I'll never let go..| A titanic inspired story 🚢

One kiss is all it takes (chapter 14)

D deck
9:45pm
I broke away from Joel and James' horrified face came into view. My heart skipped a beat and I immediately felt guilty. However, I did not regret our kiss.

The entire dance hall fell silent, the only sound that could be heard was the terrified whimper of a dog. James stomped over to the pair of us and dragged me out of my seat. He wasn't gentle at all and almost sent me tumbling onto the dance floor.

"How fucking dare you. After all I've done for you, after all I've sacrificed for you." James said through gritted teeth. He was absolutely furious. Not only with me, but Joel too.

"Careful with her! She is not a toy." Joel interrupted.

"Shut up. I wouldn't be speaking if I looked like you. Just look at the state. You can't even drink without spilling something." James said whilst pointing to a stain on his shirt. It was as if they were asserting dominance or something.

"Just stop! James, I am drunk. Can't we just go back to our room?" I pleaded. I wasn't usually this straight up but I just wanted out of this situation.

"You're drunk? I should've guessed. Kissing this hobo!" James reached out and shoved Joel on the shoulder. Joel did not retaliate. It probably would've been pretty hot to see them fight.

The desperation in James' eyes said it all. He wanted me to love him back. I kept glancing over at Joel who kept a cool expression but I knew he wanted to say something.

"I guess there is only one way for this to end. Isobel, you are barred from seeing Joel anymore. If you are caught together once more, I shall have him thrown from the ship." I didn't know if he was being serious or not but I wasn't willing to find out. With one swift movement, James took my hand and dragged me out of there.

Maybe it was the fact that I was drunk, or maybe it was the fact that he wanted to keep the image of a perfect couple, but James did not mention this again. I think he just didn't want to accept reality. We left the grand hall and the music did not start up until we were out of the door.

As we were walking up the grand staircase to go to our room, I noticed tears started to prick in his eyes. I took his hand and held it tightly to reassure him that it would never happen again. With a sullen expression, he didn't look at me. Just at our feet as we walked.

We reached the bedroom and we both got changed into our pyjamas. Inside my closet, there was a simple nightgown that I decided to wear. It was an off cream colour and had smooth lacing on the back.

The sun was beginning to set in the sky and vibrant tint of orange was plastered all across the horizon. A warm glow shone through our shared window and I sat at the edge of the bed to soak up the last sunlight of the day. Selfishly, James shut the curtains but I didn't complain. He had already been though enough today.

Our bed was ready made and a slipped under the duvet, James did beside me. I fingered the fabric on the duvet and shut my eyes. I hoped to fall asleep but unconsciousness didn't ever hit me.

Around two hours later, I noticed we were both breathing normally. James had curled up into a little ball and I wasn't sure if he was sleeping. Awkwardly, I wrapped my arms around James. The embrace was cold and unforgiving and for the first time I heard James softly cry. I realised that I did not love James. I never had. I was just trying to convince myself that we were perfect for each other because I thought there was no way out.

But maybe Joel was my way out..