Chapter 19

"I've wanted to talk to you for a long time now," he continued. "But you won't talk to me. You don't open my emails. You've shut down your social media. The only thing your friend Sheena would do was to give you my offer to take this trip. She wouldn't even give you the letter I wrote-"

"Oh my God." She took a step back. "You followed me on this cruise!" She looked around quickly. "Is she here, too?!"

"No. God no. I wouldn't bring her here. We aren't even together. Sidney, I annulled my marriage."

"Oh my God," Sidney placed her hand on her forehead in disbelief. "You're a stalker!"

"Shhh. Please Sidney." He reached for her elbow. "Honey, I'm not a stalker."

Sidney backed away from his touch.

Paolo turned to Gio who was frowning. "Why is my guest arguing with your lady?"

Gio tore his eyes away from the sight of Sidney and the tall blond man. He looked at his friend. "That's your guest?"

"Yes, the creepy American who sits and waits. That's all he's done this entire day."

Gio moved forward but Nicco stopped him. "It's obvious they know each other, Anello. Don't get involved." He commanded. Gio looked at him uncertainly. "Get back in formation."

He did but turned his attention back to Sidney, trying to hear their low, angry conversation.

"Tenesha and I haven't been together for a long time. And the baby is not mine." Wes said.

"What?" Sidney asked, still trying to make sense of everything that was happening. "Was the baby too dark to be yours?" She asked sarcastically.

He was shaking his head. "She was born almost two months premature but was a full-size baby. I'm a stupid man, Sid, but not that stupid. The doctor confirmed that the baby was not premature. Tenesha tricked me into sleeping with her while she was already pregnant."

Sidney's expression turned angry. "She tricked your dick into her body? That's some trick!" She turned away but Wes gripped her hand.

"No. There's something I've never told you, Sid, something I've been ashamed to tell you-"

She snatched her hand away from him, backing away as she raised her hands. "I don't care, Wes. I don't care about your secrets or your fake baby and your annulled marriage. You cheated on me and that's all I care about." She hurried out of the room. When Wes moved to follow, Gio finally broke out of line.

"Anello!" Nicco called.

Paolo followed, also ignoring Nicco. Gio reached Wes and grabbed his arm, swinging the surprised man around. Gio raised his finger, his face filled with rage.

"No! You leave her alone!"

Wes blinked in surprise but seemed to come back to himself. Paolo was immediately there. "Come, sir. Let's get you a drink." He led his guest back to the lounge although Wes had no choice but to follow as Paolo's hands were firmly on him.

"Sidney!" Gio called but she had already run to the elevator. He ran to the other set of elevators but even though they were closer to her suite it was crowded with well-dressed people attempting to get to their own formal dinner, so it took longer to reach the penthouse.

When he finally reached the exclusive floor he cursed to himself. Her shoes were in the corridor as if she had kicked them off. He quickly retrieved them and then knocked on the penthouse door.

"Sidney. It's Gio. Can I come in?" He had a key but he wouldn't invade her privacy. He knocked again. "I won't come in unless you invite me in…even though you know I have a key. So, please let me know that you're okay."

The door suddenly opened and Sidney was standing there wiping tears from her eyes.

"I'm okay," she spoke in a voice that cracked with barely suppressed tears.

He shook his head and went inside. "No, you're not."

She looked up at him through eyes that swam with tears, despite how hard she fought not to give in to them.

"He followed me. He followed me, Gio."

He saw her tremble and big fat tears finally dropped from her eyes.

Gio pulled her into his arms and wrapped protective arms around her. "He won't touch you again, Sidney. I promise."

II

"How is the tea?" Gio asked. She was sitting on the couch with her feet tucked beneath her. He had made her a cup of tea and she was holding it between both hands as if she had just come in from the cold. She still seemed jittery but at least the tears had disappeared.

She looked at the mug in her hand as if she had forgotten all about it. She took a sip and nodded. "It's good. Thank you. I'm sorry about ruining your…" she gestured to him. He glanced down at the makeup that now stained his white tuxedo shirt.

He smiled. "I've dated black women before. I already know what to expect when I wear white."

Her mouth opened in surprise and then she laughed. For her it was cathartic and she happily gave in to it. "You've dated black women?" She finally asked when she got it under control.

"Of course. I've dated all kinds of women."

"Of course," she replied as if that was obvious. She looked at him curiously. "Is dating black women your preference?"

He shook his head, not appearing uneasy about her question. "I have no preference in color or race. It's just about the person. Who was that man, Sidney?" He asked, changing the subject from himself. "You said he followed you. From the States?"

She put down her tea. He was sitting next to her but she was against the corner of the sofa, facing him.

"That is my ex-fiancée."

"Fiancée," he said slowly.

"EX," she said adamantly.

He nodded. "Ex. This makes him a stalker."

"I agree." She shivered again. "I'm leaving at the next stop. I'm not going to be trapped on this ship with that asshole. Can you make the arrangements for me, Gio? Ugh…I don't have the money for another plane ticket! I have to fly out of Barcelona!" Even exchanging her ticket would cost her. She simply couldn't afford it.