Adelaide's P.O.V
Arriving barely on time, I noticed our boss and his secretary, dressed in matching ivory and brown formal outfits. They were near the primary ship, looking like the perfect power-couple in the crowd.
The set-up was all ready. Yet another redundant check-up was undertaken and soon everything was set and prepared in anticipation of the guests.
Oh. I'm guessing I didn't mention the flow of events, did I? Our lovely client, Mr. Rogan Clarke, had organised a company event on his ship with his esteemed guests… on the day of his anniversary. Lovely man, isn't he? But the twist, as he claims, is that he'd surprise his wife on the yacht midway. An amazing show, I know. No wonder his son felt sceptical; clearly expecting his mother to throw her husband off of the ship.
But as obvious as it was, we agreed to comply since our client was quite adamant, claiming to know his wife better than anyone after all.
The guests were to board by eleven-thirty a.m. and we were set to depart by twelve noon. The events, product screening, guests entertainment were to continue until lunch which would be served at two p.m. and as the guests got comfortable with the atmosphere, our client would divert their attention to himself and take a leave with his wife, leaving the crowd in his son's hand. After all, it's rude for a host to leave his guests unannounced… well it's rude to leave them in the first place. By then, following the route, the ship should halt at the nearest harbour, allowing Mr. Rogan and his wife move onto their well-crafted million dollar yacht.
From there,his grand surprise finally begins.
And so, here we are. The guests were slowly and casually boarding the ship while greeting the hosts of the event, a.k.a the anniversary couple. The wife clearly was pulling off an exceptional work smile as she greeted her guests and continued to glare at her husband every now and then. The son who stood beside his parents was evidently disturbed by the tension between them and almost seemed like he was waiting for a chance to escape.
"Do you think the son's prediction will come true?" I whispered to Ms. Giselle, who stood beside me as we accompanied the hosts.
"The 'throwing his father off-board' prediction?" she replied to my amazement, and glanced in the direction of the couple. "Hopefully not until the surprise takes place." she tittered.
I liked her reply and hence mockingly added, "Hopefully".
After many similar glares, happy reunions, endless handshakes and a few hugs the ship closed its doors to any unexpected guests. The magnificent ship housed a guest list of nearly one hundred and seventy five and a group of staff ready for service. As the ship took its voyage, Mr. Rogan garnered the attention of his guests in an apparently small speech before getting down to his business. The elegantly dressed audience while indulging in the eateries and beverages keenly paid attention to the displays on the screen. While this was taking place, our company staff were busy checking on every need and the requirements of the following events.
While most of the audience were into themselves, the wife who had given up on her husband seemed to be aloof and of less response, even to visitors. With the wrap of events, came the call for lunch.
As Mr. Rogan guided his wife and guests towards the dining hall for their well-planned five course meal, he took the moment to take his leave along with his wife. He announced to the crowd that he had a very important matter to take care of. His words, to be exact, were "one of the most important events that his life depended on".
Upon hearing her husband apologising for their absence, the wife couldn't hide the sparkle and hope in her eyes, that evidently anticipated a mere remembrance of such a meaningful occasion.
It was my duty to guide Mr. Rogan and his ironically blindfolded wife, because he emphasised on doing something so cliché. We had previously set up portable connecting stairs to ensure she safely boards the yacht. Once they were on board, I moved closer to Dylan, who arrived here earlier,to be thorough with the preps of course. I guess Mrs. Clarke was getting quite antsy because she instantly reached her hand out to untie the blindfold.
Maybe all the guilt Mr. Rogan felt for concentrating only on his career wasn't a joke. Looking at his wife tear up at the sight of the most basic setup - consisting of a small blueberry cake decorated with macarons on a bed of flowers accompanied by his wife's favourite wine and a small but clearly very expensive diamond ring, he reached out to hold her hand and wished her as he carefully puts on the ring for her -"Happy Anniversary, Mrs. Clarke." - he says to his wife with a bright smile followed by a kiss.
"Happy Anniversary, Rogan." came her reply as she separated from him and presented her gift.
"I wasn't going to give it to you had you really forgotten about it." she remarked playfully as her husband unravelled the gift box to reveal a watch. As they were having their own moment, the maid who would help out the couple during their stay came to us and informed us that their outdoor lunch date at the second-floor deck was ready. Mr. Dylan guided the couple to their destination while I headed to check up on the pool area.
On my way there, I picked up the incoming call from Carson and continued with the staff of the yacht.
"I'm busy, you know." -I spoke after hearing his cheeky greeting.
"When are you not? Isn't it lunch hour right now?" he nonchalantly replied.
"We're eating later. If you don't have anything worth mentioning, can you like… end the call?" I replied, as I checked on the towels, poolside chairs, tables and the umbrella. The only thing that remained and would complete the setting was the assorted snacks and beverages set which the assistant staff would bring along anytime soon.
"I'll be leaving tomorrow. Set out some time for me tonight if you can." he said calmly.
I assumed he was packing since I could distinctly hear the shuffling and noises from his end.
"Now that's sooner than expected. When will you be back?" I asked, checking the water level of the pool.
"Not fixed, but at max after a week. Anyways, drop me a message or come over if you can. Don't miss me too much." he replied sneakily.
"In your dreams. Take care and have fun."- I laughed as I ended the call. The water level of the pool seemed fine according to the requirements and safety levels. As I was about to move away from the pool, something sparkly underwater caught my eye. Taking a small step forward to have a clear look at it, I realised that it was nothing but the reflection of the decor underwater. From the corner of my eye I noticed the assigned staff bring the items close to me. Turning around to face him and check on the items, I didn't realise how close I was to the pool and the staff. It took me a second to realise that I was falling into the pool and as it is now, no one could prevent it.
Closing my eyes, I continued to fall until I could feel the water surrounding me. It's not that I didn't know how to swim but the fact that it was a little too sudden. The water was cool, perfect for a day as hot and tiring as today. It would feel lovely to hang around here but... I was at my workplace. That thought got me moving swiftly. I resurfaced shortly after my fall and gasped for air. The first thing I saw was Mr. Dylan's confused, concerned and suppressed anger filled face. Behind him, stood the staff, now a lot farther away from the pool than when I fell.
"Are you alright, Ms. Adelaide?" - grabbing my attention from the people near the pool, I looked up to follow the source of the voice only to see a concerned couple looking down at me with worry.
"I'm alright! I think I just missed my foot there." -laughing it off, I moved towards the pool stairs and pulled my heavy, drenched self up the stairs. As the cool air hit my drenched body, I could feel the hair on my body stand while I shivered. Just then, I felt a fluffy and soft body-size towel being wrapped around me. Looking straight, I saw Dylan with a composed face but eyes filled with rage.
"I'll handle the rest. Get off of the yacht, Giselle will get you clothes to change into." he spoke in a commandingly low tone. This marked the second time that I realised, Dylan switches when his work is messed with. The first time being when I fought back. Wish I could do the same now but... I know better when not to comply. And so... I shamelessly shamed my employer by being careless and left him to take over my duties regarding our esteemed guests. There wasn't much left to do but I still felt guilty for making him take over.
As I got down and met Giselle who took care of me with better concern, I imagined what would be happening on the yacht that would depart shortly. By now, lunch would have been nearly over and the couple must be in the process of the journey briefing which was initially supposed to be undertaken by me. The briefing was simple because we arranged for a comfortable personal anniversary. The yacht being a hybrid one, was set to self drive for the route and even if any manual implications were required, Mr. Rogan who has a yacht licence will be able to handle it. The female staff who assisted them during lunch will stay back for the remaining duration and help them in their basic needs while the male assistant would be mainly in charge of any proceedings or control room handling. Both certified and brilliant workers, accompanied by whom the couple's remaining two days one night anniversary would be accomplished.
Leaving the nearest public restroom with some comfy tracks and an oversized top, something I clearly did not expect from the secretary of "Mr. Dylan Scmith"; I saw the yacht pull up its anchor, ready for departure.
Mr. Dylan too wasn't far off from the yacht at the harbour, and as always, was taking calls on his beloved phone that never seems to be at low charge. Arriving closer to him I halted a few steps before, waiting for his call to end. And as soon as it did, I frantically said in a low but clear voice all the while fidgeting with my fingers.
"I apologise for my clumsiness and the extra workload, Mr. Dylan."
In return, all i got was a blank face followed by- "You should be apologising to the clients. How careless can you be to fall into the pool during such times?!"
I know he was right, that i should've been careful but he's reprimanding me as though I willingly jumped into the pool to garner some attention. At least I took it that way, in that moment and it annoyed me. Why does this man always make accidents seem like incidents! What's worse was, this time I was in no position to complain or fight back and as such all I could do was apologise, yet again.
"I'm truly sorry for causing trouble to you and Ms. Giselle. I'll personally apologise to the clients as well."
But even after that, he just walked past me like a nobleman passing by a fool who only spouts nonsense.