𝑀𝒶𝓃 𝑜𝒻 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒮𝑒𝒶 | 𝟏𝟖+

2.

Ellianna Kingston

As I descended the grand staircase, I grasped the railing firmly, my towering heels clicking on the marble steps. The height added by my stilettos made everything feel a little surreal as if I were floating above my normal self, caught between excitement and nerves. Reaching the second-floor deck, I expected to find a lively crowd, imagining a scene straight out of a glamorous cruise ad.

But to my surprise, the floor was sparsely populated. A handful of passengers strolled lazily, basking in the luxury and amenities the ship had to offer, their conversations mingling with the soft murmur of the sea.

Earlier, I glanced at the app and learned that today marked the official opening day of the cruise, the beginning of what was supposed to be an unforgettable journey.

Above me, clusters of blue and gold balloons swayed gently from the ceiling, waiting for their midnight release to signal the start of the festivities. The setting was undeniably romantic, and as I gazed around at the elegant shops and cozy restaurants, it was clear this place had been designed for lovers. Everywhere I looked, couples wandered hand-in-hand, their faces glowing with contentment. Each passing pair, locked in their own world, sent a quiet pang through my chest, though I wasn't sure if it was jealousy or longing.

My eyes followed one couple as they strolled by, their hands intertwined, whispering to each other in voices only they could hear. It wasn't envy I felt, but a wistful ache, a faint reminder of something I had once known and was now missing. I thought about the last time I felt that—completely enveloped in someone's love like nothing else mattered.

That feeling of being the only girl in the world, of leaving all your worries behind while sailing through paradise with someone who truly cared. It had been a long time.

I sighed, knowing that Lukas wasn't capable of giving me what I needed. Our relationship had been strained for a while. We'd dated for two years, but emotionally, I had felt alone for most of it. Our connection had fizzled into something lifeless, where intimacy was rare, and emotional support even rarer. With Lukas, it always felt like I was single, despite technically having a partner.

Just as those thoughts weighed on me, my phone buzzed in my purse. I pulled it out to see a message from Ivy, her usual cheeky self. "I just know you're moping. Go get drunk." I couldn't help but smile.

My friends always seemed to know exactly what I needed, even before I did. Shaking my head, I tucked my phone away and made my way to the outdoor bar. I wasn't planning on getting wasted, but a drink to take the edge off sounded appealing. "Vodka cranberry," I ordered, leaning against the bar as I watched the sunset begin its slow descent.

—

Three hours later, I found myself exhausted from mingling with strangers. I'd chatted with four guys, turned down three, and moved from the bar to a cozy egg-shaped chair that cradled me as I slumped into it. My social battery was officially dead. The only memorable conversation I'd had was with Oliver, a friendly guy with a charming personality, who had talked my ear off before rejoining his friends for a drunken karaoke session.

As the ship cruised further out to sea, I gazed through the large window beside me. The water was like glass, reflecting the most breathtaking sunset I'd seen in a long time. 

The sky bled from pink to purple to deep orange, unbroken by clouds. I couldn't help but feel mesmerized. I imagined spending the rest of the week in this serene atmosphere, away from the chaos of my real life.

"Enjoying the view?" A deep, masculine voice interrupted my thoughts. Startled, I debated whether to even look up. I had enough conversations for one evening, and I wasn't in the mood for more small talk. Still, I managed a polite smile, keeping my eyes on the horizon. "Yeah."

"Is this your plan for the night?" he pressed, his tone curious but light. I bit back the urge to roll my eyes. It was clear he wanted to engage, but I was running out of patience. "What's it to you?" I replied, my voice sharper than I intended.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to—"

"It's fine," He cut me off, feeling a little bad for snapping. He chuckled softly, the sound warm and easy. I finally turned my head, and my breath caught in my throat. Holy shit.

The man standing next to me was stunning. Tousled brown hair that fell in perfect disarray framed a face that could have belonged to a Calvin Klein model. His eyes—dark and intense—seemed to see right through me, as if he already knew more than I was willing to share. And he was tall. Even sitting down, I could tell that he would tower over me, even in my heels.

"Can I sit?" he asked, motioning to the space beside me.

"Sure," I said, trying to sound nonchalant, though my heart raced. I needed to sober up fast.

As he lowered himself into the chair, I realized just how much space he took up. Despite the wide cushions, he seemed to fill every inch of it, his presence dominating the small, intimate seating area. He smelled incredible, a heady mix of citrus and sandalwood like he was wearing oxytocin out of a bottle.

"What's your name?" I asked for the fourth time tonight, adjusting my posture so I wouldn't accidentally flash anyone as I crossed my legs.

"Kairos," he said with a grin. There was something undeniably Greek about him, like a modern-day Adonis. His name only confirmed it.

"You're Ellianna," he added, nodding toward my keycard that dangled from my purse, which had my name and room number. I mentally noted that I should probably tuck that away next time.

"So, is this your plan for the night? Sitting here alone?" Kairos asked again, shifting to make himself more comfortable, his legs stretching out in front of him.

"Not sure yet," I said with a casual shrug, though I could feel the energy between us shifting. His hand lightly brushed my hair off my shoulder, and I felt a jolt of heat where his skin met mine.

"Can I keep you company?" His voice was low, laced with flirtation.

"Isn't that what you're doing now?" I teased back, our voices barely above a whisper. His hand slid down to rest on my waist, and I could feel him leaning closer. His eyes flicked to my lips, and I knew he was about to kiss me.

But before anything could happen, the ship's intercom crackled to life, announcing the upcoming balloon drop. I couldn't help but smile at the timing. "How unfortunate," I said, settling back into my seat as the moment passed.

"Looks like I'll have to wait for another opportunity," he murmured, flashing a playful smirk.

Our conversation drifted into easy banter, but as the alcohol took its toll, I felt my eyelids growing heavier. "I think it's time for me to head back to my room," I said, stifling a yawn.

Kairos' face fell slightly, his posture shifting as if he didn't want the night to end. "Come to my room instead," he said, catching my wrist gently before I could leave. His eyes were sincere, an intensity that made me pause.

"Please," he added, and for a moment, I hesitated. Thinking over my options, then gave in and braced myself to see what he had to offer.