I take a deep breath and the other crew members smile as we finally step aboard. The main entrance is opulent. A massive chandelier made of red and yellow blown glass grabs my attention. To my left there's a grand wrap-around staircase that leads to an all-glass bar.
People are walking around everywhere and the scents are such a wide variety that it’s almost disorienting.
“We have a lot of open air areas if the scents are too much. Come, let’s get you to your suite.” She doesn’t touch me, but she guides me toward the elevators. I like that she’s professional and to the point, but I’m hoping that maybe I get to know her a bit more throughout the cruise.
Shockingly, an elevator is readily available, and she hits twelve. “You’re in suite 12634. Deck twelve and thirteen are Omega-only decks. Employees and our Omega guests are the only ones with access to these elevators that go to these floors.”
I nod, remembering all of this from all the seminars. The only exception is if an Omega brings Alpha or Beta guests to their room, there’s a staff member stationed by the elevators to make sure anyone who comes on the elevator has permission. I fiddlewith the wristband; the pink color clashes with my Van Cleef & Arpels bracelets, but it’s something I’ll have to get used to. Omegas have pink, Alphas have Black, and Betas have blue.
When we get to deck twelve, sure enough, an Alpha security guard is there. He glances at my wrist and gives us a curt nod. My room isn’t far from the elevator, and Reyna points to the door handle.
“You just need to swipe your wristband here,” she says.
I do as she instructs and remember that they will monitor all my comings and goings. Heat Haven has taken as many precautions as possible to make sure the cruise is safe.
The mechanism whirls as I enter my home for the next few months. This is the maiden voyage of Haven of the Seas, and it's evident with how immaculate the space is.
The first thing that grabs my attention is the floor to ceiling glass that leads out to the balcony. I’m facing the port currently, but I can only imagine the views while we’re sailing. There’s a round dining table in the center of the room with four chairs. A large navy sectional rests in the corner and a TV is attached to the wall opposite of the couch. Everything is decorated in rich blues and sharp whites.
“This is your main area. There’s storage space, and a closet over here, and just around the corner is your bedroom,” Reyna says.
There’s no door between the living space and the bedroom, which allows tons of natural light to fill the small space.
“You have even more closet space in here. If you need any additional linens, blankets, or pillows, please let me know. Your comfort is my utmost priority.”
“Thank you, Reyna. You’ve been very helpful,” I tell her, hoping to soften her up a little bit toward me.
“There will be tours of the nests all during the week. I encourage you to go early so that you can have your firstoptions,” she says as she shows me the bathroom. “Do you have the app downloaded on your phone?”
I nod and she gives me a quick smile.
“Perfect, you can message me there any time. I’m sure you’ve already been given a rundown of the app, but if you have any questions about room service, booking spa treatments, or accepting messages from other guests, I’m here to help.”
“Great, thank you again.”
“I’ll give you some time to get sorted. We’ll knock when your luggage gets in, but feel free to explore the ship at your leisure.”
She gives me one more smile before she leaves the suite. As soon as she steps out, I’m greeted with a harsh quiet. The room smells fresh and clean, but all I want to do is make it smell more like home.
A sense of profound loneliness fills me as I sit on the bed. I don’t think I’ve ever felt this way before and I’m not exactly sure how to process it. Logically I knew I’d have some alone time at first, that I’d have to get used to being left with my own thoughts, but what if it’s like this for days on end?
I can do hard things,I remind myself.
Now is definitely not the time to second guess this decision. This is my reality for the next three months and come hell or high water I’m leaving this ship with a pack.
Chapter 3
Wells
Forrest sits uncomfortablyat the bar, his back ramrod straight as he taps his pointer finger and middle finger against the bar top in patterns of three.
“What can I get for you?” the bartender says.
“I’ll have a mojito, he’ll have a vodka soda,” I tell her with a polite smile that she returns. I hold out my wristband and she scans it, and when she looks at Forrest, he begrudgingly holds out his wrist for her to scan.
“We could still get off the boat,” he grumbles.
“First off, it’s a ship, and no, we’ve been over this so many times,” I reply with an edge of irritation.