Jannah's POV
This is my first time on a yatch, my first time on a sea craft aside from a jet ski. Apparently, a big shot lodging at the hotel is hosting a birthday and everyone is invited. Of course the celebrant can get away with the "everyone is invited" stunt since it's common knowledge that people wouldn't show up, with this being in a five-star hotel and all.
Whoever it is is probably American, too , since the music around isn't Latina. Instead it's The boy is mine by Monica blaring from the speakers. The guests list is a mixed crowd but most here are pale- skinned Caucasians with mostly jet-black hair that reminds me of Ethan's. The women are dressed in stringy bikinis –some even topless– the guys on the other hand are mostly in flowing beach shirts and shorts or loose trousers.
I feel out of place with my tanned skin and brown hair as I sing along to the few lines of the song I recognize, moving my body slowly to the rhythm . Once again, I'm fooling around with a long glass of mock tail between my fingers and this time, no one is going to cajole me into making an epic mess of myself.
One of the topless women –with G-cup breasts that are still perky thanks to surgery and astoundingly full lips that look too heavy for her face– winks at... me?I look around eager too see who she's waving at but everyone is busy.
I point at my chest , arch my brows and mouth "me?" She nods, and licks her lips suggestively.
"Nah," I shake and look away immediately. If I hadn't been so bored and insomniac I wouldn't have a botched lady checking me out.
Someone laughs softly beside me. It's a rich soft infectious sound. I turn to face it's owner.He towers over me with nearly seven inches, his eyes , strange reddish brown with light brown swirls. His skin is incredibly pale, he reminds me of something alien... other worldly. He's not ugly–far from it. He's very attractive on the contrary with eyes that slope downwards at the tear duct, lush black curly hair, and small pouty lips. He reminds me of Raquel but a scary version.
"You seem mighty lonesome," he has a British accent .
I eye him skeptically. He wears a half-smirk , staring at me with an amused expression that doesn't sit well with me.
"I'm just waiting for my boyfriend," I reply clearing my throat , and wrapping my fingers tightly around my glass.
"You don't have a boyfriend," he says in a matter of fact way then leans closer.
"I'm Harry. And you are?" He stretches his hands for a hand shake, but I only stare blankly at it. I'm not shaking this guy's hand.
"It was nice meeting you Harry, I think I've spotted my boyfriend over there " I say , flashing the most apologetic smile I can muster .I'm about to head the opposite direction when I feel cold palms clamp on my arm.
"You're a bad liar. It's just a bloody conversation , what's the worst that could happen?" His grip tightens, pressing into my skin so hard,I can feel the outline of my bones. I can already imagine the red lines he's going to leave there. His tone is composed, though I'm certain he's anything but that.
"Let go, you fucking perv, you're hurting me!" I twist and wriggle, but he doesn't seem to care.
"Listen to me now. You don't stand a chance of escaping me. No one here is going to help you so why don't you be a good girl and behave"
What the hell ? His voice–his lips aren't moving and his voice,I'm not imagining this I'm very sure I'm not –it's in my head. It's clearer than my own thoughts, loud and deliberate. My heart pounds violently against the walls of my rib cage , and the glass of mocktail falls to the floor ,shattering into tiny shards but that seems like the least of my problems compared to this. My knees feel weak , my mouth hangs open and I begin to shiver like I've just had a swim on a cold day.
"Please let me go," I plead, my voice feeble when I speak. True to his words, no one comes to my rescue or even glances our way. It's strange and I've never been more terrified in my twenty-six years of existence than now.
He doesn't blink, his stare pins me to the spot and I find myself growing weaker, it feels like I can't control myself, like I'm paralysed with fear. A shudder runs through my body as I gulp hard, I can't even look away even if I want to, he seems aware of his effect on me, he seems to be enjoying it too.
"Let go of her Harry," someone says from behind me . I recognize the voice immediately , and the familiar scent of pinewood and vanilla musk –fills the air , overwhelming the fragrance of food and alcohol .
"Sorry mate. She's seems like awfully good sport," Harry chuckles, patting my head.
Ethan's voice is crisp with authority "I'm not going to repeat myself"
The tone of his voice makes me look up and I can see the muscles of his jaws tick, his eyes locked on Harry's. For a moment , Ethan's eyes are the same strange colour as Harry's ,but without the swirls. I blink and they're back to their usual light brown. Did I really see that?
Harry let's go of my hand .My weak knees send me staggering , nearly sending me to the floor but Ethan is there to catch me– again.
"See you around mate," Harry says from over his shoulder. Over my dead body.
"Are you okay?"
"Am I okay?" I whisper breathlessly . I can't even answer my question.
"Just breathe it. One deep breath " he guides me, and I follow his lead.
"You're not supposed to be here. You weren't invited," he says harshly, sliding an empty chair to me.
"Don't remind me," I mutter.
"Sorry about what happened, Harry might need to be put in an institution in the near future," his eyes are fixed on the red marks on my arms where that bastard grabbed me.
"I heard his voice in my head," I blurt . Immediately I do so I wish I'd shut up, now I'll end up looking like the crazy one.
"Okay..." Ethan pauses awkwardly. His eyes are still on my arms but from the slight tilt of his lips tell me I can tell he thinks I'm imagining things.
"Maybe you were just frightened. Should I get you some water ?"
"No, I don't want to taste anything here. I feel like an outsider"
"That's because you are". There's a farr off tone in his voice when speaks, his eyes regard me with silent pity that makes me uneasy so I look away.
I have a series of questions I want to ask like if I'd also imagined his eyes changing colours but I know I'm going to sound weird. Maybe I'd actually made-up those scenes in my head.
"You should stay by my side throughout this cruise" I eye him skeptically, and he sighs."For your own safety, of course."
"Thank you for the other day and today, but I think I can take care of myself. I have a black belt in karate, and those don't come easy" I say proudly, rising to my feet. Why shouldn't I?
Ethan pretends to consider this ."Tell me about it .So what happened to your black belt skills with Harry?" He asks, I know he's making fun of me.
He's right though, I can't really explain what happened, all I know is I zoned out when I heard ... imagined his voice in my head but if it weren't for that I'd have totally kicked his ass. I roll my eyes at him.
"That was different" I huff, crossing my arms.
"Whether you like it or not, you're not moving around here without me, little miss karate "he states plainly, all humour gone from his face.
"And when did you decide to become my guard? "I scoff, pushing my hair out of my face.
He doesn't answer. His lips twitch like he's about to dish out a comeback but he holds back.
"Maybe you've acted as my hero twice, but that doesn't mean I can't take care of myself. If you trail after me, I'll scream so loud they'll have no choice but throw you off this boat. Got it?" I poke his chest with each word, putting on my most feisty look and even standing on tiptoes for added effects. My eyes are narrowed into slits as I look at him straight in the eyes.
Ethan's lips curve into a grin, and he bursts into a low laugh, applauding me slowly and mockingly.
"Ah," he lets out a deep sigh "that was a good performance. But you're still stuck with me. Sorry, mate." He pats my head like I'm a puppy and moves to the food stand.