Erika

Knock! Knock!

I awoke to the sound of knocking; someone was at my door and was very impatient. For the first few seconds, I looked around, trying to remind myself where I was. It was my first morning of freedom, and the realization made me smile.

Knock! Knock!

The person knocked again and sighed, relieving my frustration. "Coming!" I yelled as I dragged my feet to the door and swung it open. Alexis greeted me with his familiar green eyes, standing at the door and smiling warmly. His eyes reminded me of someone, and I wanted to ask him about it, but I buried the question in my mind.

"Yes?" I asked nervously. I didn't know the man and was unfamiliar with his behavior, so I needed to be cautious. "Ms. Carter, it's past noon, and I'm checking in on you. Since you seem fine, I'd like to ask if you'd like to join me for brunch," he invited softly, concern in his voice as he fidgeted with his fingers behind his back.

"Yeah, why not? But let me freshen up." I accepted his invitation without hesitation; the man gave off a pleasant vibe, so I decided to give in just this once. After receiving my answer, his smile broadened into a grin, and he left.

I locked the door, walked to the bathroom to complete my morning routine, and then left my cabin. When I joined Alexis for brunch, I noticed a serious expression on his face. He seemed lost in thought and had already spoken at the table, but hadn't touched anything on his plate. His expression changed when his gaze fell on me.

"Thanks for waiting," I chirped, grabbing a seat beside him. The table was already full of various dishes, so without hesitation, I filled my plate. "If you'd like to order something else, you can," he offered, pouring a glass of orange juice and placing it next to my plate.

"No, I'm fine; there's already plenty, and I'm afraid I won't be able to finish everything," I replied, sipping my orange juice. For a few moments, we said nothing and ate our food in peace. Only the clatter of cutlery could be heard.

"Would you like to attend a banquet with me, Ms. Carter?" he asked suddenly. I looked at him, my brow furrowed with confusion. "Why are you being so nice and generous to me? Is this some kind of prank or trap? Are you going to drag me into something illegal?" I asked impatiently.

I was suspicious because his behavior seemed too good to be true. "It's Master's order; you're a guest on his cruise, so he instructed me to take care of you and accompany you for two days... after that, you're on your own, Ms. Carter," he explained, his expression cold and his voice devoid of emotion. I couldn't decide whether he was irritated or just professional.

"A guest? Isn't he being overly generous?" I mocked. "I'm just a possession to him, his property, his slave," I said with a hint of rage, rolling my eyes. I recalled Mr. King's treatment of me in the suite.

Alexis, however, was eerily quiet. His face was expressionless as he clutched his spoon so tightly that his fingers turned white. Anger and coldness were visible in his emerald eyes.

"Yes, you are, Ms. Carter; Master paid a large sum for you. But did he use you after that...? No! Even when you were powerless and on the verge of death, he provided you with food and shelter, and you—" he retorted angrily, trailing off at the end. His response left me speechless. I felt ashamed because I had nothing to say in response.

"Master has a deeper perspective on things than your little brain can grasp. Anyway, only two days, Ms. Carter, and you'll be free after that," he stated, turning his attention back to his plate. He didn't say anything else, and the silence between us felt awkward and suffocating.

We finished our meal, and the only sound in the suite was the clattering of cutlery. Alexis put down his utensils and wiped his hands and face with a napkin. "Thanks for the company, Ms. Carter," he snapped, and I could tell by his voice.

"I'd like to attend the banquet, but I don't have a dress to wear," I muttered softly. He was half-standing from his chair, ready to leave, but my words stopped him. He sat back down, an amused glint in his eyes.

"Don't worry, Ms. Carter. I'll arrange something, as well as other necessities. Be ready at 7:30 p.m.," he said, smirking. I saw a glimmer of victory in his eyes. Cocky bastard!

I exited the dining room, cursing him under my breath, and returned to my room.

As promised, Alexis sent a maid in the evening to deliver a dress, makeup, and heels. The maid also helped me get ready before leaving the suite. I looked in the mirror and smiled warmly. The black dress with a pink slit flare fit perfectly on my body. It came with a pearl necklace set, beautiful pink gloves, and transparent heels.

Everything looked gorgeous on me. I was lost in admiration when I heard the doorbell ring again. It was after 7:30, so I opened the door casually and found Alexis standing there. He wore a black tuxedo with a bow tie. He looked stunningly handsome. His hair was combed back, and he smiled at me with those emerald eyes.

He offered his arm, and I took it without hesitation. He led me to the banquet hall. "You look beautiful," he complimented softly, and I murmured a thank you in response.

"Stay close to me at all times, and don't accept drinks from anyone. Don't leave your food or drink unattended, and let me know immediately if anything suspicious happens or if you feel uneasy," he warned as we descended a luxurious flight of stairs.

He kept a wide smile on his face throughout our conversation. Soon, we blended in, and he began introducing me to people one by one; I forced a smile as I met each person. After a while, we found a table in a corner of the hall.

"Enjoy your food and have a good time," he wished me before leaving the table to tend to some business. I sat there, observing my surroundings. The thick carpet felt soft under my feet, and the aroma of fresh flowers mixed with food created a comforting atmosphere. The soft, low music made the environment even more inviting, even for a stranger like me.

It was clear Alexis was respected among these elite guests. They paid close attention to his every word. His aura was powerful, easily identifiable by his actions. Many beautiful women asked him to dance, but he politely declined. He sent a server to me with a glass of Champagne.

Feeling suffocated, I left the banquet area and went out onto the balcony for some fresh air. The salty sea breeze hit my face, and my hair floated in the wind. It felt refreshing, helping me clear my mind.

This life is extraordinary and powerful, but I must avenge those who care about me and find my way back. I stared at the dark sky, my thoughts racing.

"So you're here! I think... I think—" Alexis panted, his face filled with fear. "What do you think? Why are you worried?" I inquired, frowning. He didn't trust me enough.

"Nothing. Let's have dinner," he masked his emotions immediately. He turned away without answering, and I couldn't help but follow him. We soon approached a massive dining table with numerous chairs. All the guests had already been announced, but the head chair was still vacant, which I assumed would remain so.

Alexis, being a gentleman, pulled out a chair for me, which I gratefully accepted. We quickly became engrossed in our dinner, and the servers kept bringing various delicacies one after another.

People were eating and chatting merrily. This life is completely different than it was a few weeks ago, and the realization hit me like a brick.

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