Chapter 22 Luka

Luka and Charlie scrubbed the deck under the scorching sun, beads of sweat trickling down their foreheads as they worked. The lively sounds of music and laughter from the passengers’ party echoed in the distance, serving as a constant reminder of their punishment. They exchanged glances, silently acknowledging the gravity of their situation.

“I can’t believe we’re stuck doing this,” Luka muttered, his voice tinged with frustration as he dipped the brush into the soapy water.

Charlie let out a resigned sigh, his shoulders slumping. “Yeah, but we knew the rules, Luka. We messed up.”

Luka nodded, scrubbing vigorously at a stubborn stain on the deck. “I know, I know. It’s just hard seeing and hearing everyone else having fun while we’re stuck here.” Luka’s parents had never forced him to do manual labor before. Cleaning was a foreign word to him. When he thought about it, his parents spoiled him by throwing money at him, so he never had to work or do any household chores.

Charlie paused, leaning on his brush for a moment as he looked out at the sparkling sea. “But hey, at least we’re in this together, right? We’ll get through it.”

Luka nodded. “How are things going with Brock?”

“Good. We can’t go to Sint Maarten tomorrow because you and the captain are. He’s taking over the ship for the day and night.”

“I’m sure you’ll have fun. I’m glad you have someone.”

“He’s going to let me follow him around to see what he does. How’s it going with the captain?”

“We had a big fight last night. He kept information from me that I should have known about my situation. Then, to make matters worse, my ex called me. He wants to meet me on the island, but the captain told me not to worry about it. So, we’re okay again this morning.”

“I think the captain and Brock like to be in control of everything. They don’t know how to do relationships. Brock orders me around like I’m a recruit.”

Luka laughed. “Westly does the same damn thing.”

“They have to learn we’re not their recruits.”

“But can they?”

“I think so. We’ll have to teach them how to have a shared partnership. They don’t get to make all the rules and decisions for us.”

Despite their predicament, Luka couldn’t help but crack a small smile at Charlie’s attempt to lighten the mood. “Yeah, you’re right. Thanks, man.”

As they continued to work, the rhythm of their scrubbing matched the beat of the distant music. With each stroke of the brush, they found solace in their new friendship based on shared hardship, knowing together they could weather any storm.

The captain’s message popped up on his phone screen.

Captain Clarke: I miss you and can’t wait until tomorrow. I want to see you smile again. Security has been handled on and off the ship.

Luka: Thanks. I miss you too.

Luka’s worry about Maleko causing trouble still lingered in his mind.

Despite the punishing heat and unrelenting sun, Luka and Charlie persisted. They exchanged stories to make the time move faster. As they scrubbed away the remnants of their mistake, they agreed to never again stray from the rules of the cruise ship.

The workday ended, and they separated to their cabins, seeking solitude and relaxation. Luka jumped into the shower and quickly changed into a comfortable pair of shorts and a black lace crop top. He navigated his way to the other side and settled behind Westly’s desk, where he began typing on the laptop to complete his application for citizenship. He pretended he was captain of the ship. Westly must be feeling a rush of power. He was making considerable progress when his phone rang, breaking his focus. Despite not recognizing the phone number, he couldn’t resist the urge to pick up and find out who was calling.

“Why’d you hang up and block me?” Maleko asked.

“Because you’re trying to get me into trouble again. I have a year’s contract on this ship. I’m not going to run away with you, then be thrown into prison after they find me.”

“I want to marry you on the island tomorrow. I set everything up. I’m already here. I flew in this morning.”

“I’m not getting off this ship. I told you not to set up anything.”

“Don’t tell me you fell in love with the captain.”

Luka couldn’t tell if Maleko was kidding. “No. I’m not leaving this ship, so you’re wasting your time.”

“I bet he fucked you already, didn’t he?”

“Just stop. It’s none of your business anymore.”

“You wanted to get married before you were on the ship. He’s not your type. He’d hate how lazy and messy you are. He’s a workaholic. He’ll drop you within a week, if not sooner.”

“I’m not marrying you. And no one is fucking me on this ship. I’m under ship’s arrest after work.”

“I’m going to take care of Westly when I see him. I need you off the ship to do that.”

“Why?”

“To finish destroying him for fucking you and then to marry you.”

“No one is fucking me. And I’m not leaving this ship. We’re not getting married. What’s wrong with you?”

“I need some money.”

“That’s not my problem anymore.”

“When the ship docks tomorrow, I’m going to get on that ship and find you. You need to give me some money. I spent my last buck on the fucking flight here and our room. All for you, my love. If you don’t want me, I need some money to return home.”

“Don’t you dare! And don’t call me anymore.” The door creaked open, so Luka swiftly ended the call. The entrance of Captain Clarke filled the room with his commanding presence. He hadn’t expected him to show up for lunch. Focused on completing the application, he had completely neglected the thought of having lunch.

“What’s going on? I heard you shouting in here,” Westly asked.

Luka shifted uncomfortably under Captain Clarke’s piercing gaze, his palms growing clammy as he struggled to find the right words. The captain’s question probed deep into a wound Luka had tried to bury beneath layers of regret.

“Maleko called me again.”

“I thought you said you blocked him?” Westly stroked his trimmed beard, a big frown across his face.

“He called from a different number.”

“Don’t answer unknown numbers.”

Luka nodded, not wanting a repeat conversation with Maleko. He had meant so much to him at one time, though he’d had his suspicions about Maleko setting his car on fire when he wanted him to quit college. Knowing he had burned Westly’s home; he was now certain he had done that too.

“I’m going to order lunch for us.” With a smile, the captain handed Luka the menu.

“I can’t decide right now. What are you having?”

“Fish and chips.”

“Order me that too. Thanks.”

The captain bent over Luka and inhaled his shower gel. “You smell so good.”

“I didn’t smell good when I was working today.”

“Follow the rules and you’ll get a better job.”

“What kind of job are you talking about?” Luka asked.

“I’ll email you a list of openings for the next cruise, and I’ll see what I can do. Tell me what you want to do.”

“I want to teach swimming.”

“You can’t mix with the passengers.”

“I’d be working, not mixing with them.”

“I’ll think about it. Are you certified?”

“Yes.” Luka widened his eyes, not believing Westly had asked him that question.

“I have to work late tonight so you can order dinner in. I want you to pack up some things for our overnight trip.”

“I will.”

“Don’t worry about Maleko. I’ll handle him if he shows up.”

“He’s going to cause problems. He wanted money.”

“Did you ever give him money?”

“I did. I paid for everything.”

“Why would you support a boyfriend like Maleko?” Westly’s voice was gentle yet insistent.

Luka’s throat tightened. Memories of Maleko’s smooth words and empty promises flooded his mind. “I…I thought he loved me,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “I thought…I thought I loved him too.”

The captain’s expression softened, a mixture of sympathy and understanding crossing his features. “But why support him financially? What did he offer you in return?”

The weight of the question bore down on Luka, forcing him to confront the truth he had long tried to evade. “To take care of me and pay me back the money,” he confessed, his voice hollow with shame. “He promised me…he promised me we’d travel the world and never have to work when his insurance money came in. And I…I was foolish enough to believe him.”

A bitter taste filled Luka’s mouth as he spoke, the realization of his own stupidity and Maleko’s betrayal gnawing at him. He had been used, manipulated by Maleko’s cunning schemes and hollow promises, all in exchange for securing Maleko’s attention while enjoying the great sex he had thought was born out of love.

“I know it was wrong,” Luka continued, his voice trembling with emotion. “I know I should have seen through his lies, but…but I was blinded by…by what I thought was love.”

Silence hung heavily in the air as Luka’s words faded into Westly’s quarters. His heart was heavy with the weight of his own mistakes. He wished he could turn back time, to undo the damage wrought by Maleko’s deceit and reclaim the innocence he had lost. Luka’s freedom had been snatched away, leaving him in his current situation.

“I understand, Luka.” Westly’s voice soothed Luka’s wounded soul. “But you’re not alone. We’ll get through this together.”

Tears welled up in Luka’s eyes as he met Westly’s gaze, a glimmer of hope flashing in the darkness of his regret. Despite the pain and betrayal he had endured, the captain’s presence made Luka feel safe.

When their lunch arrived, the captain told the server to bring it to the balcony.

Stepping out onto the private balcony, Luka was greeted by the soothing sounds of the sea and the familiar scent of saltwater in the air. They sat around the table. The gentle caress of the ocean breeze felt good after a long day working in the sun.

“I wish I didn’t have to work tonight, but since we’re leaving the ship tomorrow overnight, I have to make sure everything is in place.”

“You have a lot of responsibility.”

“It’s more of a vacation for me. Life is different on the ship than in the Marines. Instead of dealing with training for war, I’m providing fun on the sea with so many parties and events.”

Luka wondered aloud as he gazed out at the never-ending sea, “Don’t you ever want to retire from being the captain of this cruise ship?”

“As you know, I no longer have a place to call home. I love what I’m doing, especially when you’re right here beside me.”

“I hope things will work out for us.” Luka heard the hint of uncertainty in his voice.

“It will because we both want that.”