Chapter 16 Luka

The moment Luka and the captain set foot in the Grand Dining Room, the weight of expectation settled on Luka’s shoulders. The room shimmered with an opulent elegance. Crystal chandeliers cascaded overhead, casting a warm glow on the polished mahogany tables.

As Captain Clarke whispered in his ear, his voice carried a hint of admiration. “You look incredibly attractive tonight.”

“I feel like I’m not good enough to be here with you,” Luka whispered.

“If I thought that, you’d be in your cabin, especially during punishment week. I wanted to show you off. You belong with me.”

Luka had braided his long golden-brown hair because the captain had told him to put his hair in a ponytail around food areas. He fidgeted with the stiff collar of his shirt, wishing for the comfort of the cotton T-shirts he had worn at the beach. Captain Clarke stood by his side with a kind smile gracing his weathered face.

Approaching the table, Luka’s eyes darted from one face to another, trying to gauge their reactions. Each one, etched with the lines of experience and authority, held curiosity and appraisal. Heat rose in Luka’s cheeks, self-conscious under their scrutiny. They don’t like me. Need to get out of here.

Captain Clarke reached out and took Luka’s hand, providing a comforting touch, anchoring him in the present. Taking a deep breath, Luka straightened his posture, determined to prove himself worthy of their shared table.

“This is Luka Batista, who has joined me for the evening.” Captain Clarke’s voice was warm and welcoming.

As the officers responded, their smiles and nods offered a tentative bridge, and Luka acknowledged them with a slight nod of his head and a murmured greeting. He hoped these unfamiliar faces might accept him in time. He felt unworthy as he sat beside the captain and Charlie at the large, round table. As soon as the captain sat down, a line formed to speak to him. He leaned over and kissed Luka on the cheek, then stood up to greet the people in the line.

“Why is the captain so busy with all these people?” Luka asked Officer Morgan.

“It’s like this every night. He does more talking than eating. He’s very popular with the passengers. They invite different passengers as guests for dinner each night, and it seems everyone wants to meet the captain to compliment or complain about something on the ship.”

“Is everything okay?” Charlie whispered to Luka.

“Sort of.”

“We can talk later. Send me a message.”

The aroma of roasted beef and spices wafted through the air, mingling with the scent of freshly baked bread. A server presented Luka with a steaming plate, the visual feast adding to the sensory overload. As he took his first bite, the explosion of flavors on his tongue offered a welcome distraction from his nerves as he looked at the empty chair next to him. He focused on the surrounding conversation, snippets of stories and friendly banter weaving their way through the clinking of glasses.

“I heard you two are on cleaning duty,” one officer blurted.

Luka and Charlie looked at each other without responding.

“I see Captain Clarke doesn’t favor his own.” He waited for them to react.

Again, they looked at each other, laughing.

“Give it up,” Brock said to the other officer.

Captain Clark finally sat down, and a server quickly brought him his meal.

“Sorry I had to leave you. It happens a lot.”

“I’m glad you’re finally going to eat.”

“The Pride Parade is in a few days. We have a rental shop for costumes. We could check it out or when we land in Sint Maarten, we can find something there.”

Luka wondered why he suddenly mentioned leaving the ship to shop. He certainly wouldn’t bring it up here.

After dessert, they walked through the ship and stopped at a bar.

“Remember where you are,” Captain Clarke reminded him.

“Yes, sir.”

“What would you like to drink?”

“A beer on tap.”

Captain Clarke ordered two beers on tap.

“This is the place Brock and I meet. We talk about lots of things since we have known each other since our college days. We were also in the Marines together.”

“I have a good friend in California. I sent him a letter and told him what happened to me and where I was. We’ve know each other from elementary school and graduated from the same high school.”

“What’s your friend’s name?”

“Sergio Rodrigues.”

“Where did you graduate high school?”

“Newport Harbor.”

“Newport Beach?”

Luka nodded, wondering what was up with the questions.

“Were you in any sports?”

“Swimming and track and field, besides surfing every day.”

“The officers have their own swimming pool. I could take you there so you can get some exercise.”

“Why are you being so nice to me?”

“Because I like you. I won’t treat you differently at work, but after work, I’ll be nicer, as you say.”

“I thought you said the court mandated I stay in my room after work.”

“They did, but I’m the captain of this ship, and they gave me some leeway in how I do things. You will do what I think is safe and healthy, so you integrate back into society.”

“You’re trying to turn me into a Marine recruit. I’m not Marine material.”

“I think you are.”

“You don’t know me well enough to say that.”

“Other than you’re not a citizen, why couldn’t you be a Marine?”

“I don’t want to be a Marine. I don’t like weapons or war.”

“I see. I didn’t know you didn’t like weapons.”

“Do you have one?”

“I do.”

“Is it in your cabin?”

“Why are you asking me that?”

“Certainly not to steal it. I have a rule to never visit anyone who has weapons in their home.”

“I’m the captain and part of my job is to protect everyone on my ship. So, yes, it is, but it’s locked up. Don’t go looking for it.”

“Don’t worry about that.”

“Please don’t tell me you’ll refuse to visit on my side or sleep in my bed.”

Luka hated the thought of a weapon being in the cabin, but there wasn’t much he could do about it since he was the captain, and he’d made a case for it.

“If you get pissed off at me, I’ll leave.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know.”

“I would never shoot you. Stop the bullshit.”

They settled in and talked as they drank. When they finished their beers and returned to their cabin, Luka winked and said, “I have swimming trunks. I’m ready to swim now if you’ll take me.”

“Go get your suit on and come over here when you’re done.”

Luka turned to leave, and Captain Clarke took his arm and turned him around. “Didn’t you forget something?”

“What?”

Captain Clarke pulled him close and kissed him. “Let’s take advantage when we can.”

“I like that. Can I call you Westly when we’re alone?”

“I guess you can, but there better be no slip-ups, or I’m going to spank you.”

“I just might slip up then.”

“No need to do that. If you want one that bad, just ask.” Captain Clarke winked.

When Luka turned away, the captain swatted his backside. “Hurry back.”