ISLAND LOVE

"Whose turn is it to serve Mr Liam today?" I heard one of the girls whisper behind me.

It's the third day on the cruise ship, and I'm yet to see the famous Liam Ashford.

As much as I wanted to mind my business, I'll admit I'm curious to meet the young man who instills fear in everyone around him. Isn't the good type of fear, not the one out of respect, it's the one from his extremely abusive behavior.

"Maya, you're up, go get yourself ready, you will be serving Mr Liam this morning," the head chef instructed, not glancing in my direction.

Be careful what you wish for, it was no joke of a statement. Why did I just think of seeing him, and the next second I'm asked to serve him?

I wanted to swear and curse my faith, but there was no point in doing that, I mean, what could be the worst he could possibly do, yell at me?

If yelling at someone could actually kill a person, I would be ten feet in the ground by now.

"She's definitely cooked. With that attitude of hers, she's definitely getting in trouble with Mr Liam," one of my co-workers whispered.

I heard her, but pretended not to, I mean she didn't say it to my face.

"She'd better fix that attitude before showing her face in front of him." Another one chipped in.

"Maya," the head chef called, "you're taking this up first. And remember, no eye contact, and put a smile on that damn face of yours," he added with a tone that left no room for argument.

"Yes sir, " I responded, straightening my uniform, as I made sure my bun was properly in place and no strand of hair was flying around.

Heaving a sigh, I picked up the tray and walked up to the dining hall. The dining hall was big, with all of his friends who are as prominent as he is seated around, a huge chandelier hung from the ceiling, giving the room its gold glow.

"If you're done staring, will you bring whatever you have with you to the table," A voice said, jolting me from my thoughts. It wasn't pleasant, more of sarcasm and disdain.

Rushing over to the table with my face flushed and face down, I quickly place the tray, arranging the food one after the other, "How foolish are you? Aren't you supposed to start over here?" the same voice that had spoken earlier said.

"What was his problem? What difference does it make if I start at this end of the table or the other," I thought.

I raised my head slowly, trying to identify the face of the restless person, who wouldn't let me do my job in peace.

My eyes locked with his, it wasn't difficult to miss, every TV station and billboard had his face. Every corner you turned on the cruise ship had a large picture frame of him. "Hurry up and bring the food this way before I render you eyeless. As it seems, your eyes are your biggest problem and you can't seem to concentrate when you have them."

"What!!!" I gasped out.

But my response was overshadowed by the laughter of his friends seated there," You're right Liam, I think her eyes are too big for her head, taking them off will surely enhance her features." One of his friends commented.

At this point, I was already boiling with anger, but I couldn't even react, cause hell I need the money, and so far this is the only place that is promising.

Ignoring their laughter and nasty comments, I walked up to where the brat was seated at the other end of the table with the food and placed it right in front of him.

Without hesitation, I turned to leave, cause who knows what I'd do if I stayed there any longer, "And where do you think you're going?" He said, stopping me on my track.

What the hell is his problem?

Feigning a smile," I'm headed back to the kitchen, s..i..r," it was so difficult to refer to him as sir, he doesn't even deserve it.

"Huh, what did you say? I mean the last part, I didn't quite hear you," he said, resting his back on his chair, like he was waiting for me to make a mistake so he could bounce on me.

"I...I...I need to be in the kitchen si..r,"

"Hmmm, that's much better, but you ain't going anywhere. Come stand beside me, you're needed here more than you're needed there."

Inhaling deeply, I tried to control my anger," What would you like me to do Mr Liam?" I asked with the brightest smile I could manage.

"I need you to entertain me, my friends and I are bored. Do a little dance."

"I'm afraid I can't dance Mr Liam,"

"Are you trying to disrespect me?" He asked, his voice slightly raised.

"Not at all Mr Liam, I'm just not a dancer, and rather than being entertained, you'll be irritated."

"Wow, are you that terrible at dancing," he said bursting out in rolls of laughter. "Did you hear that Paul?" He called out to one of his friends who was seated by his right-hand side.

"I did, and I must say, I'm intrigued. I'm willing to see her moves." He said, sipping from his glass.

"Me too. You know what, let's place a bet, if she makes us laugh, I'll have your girlfriend for the night."

At first, I thought I was dreaming, and had to bite my tongue to make sure I wasn't, "isn't that such a higher wager on my path. What if she doesn't? What am I getting in return?"

Wait!!!

I can't believe the so-called Paul guy is considering it.

What the fuck is wrong with these rich people?

Is a girl just a game to them?

"You'll get my yellow Lamborghini," Liam said without any hint of sarcasm in his face or tone.

"Deal," Paul said with a half smile.

"Yay," a female voice yelled from beside Paul, I presume she's Paul's girlfriend, and from the looks of it, she's very pleased with the arrangement.

At this point, I believe everyone in this room with me is a sick psychopath, there's no doubt in that.

"Alright server, the deal is set... Start dancing."

"I'm sorry, but I won't do that."

"Then you're fired, and you can't be on my cruise. There's no place for insolent people here."

Wait!

He's joking right...

We're in the middle of the Caribbean Ocean, with only this cruise boat to take us back home.

I stood frozen, staring at him in disgust, trying to fathom how I had landed myself in this mess.

Taking off my shoes, I stretched out my legs and started dancing.

There was no music playing or anything. Just me swinging my hands and legs to their mocking laughter.

Liam laughed so hard that I could see a tear escaping his eye.

My anger boiled, he was the reason I'm being humiliated, he was the reason a table of almost twenty people is staring at me like I'm a toy that could be played with.

I danced behind his chair, holding it for support, as my eye caught the bowl of soup on the table.

Without considering my actions, I knocked the bowl slightly and watched as the entire contents of it landed on his lap.

The effect was satisfying," Youuuuuu...." He shouted, his voice resounding in the entire dining hall as he sprang from his chair.

"Ooh my goodness, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean for that to happen, I was only entertaining you... I'm so sorry," I added, dusting off the soup from his trousers.

"I knew you fucken did it intentionally you low life bitch," he yelled pushing me away from him.

It was satisfying seeing the embarrassment in his eyes. The entire table that was just laughing a few seconds ago was now quiet as a graveyard.

It was fun watching someone else get humiliated but not one of their own?

Jerks!!!

I was about to turn away to leave when he pulled me by my arm, the next instant an entire bowl of porridge soup was dripping from my head down to my face.

He didn't stop there, the wine, the sauce, everything that was liquid, he was just hurling them at me.

My legs quivered, my eyes burned from the hotness of the food.

I pulled my arm from his grip, almost knocking him into his chair, as I eyed him in disgust, before running out of the hall.

I ran to the bathroom, not even as much as taking off my clothes, I quickly turned on the shower washing off the pepper from my eyes.

It burned like hell, but the pain wasn't as severe as the one in my heart. If I had a family, one that loved and cherished me, I wouldn't have had to go through this humiliation just for a little cash.

I looked at myself in the mirror, my fair skin now colored red from the heat of the food, my blonde hair smeared with red stains like a dye, my eyes red like I was featuring for a role as a vampire princess.

I just wanted to walk up to him and strangle him. If I weren't in the middle of an ocean right now, I would have walked out the door, without looking back.

But not only can I not do that cause I'm on a cruise, if I do that I'll be living on the street for the next couple of months.

I just have to avoid him, get my pay, and leave.

I mean I can do that, right?

He's got his satisfaction from humiliating me. If I insist on working only in the kitchen, I won't have to face him ever again.

Just when I was still engrossed in my thoughts, I heard his voice, loud and clear, with so much anger." Where is she?"

"Calm down Liam, she's just a lowlife, she doesn't deserve your anger." I heard another voice that seemed like that of Paul.

"Calm down? Do not fucken tell me to calm down... Did you see the way she looked at me? With total disrespect."

"Just drop it Liam, I'm sure she feels sorry and knows who is in charge after what you did to her. Forget it, don't waste your energy on a maid."

"No, she doesn't feel sorry, you don't look at someone you're sorry to that way. And I'm going to show her what it means to disrespect me and challenge me."

Ooh my God!!

What should I do?

What will he do to me?

Have watched lots of movies and read enough books to know rich spoiled brat like him can get away with anything they do without as much as a cough from anyone around them.

What if he actually decides to throw me into the water?

I have to remain on the cruise to get my revenge.

I heard the door to the bath push open, as his footsteps approached me.

He pushed open the first door, which was a toilet. My heart raced as he approached my door slowly.

At that point, a thought crossed my mind, I took off my entire clothes and stood stark naked in the shower. As expected, he pushed the door open.

"The the fuck is wrong with you," I yelled turning around to face him. "I know you're rude, but I can't believe you're also a pervert. I understand I'm beautiful and you probably want to get a good look at me, but you don't have to do it in such a cringey way." I added, gas lighting him even more.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't know you were...." He stuttered.

"You didn't know I was what? What is this place called? It's called a bathroom for crying out loud, and I believe there's a FEMALE sign boldly written out there. I can't believe you'd defy me this much." I said bursting into tears.

"I didn't mean to, I swear..." he said, turning around for support from his friends. Unfortunately, none of them had followed behind him. "I...l...I..."

"Yes I know you don't have respect for someone like me, but you just took my honor and pride away from me. No man has ever seen me naked, and now I don't know how to face my future husband."

"Wait what? You mean you're a virgin," he asked in bewilderment.

"Is that even the point??" I yelled bursting into another fresh wave of tears. "You aren't even sorry, look at you standing right there feeding your eyes. You don't even have the decency to walk away and let me finish up."

As if just realizing his foolishness, "right, right..." he nodded, bowing his head slightly, "I'll get going, I'm...I...m sorry." He added, squealing away like a child who was caught doing what he wasn't supposed to.

"Asshole," I muttered to myself as I let the water wash over my skin.

A few minutes later, I stepped out of the bathroom, fully dressed, a towel still wrapped around my hair. My body was still trembling from the heat, the rage, the humiliation... and oddly enough, the pride.

Then I saw him.

Liam stood near the old ship wheel at the corner of the upper deck, his hands dramatically pressed to his chest like he'd just survived a horror movie. His back was to me, so he hadn't noticed me yet.

"I can't believe none of you warned me!" he barked, clearly talking to his friends. "You just stood there and let me walk in like that? Are you trying to make me look like a pervert?!"

No one answered. Probably because no one wanted to be involved.

"She...she totally ambushed me!" he stammered, pacing now. "She stood there, butt-naked, and then turned around and started crying like I'd just committed war crimes! Who even does that?!"

I stayed where I was, half-hidden behind the deck door, watching him spiral.

"I mean, yeah, sure, okay, she's got a D-cup. Whatever. That's not that impressive! I've seen women with better hips, thicker thighs, boobs the size of my ego, and God knows that's huge. And she acts like she's some kind of goddess or something. Like I should get on my knees and thank the heavens I got a peek? Please."

He threw his hands up dramatically. "So what if she's a virgin? Is she the first virgin in the world?!"

I couldn't help it, I smiled.

It wasn't even a proud smile. It was the kind of twisted smile you wear when karma works just fast enough to give you front-row seats.

He turned slightly, and for a second, our eyes met across the deck.

He froze.

I didn't say a word. Didn't flinch. I just lifted my chin, gave him the smallest smirk I could manage, and turned around.

Let him wonder what I'd heard.

Let him stew in it.

I walked away not in tears, not broken but with my dignity stitched back together, thread by thread.

On getting to my room, I threw myself on the bed, absorbing the warmth it gave, as of now, this is the only good thing on this damn boat.

It was still early, and I couldn't even sleep because I had chores to do in the kitchen.

Sighing, I sluggishly got off the bed and changed into another pair of uniforms.

I took another glance at my reflection, and it was nothing to be proud of.

"I told you not to upset Mr Liam. Didn't I ?" The chief chef yelled at me the moment I stepped into the kitchen.

"Every other person has served him and had no issues with him, but you go in there and cause chaos, do you think if given the opportunity, you will be able to deal with his wrath? You promised to be in your best behavior when I hired you. I didn't expect you'd want to leave me jobless in the process."

"I'm sorry Chef, I won't make such a mistake again," I said, bringing my head down in embarrassment. He was right after all, everyone went in there and there was no issue. But my case is always different, my luck has never been good.

"Of course you won't, cause I won't even give you the chance to. From today henceforth, you aren't allowed to go anywhere near Mr Liam. If he's coming from the right, take the left, and if he's coming from the left, take the right. You are only allowed to work in the kitchen, and not anywhere you'd get to see him. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes Chef," that's exactly what I wanted, not having to see that horrible face of his.

"Good," he added, walking away.

Everyone whispered, but I paid no attention to them. We are all here for the cash, that does not make them any better than I am. The only thing is they are willing to take shit, whereas I on the other hand give shit to whomever tries to throw one at me.

The morning passed soon enough, and soon it was time for dinner. I arranged the food on the tray and watched as one of my co-workers took it to the dining hall.

Barely five minutes later, she returned," Chef..."

"Yes," the chief chef responded, "is there a problem with the food?" He asked, puzzled.

"Not at all Chef."

"Then..."

She hesitated a bit, before shooting a glance in my direction," Mr Liam requested Maya,"

"Me???" I blurted out immediately, "the fuck does he want with me?" I asked, infuriated.

The room went dead silent.

Chef's brows furrowed, lips curling in disbelief. "Are you sure that's what he said?"

"Yes, Chef," she nodded quickly, "he was very clear. He asked for Maya specifically. Said he wouldn't eat unless she brought the tray."

I blinked, confused. Just this morning, this man looked like he wanted to drown me. Now, he's refusing to eat unless I serve him?

Chef gave me a hard look. "I told you to avoid him."

"With all due respect, Chef, I have no intention of going anywhere near that psycho," I said, folding my arms.

Chef exhaled, clearly torn between obeying the guest and protecting me. "You'll go, but you won't say a word. Drop the food, walk out. No drama. No comebacks. No eye contact. If he calls your name, pretend you didn't hear. If he breathes wrong, just walk faster."

I rolled my eyes. "Fantastic. Sounds like the beginning of a horror movie."

He shoved the tray into my hands before I could argue further. "Don't ruin this for me."

With a muttered curse under my breath, I made my way to the dining hall. My palms were sweaty against the silver handles. I took a deep breath at the door, squared my shoulders, and pushed it open.

Liam sat alone at the far end, one arm draped lazily on the chair, his phone in his other hand. He didn't look up.

I approached carefully, placing the tray in front of him without saying a word.

"That's all?" he asked.

His voice was calm and annoying.

I straightened. "Yes."

He leaned back, his eyes finally meeting mine. "You forgot the wine."

"Wine wasn't on the menu, but juice was, and that's exactly what is set at your front," At this point, I knew I was being too bold, but whoever doesn't respect someone doesn't deserve to be respected.

"Why are you pretending to be mad at me?"

"Pretending?" I scoffed, "Don't be delusional to think I'd put in an act in front of you,"

"Well, don't think I didn't notice you've been avoiding me. One servant a day, that's how the kitchen routine works. You were supposed to bring in my lunch and dinner, but someone else did. What does that imply?" he paused waiting for my response.

"Let's see... could it be guilt?"He stood up, slow and deliberate. "Or fear? Or maybe you've started knowing your place after this morning's incident?"

I looked at him, contemplating whether to respond to him or walk away. One thing was for sure, he'd probably think his entire life through if I gave him a response, so I chose the latter.

I didn't answer, I just turned and left without looking back.

His footsteps followed mine. I picked up my pace, but he reached me just before I got to the door.

"Are you really ignoring me right now? It seems you're forgetting who runs things here" he said, his hand gripping my wrist.

The contact made me flinch.

"Get your hands off me," I said between clenched teeth.

"Make me..." he said with a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

I yanked my wrist back like it burned. "Touch me again, and I swear to God, I'll forget this is a five-star cruise and send this tray flying into your face."

His smirk dropped. For a moment, I saw the anger flicker in his eyes. Then masked with calmness seconds later, "You've got a mouth on you," he said, voice low. "Someone should've taught you how to use it better."

"I use it just fine," I snapped, then regretted it the second it came out. His brows lifted, slowly, as if he was calculating the many meanings behind that sentence.

"Well, talking ain't one, but maybe it'll do fine in sucking. I mean if you've never had a cock between your legs, you should have at least had one around your mouth." He said with a dirty smirk.

I turned sharply, not waiting for another word. I stormed through the doors, back into the safety of the kitchen, slamming the tray down harder than necessary.

"Whoa," my co-worker muttered. "What the hell happened?"

"Nothing," I said, brushing past her. "Absolutely nothing happened."

I hate him...

I hate him so much that I wish he'd drop dead any second.

************************************

Later That Night – On the Upper Deck

I couldn't sleep, how could I? The chef had let me off early, probably to avoid another scene. Everyone kept glancing at me like I had just kicked a royal family member in the balls.

I needed air.

The yacht was quiet now, most guests probably tucked in silk sheets or drinking themselves stupid in the lounge. I crept up to the upper deck, hugging my hoodie tighter against the salty breeze.

I exhaled. For the first time since I got on this cursed ship, I felt like I could breathe.

Until I saw him.

Liam.

Standing at the edge of the deck, looking out at the water, his hands tucked into his trouser pockets like he hadn't just grabbed me and humiliated me an hour ago.

I turned on instinct, planning to sneak back inside, but his voice cut through the dark like a blade.

"You always run."

I froze.

He didn't look at me. "It's interesting. You bite hard, but you never stay to see if you draw blood."

"I didn't know this was a zoo exhibit," I said, keeping my back to him. "Forgive me for assuming I was allowed to walk freely."

"Careful," he warned, "too much defiance can make things... difficult for you."

I laughed with a bitter tone," Like they are any easier right now," I responded, rolling my eyes.

He walked up to me, and I took a step back instinctively, "You chose not to. If I'm correct, you're the only one who has issues with me, everyone else loves me."

For some reason, his statement sounded funny. I burst out in rolls of laughter," Love you?" I said laughing harder as I crashed into the railing of the yacht.

Before I could say anything else, I heard a metallic creak.

I glanced down.

The railing beside me shook, just slightly, but enough.

Lame noticed it too. "WAIT..."

But the words came too late.

SNAP.

The railing broke clean off, the world tilting beneath me.

I screamed as the sea rushed up to meet me.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhh..."