"But can we get an icecream first?"

As the lift doors slid open, Carmen stepped out into the atrium of the ship, her senses immediately assaulted by a cacophony of noise and activity. The giant pavilion was teeming with people of all ages, each one eager to enjoy the various offerings of the luxury liner. She could see kids darting around, shrieking with laughter, while the staff rushed to assist the tourists with their queries and needs. The air was thick with the aroma of different cuisines emanating from the numerous restaurants and eateries. Youngsters were milling about, chattering excitedly as they made their way to a trendy restaurant, their faces alight with anticipation of a fun-filled evening.

Carmen felt overwhelmed by the bustling atmosphere around her. She tried to weave her way through the crowds, but it seemed like everyone was going in a different direction. The sound of laughter and chatter echoed throughout the atrium, creating a disharmony of noise that made it hard to think.

As she walked, she noticed the intricate details of the ship's design. The walls were lined with gold and marble, and the floors were polished to a shine. The ceiling was made of glass, and the sunlight streamed through, casting rainbow reflections on the walls.

Carmen felt a pang of envy as she looked around and saw the happiness and togetherness that surrounded her. Couples strolled by hand in hand, families snapped photos with giant smiles on their faces, and groups of friends chatted and laughed over drinks. She wished she had someone to share this experience with, but her thoughts inevitably turned to Simon. He was here with her, but he might as well have been on the other side of the world with how distant he was acting. Carmen couldn't understand why he was so intent on keeping her in the dark about his secrets.

She knew that Simon had a reason for keeping her in the dark, but she couldn't help feeling hurt by his behavior. His actions had changed the course of her life, and she felt that she had a right to know the truth behind his motivations. After all, he had helped Jenna run away from her own wedding with Ronin, and Carmen couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the story than what she had been told.

Carmen's mind was heavy with thoughts as she weaved her way through the throngs of people. She yearned for a quiet space where she could process her emotions. Eventually, she found solace in a remote corner of the atrium, where she could detach herself from the hustle and bustle of the crowds. She leaned against the railing, her gaze fixated on the endless expanse of the sea, the sound of the waves lapping against the hull of the ship filling her ears. She let herself be lost in the tranquility for a long while, feeling the cool breeze play with the strands of her hair and the hem of her dress.

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, Carmen finally pulled away from the railing and made her way to an open coffee house nearby. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted to her nose, welcoming her in. She ordered herself a creamy latte and settled into a cozy corner of the café, the only other occupant being a woman engrossed in a book in the opposite corner. Carmen sipped on her latte, the warm beverage soothing her frazzled nerves as she continued to ponder her complicated situation.

From the corner of her eye, Carmen sensed someone's gaze on her and turned her head to see a woman with a book in hand, attempting to cover her face as soon as their eyes met. Carmen's suspicions were raised, but she brushed them aside, chalking them up to her overthinking nature. She took a sip of her latte, trying to relax and enjoy her moment of solitude. However, she couldn't help but feel uneasy, as if she was being watched. She glanced around the coffee house, but everyone seemed to be minding their own business.

Carmen had barely taken the last sip of her coffee when she was startled by the sudden appearance of a little girl, who plopped down on the chair across from her with a wide grin on her face. Carmen couldn't help but stare at her for a moment, trying to place where she had seen the child before. As the memories of the previous night flooded back into her mind, she realized that the girl was the same one she had encountered at the pool. The realization didn't do much to soothe her nerves, especially when she scanned the area and found no adult accompanying the child once again.

"Alice," Carmen spoke softly, trying not to alarm the little girl. She leaned forward with a gentle smile, relieved to see her but anxious about her being alone. "What are you doing here all by yourself?" Carmen's mind raced with questions. Had her parents left her alone again? Were they still fighting? How could they let their young daughter wander around this vast and complicated cruise ship all by herself?

Alice looked at Carmen with innocent eyes and shrugged, "I just wanted to see you again."

Carmen's heart melted at the girl's words, but at the same time, she couldn't help but feel a little uneasy. "That's sweet of you, Alice, but you can't just wander around alone. It's not safe."

Alice frowned, "But I'm not alone, I have you."

Carmen felt a lump form in her throat, the weight of responsibility bearing down on her. She couldn't possibly be responsible for a child she barely knew, could she? "Alice, sweetheart, you need to go back to your parents. They must be worried sick about you," Carmen said, trying to reason with the little girl.

"But I don't want to go," the little girl pouted, her lower lip quivering. She looked up at Carmen with big, puppy dog eyes that made it impossible to say no. Her tiny legs swung back and forth, barely touching the ground.

Carmen could feel the eyes of everyone in the coffee shop on her, watching the scene unfold. She tried to reason with the little girl again, but before she could say anything, Alice started bawling. Her tears were so dramatic, Carmen half expected a violin to start playing in the background.

It was in that moment that Carmen knew she was being trapped. She couldn't possibly leave the little girl crying, drawing attention to herself. She wondered if this was what it was like to be a parent, to be manipulated by a pint-sized human.

Carmen felt the pressure of everyone's gaze on her and knew she had to act fast. She quickly grabbed a napkin from the table and started dabbing at Alice's tears. "Okay, okay, you can stay with me for a little while, but we have to find your parents soon," she said, trying to calm the girl down.

Alice beamed with joy and eagerly nodded, wiping away her tears. "Yes, thank you so much, Mo—mam!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around Carmen's neck.

Carmen couldn't help but laugh at the sudden display of affection. "Alright, alright, let's go find your parents before they report me for kidnapping," she joked, standing up from her chair and holding Alice's hand tightly.

"But can we get an icecream first," Alice's big, hopeful eyes gazed up at Carmen, and the corners of her mouth turned up in a sweet smile.

Carmen couldn't resist the girl's charm, and she found herself nodding in agreement. "Sure, but just one scoop," she warned, knowing that Alice's parents probably wouldn't appreciate her giving their daughter too much sugar.

As they approached the ice cream stand, Alice excitedly pointed at the colorful flavors on display. "I want the rainbow one!" she declared, her eyes wide with anticipation.

Carmen couldn't resist the girl's enthusiasm and ordered two cones of rainbow ice cream, each scoop piled high with vibrant colors that made Alice's eyes widen with delight. She paid for them with the cash she had on hand, enjoying the feeling of indulging in a sweet treat with a childlike sense of abandon.

As they walked away from the stand, Alice happily licked at her ice cream, her cheeks stained with the bright colors, each lick leaving behind a trail of melted ice cream that dripped down the cone and onto her hand. Carmen smiled at the sight, feeling a sense of warmth spread through her chest at the innocence of the moment.

Carmen didn't know what it was, but there was something about the girl that felt too close to her own childhood, a time of simpler joys and carefree days. It was as if Alice was a missing piece of her own puzzle, a reminder of the person she used to be before life got complicated. She felt a tug at her heartstrings as she watched Alice enjoy the ice cream, wondering if she was making a mistake in involving herself in the girl's life, but unable to resist the feeling of connection she felt towards her.

Carmen had been caught up in Alice's infectious enthusiasm, following the little girl's lead as they explored the various nooks and crannies of the ship. However, as the hours ticked by, Carmen couldn't help but feel a sense of unease gnawing at her. She knew she should start looking for Alice's parents, but the girl's boundless energy and insatiable curiosity made it hard to keep track of her.

Just as Carmen was about to head to the reception desk to ask for assistance, she was confronted by the man she had been hoping to avoid for the day.

"Carmen," Simon greeted her with his usual charm, tilting his head to the side. "We need to talk."