Written in Ink

Seventeen | Reagan

 I hate him. He was so nice not even ten minutes ago! In the water I can't believe I actually thought he'd be different than what I expected. He held me so I didn't drown. Why did he even come down to find me in the first place? Whatever. I want to enjoy my vacation, therefore I am going to.

I will not be worrying about my possessive ass of a husband. I'm on a yacht for goodness sake! I always hype myself up just to be all self conscious again. But I don't give a shit right now. I look out to the window to see the once beautiful sky, turn black as if it's going to rain. Wonderful.

"Sembra che una tempesta si stia avvicinando. Ti suggerisco per il momento di accovacciarsi." Someone says over the speakers around the boat.
[Translation: It looks like a storm is approaching. I suggest you to stay down for the moment.]

Why can't I just magically know Italian. I want to go ask Alonzo what it means, but I refrain. I instead just sit near my window, watching the sky turn darker. Now I'm just trapped on a boat while a storm hits. The thought terrifies me.

As some time passes, the temperature drops and the boat rocks back and forth on the growing waves. It makes my stomach churn and my skin begins to chill in my still damp bathing suit.

Soon I build enough courage to stand and walk across the room to my closet to change. Just my luck the boat rocks more as I stand and attempt to change into sweats and a sweatshirt. I don't bother with a bra knowing I won't see anyone, so mine as well be comfortable. I struggle back to my original chair near the window to put socks on. Being able to see the waves crash against the boat makes me even more queasy. Why wouldn't there be any blinds to close on the windows?

What room doesn't have windows? The closet. I'm going to go and be a coward, and sit in the closet. Proud of it. I shut the closet door behind me, sitting in the corner, wrapping myself up in the blanket I snatched from my bed. I try to drown out the growling of the storm by humming an original tune to myself. It doesn't work.

What feels like hours go by. Fear overcomes me and I hyperventilate in the closed and confined room. The storm is still going. Still raging on. All I want to do is be on dry land. The boat is great and all but I'm over this hell hole of a vacation. I watch the lightning flash from under the door making me jump, cowering back even more.

With the thunder I don't even hear my bedroom door open until someone calls my name. "La signora Reagan?" A voice calls out. I don't answer out of the combination of laziness and can't physically talk.
[Translation: Miss. Reagan?]

I can appreciate a good thunder and lightning storm, but this, this is no plain jane storm.

"La signora Napolitani?" They call out again. The person gives up and leaves, closing the door on his way out.
[Translation: Mrs. Napolitani?]

A few minutes later I hear arguing outside my door, all in Italian but I can decipher my name in the conversation. Just then my door bursts open. "Reagan!" Alonzo calls out angrily.

Oh shit.

Maybe he'll think I'm just sleeping and leave me alone?

Another thunder bit crashes, vibrating the boat and I gasp before clamping my hand over my mouth. When I do, I feel tears I didn't even know I had. I can't decide if they are from fear of the storm outside, or from the storm that is Alonzo.

The closet door rips open and I shriek, but it's muffled by my hand. I don't dare meet Alonzo's heated gaze. His hand snatches my chin, forcing it in his direction. My wide eyes meet his. He studies my tear stained cheeks before searching my eyes.

"Partire." Alonzo orders to the people behind him. They scurry out of the room, shutting the door.
[Translation: Leave.]

Another rumble of thunder sounds and I pathetically whimper, looking away from the window. He notices the reason for my panic, he leans down, pulls me into his arms before he sits, leaning against the opposite closet wall. I protest, not wanting to be near him, but lightning lights up the dark closet and I involuntarily grip Alonzo's torso needing to feel someone holding me, which he does.

Alonzo puts his one arm around my back, and the other over my ear covering my eye to block out the storm. My one ear against his chest, and the only thing I hear is his heartbeat. The constant beating and the sense of security I feel helps me calm.

Why can't Alonzo be like this all the time? Caring, empathetic and just there. Just here, at least acting like he cares.

Apparently I drifted asleep, but only for a short amount of time. Alonzo coxes me awake by stroking his hand over my hair. "Reagan, you need to wake up." He coos gently.

"Mhm?" I mumble, pulling away from him. My arms and legs are asleep so I struggle to get up.

He must sense my struggle, because he holds his hand out for me to take. My half conscious body takes it and he pulls me up into his grasp. "The boat is docked. We are going to stay in a hotel for the night." He informs me.

A sigh of relief leaves me and I nod in response. "Okay." My voice is a little groggy. "What time is it?"

"Just past midnight." He answers, leading me out of the room to the back deck. The boat still rocks and my wobbly self nearly falls over. But Alonzo takes my arm, linking it with his. He helps me walk to the edge of the deck onto the dock. The dock bobs up and down over the waves. The water is pouring down against my scalp.

Alonzo steps over onto the dock, holding my hand still, waiting for me to pass over too. "I-I..." I try to build up enough courage to pass over but the waves are crashing so hard against the boat.

Alonzo comes back onto the boat, holding me close and pulls me onto the dock. It scares the shit out of me, but if he didn't do that I wouldn't have gotten onto the dock in the first place. He rushes me off the dock onto solid land. My head keeps swimming and my body feels like I'm still on the boat.

We hurry into a car which drives off quickly. I look out of the window to see a beautiful city of cement buildings. It looks like we are in Greece, Athens maybe. The car ride is quick and we soon pull up to a beautiful hotel. Alonzo gets out of the car first, rounding the hood to meet me as I open my door. His hand comes out to take mine and we walk into the building and I'm greeted by the beautiful interior of the building.

I stand next to Alonzo and we walk to the front desk. Before the lady can get a word out, Alonzo speaks first. "Napolitani."

The lady scoffs at his attitude but hands over four room keys. I look behind us to see the two cooks and the four boat staff soaking wet holding a few bags. Buchanon and Lorenzo are on either side of Alonzo and I as well.

"Come on." Alonzo orders, out of breath. I follow behind him into a large elevator and the rest of the party files in as well. He begins to hand out room keys; one going to the cooks, one going to two of the Captains of the boat and the other two going to the other boat staff. He doesn't hand me one, so I assume we are sharing a room for the night.

We reach the fifth floor and step out of the hotel. "Buona notte." Alonzo says to the crew.
[Translation: Good night.]

"Buona notte." They all respond, going to their rooms. The young chef I was walking with earlier today hands Alonzo and I two bags and I thank him. He smiles before looking at Alonzo and he practically runs away.
[Translation: Good night.]

I look at Alonzo to see him watching the young chef with a cold glare. I nudge his shoulder and his gaze turns onto me. He shakes his head before turning and walking to our room. It's all the way on the other side of the building. We make it to our room and he puts the key in, turning it before opening the door for us.

I walk in first, flipping on the light so I can see where I am going. The room has a mini kitchen with a dining table, and a single large bed in the same room. A door leads to the bathroom and one more set of double doors that I assume leads to a closet.

"There was just enough rooms for the crew and one left for us." Alonzo mumbles to me, plopping his bag next to the bed.

"Okay." I respond quietly. "I'm just going to go and change."

I take my bag into the bathroom, closing the door behind me. On the water it was bitterly cold, but now it's hot and humid with the rain. It's like I can't get my wet sweats off fast enough. I pull my bag over, opening it to find a few clothes and a handful of undergarments. I grab a grey tank top and search for a pair of shorts but am disappointed when I don't have one. There is a pair of dry sweatpants. I have no other choice but to wear those over a pair of comfy boy short underwear. I find a comfy sports bra and assemble the rest of the outfit. I'm sweating but it's better than nothing. 

Thoughts?