DEIRDRE POV


    I awoke to the sounds of birds chirping and flies buzzing, apanied by a hand groping my shoulder.


    “Wake up, Deirdre,” Vittorio’s unmistakable voice said, and I opened my eyes slowly.


    Grimacing as they felt glued together, I rubbed at them, regretting it immediately as they throbbed.


    Yet, I tried again.


    “Vittorio,” I murmured as soon as I could see clearly.


    I frowned, staring at my surroundings. I was still in the lifeboat, but it was now on a sandy beach.


    No, it didn’t look like any ordinary beach; it resembled a remote ind. I saw nothing in sight-no humans, just sand, water, and tall trees.


    Thest thing I remembered before dozing off was us entering new territory. The storm that sank the ship seemed confined to that area, as the other side of our journey was much smoother with the storm that had urred.


    Standing up, I groaned as my limbs ached from being cramped in the small space. Even though it was just the two of us, Vittorio’s supplies had nearly filled the entire boat.


    “Where are we?” I asked, sighing as I felt the warmth of the sand beneath my feet.


    “An ind,” Vittorio replied simply, as though it was the most normal thing to say.


    “Obviously, I can see that.” I rolled my eyes, looking around. “I mean, where exactly?”


    Frowning, I nced around. There wasn’t much to see except for therge body of water, sand, and a forest that hinted at dangerous animals.


    I shuddered at the thought of spending the night here. I didn’t want to think about it.


    The urge to dash around, screaming ‘Help’ while waving my hands in the air filled me. But then, I didn’t want to appear crazy. The fact that we were here was crazy enough.


    “Vittorio,” I called his name when he didn’t respond.


    “I wouldn’t know,” Vittorio shrugged. “The waves brought us here, and I think we should be grateful.”


    “Of course I am,” I mumbled, sighing. “Did you make any calls? I mean, for emergency rescue or something?”


    Walking back to the duffel bag, I unzipped it, searching for my phone.


    However, it wasn’t there. I remembered taking it. Or perhaps I had thought I took it. A groan escaped me, and I pushed a hand through my hair.


    “Do you have your phone on you? I think I left mine on that ship,” I said.


    “It’s probably with Matteo. We should wait for him to reach us,” Vittorio replied.


    “He’s dead,” I stated. Matteo had sunk with the ship, and there was no way he wasing back.


    For one, I didn’t feel his absence one bit and didn’t care what happened to his remains after what he had said to me.


    “You underestimate him, Deirdre. I won’t be surprised if hees running to this ind to find you,” Vittorio said.


    “Do you have a phone on you?” I repeated, firmly this time, hoping he would drop the discussion about Matteo’s now-bloated body.


    “I do, but it is useless,” Vittorio said.


    “Why?” I questioned.


    “Out of coverage. I’ve been walking for an hour looking for the best spot for awork connection, but I found none. I think we are stuck here, and no one will being to rescue us soon,” he exined.


    “I hope that is meant to be a joke,” as he said nothing, I continued, “My daughter is at home, Vittorio. I need to get to her. And you remember what Matteo…”


    I grimaced. I didn’t want to mention his name, but then, I doubted I would have been able to in that situation.


    “He asked you to take me to Giovanni.”


    Vittorio nodded and said, “Oh, right. Perhaps we need to explore to see if any other survivors are here. Also, try to find help as soon as we can, or else we might be stuck here for a long time looking for who mighte to rescue us.”


    I nodded. “Can we leave now?” I stretched out my legs, which suddenly started to cramp. Wincing as they popped, I tested them on the ground again, sighing. It was much better than before.


    “Stay here. I’ll go look around to make sure it’s safe before you cane with me,” Vittorio said.


    “I’d rathere with you,” I murmured.


    “Why?”


    “Why not?” I raised a brow. “For all I know, something dangerous mighte for me while you are away. And hey, I am not saying I am a damsel in distress, but right now, I think I need to take precautions.”


    Vittorio narrowed his eyes at me before he started towards me slowly, and I stepped backward.


    I stumbled, and he gripped my hand before I could fall.


    “This is the wild, baby. We are not ying dress up here, and it is one of the reasons I want you to stay back because this isn’t the right ce for you,” a sardonic smile on his face.


    “I am not blind, Vittorio. I can see we are on an ind; people obviously are not on. So, I need to stay with you,” I said.


    For a brief second, he seemed to contemte what I said while his gaze still locked on mine.


    “Fine, Deirdre. Don’t me me if something happens. I warned you, and when Matteoes and sees you in a condition that isn’t favorable, you should let him know all that you did, forcing me to agree with you.”


    “Matteo isn’ting. Besides, I take responsibility,” I smiled up at him, following him behind as he started walking towards a dense forest area.


    “Don’t touch anything unless I ask you to,” Vittorio warned.


    “Yes, captain. I promised not to touch anything.” It was meant to be sarcastic, but Vittorio tossed his head back and let out a peal ofughter.


    “Ferrari really caught a good one,” he said, shaking his head.


    Matteo Ferrari, I mused. I wondered if I was ever not going to hear his name being mentioned.Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    I hadn’te to terms with what had happened. Deep down, I wanted him to survive, to escape from the ship. Yet, I knew his chances of survival would have been very slim.


    Still, I yearned for him to be alive not just for me but for Kendall.


    Vittorio and I walked in circles, but we were lucky to find some edible things like coconuts lying on the floor, as well as some chunks of wood.


    When we returned to the ind, I was exhausted, and the reality of my situation hit me as night began to set.


    “This is thest ce I ever saw myself in,” I grumbled, setting up a sleeping bag Vittorio had luckily snatched into the lifeboat.


    “Some things are inevitable, Deirdre. It just happens. I believe that is how life is,” Vittorio said.


    He seemed so ustomed to the situation. While I was freaking out, he appeared calm.


    “I hope we get out of here as soon as possible,” I let out.


    “I hope so, too,” Vittorio muttered.