by Daya Daniels
I give her a brittle smile. “I didn’t want to tell anyone yet.”
“Right.” It’s quiet between us for a long moment.
Symone’s brown eyes scan my face for deception. She leans into me. “I know you, Cass.” She chides.
I take a gulp of the champagne and stare straight ahead.
“The son of a billionaire.” Her voice an amused whisper.
I only blink, staring out at the sky that has turned the prettiest shade of orange and pink. “Do you know who that man is over there?”
I remain emotionless and without reaction. I have no answers for her questions and some part of me feels dumb for that.
“His name is Aurelio Abel Cruz. CEO of a one-hundred year old global conglomerate called CCorporation. Cruz senior over there has his hands in everything from real estate, investments, engineering, technology, automotive distribution, high end retail and media and entertainment, Stefan tells me. The list goes on. He’s owns one of the challenger teams competing in this race, apparently. It’s likely why your boyfriend is here to begin with.”
I nod. Maybe?
“Aurelio Abel Cruz also owns a Formula 1 racing team as well a team of NBA basketball players in-New-Jersey.” She goes on, lifting a perfectly penciled brow. “What’s the son of a billionaire doing living out on an old fucking fishing boat?”
I purse my lips and take another long sip of my champagne, without making eye contact with her.
Symone laughs softly. “I know you, Cass and I know you didn’t know anything about this. Nice surprise, huh?”
I don’t glorify her suspicions with a response. She’s already knows she’s right.
Her lips hover an inch from my ear. “This should tell you Nico is a liar, Cass.”
What the fuck?
“What else is he hiding?” She asks, tapping me on the shoulder as she walks off.
I jerk my head in her direction, staring at the back of her as she walks off unable to understand how she thinks.
If Nico’s a fisherman, it’s a problem.
Now that she suspects he’s worth a little money, that’s also a problem.
Even if his father is worth billions, it doesn’t mean Nico is. Even though there’s a remote chance of that even being true, it’s fair to consider. I don’t understand Symone. According to her, no matter what or who Nico is, it seemed I just wasn’t supposed to have him. I feel a massive headache coming on, taking to my brain like a raging man holding a sledgehammer.
Massaging my temples for a few seconds, I scan the deck that’s quickly filtering of people. Heather Nova’s Walking Higher sounds from a speaker in the distance. It’s such a pretty song.
“Why’d you lie, Cass?” A slurred English accent, causes me to spin around.
I’m not in the mood for this shit that seems to keep coming.
“What?” I quip, only to stare into the face of Rupert.
“Why’d you lie?”
“I didn’t...” I halt my words, making the choice not to explain to him. Afterall, it isn’t any of his business.
“That guy over there is a fucking billionaire. I don’t know whyyy you’re lying about it, Cass.” He sways. “You told me he was fisherman.” His voice lifts an octave when he says the last word and the alcohol fumes from his breath burn my eyes.
“Does it matter, Rupert? You dumped me. And-and-and this is so weird. It’s weird you even standing here talking to me. It’s weird you being here with your new girlfriend and still concerning yourself with the things I do and with my life.”I huff. “It’s all just fucking weird.”
Rupert laughs and leans into me with a laugh. Instantly, I back away from those gleaming caps of his. “He’s watching us right now. He doesn’t take his eyes off you. I don’t know if you’ve noticed.” He exhales, allowing his blue eyes to linger on me for a moment. “I didn’t expect this Nicolau to be such a gentleman towards me.” He leans into me again.
It’s the first time since I’ve seen him today that I’ve really taken a good hard look at the man I used to be stupidly in love with...that never loved me back. He’s no less handsome and proper and poshy perfect but he’s no match for a man like Nico – not by a longshot. That realization makes me smile at this jackass with pride. Rupert’s rich, handsome and successful. He usually intimidates everyone and the fact that his presence doesn’t bother Nico, is clearly a massive blow to his English countryside-sized ego.
Rupert slurs on. “He’s offered us champagne, food even and said we could use this private terrace for the rest of this event.” He runs a hand over his jaw. “I don’t intimidate him.” He laughs to himself. “Why?”
In the words of Scarlett O’Hara in Gone With the Wind: Frankly, my dear. I don’t give a damn.
Fish Lips rushes up behind Rupert and wraps her arms around his waist playfully, interrupting our twisted staredown.
“Hey, there.” Rupert laughs and kisses her on the lips.
“Hey.” She says.
They mumble things to each other I can’t hear, nor do I want to and then set off. “It was nice to meet you, Cass.” Fish Lips waves.
Sure.
Rupert sets off along side her as she drags him away. He glances over his shoulder and meets my eyes. “Nicely done, Cass.” He winks.
I only scrunch my face in reaction to his words.
Nicely done? What did I do?
Tatiana skips back to where I stand, with pink cheeks and smiling.
“Do you want some ice cream?”
“Surrre.” I say in an exhausted tone when she takes my hand, leading me away from my thoughts that feel as corrosive as the salt water all around us.
Nico
Shifting in my stool uncomfortably, I observe Symone head off out of the private terrace with Stefan on her arm. When she spins around, I give the pair a wave and a sayo-fucking-nara. Cass’ is unsettled. Her features are smashed into an expression that’s a mixture of confusion and maybe even anger. I don’t know which. I worry about the little poisonous insect Symone may have planted in Cass’ worried head before she headed off, without barely even giving a goodbye to her sister or anyone else that’s with their group. I’d had enough of Symone’s shitty attitude.
I let out a breath before finishing the Heneiken in my hand.
An hour before, I observed that grease ball prick Rupert, a.ka Vanilla Cunt, skitter his filthy fingers over Cass’ cheek. My Cass. And I imagined breaking them – one by one. I don’t know what he’s here for, except to torment her somehow. I’m certain also to tell her what a mistake she made throwing away her career. To tell her all the things she’d need to do before he takes her back. Lastly, to flaunt his drunk bimbo girlfriend Charlotte in front of Cass. The whole set up makes me want to punch the table in front of me, knowing that Cass has been surrounded by these people most her life.
They don’t support her.
They don’t make her better.
They only tear her down.
All I want to do is take her away from it all and keep her safe. I run a hand over my jaw looking at Rupert in the distance. Something about this guy gets under my skin, even though I’ve tried my best to be polite and gentleman-like in his presence. He’s arrogant, condescending and rude. I have a difficult time ever imagining Cass with this guy, in life.
Tatiana pulls Cass over to the buffet, asking for ice cream. Cass laughs with her. I smile realizing Tat is doing a perfect job of keeping the woman I love distracted.
“Nicolau.” Aurelio says.
“Are you bringing Cass on the Zephyr?” He questions. “I’m exhausted.”
“Yeah, I am. Technically, we sort of live together remember?”
Aurelio stands checking the time on his watch. “Yes, right. I haven’t forgotten, only now she’ll be aboard the correct accomodations.”
I groan loudly.
Aurelio taps me on the shoulder and heads off with Tomas trailing behind him. Shifting to stand, I walk across the room that’s filled with the ocean breez
e towards Cass and Tatiana slowly. Cass spins around when I place a hand on her shoulder and pull her into me. She opens her mouth to speak but no words come out. Placing a kiss on her cheek, I whisper in her ear. “It’s time to go.”
Cass only nods and puts a spoonful of vanilla ice cream in her mouth, covered by rainbow sprinkles. She’s trying her best to play off how apprehensive I already know she is.
“Papai, do you want some?” Tatiana asks, showing me the flavors in front of her that range from pink to blue.
“Maybe a little.” I say, pinching my thumb and index finger together in the air. “Just a little.”
I’m handed a small cup of vanilla ice cream with chocolate sprinkles on top. I laugh watching Tatiana spin around in her flowy white dress, with a silly grin on her face. She’s happy to be here and I’m so happy she’s with me.
“I don’t ever get to meet my papai’s girlfriends.” Tatiana complains.
Cass eyes me suspiciously.
“That’s because I haven’t had any girlfriends, Tatiana.” Which was the truth. “You already know that.”
She giggles and rushes off to Aurelio and Tomas, shouting something about going for a swim later. I pull Cass into my chest and smooth a hand over her arm, chasing away her goosebumps and I inhale the scent of her strands.
“Você está cansado? Are you tired?”
She nods but doesn’t look at me.
“Look at me, Cass.” I command and her browns meet my hard stare. “Will you come with me tonight, please?”
She gives me a smirk and nudges her chin in the direction of the Zephyr across the water. “To that big old yacht over there?”
I nod.
“Is that where you live now?”
I nod again with a hum.
“I wanted to see you today.” She says.
“I wanted to see you too.”
Cass shuffles her feet. “I thought maybe you got an apartment somewhere.”
“I do have an apartment. It’s over there.”
She rolls her eyes and shifts away from me. I step closer, caging her in against the table of desserts behind us.
“That’s going to be my home over there, until I have to go. I want you to come with me tonight, since clearly we should talk.”
She groans. “What’s there to talk about?”
“Cass, come on. Don’t be silly. Come with me, please.”
“I don’t have any clothes, Nico.”
I smile. “Don’t worry about that. I took care of that.” I say, which earns me a lift of her brows. “Come with me, please.” I whisper. “Tonight.”
“I’m confused, Nico.”
“So, give me a chance to explain.”
“This is just all a surprise. I don’t understand what any of it means.” She says harshly through gritted teeth.
I pluck the ice cream cup from her hands and set it on the table, pulling her into me.
“Cass.” I whisper.
“Yes.”
“Come with me.”
“Okay.”
Cassandra
Fingering through the closet full of clothes in my size, I bite my lip. I brush my fingers over the soft material and linger when I get to Nico’s side of the closet that’s full of tailored dress shirts and Brioni suits. I inhale the scent of cedar that lines the inside of the walk-in closet. I pick a dress that’s simple and white and made out of linen and with a label inside that reads Donna Karan. Leaving the closet, I take a deep breath and head for the bathroom that’s just a few feet away, off the massive bedroom.
Padding into the bathroom that’s all stone grey and black, I turn on the shower and step in, allowing the hot spray to soothe my skin and calm my brutal ruminations. Grabbing the soap and smoothing the suds over my skin, I sink into the scent that dusted Nico’s skin earlier when he kissed me. I miss his soft and inviting lips already.
I was still gathering my thoughts while being brought to the Zephyr on a short boat ride. Approaching the mega-yacht felt surreal. It’s beautiful with a sleek blue hull and nearly four-hundred feet long with multiple decks. I haven’t had a chance to look around the entire vessel after being led here. Carlos suggested I take some time to shower and prepare for dinner. Nico disappeared some place, leaving me alone, which I’m still not sure if I should be upset about. I thought it was clear that he needed to clear up some things but I guess that would be done on his time, not mine. Some part of me felt like a fool for not knowing any of this. This is Bermuda! It wouldn’t have been difficult for me to find out who Nico really was. I was a barrister. I’m smart! I was capable of defending some of the guiltiest souls that walked the surface of this earth! How could I not have known any of this? I didn’t even know Nico had a brother for Christmas sakes!
But I never asked.
I never pried.
I-questioned-nothing.
When I’m done, I dry off and stare at myself in the mirror that magically hasn’t steamed up like the rest of the bathroom. Something makes me smile when I look at the other side of the vanity only to see small items that belong to Nico. A razor, some aftershave and lotion. Another watch hangs from handle of a hairbrush. I lean in and pick it up, examining the face that reads Rolex. I flip the heavy timekeeper over, that reveals the letters N.X.C which are engraved on the back.
X?
I place it back down gently.
Brushing my damp hair out, I take a deep breath. I keep my skin bare, except for some pink lip gloss I dab on my lips. Quickly, I head back out into the bedroom and sit on the edge of the platform bed. I fiddle with the strappy Giuseppe Zanotti sandals that rest on the wooden floor next to my feet. They’re pretty and simple and certainly my style. I probably would’ve picked them out myself in some department store.
This apartment is enormous but I know it’s nothing compared to the remaining rooms aboard this massive mega-yacht.
I’d explored Nico’s apartment a little already and found three bedrooms, including this one. Tatiana’s bedroom is decorated all in pink. A cinema room, state-of-the-art kitchen and a large den make up the rest of the very lived-in apartment. There’s an expansive private deck outside that surrounds the entire length of the bedroom and the den. When I stepped outside earlier to peek around, I was able to see my parent’s house on Somerset Island from where I stood, which I found amusing.
Aboard Reel Talk, Nico didn’t have much. It was as if everything he owned could fit into one duffel bag but here, everything about him is out and exposed to prying eyes. It’s filled with personal items, reading books, pictures of him as a toddler and as a teenager, his journals that are filled with hours of writing. For a minute, I wonder if he left me to explore this apartment in his absence for a reason. His laptop rests on an ornate desk in a corner of the den, open to a webpage displaying little blips and dots on a matrix. I peered closer to it earlier, realizing that they were stock prices for various companies that fell under the umbrella of CCorporation. Then, it occurred to me that I’d never actually asked Nico what he did for his father when he wasn’t fishing.
I press my nose into the plush white comforter that smells like everything him. Gathering my scattered thoughts, I fasten the sandals at my ankles, mist Gucci’s Flora on my skin and stand. Almost instantly, I sit back down taking in that this is all real. This is happening. I cover my face with my hands and just breathe.
A large painting hangs on the far wall in the bedroom, that I recognize as The Great Wave by Katsushika Hokusai. The image depicts an enormous cresting wave threatening boats off the coast of the prefecture Kanagawa in Japan. Slanting my head, I take in the details of the massive canvas ahead of me. The wave is blue of course, with white tips at the edges hinting at how rough the water in the scene is. The sky in the background of the painting is peach. A small breath leaves my mouth.
Right now, Nico is the rogue wave in this painting that’s barrelling towards me at fifty miles per hour. I have no shelter. No protection. No way to shield myself from the impact, from
the force of how I’ll be forever changed when it finally hits me.
The screen of my iPhone in my hand lights up pulling me back to the present.
I’ve no clue what I’m doing or especially what I’m doing here. This isn’t how I imagined life would be like with Nico. My world has turned on it’s axis.
Staring at the words that appear on the screen, I exhale the loudest breath I think I’ve let out all bleddy year.
Zoey: Everything is perfect, Cass!
I take another light breath at her words. Is it?
Cassandra
Carlos guides me from the apartment, down the length of the boat until we make it to an elevator. I eye over the good-looking man with curiosity, taking in his pastel La Coste ensemble. He’s handsome but there’s something remarkably feminine about him. His clothes are impeccably pressed and his smile is always subdued - like the type of smile royalty would give you. It’s practiced and proper. It’s just the right amount of smile, so that he doesn’t crack his face.
The short walk to whatever plank it feels like he’s leading me to is silent. I take the chance to look around the immaculate mega-yacht that feels more like a floating mansion.
“This is an amazing boat.” I compliment, staring at the helipad in the distance when we take an open walkway on the port side of the boat.
“Sim. Yes it is. Nicolau actually helped his father to do the remodel a few years ago. We have a crew of around fifty on board, including me.”
I nod but don’t ask him to elaborate. We take another elevator up a floor and reach a double door that Carlos steps in front of me to open, guiding me in ahead of him. The room is completely open to the ocean, allowing the sheer cream curtains to blow in the wind. The lingering scent of vanilla and roses fill the large dining room and den, which mixes with the salty ocean air. Instantly, I relax dropping my shoulders that are knotted with tension at what awaits me here.
“If you need anything Cass, please do not hesitate to ask Margeaux.” He instructs.
I spin around only to find an older woman with squinty grey eyes and white hair pulled back in a sophisticated bun standing right in front of me, holding a wine decanter in her hands.