Carmen was at a loss for what to do next. She knew she had to get off the cruise ship, but after that, her mind was too numb to plan anything. If Molly found out what Simon had done, Carmen was certain her best friend would unleash her wrath upon him without any regard for the consequences. Perhaps that's why Carmen was hesitant to call her. What she really needed at that moment was to be alone, somewhere quiet, where she could reflect on her life and all the decisions she had made.
After Simon left, Carmen found herself taking a cold shower, changing into a fresh pair of clothes, and ordering something to eat in her suite. But as soon as the room service arrived and Carmen looked at the food, she realized she wasn't even that hungry. Ronin's words from that morning came back to her, and she felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment once again.
It wasn't as if she didn't know how his opinion should be the last thing she should be worried about but something about the way he looked at her that morning had left a mark. No matter how much she tried, she couldn't shake it off. Carmen was pretty sure that in the nine months of their marriage, not once Ronin had looked at her that way, like there was so much he wanted to say to her, but didn't. Not sober at least.
The only time she remembered him looking at her with such intensity was when he had come home drunk from an office party. That night, as he stumbled into her bedroom by mistake, he pushed her forcefully against the wall and pressed himself against her until she had no choice but to look into his eyes. She remembered the way his breath smelled of whiskey, and the way his eyes were filled with an intensity that was both frightening and exhilarating.
Carmen shook her head, pushing the food tray away, feeling guilty for wasting it. She stood up and walked towards the glass door leading to the balcony. With a deep breath, she slid it open, and the warm breeze of the day hit her face. It was a welcome feeling, and she stepped out onto the balcony, feeling her clothes flapping in the wind. She leaned against the railing, watching as the waves crashed against the side of the ship. The sun was high in the sky, casting a golden glow over everything it touched. The sea was a deep blue, and Carmen couldn't help but be mesmerized by its beauty. She closed her eyes, taking in the smell of salt and seawater, letting the warmth of the sun seep into her skin. It was a moment of peace and solitude that Carmen desperately needed.
Carmen's moment of peace was abruptly shattered by the blaring of her phone. She winced at the sound and let out an exasperated sigh, running her fingers through her hair in frustration. How could she catch a break when the universe seemed determined to constantly disrupt her solitude? Despite her reluctance, she knew she had to answer the phone. What if it was her dad asking about her visit? The mere thought made her stomach churn with anxiety. Reluctantly, she walked back to the sitting area and picked up the phone.
As it turned out, the caller was not her dad but her best friend Molly. Carmen felt a wave of relief wash over her, and she flopped down onto the comfortable sofa chair on the balcony, tucking her legs up under her. She pushed a few stray curls out of her face, happy to have someone to talk to in this moment of distress.
"Hey," Carmen spoke gently, trying to hide the emotional turmoil inside her.
Molly's voice blared through the phone, and Carmen winced at the outburst. "Oh my god, girl. Is this how you act when you snag a hot guy? You forget about your best friend? What the hell, man?"
Carmen rolled her eyes, trying to suppress a smile. "Yeah, I just had nothing better to do than ignore you and wait for a hot guy to come my way."
Molly snorted. "Uh-huh, sure. So, what's up? How's the cruise treating you?"
Carmen hesitated, unsure if she was ready to confide in Molly. However, she recalled how fiercely protective her friend was and how she had always been there for her no matter what. Moreover, Carmen knew she needed to vent to someone she trusted, and who better than her best friend? "Molly, something happened. Something really bad."
Molly's tone shifted immediately upon hearing Carmen's words. "Oh shit, Carms. What happened? Are you okay?" she asked with genuine concern.
Carmen took a shuddering breath, her voice cracking as she began to recount the events of yesterday to Molly. She held nothing back as she spilled everything—the lies, the betrayal, and the tragic incident with Jenna. Her heart felt heavy as she admitted the guilt she felt for not being able to save that stupid woman even though she deserved nothing less.
Molly's voice was filled with a mix of anger and protectiveness as she listened to Carmen's story. "That lying scumbag! I swear, if I ever see him, I'll give him a piece of my mind," she fumed. "And Jenna…oh, Carmen, I'm so sorry. You don't deserve to feel guilty for something like that. It was an accident, and you couldn't have known."
Carmen felt a sense of relief wash over her as she listened to Molly's words. "Thanks, Molly," she said, her voice wavering slightly. "I don't know what to do. I feel so lost."
Molly's tone softened as she responded, "It's okay, Carms. Take a deep breath. We'll figure this out together, okay? You're not alone in this. We'll find a way to make things right."
"It's still so overwhelming though. Should I leave at the next stop or should I stay?" Carmen let out a frustrated groan and threw her head back, her voice filled with exasperation. "Why does everything have to be so complicated?"
"I know, girl. Life can be a real bitch sometimes. But don't worry, we'll figure it out. Just take it one step at a time. You don't have to make any decisions right now. Just focus on getting through the day, and we'll take it from there."
Carmen shook her head, even though Molly couldn't see her. "No, I don't feel like doing anything. I don't even know what I want anymore."
"I understand, but you can't let this consume you. You're stronger than this, Carms. Remember when we were in college and you aced that exam you thought you failed? Or that time when you stood up to that creep at the bar who wouldn't leave us alone? You can get through this too, I believe in you."
Carmen let out a small laugh, feeling a bit of the weight lift off her shoulders. "Thanks, Mol. I needed to hear that."
"Anytime, girl. Now, why don't you throw a sexy number and go out for a walk? You're on a freaking cruise, man, make the best out of it."
Carmen let out a sigh, feeling much better. "You're right. I should try to enjoy myself, at least a little bit."
"That's the spirit!" Molly cheered. "And who knows, maybe you'll meet a hot guy on the ship and forget all about Simon."
Carmen rolled her eyes, but couldn't help but smile. "You always know how to cheer me up."
"Of course, that's what best friends are for," she replied. "Now, put on something that will make heads turn and go live your life! And don't forget, if you need me, I'm just a phone call away. By the way, where's your next port of call?"
Carmen was a bit puzzled by Molly's sudden curiosity, but she shrugged it off as one of her friend's quirks. "San Francisco. Why do you ask?"
"No reason, just curious. Now, get out there and make some memories. And don't forget to give me a call if anything juicy happens."
Carmen couldn't wipe the smile off her face even after the call had ended. Having a friend like Molly meant the world to her. She was grateful to have someone to rely on and turn to during dark times. Basking in the little bit of peace Molly's voice had brought her, Carmen slowly swung her legs off the chair and made her way inside.
It was rare for Carmen to take fashion advice from Molly, but today was different. She was willing to try anything that could serve as a distraction from her current situation. She rummaged through her bag and realized that all the clothes packed were picked out by Molly. The dresses were all bright and short, not at all Carmen's style. She groaned and flopped down on the bed, feeling a bit overwhelmed.
But then she remembered that this wasn't about what she was comfortable in. This was about pushing herself out of her comfort zone and forgetting everything that had happened. With that thought in mind, Carmen picked up a blue dress and headed into the bathroom to change.
Carmen's eyes widened as she looked at herself in the mirror, taking in the sight of the chiffon ruffle dress that Molly had picked out for her. It was much shorter than anything she had ever worn before, and she couldn't help but feel a rush of apprehension. Was she really going to wear something like this in public?
As she examined herself more closely, however, she began to see the dress in a new light. The way it draped over her curves was flattering, and the color brought out the golden tones in her skin. For a moment, she forgot all about the pain and confusion of yesterday, lost in the thrill of reinventing herself.
This was a chance to start over, to break out of her shell and try something new. And as she slipped on a pair of strappy heels and grabbed her purse, Carmen felt a surge of excitement that made her heart race.
But as soon as she opened the door, she collided with a solid chest, causing her head to spin and her footing to falter. It was as if she had hit a wall of iron, and even though the man emitted only a small groan, Carmen was left reeling from the impact.
"What the hell?" Carmen groaned, holding her head and glaring up at the man.
With his tired eyes and thick beard, the man looked like he had seen too much in his life. Carmen couldn't remember ever seeing him before, and that made her wonder why he was standing outside her room. "What the hell are you doing here?" she demanded, her mind racing with possibilities. Was he trying to sneak in? Or worse, was he a thief?
The man's response was far from reassuring as he gave her a dirty look, seemingly unfazed by the accusations. "I dropped my keys," he said, jingling a set of keys in front of her face. "I was picking them up when you suddenly threw the door open." And then, as if he read her mind, he added. "Don't get any ideas in your head."
Carmen wasn't entirely convinced, but she didn't want to escalate the situation any further. If he said he had dropped his keys, then perhaps he had, and that was the end of it.
"Okay," she said with a slight furrow in her brow, feeling her frustration dissipating. "Just be more careful next time," and with that, she turned to lock her door and made her way to the elevator.
The burly man took a deep breath and watched Carmen disappear down the hallway. He had been halfway ready to turn and leave when his phone buzzed in his pocket. He hesitated before answering, knowing who was on the other end of the line.
"You don't have to call me again and again, Roy. I know what my job is," he said, trying to keep his voice low.
There was a pause before Roy's voice came through the phone, crackling with static. "You better watch your back, Kurt. You were too close for comfort. What did you tell her? Did she buy it?"
Kurt's eyes narrowed as he stared at the little camera in the hallway. "I'm a professional, Roy. I know what I'm doing. And she bought it, hook, line, and sinker."
"Good. Did you get anything useful?"
Kurt shifted his attention to the door where Carmen had just left, his eyes narrowing with frustration. "I haven't even managed to get inside the room, yet you're acting like you're not monitoring me," he muttered under his breath before rolling his eyes in annoyance.
Roy's voice grew serious on the other end of the line. "I am keeping an eye on you, Kurt. And that's precisely why I'm telling you that time is running out. Finish the job and get the hell out of there."