Chapter 26 Luka

Following their shared lunch break in Westly’s cabin, he instructed Luka to complete the citizenship paperwork and begin his online class. Luka was lost in his work on Westly’s laptop when the piercing sound of the ringing phone startled him, making him reach for it and check the number. It was his father’s private number, a sign he had been released from prison, or someone else had possession of his phone.

“Papai! Are you okay?” Luka asked.

“I’m in Brazil. I have lots of contacts who owed me, so I’m safe. How are you doing?”

“I’m working on the ship.”

“Why didn’t you leave for California?”

“What do you mean? I have a year on the ship.” Luka was puzzled by the question, trying to make sense of the fact he had no choice but to stay for a year, a decision made clear by his father and the court. Did he think I’d run away to California? What is he thinking?

“No, you don’t. Your attorney informed Captain Clarke you’re free to go home. He got you off on a technicality like Maleko’s attorney did.”

“I don’t understand what you’re telling me.”

“Didn’t the captain tell you that you no longer have a contract with him, and you can go home? Do you need money for the flight?”

“I’m staying for the year. I enjoy working here, and the captain is teaching me so much.”

“It makes me so happy you’re learning a trade.”

“The captain helped enroll me in an online college to finish my degree.”

“Your attorney was worried the captain wouldn’t tell you. He said he tried to call you, and you blocked him.”

“Captain Clarke told me.” He lied. Another lie from the captain. How could he keep this from me?He blocked my attorney’s number. “Sometimes the phone doesn’t work on the ship when it’s windy and storming.”

“Oh, that’s good. I’m so proud of you. Stay away from Maleko.”

“He’s in prison again. I have a new man in my life.”

“I bet you fell in love with Captain Clarke.”

“Yes, I did. That’s why I’m staying on the ship with him. I think something good will happen. Thank you for saving me from prison.”

“The US banned me from visiting, so I can’t come and take you to California, but we’ll meet in Mexico on your birthday at the end of the year. I’ll send you a ticket.”

“Thanks, Papai. It makes me happy we can see each other again. Don’t worry about me. I’m happy where I am.”

“I love you. Stay safe, my son.”

“I love you, too.”

The moment he hung up, he found himself unable to work, the conversation still echoing in his mind. He got up and poured himself a glass of scotch, savoring the rich aroma as it filled the room. How could he not tell me? What is wrong with him? Regardless of the captain keeping his freedom from him, he wasn’t ready to rush home. He had his surfing friends, but none worked much or went to school. Now, he would have little in common with them other than surfing. Under Westly’s guidance, he had made progress in establishing new goals. Westly’s love for him was undeniable. He just couldn’t help but wonder why he’d kept his freedom a secret.

Luka left the cabin, locking it behind him. He started from the main level and toured the entire ship. He was free! He couldn’t be thrown behind bars, and Westly would eventually admit the truth.

He stopped at a bar and ordered a drink, then he played darts with a passenger. He saw Brock drinking water in the bar and walked up to his booth.

“Do you have time to talk?”

“Sure. Sit down.”

Luka took a seat, positioning himself directly opposite him.

“What’s going on, Luka?”

“I’m trying to understand why Westly withholds information from me that I should know. Is he always like this in relationships?”

“This is confidential. Never repeat what I’m going to tell you.”

“You have my word, sir.”

“Westly has never been in a long-term relationship. He’s had hookups, but nothing lasting longer than a month. The very fact that he wants you is a big deal for him. He doesn’t know how to have a relationship. I know he’s involved with you, and I know the circumstances are unusual.”

“He never told me about how his identity related to me. He said he made a promise to my father not to tell me. He should have told me at the start. And he did it again with something else. I can’t talk about it, but he did it again. I’m so pissed right now. I’ll give him time to tell me, then I’ll decide what to do. I really love being with him.”

“I don’t understand why he couldn’t tell you critical information you should know. But I’ve never seen him as happy as he’s been since you showed up here. He’s not perfect, and he comes from a world very different from yours, but you’re so good for him. I only ask that you be patient with my best friend and always express your emotions openly. Look on the bright side. You and Charlie will be free this week from cleaning duty.”

“It felt like forever, but Charlie made it fun. Thanks for listening to me. I need to go back.”

When he reached his cabin, he went inside, grabbed a water bottle, then sat outside on his balcony.

Luka’s eyes stung from holding back tears as he stared out at the endless blue horizon. His stomach churned, a cocktail of anger and betrayal threatening to spill over.

The door swung open, and there stood Westly, hands on his hips, eyes narrowed. “Where were you?” His voice held a mix of frustration and concern.

“Out,” Luka replied, his gaze steady. He knew he was pushing boundaries, but the urge to force a response from Westly tugged at his very core.

“What do you mean, out? You’re not supposed to leave the cabin. I waited for you for over an hour, then I went to look for you.” Westly’s jaw clenched, and Luka could feel the tension radiating from him.

“I wanted an ice cream cone,” Luka said. It was a flimsy excuse, but he couldn’t tell him how upset he was after his father’s phone call. The little pleasures—like having a drink — comforted him and helped him cope with the anger and disappointment he felt after learning Westly hadn’t told him the truth.

Westly’s frustration boiled over. “What makes you think you can break your contract just like that? Just because we have a relationship doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want.”

Luka’s mind raced. How much longer can he keep up this charade? The contract, the rules—it all feels suffocating. And Westly, with his secrets and hidden motives, is the epicenter of it all. Why doesn’t he want me to be free? Does he truly believe I’d leave him?

“Do you have a problem with me leaving for a few minutes to get an ice cream?” Luka challenged, his heart pounding.

“I do when you break your contract,” Westly shot back. “It wasn’t just a few minutes, was it?”

Luka’s frustration bubbled up. “What are you going to do about it?” He was tired of being treated like a recruit, like a pawn in some game he didn’t fully understand.

“Why are you acting so disrespectful?” Westly’s voice softened, and for a moment, Luka glimpsed his vulnerability.

“Because I’m tired of being caged,” Luka confessed. “And I’m not your recruit.”

Westly’s gaze held Luka’s, and something unspoken passed between them. “Do you want to have a drink and sit on my balcony with me?” he asked, surprising Luka.

“Sure,” Luka replied, his heart fluttering. “But I want a frozen Pina Colada.”

Westly’s anger had been intense when he first found out Luka had slipped out of the cabin. He’d left behind the stack of paperwork—the application for US citizenship—that Westly insisted was crucial. He knew it was, but Luka had needed a break, a taste of freedom beyond the confines of their shared space after his father’s call. The cabin felt like a cage, and Luka yearned for more. Maybe Westly would tell him about his freedom while they had their drinks on his balcony.

“Follow me,” Westly said, turning away. “I’m on it.”

As they moved to the other side of the cabin, Luka wondered if this fragile dance of secrets and desires would ever find its resolution. For now, the balcony offered solace—the sky stretching out before them, the taste of coconut and rum lingering on his lips. Maybe, just maybe, he’ll tell me I’m free.

“I want you to follow the rules, Luka. You can’t just ignore the court contract. You will have consequences for leaving the cabin without permission.”

“What consequences?”

“I should spank you, but I’m going to put you on scrubbing toilets for three days, beginning next week.”

“Thanks. I guess that’s a perk of sleeping with the captain.” His anger was compounded by the realization Westly wasn’t planning on telling him he was free. He doesn’t want a boyfriend. Never did. He wants to control me. That’s not love. The nerve of him to punish me for stepping outside the cabin as a free man. He knows it, and I know it. Should I call him on it or not?

“You know the rules and consequences, so don’t blame our relationship for your punishment.”

“You make a good drink. Is there anything you can’t do?”

“I can’t do relationships the way other people do. I’m trying.”

“I have a nasty headache. I’m going to my side to make sure I get enough sleep.” Luka stood and turned to leave.

“Luka!”

He turned around to see what Westly wanted and noticed him standing a few feet away, inching closer.

“I don’t like you sleeping over there. Are you angry with me about something?”

“No, I have a headache. I’ll see you in the morning.”

When Westly leaned closer to kiss him, Luka pulled away and left.