Ship Of Hearts

Chapter Three

Jules

"One more minute!" I shout to Victoria from the bathroom. We're both getting ready for guest greetings at the front of the ship. I'm wearing a navy blue, knee length dress with my name tag, Victoria has the same but in pink, obviously. I quickly finish up my makeup and walk out of the bathroom.

"Thanks!" Victoria rushes in behind me. I text Lucas to come meet us outside of our room in 10 minutes so he has time to be at the spa's reception, ready for potential booking. As me and Victoria are performers, we are obligated to greet all the guests as they come in.

While I wait for her to come out of the bathroom, I sit on my bed and mentally go through the solo routine I threw together this afternoon for tonight's performance. Then I go to my wardrobe to pick out my costume for the night. It's red with mesh cutouts on the waist in a swirly pattern. Hopefully it'll go alright with the routine.

I hear a knock on my door and assume it's Lucas so I mutter a "come in." The door gently opens and I see a suited man. A very hot man. The black fabric of his pants reflect in the light, then my eyes are drawn to his blazer and tie, also black. Then I see a smooth, clean cut face and eyes. His eyes.

"Theo? What are you doing here?" I ask, confused how he remembered my room and why he was actually here.

"I just wanted to check if you were okay, and maybe see if you wanted to walk to reception with me." He looks me up and down and pushes his lips together firmly.

"Uh yeah, Victoria is nearly ready I think, and Lucas will be on his way soon." I say, gently smiling and offering him to come sit next to me with a light tap on the bed.

I feel the bed shift as he drops next to me, he seems very relaxed. Normally. I'm not one to go for a man after only knowing him for a day. but if he gave me the chance to, I think I would.

The door knocks again, this time it has to be Lucas. He didn't wait for an answer before he came in. "You look gorgeous babe, Victoria hurry up!" I sense that his nerves of the guests arriving are getting the better of him due to his reaction to Victoria's last minute antics.

"I'm ready, hold on!" She shouts back, spraying her face. Her heels click behind her as we all get up to leave.

We walk to the reception where the boys have to leave to go to their separate areas. The guests start to pile in, all with suitcases and in need of directions.

— 

"It's showtime!" Victoria exclaims, somehow still having energy from looking after guests for the past two hours.

I can feel the nerves bundling in my stomach, a lump growing in my throat. The first performance is always the hardest, I think. Everything feels so unfamiliar and scary.

My name gets called on the overhead speakers, I close my eyes, take a deep breath and walk out, feeling my heart pounding in my chest. The song Love on the Brain by Rhianna starts to play.

I start to play out my routine I have planned, the audience applauding after every few movements. Then, I look up and see the red light of the security camera. I wonder if he's watching.

My routine continues for a few more minutes before I'm stood, breathlessly, centre stage. The crowd stands and cheers before I walk off to grab some water.

"Jules, that was incredible!" Victoria says, "I loved this, ooh and the way your arm went like that." She imitates the movements which makes me giggle.

"Thank you." For once this girl isn't getting on my nerves. "I'll meet you back in the room?" She nods and I leave to head back.

I feel my phone buzz in my pocket so I pull it out, silently reading the text to myself.