The Hidden Treasure

~12~

The Captain stood on the bow of the ship, watching the waves slowly lap up the sides of the ship. The winds were calm today and the ship sailed lazily across the ocean.

"It's a beautiful day today. Couldn't ask for more lovely weather." The feminine voice that he had slowly grown accustomed to hearing again came up behind him.

"We need more wind. This just leaves us sitting ducks for the Royal Navy." He glanced nervously across the horizon.

"Captain, just enjoy the moment. It's a beautiful day and it's been so long since we've had one, let's just enjoy it shall we?"  She leaned against the rail and looked down into the beautiful blue water. 

He watched her as much as he could around his stifling mask.  "One must take time to smell the roses." 

She slowly looked up and over at him.  He was still staring at the horizon, his hand resting on the rails.  It was a rare moment to see him without his gloves on.  She saw the long white scar down the back of his hand and her heart did somersaults. 

"That's what my husband always used to say whenever I would get too busy."  She knew it was him. She just wanted to hear him admit it from his own mouth and then explain why he was hiding from her all this time.  He was the whole reason she had set sail with a group of rough sailors, in hopes of finding her husband who had been listed as killed in battle after a skirmish between a Navy ship and a pirate ship.

She did not know why he was wearing that frightening mask, but she knew her heart needed him.

He frowned behind his mask. Folding his hands behind his back, he quickly spun on his heel and went to his cabin. It would be best to avoid contact with her for a while. He needed to make sure she got off the ship next time they docked somewhere.

"I'm doing this for you, Rebecca. Someday I hope you'll understand," he thought as he stomped into his cabin.

Taehyung sighed and threw the book on the floor. He ran a hand through his hair and leaned against the wall. "This book is upsetting."

"Why," asked Namjoon, who was slowly going in circles in his desk chair as Taehyung read to him.

"She obviously knows who he is! Surely he knows that she knows!" Taehyung grumbled in annoyance.

"But what if he doesn't? What if she knows and he doesn't know she knows?"

"Oh, I'm sure he knows. At this point, he's just purposely hurting her. Like, pouring salt into a wound she has. He needs to come clean. Let her decide. I'm standing by that theory." Taehyung nodded stubbornly.

Namjoon stopped spinning and laughed at his friend. "It's just a book, Tae." He leaned over and picked the book up that had been unceremoniously thrown on the floor.

"I know, but I get into these kinds of stories.  Can't help it."  Taehyung stared at the book in Namjoon's hands for a moment.  "Hyung, don't you think it's a bit funny how this story sounds so much like your situation with the bookstore noona?  Minus the romance of course," he giggled. 

Namjoon didn't get a chance to reply because Jungkook knocked on the door and entered without even waiting for permission. 

"Whatcha guys doing in here," he said with a wide smile. 

"Jungkookie," said Taehyung excitedly.  "I'm glad to see you.  We need an outside opinion on something." 

"No, we most certainly do not," said Namjoon sharply.