WRITER''S POV


    Isabella heaved a sigh of satisfaction as she beheld the splendor of the Celeste Horizon. It was worth her money. A master piece of modern luxury. Its gleaming white exterior reflected the golden hues of the setting sun as it prepared to depart.


    Inside, the grand lobby was a vision of excess polished marble , a spiraling crystal chandelier , and golden railings that curved like the veins of an opulent dream. The air smelled of expensive perfume and aged whiskey, mingling with the faint scent of the sea that crept in through the open doors.


    The main dining hall was a spectacle, with tables set in perfect symmetry, candlelight flickering against fine china and glasses of bubbling champagne. A live orchestra played soft, enchanting melodies, adding to the illusion that nothing could possibly go wrong in a place so perfect.


    The upper deck, reserved for private guests, was lined with infinity pools, plush lounges, and glass-paneled balconies overlooking the vast ocean. By day, it was a retreat of sunbathing and exotic cocktails. By night, it transformed into a dreamscape of shimmering lights, where whispered conversations and stolen glances hinted at secrets yet to be unraveled.


    Yet, beneath the grandeur, something felt off. The hallways seemed too quiet at times. The endless corridors of first-class cabins held doors that were always shut, as if hiding things best left unseen. And somewhere, deep below, where the engines thrummed like a restless heartbeat, the ship carried more than just its passengers. It carried secrets.


    Isabelle stood in the upper deck her hair was in the wind with the evening sun resting warmly on the back. She had booked the whole cruise for a fortune and invited people to celebrate her wedding. Lately she did not feel safe it wasn''t just because of her great fortune. Something eerie and queer always seemed to loom over her. Call it a premonition or paranoia. Therefore she always booked a whole restaurant when she ate outside or a whole aeroplane if she didn''t fly using her private jet. Her mansion was a fortress. She manipulated every detail of her life down to the the last detail. Her premonition urged her to invite Vincent Benoit A detective Sergeant. Benoit was an old family friend. He promised Isabella''s father to protect her. He is tall, standing at 6''2", with a lean, athletic build that speaks to years of physical training. His features are rugged, with a square jaw and high cheekbones, framed by dark brown hair that''s beginning to show hints of gray at the temples. His eyes, a piercing shade of green, are constantly observing, searching for answers even when he''s off duty. He has a scar just above his left eyebrow from a past case that went sideways, a reminder of the dangers he faces. His clothing is simple but polished-a well-fitted suit that doesn''t draw attention but signals Authority. He was busy smoking a sigar looking out into the lake.


    On the lower deck near the bow was Damien , her husband resting on the deck chairs bare chested. Which reminded her of that time in Fiji when Claire introduced him as her boyfriend. It was there where it all started. Isabella knew Claire was the type of girl who couldn''t stay with one man for long. So when Claire confessed to her that she was ready to marry Damien she was stunned. But it was a minute too late Isabella was already deep in love with Damien .


    Beside him was her cousin Charlotte in a bikini accentuating her curves,with the top highlighting her bust and the bottom hugging her hips. Her skin was sun-kissed , reflecting her time spent outdoors. Her toned abs were visible, along with any defined muscle tone on her legs and arms. She also wore sunglasses and a beach hat, giving her a laid-back yet stylish vibe. She wasgiggling and fussing over her Kyle''s brown n curly hair . With a small smirk he tugged a loose curl framing her face. She swatted his hand away playfully but her lips twitched into a smile. He tried again this time twirling the curl around his finger before letting it bounce back. Isabella snickered. She didn''t understand why Charlotte was dating such a low life. She seemed very attached to him. Twice she had bailed the wretch of a man from prison because of some unscrupulous dealings. He was constantly high on drugs. Drank like a fish. It was obvious to everyone that he was with her only for the money.


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    A few metres from the was Isabella''s Godmother, Amelie on her wheelchair staring into the sea with her nurse, Marie by her side. Genevieve was a close friend of Isabella''s father. They were in the Auction business together but after the loss of her husband and her friend she snapped. She was diagnosed with Functional Nuerological Disorder because of the psychological stress. One of the physical defects is paralysis. The doctors said it was a miracle she is still alive. Marie is always by her side to help her with her daily routine.


    The captain''s call as another couple entered the cruise wiped the smile off her face. It was her best friend and her husband, Claire and Jonathan Smith. She was dressed in a saffron sleek dress that accentuated her natural curves. She knew it because she had gifted her during her first date with Jericho.


    CLAIRE''S POV


    Why the hell has Isabella invited us. Typical of her. Insensitive bitch. She always thinks the world revolves and bows down to her. She expects me to come and congratulate her for stabbing me in the back. Wasn''t inviting me to their wedding enough. Now I have to smile as they cuddle up and kiss.


    I don''t know why I agrees to the invitation. Perhaps subconsciously it was because I thought the sight of me could awaken the fire of love Jericho once felt for me. I couldn''t bring myself to admit it but I still ached for his touch. His embrace. His kiss. Perhaps that''s why I''ve worn this dress. To remind him of what we had. And tell him how much it meant to me and that I know he still thinks of me. You can''t love that much and become emotionless. I remember the amazing moments I had with Jericho and the thought of him sharing those moments with her makes me mad. He ended things with me and for what.. Herrrr!! Ni he couldn''t possibly get over me that fast. It''s probably because of her money. It has to be.


    The moment I saw him I remembered Fiji. Past emotions were rekindled and in that instant I felt like jumping on him and kissing the hell out of him. His I should have known. Now the late night outs and postponing of our dinner plans were explained. How could I not see it before. Or was it because I was so obsessed with believing a lie. I should have stopped when I had a chance.


    I only played along with it because I thought she was showing him the ropes before he took over the job of managing her estates. I mean that was the sole purpose of the introduction. Damein wanted to fulfill his dream and I was ready to see him through it. I was a fool for suggesting that they ask Isabella for help.


    Now I am stuck with this fool. I didn''t want to marry Theo. But I knew they were once an item with Isabella. So subconsciously I married him as payback. He tries to be a gentleman but I know he still feels something for her. So I know being here pains him as much as it does me. People still talk of how Isabella dumped him. Their marriage was to be an alliance of Montreal Auctioning House and Dupont Shipping Company. Theo had organised to propose during an interview with a celebrated business show. But Isabella turned him down.


    With the shame and humiliation came a drastic drop in the shares of their company. The company finally went under and closed down. The grief killed his father and his mother became disillusioned and became mad. She was admitted into a mental hospital after a year. Theo later started working in in Montreal Legal and Financial Firm a subsidiary of the Montreal Auctioning House.


    BENOIT''S POV


    The Caribbean sunset wraps the ship in a soft, golden light as I stand on the deck, the cool sea breeze tousling my hair. The water stretches out in every direction, a calm, seemingly endless expanse, reflecting the fiery hues of the sky above. The gentle sway of the ship is comforting, almost soothing. Yet, beneath this tranquility, there''s an unsettling tension in the air. The crew moves about, their laughter and chatter faint in the background, but I can''t shake the feeling that something is about to shatter the peace. The vibrant colors of the sky grow darker, and as the sun sinks lower, I feel a chill creeping in, a sense that something ominous is waiting to unfold. The calm before the storm, perhaps.