Chapter Three
Basil Jenks
I ’m lost in thought, replaying the events of the past day, both expected and not in my mind. Pulling out my tablet, I tap open the latest report from Simone. My steps quicken down the narrow corridor of the Mystic Princess, the dim lighting doing little to dispel a lingering sense of unease.
Out of nowhere, I collide with something—someone. Cordelia Marin. The impact sends my tablet crashing to the floor, and I hear the sickening crack of the screen before I even look down.
“Ms. Marin, do you make a habit of accosting potential investors?” My words come out sharper than intended, but irritation courses through me. She’s infuriating... and intoxicatingly close.
Her eyes flash with a mix of annoyance and amusement as she straightens herself. “Maybe if potential investors watched where they were going, collisions wouldn’t happen.”
I bend down to retrieve my tablet, inspecting the cracked screen with a frown. “Wonderful.”
She crosses her arms, clearly unfazed by my frustration. “If you spent less time brooding with your face planted in an electronic device and more time paying attention to what’s around, you’d notice things.”
I glance up at her, narrowing my eyes. “Such as?”
She steps closer, invading my personal space with an air of defiance. “Such as the fact that you’re not as in control here as you think.”
Her proximity is both maddening and magnetic. The scent of saltwater and machinery clings to her, a reminder of her deep connection to this ship. “Is that so?”
“Yes.” She points a finger at me and jabs the air between us. “And if you really want to understand this ship—my ship—you should join me for an inspection of what you really need to see.”
I raise an eyebrow. “An inspection? Now?”
“Unless you’re too busy nursing your tablet.”
A challenge hangs in the air between us. She’s daring me to step into her world, to see beyond my business-minded fa?ade. My irritation mingles with an unexpected attraction—she’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met.
“Lead the way.” I am unable to suppress a smirk.
She turns on her heel and walks away, not waiting for me to follow. As I trail behind her, a mix of anticipation and unease wash over me. I misjudged this woman as an obstacle to overcome and discard. She’s a puzzle, and one I can’t resist solving.
Cordelia leads me through the labyrinthine corridors of the Mystic Princess, her steps confident and sure. Every turn reveals a new marvel, each one more impressive than the last. The immense engines below the ECR thrum and purr with a symphony of well-oiled machinery, the heart of this ship pulsing with an energy I swear could be sentient. I am highly impressed, though I keep my face carefully neutral. I’ve never seen a more perfectly aligned mechanism than the engines Cordelia Marin oversees.
“Impressive.” I glance at the efficiency ratings displayed on a monitor. “But these numbers seem... impossible.”
She smirks, her eyes daring me to challenge her further. “The Mystic Princess runs on more than fuel and electricity. We have some... proprietary technologies.”
I narrow my eyes, my analytical mind already picking apart her words. Proprietary technologies. Is she confirming the rumors that led me here? There IS more to this ship—and to her—than meets the eye. I want this ship and if I must sell off the entire Mystic Cruises company to get it, I will.
We move on to the crew quarters, a stark contrast to the luxurious passenger areas, yet comfortable and spacious compared to what I have seen on other cruise ships. The quarters are utilitarian and efficient, every inch designed for maximum functionality while still providing comfort. Cordelia points out various features, her pride evident in every word.
“You are invested in this ship, Cordelia.”
“She’s a part of me and I’m a part of her.”
We continue to spar verbally as she leads me to the bridge. The view is breathtaking; an endless expanse of ocean stretching out before us, mixed with distant views of the inside passage islands as we navigate the enchanting natural channel.
The control panels on the bridge are state-of-the-art, but again, as is seen in every department on this ship, there are inconsistencies. Unexpected or odd data. Readings that don’t align with any technology I’m familiar with.
“Your setup is nontraditional. Your instrumentation provides readings that make no sense to me.” My tone is sharp, edged with suspicion.
She leans against the console, arms crossed. “You doubt our results?”
“It’s not disbelief. It’s curiosity.”
Her gaze softens for a moment before hardening again. “Curiosity can be dangerous.”
The tension between us crackles like static electricity as we make our way back to the ECR and her office. It’s cluttered yet organized in its own way, filled with nautical charts and mechanical blueprints. My eyes are drawn to an odd, shimmering object on her desk—a small sphere pulsing with an inner light.
“What’s this?”
I reach for it, but she steps in front of me quickly, blocking my path.
“Just another piece of proprietary technology.”
Leaning back slightly, my gaze locks on her eyes. There’s something here—something she’s hiding. And I intend to find out what it is.
“You’re protective of your secrets.”
“And you’re persistent in uncovering them.” She crosses her arms and narrows her eyes but does not break eye contact even to blink.
I smile and step back. She’s a formidable opponent—and an intriguing riddle. The stakes are higher than ever now, and my determination only grows stronger.
We stand toe to toe in silence for a moment longer before she finally speaks again. “Are we done here?”
The pulsing sphere on her desk continues to call to me. Why?
“What are you hiding, Ms. Marin?” I demand, my voice edged with frustration. “This ship defies every law of physics and business I know.”
She straightens, meeting my gaze with defiance. “It’s called innovation, Mr. Jenks. Something you might not understand.”
My hands clench into fists at my sides. “Don’t patronize me. This goes beyond innovation. This—“ I point at the sphere— “this is something else.”
Her eyes flicker with a mix of anger and something else—fear? “You wouldn’t understand.”
“Try me!” I snap back.
She moves to block my view of the sphere again, but her movements are defensive, not just protective. This sphere, all of the oddities I’m encountering on this ship are than technology; there’s a huge secret she’s desperate to keep.
“There’s something about this ship, about you—“
Cordelia steps closer, her eyes boring into mine with an intensity that makes my breath catch. “You’re treading dangerous waters, Mr. Jenks.”
I lean in as well, closing the gap between us until our faces are inches apart. “And you’re hiding something monumental.”
In the heat of our confrontation, my hand brushes against the sphere on her desk. A jolt of energy courses through me, making my vision blur and pulse with light.
Images flood my mind—a swirling ocean under a moonlit sky, Cordelia diving into the depths and emerging transformed. The connection between us is unmistakable, breathtaking.
Cordelia’s voice cuts through the haze. “Basil!” Her tone is urgent now, frightened.
I blink hard, shaking off the lingering effects of the vision.
She looks rattled too, but she quickly masks it with anger.
“You had no right!” Her voice is fierce but shaky.
I meet her gaze head-on. “No right? You’re hiding something that affects this entire operation.”
Before she retorts, an alarm blares from the engine room below us.
She spins on her heel towards the door without another word.
“Wait!” I call after her, but she’s already gone.
Cordelia disappears down the corridor, but I know where she is headed and I follow, the blaring alarm driving us both. We burst into the engine room only a few steps apart. The space thrums with energy and urgency. The crew buzzes around us, their movements frantic yet precise. Smoke wafts from a control panel, its display flickering wildly.
Cordelia dives into action. “Davies, shut down auxiliary power! Rookie, grab the second fire extinguisher!” Her voice cuts through the chaos, commanding and calm.
I watch her for a moment, my irritation giving way to reluctant admiration. She’s a natural leader, completely in her element. But there’s no time for admiration now. I step forward. “I may be a businessman, Chief Engineer, but I’m not useless. I hold an engine mechanic rating.”
Her eyes flick to me, skepticism mingling with a hint of surprise. “Fine.” She thrusts a toolkit into my hands. “Make yourself useful.”
I dive in alongside her, tools in hand. My business acumen may be where I excel, but I haven’t forgotten my early days of working in my father’s machine shop. Together, we work on the damaged panel, her rapid instructions blending seamlessly with my actions.
“Hand me the voltmeter.”
I pass it to her swiftly. “Here.”
She examines the readings quickly before barking another command. “We need to reroute power through these conduits.” Her fingers point to a tangle of wires.
We work in tandem—her precision matching my efficiency. Despite our differences, our movements sync as if choreographed.
My internal monologue takes over: We work well together. Too well. This complicates things.
She glances at me again, and for a split second, our eyes lock. There’s something there—something neither of us is ready to admit.
With a final adjustment to the wiring, the alarms cease, and the room falls into an uneasy silence. The crew lets out a collective breath of relief as Cordelia inspects our handiwork.
“Crisis averted.”
“Nice work.” I offer genuinely.
Her expression softens for just a moment before she catches herself and hardens again. “Don’t get too comfortable.”
“Peterson, sit rep in 20, my office. I want everyone there. Call in off-duty. Have a report ready on this incident and also the leak from turnaround day. I want answers and nobody goes off duty today until I have them. Clear?”
“Aye Chief.”
“Davies, get on the horn to the bridge now. Give them the all-clear. Update the Captain and let her know I’m on my way to report in person. Clear?”
“Everyone, clear?”
“Aye Chief!” echoes around the crowded room, which empties in moments as the crew disperse to follow their orders, leaving Cordelia and me alone amidst the humming machinery.
“So…” I lean against a nearby console as the adrenaline rush fades from my body. “Do you always play superhero during malfunctions?”
She raises an eyebrow at me but doesn’t respond immediately. The space between us is charged—like static before a storm.
Her lips curl into a reluctant smile as she finally speaks again: “Only when necessary.”
And just like that, we’re back to where we started—two opposing forces drawn together by circumstance yet kept apart by secrets neither is willing to fully reveal... yet.
Her scent—saltwater and machinery—fills my lungs, grounding me in this surreal moment.
“You’re unlike anyone I’ve ever met, Cordelia.” My voice is low but intense. “What is it about you—about this ship?”
She turns to face me, eyes narrowing as if trying to read my soul. “You wouldn’t understand.” Her voice is firm, but there’s a crack in her defiance.
I step closer, drawn to her like a moth to a flame. “Try me.”
Her gaze flickers with uncertainty before hardening again. “This ship... it’s more than metal and engines. It’s alive.”
Alive. The word hangs between us, heavy with a meaning I can’t fully grasp yet. I want to press her for more, to dissect the layers of her cryptic revelation, but I sense she’s already regretting what she said. Her eyes dart away, as if she wishes she could take the word back, stuff it down into the depths of her guarded heart.
I step close enough to feel the warmth radiating from her body, mingling with the scent of her, a blend of saltwater and machinery. It wraps around me, intoxicating. My hand reaches out instinctively, my fingers brushing against a stray lock of her hair. It’s softer than I’d imagined, and the simple touch sends an electrifying jolt through me.
Her breath hitches, and she looks up at me, a storm of emotions swirling in her eyes. Defiance, vulnerability, fear, and something else—something that mirrors the hunger I feel inside. My pulse quickens, hammering in my ears, drowning out the distant hum of the engines.
“Cordelia. Don’t shut me out.”
Her eyes soften for a fraction of a second before the walls come back up, but it’s enough. Enough to know that beneath her armor, she’s as drawn to me as I am to her.”
For a moment that stretches into eternity, we stand connected, not touching yet linked. Her eyes search mine, and I see the battle waging within her, the struggle between duty and desire.
Then, as if a silent truce is reached, she leans in, her lips inches from mine. The world narrows to the two of us, suspended in this fragile moment. Time stops. The air is thick with the heady anticipation of what comes next.
And in that heartbeat, I know—whatever secrets she’s hiding, whatever mysteries this ship holds—I’m in too deep to turn back now.
“I’m losing control…” I admit, more to myself than to her. “Of the situation, of myself. But I can’t seem to care.”
“You think you’re the only one?” Her voice trembles.
The vulnerability in her tone catches me off guard. For once, she’s not the unyielding Chief Engineer or the mysterious woman hiding secrets. She’s just Cordelia—a person as conflicted and confused as I am.
I reach out, touching her face. Her breath hitches as my fingers graze her cheek.
“I don’t know what this is between us… But it’s real. I’ve never experienced anything so real.”
Her lips part as if to respond, but no words come out. The tension between us tightens like a coiled spring ready to snap.
We’re so close that I can see every detail of her face—the flecks of green in her blue eyes, the way her lips tremble ever so slightly. My heart pounds in my chest as I lean in.
But just as our lips are about to meet, my phone rings shrilly in my pocket. The sound shatters the moment like glass hitting concrete.
Cordelia steps back quickly, the spell broken between us. Frustration surges through me as I fumble for my phone.
“Hold on.” Turning away from her, I swear softly under my breath.
“Take your call. I have to report to the captain.”
And before I can turn back to ask her to stay, she’s gone.