Just The Way You Like It - Under Construction

Chapter Eighty-Two

Chapter Eighty-Two

After getting changed as quickly as I could, I stopped only briefly to glance at my figure in the mirror. The girl staring back at me in the mirror was not the person I envisioned myself to be. The frail and scrawny looking woman smiled, and I recognized her even less. I looked pale and unwell, although I knew it was mostly due to my living conditions. And, I also knew that the girls downstairs had it a lot worse than I did. Turning and leaving, I dismissed the mirror with a wave of my hand. There were more important things to worry about, and my selfishness wasn't about to stop me from helping out more downstairs.

I met Wallace near his office, and the fact that he was still wearing his jacket didn't escape my notice. “Are we going outside?” I asked, feeling my excitement ramp up.

“Yes.” Wallace answered, folding his arms across his chest. “Don't make me regret this, Alice.”

“I won't, I promise.”

Wallace led me down the hall, which to my dismay lead to where I knew the compactor was. Now, more confused than ever, I followed Wallace down the turn in the path. Max was standing in front of a large set of doors, smirking at me with his large, brown eyes. “You're such a liar.” I scolded him as he held the door open for me.

“Nothing personal, Alice. The Chairman made me promise to not tell you.” I nodded my head in acceptance. It was just like Wallace to keep his secrets so well.

The smell of salt water hit my nostrils as the bay doors were opened. Almost falling backwards, I forced myself to keep my balance as the vision of the ocean shocked my senses. My heart quickened and my breathing became staggered as I tried to stay calm. I hated bath tubs, and the idea of being that close to the Atlantic Ocean was enough to make me want to pass out. A large yacht was harbored inside the warehouse, completely hidden from view. I could only stand in awe as Max passed me from behind and helped Wallace undo the rigging that held the yacht to the side of the dock.

Even from behind his mask, I could see that Wallace was still smiling. Only once did he look my direction, however, and it was only for long enough to wave me towards him and his stupid boat. “Come on, Alice.” Max shouted, tossing the last of the ropes onto the deck. “I'll help you up.” My feet felt like lead, but I forced them to move. Inch by inch, I made my way closer to the pier, and the closer I got to the boat, the worse my fears became.

One last pleading look towards Max, and I was hoisted up onto the deck. The yacht rocked a little with the waves that lapped at it's hull, making my feet feel even more useless than usual. Max hopped up behind me and disappeared into the interior of the yacht. Turning, ever so slightly, I found Wallace standing at the helm, twisting a key into the boat's ignition. The yacht roared to life, echoing the noise around the inside of the warehouse. And, within seconds, we were out in the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

“We're not going far, Ali.” Wallace yelled over the engine. I could only nod my head as I shut my eyes and tried to forget the image of the open water. It felt like hours before I finally heard the engine cut off. I struggled to my feet, not recalling when it was that I had sat myself down. I didn't have to look to know that we were still out in the ocean; the rocking of the yacht and the sound of the waves were enough to tell me. Finally, I managed to peel my eyes open enough to look around. The sun was beginning it's decent in the west, casting a beautiful summer glow across the yacht. Wallace and Max stood next to a small table that had two chairs placed with it. Motioning me to come over, Wallace held out a chair for me to sit in. I sat, feeling my legs getting ready to collapse from under me again. Wallace sat in the other chair, while Max pulled out a packet of matches from his pocket and lit the candle that was in the center of the table. He disappeared again for a moment, reemerging from the yacht with a tray piled high with food. Max placed the tray down on the table and disappeared, leaving Wallace and I alone on the deck. If I hadn't been so completely terrified, I may have found the whole thing romantic.

“So,” Wallace said, breaking our silence. I looked up from my uneaten food. “Happy Birthday.”

“Thanks.” I choked out.

“Is it not to your liking?” I saw Wallace's face blanch from under his mask.

“It's great.” I replied, trying desperately to feign a smile.

“You lie.”

“No, I'm not.”

“Yes, you are. Now tell me what's wrong.”

“You know I'm terrified of the water.” I said, trying to sound carefree.

“I know you don't like baths, Alice. I didn't know it extended out to the ocean as well. Do you want me to turn back? We can finish out meal in the warehouse if you like.”

“No. I'll be fine.” My wish to be outside out-weighed my fear of the water. So long as we didn't go on any high-speed chases, I'd be fine.

“Good. I was hoping to spend the evening out here, with you.” Wallace's hand found mine as he resumed his meal. I picked at my salad, and waited for him to finish.

By the time Wallace was full, the sun had set and the stars were beginning to glisten in the sky above us. “Want to go check out the yacht, she's quite a beauty if I do say so myself.” I nodded, and let Wallace take me inside. We found Max sitting on one of the sofas, watching television.

“Is there anything else I can do for you, Sir?” Max asked as he muted the volume.

“No, Max. Thank you.” Max got up and left, going back outside. I got the feeling like he was trying to stay out of our way, but I could tell that the yacht was big enough, he shouldn't have much of a problem with it. Being inside the yacht was helping me to calm down quite a bit, and I took some time to look around and catch my bearings. The interior was decorated nicely, with plush sofas and chairs all around. Off to the side was a kitchen, which seemed fulling functioning and in good order. There was also a hall with several doors leading to the rear of the ship.

Wallace sat down on one sofa, and motioned for me to join him. I complied, and sat next to him. Wallace wrapped one arm around my shoulders, and let his other hand rest on my knee. “So Alice, what do you think? Were you surprised?”

“Oh yes.” I said, emphatically.

“Good. I was worried someone would spill the beans. I'm glad I could pull all of this off.” Wallace seemed so pleased with himself that I kept my mouth shut. “You know Alice,” Wallace's hand began to trail higher up my leg. “I've been wondering when you're going to relax around me.”

“Relax?” I asked, ignoring the tight feeling in my chest. “I am relaxed.”

“You're body language says differently.” At that, I forced myself to unclench my jaw and unfold my arms. “Better.” Wallace said, running his other hand through my hair. “But, you're still to tense.”

“I'm trying, Wallace. I guess I'm still just a little scared.”

“What, of the water?”

“Yes. I'm sorry. I am having fun. Really, I am.” The last thing I wanted was to hurt his feelings after all the thought he had put into letting go outside for my birthday.

“Well, maybe we could do something to take your mind off of it.”

“Like what?” I asked, eying the television set.

“I think you know what I have in mind.” Wallace said, gently squeezing my inner-thigh.