Splash.
The water surrounded her face, and Cristiana felt herself sinking to the bottom of the pool. It was quiet down there, and she felt calm, compared to the noise that lied just beyond the surface.
She wished she could stay down there, in the quiet.
But just as her lungs felt like they would explode, she pushed to the top, breaking the surface with a gasp.
After a few more minutes of swimming, Cristiana made her way to the bar, where she drank daiquiris and soaked up the sun. She made a game out of the fluffy clouds in the sky, imagining them as her parents' faces, as Liam's, and as her sister's. It grew old quickly, and Cristiana found herself feeling homesick.
But going home…that wouldn't work out either. People would wonder what had happened to Liam. His family would wonder. That would just lead to her arrest.
So, whatever she needed to do, it had to happen on this ship? Maybe she could fake his death, somehow, before the ship arrived at its destination.
Eventually, Cristiana felt herself nodding off. She was way too tired. Hopefully tonight would be better, even though she would be sleeping above a dead body.
Five o'clock came quickly. The next thing she knew, Cristiana was sitting at her table, eating a delicious dinner consisting of steak, potatoes, and various vegetables. She even ordered herself two bowls of ice cream.
At the end of the meal, Gerard stepped up to the table. "Hello, Madam. Just wanted to let you know that the food situation has been taken care of. I truly hope Mr. Liam feels better soon and if there's anything I can do, or if he needs medical assistance, please let us know."
Cristiana nodded with appreciation and Gerard left with the rest of her dirty dishes.
The rest of the night was hers to enjoy. The first on her list was to see the show. She'd enjoyed the past two immensely. This one would be no different. But she had a few minutes before it started. Visiting the bar first sounded like a good idea to Cristiana.
*****
Maximilian Astor stood behind the curtain, preparing himself. Even though he'd done this hundreds of times, he still got pre-show nerves.
What if the audience didn't like his jokes?
What if he messed up, or embarrassed himself?
It hadn't happened once in his twenty-year career. It wouldn't happen now.
Three workers pushed past him, each carrying a chair that they set up on stage for the contestants.
He took a deep breath. It was almost time.
A moment later, the theme music began to play, and he could hear the energy of the audience, building with anticipation.
With one last breath and a quick adjustment of his tie, he was ready.
Switching on his microphone, Max pushed past the curtain and stepped out into the spotlight. "Gooood evening, ladies and gentlemen!"
*****
Cristiana made it to the theater just in time. Since she was already on the sixth floor, she found herself on the bottom level of the room. Max, the host, was already speaking, so she quietly made her way to the front. She decided on an unoccupied row off to the side but still with a great view.
"And then I realized I was the one who was supposed to pay!" Max said.
The audience cheered and laughed, and Max beamed.
"Thank you! Thank you! So, everyone, we have an absolutely wonderful show for you tonight. I promise you're all going to have a blast! This show, if you didn't attend our first showing, is called Deepest Secrets! We had some pretty crazy ones last time, and I'm expecting some crazy stuff tonight too!'
Cristiana took a sip of the daiquiri that she had taken from the bar.
"Now, there are a couple of new rules to this one! The first night was couples only, and you had to be married for five years or more. This time, I wanted to be a little more inclusive. It's singles night!"
The audience clapped excitedly.
Max began choosing randomly from the crowd. Cristiana sunk down in her seat, hoping he wouldn't see her.
"You there!" Max pointed at someone in the front middle row. They stood and made their way to the stage.
"Two more…how about you?"
Cristiana felt her stomach turn over as she sunk further into the chair. His finger was pointed at her.
"You, young lady," Max said again. "Come on up."