Author's note:
I'm so happy. Thank you all for giving so much love to this book. Yes I do know that there are many cliff hangers yeah, but that's the thrill...don't you agree?

Mwaah love you all...please comment and vote :D

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"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough!", Mae West.

'Life is 10% of what happens to us and 90% of how we react to it.'
Stunned!
That is how I react to what is happening to me when I set my feet into the extravagant room.
I feel like an excited child over a new toy. Only, this is far from a new toy.

My room...sorry...OUR room is a teeny bit smaller than the boys' room, but I am transfixed nevertheless.
Our? Malak and I! I thought that you would have guessed that by now.

Malak walks casually into the room and let's her eyes travel on everything. I do the same. The ceiling is a bit low, and when I extend my right hand upwards, I barely graze the small chandelier hanging from the ceiling as I walk.

The room is tiled in black. There are two single beds on either side of the room, both draped in red duvets with white curvy patterns on it. The tall, white, cushion headboards are squeezed on either sides by small, black and white dresser tables. The walls are covered by black cupboards with a small central mirror that Malak and I would have to share.

I search Malak's face, expecting disappointment or disgust because I have a feeling that Malak is unhappy to share the room with me. To my surprise, I find no trace of disappointment on her face. Instead, she walks over to the bed on her right, takes a deep breath, and places her bag on it. "This bed is mine!", she mutters to the air as she already starts to unpack. I hesitate...
"No problem. I like the one on the left"

I walk to the empty bed and place my two suit cases on it. I open the large cupboards on my side of the room and begin to unpack. Occasionally, I look towards a very busy Malak and try to break the awkward silence by asking stupid questions to which I receive one word answers. Okay!! I get the message and carry on unpacking in silence.

In about 45 minutes I am done unpacking I finally lie down on the soft bed as Malak frantically searches her bag for her makeup kit. I stare at the small yet elegant chandelier above me and IT hits me again. The FEAR.

I am all alone to myself.

In the middle of the ocean.

I don't have a single friend. What if someone recognises me? What if I am in danger? Forget me...Mom is all alone. What if they find her. For the first time I am not there to protect her. I swallow the ball of nervousness in my throat and clasp the heart pendant that lies on my chest. Why does the fear haunt me? It haunts me and taunts me. It wraps me in a tight ball of darkness.

I switch back to reality and notice Malak staring at me, so I force a slight smile to my lips.
But it doesn't reach my eyes.

Then, something extraordinary happens, startling me out of my core.

"Are...are you alright?", Malak asks me and I notice a slight tension line on her forehead. I gulp. Malak just asked me if I am alright. Unable to speak, I nod at her.

"I should probably phone my mom, to tell her that I boarded the cruise and that it will leave for the ocean soon. She...she worries too much." Nervously, I pick up my phone to dial mom's number but then, I turn to see Malak still staring.

Why does everybody stare at me? Feeling self conscious, I decide to wake up and walk to the upper deck for some fresh air. "I..I will be back soon...I'm just going to get some fresh air." Before I exit the room, Malak whispers a "Take your time.", and once again, I find myself walking on THE RED CARPET.

After retracing my steps from the morning, I find my way back to the spiral staircase and walk up until I feel the warm ocean air touch my skin.

I take a deep, satisfied breath and climb up into the busy terrace of the cruise. To my relief, the slow jazz music is not too loud. People dance and play in the swimming pools. Others stand at the bar and enjoy their drinks. Some are too drunk to even stand.

I straighten my posture, walk through the people and try to belong. A handsome man at the bar raises his glass to me as I pass him and I can't help but smile. I try to control the hysteria in my heart. It's working. I do belong.

Or do I really?

I walk to the edge of the deck, and lean against the railing. I face towards the docks, still busy and rushed with people coming and going. I fold my arms as a cold sea breeze sends chills down my spine. My gaze runs over the busy people in the docks, some are late and wait in the queue to board the cruise. I feel on top of the world. I feel tall and big. Bigger than all of them down there. I feel powerful...After all...I am 10 stories higher than them.

Then, suddenly, I meet a small pair of blue eyes staring at me that makes me feel the opposite of what I just felt a moment ago.

I become alert until I realise that it is just James Whittaker. Not knowing what to do, I smile slightly and wave at him. He doesn't wave back. He does break the eye contact though and smiles slightly as he walks away. Okay!

I then remember to call mom to tell her that I an safe and all set to sail. I dial her number, 1 ring, 2 rings, 3 rings and "Hello ... Amy!", I smile. I don't think I was ever happier to hear her voice before, than I am now. No! There was another time. Another time that I was much more happier to hear her voice than now.

"Yes mom!...its me...Amy! Guess what? This place is awesome.", she lets out a deep sigh of relief. "I was so worried about you.", she says, "But now that I heard your voice, I am fine." I shake my head. Typical mom.

"Mom, it's only been over two hours and you are already worried...I am perfectly fine mom...please stop worrying about me and think about yourself...you mu "....and suddenly, the line goes dead. "Mom...Mom...are you there?", I speak a little louder into the phone. Why did the line go dead?

I dial the number again and the perfect voice with the perfect English answers my question. "You have insufficient airtime to...", "Ughh", I let out in frustration.

To my delight, the phone starts to ring and I answer it instantaneously.

"I'm so sorry mom! I ran out of airtime.", I wait for mom to reply but she doesn't answer. "Mom?"...."Mommy???", There is no reply again. I look at the caller ID.

Unknown number

That figures! "You again. What do you want? Who are you? Why are you constantly playing these horrendous pranks?", I ask getting concerned. Is this really a prank? a pause and then, "So many questions? ", the raspy voice says, "I told you not to board the cruise!", the voice tells me sternly. "Who are you to tell me what to and what not to do?", I bitterly yell into the phone.

"Beware!!!", the voice tells me, and the line goes dead leaving me stunned.

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Please vote. I'm so excited to write the next chapters and hopefully reveal some of the skeletons in the closet. I'd hate to keep you and myself in suspense. So people I beg you...If you like this story please vote and comment.

I love you..mwaaaahhhh ;-)