Andrea sat impatiently for the boat. It would ferry her across to the main land. Frequently, she looked over her shoulder and was happy to see that she was still not followed. Perhaps, he had figured she would stay on the island. When the ferry finally arrived, she was quick to board and get her room key from the purser's counter. Once she was in her little cabin, she looked out at the boarding passengers hoping she had made it when he appeared in the crowd.
Her heart sank at the site of him. It was not because he was ugly or evil, she could not love him. He had asked her to stay with him and she had turned him down. Now, she needed to get away from him. It was a three-day boat ride and she would have to avoid him. It was a smaller confinement than the island, but she had hoped he would not follow.
The entire first day of the trip she managed to stay in her cabin but her stomach began to ache by the second day. Opening the door, she peeked out into the hall. It was empty. She quickly slipped out the door and ran down the hall to the aft stairwell. On her way she did not pass anyone else. Up the stairs and to the cafeteria, she found that she was there at the wrong time. The cafeteria was closed. Turning back she remembered there was a bar, perhaps she would be able to get something to eat there. Heading down the hall she saw him further down the hall walking the same direction she was. Ducking into a nearby door, she abandoned her search for food. She would return to the cafeteria during operating hours.
On her way back to her room, she rounded the last corner to the long hall where her room was to find him walking down the hall toward her. She quickly slipped back around the corner hoping he did not notice. Too late he did. She could hear his graceful strides as he loped down the hall toward her. She needed a quick escape. It was through a lounge and on to the aft deck, up a stair ladder and along the upper deck to the door and back inside. Now she had to return to her room, he would not stop searching for her until he found her. Down to the cabin deck again and back to the hall where her room was. She counted her blessings as she made her way to her cabin. Using the key the lock did not want to turn as he rounded the corner.
"Andrea!" He called to her. "Wait!"
Finally the door opened but he was right behind her. She tried to close the door on him but he wedged himself in the door. He entered her cabin and closed the door behind himself.
"Eric?" She said catching her breath. "What are you doing here?"
Eric scowled at her. "Not funny."
Andrea sat on the bunk. "So you followed me. Now what?" She had trouble being mad at him with him near once again. He was a tall handsome man with blond wispy hair and a beautiful face.
"You left me without even a reason why." She nearly melted at his voice.
"Is that why you followed me?"
"Yes."
"Well it was a wasted trip."
"I think you owe me."
"I think you are mistaken. Now leave me," she said starting to try and ask him to leave the room.
"Talk to me," he said looking down at her. He wanted more than anything to touch her again. She meant everything to him.
"I... I can't," she returned. She was running and she did not want to reason why, she just had to.
Eric grabbed her frail little body. She fought briefly but then looked into his eyes. The familiar excited feeling rushed through her body as she felt his arms around her. He leaned down his face and kissed her firmly. She leaned into the kiss, then she pushed away from him. He would not let her go.
"Let go of me." She told him fighting his embrace again.
He only sighed and let go of her. She flung herself from him. "What is it?" He asked watching her scurry to the other side of the room.
"I don't know." She replied.
"I am not leaving until you tell me." He said leaning against the door.
"No." She told him and lied down on the bunk. She would be able to wait him out. It was only two days.
"So be it." He told her.
They stayed that way for sometime at a deadlock. He was not going to let her out with out talking to him. Finally he spoke again, "What is it? Did I get too close? You were in love with me once or so I thought."
His questions stirred a pain in her soul. The one night they had lied close to each other she had asked if he wanted to make love and he was the one to turn her down. He just wanted her to stay with him. There were too many others watching over them. It was unspeakable of him to be with her but he wanted her to stay anyway. That was... She was running from him from his proposal, because she loved him far too much and they could not be together. He was wealthy, handsome and kind. Too kind. That was why he had taken her in. He did not need her, he needed someone that he could be accepted with. If she could find someone else someone that deserved him, she would make sure he was happy.
"Why do you fear me?"
She turned to look at him, her eyes were red from the tears she had been crying silently since he had come into her room. "I don't fear you." She whispered.
"Then what is it? I will change. I swear I will."
She shook her head. "Why are you following me? Just let me leave you in peace."
He moved closer to her and touched her arm. His warm flesh seared into her warming her all the way to her soul. "You don't love me?"
"No." Tears filled her eyes again. Now that was not true she knew that looking into his deep blue eyes. They looked like crystal lakes. She bit her bottom lip as it quivered uncontrollably. She turned back over to stare at the wall ripping his hand off of her arm. She could feel the radiated warmth of his hand as he held it just behind her back. Then he moved it.
"Well I guess this means you were right it was a wasted trip." He stood and walked toward the door of the little cabin. "I'm sorry for chasing you. I don't even know why I did. I just could not stand the thought that you left."
"Eric," She said feeling terrible.
"Yes?" He said closing the cabin door that he had just opened.