followed her with his eyes even though it was obvious that since his guests had arrived the woman had done nothing but vie for his attention. She had already approached him three times inside of half an hour to ask him some ridiculous question about the hors d'oeuvres, to request better champagne, 'You know what I like Nicco.' Nicco had practically cringed at that comment, and just a few moments ago had asked him to make an appointment for her for the spa tomorrow. 'Certainly, Madam,' he had replied without otherwise moving. It was clear to Gio and the others that she wanted his complete attention and equally clear to them that Nicco already despised her.

Gio was happy that he would be ending his final year on the cruise ship with such a lovely memory of Nicco—and of course he would never forget his stunning guest. Maybe she would need a personal butler. He'd jump on that job no matter the number of famous movie stars and wealthy people that were waiting for him to take them up on their job offers.

Sidney accepted a glass of champagne but barely sipped it. She saw the rich man and trophy wife at the hors d'oeuvres table and decided to bypass that for now. She saw another couple that appeared to be in their sixties. They seemed nice and in awe of the beautifully decorated room. She'd speak to them-

"Hello Sidney."

Sidney turned in surprise at the easily recognized voice. No…it was impossible…

She spun and stared into the face of the last person on earth that she ever wanted to see.

"Wes…" He was standing there like an apparition, as if thinking about him earlier had caused him to manifest. "W-what are you…?" The air felt as if it had been knocked out of her body.

"I know this is a surprise," Wes said. She hadn't seen him in months but the feeling that she got whenever they were in a room together seemed to flood her senses. Suddenly he seemed to take up everything. She couldn't hear the pianist or the violin. She didn't taste the champagne or feel the ambiance in the room. All that existed was Wes; tall, pale, lean and muscled and looking like a runway model wearing an expensive tuxedo.