THE 5TH ACCOUNT:HIS FATHER’S SON 1

The cool ocean breeze of the morning blew on my face. I inhaled the sweet scent. It felt wonderful. I smiled. Two days had passed by since we left Iwahi. Everything was back to normal. No more Iwahi… no more Zivi… no more irritation. I was at the main deck leaning against the railing as I watched how Labyrinth broke the flow of the waves as we passed by. Yesterday, I saw a pair of dolphins leapt in the air and tried to race us. I was hoping I could witness another of nature's magnificence but I was not having the same luck so I just turned around.

The pirate crew were gathered with their own factions. The musicians were goofing off singing and dancing and playing the harmonicas. The gunners were helping Lowen clean the muskets by the gunport and were checking on the cannons. My eyes kept wandering about and saw Thaddaeus with Paco working on some maintenance for the ship. I walked towards them and decided to be useful.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" I asked Thaddaeus.

Thaddaeus looked at me and then looked at Paco. Of all the pirates in the ship, Thaddaeus was the most quiet but to my observation the most loyal to Jacob. Paco was about to answer my question but Jacob called for him so I was left with Thaddaeus.

Thaddaeus scratched his head unsure of what to tell me. "Ummm…. Honestly, Miss Darling, I do not know what you can help me with. I'm about done with the work," he said.

"Oh okay," I said and then remembered a question that I had been thinking of for quite a while now. "Oh… by the way, how were you able to get a ship like Labyrinth? Where did you purchase it? How much did it cost you?"

"Captain Jacob did not tell you yet?" he asked while he kept on doing his work.

I shook my head. Jacob and I never talked casually. When we talked, if it was not awkward, we were bantering or him teasing me senseless. How could I ask him about this question?

Thaddaeus answered, "Labyrinth was a Beckforth's naval ship before. It was the St. Mary MU." He pointed to the cannons, "You could still see Beckforth's seal on some of them. I was not able to scrape them all off completely."

My eyes widened, "Are you trying to say, you stole a navy ship?" I asked.

Thaddaeus shook his head, "No… St. Mary MU was my father's ship... Admiral Nunez. He gave it to us and I fixed it and made it to be what it is -- Labyrinth."

"You are an admiral's son?" I asked again.

"Yes… was...," he answered simply and scratched his head.

"Darling, Thaddaeus does not like it when people ask him too many questions. Don't make him feel so uncomfortable," Jacob butt in taking my attention away.

I saw Thaddaeus sighed in relief and went back to his work from the corner of my eye. I guess I was more of a distraction than a help. I sighed and then turned to Jacob. He was grinning slyly… the kind of grin he usually has when he makes fun of me.

I narrowed my eyes. What now? "Can I help you?" I asked. I'm sure my left brow arched.

"Well… You see I had been thinking about what you told me two days ago before we left Iwahi," he answered. His eyes fixed on me.

I knew it! He would not let it go! I sighed, "What about it?"

He smiled wider. Did I just walk into his trap? "I think I know why you were so irritated," he answered.

My eyebrows met. "I told you, I couldn't explain it," I replied.

He nodded. "True. But, I also think I know why you couldn't explain it," he said and smirked.

I crossed my arms. Now, I am beginning to be irked. "Enlighten me, then," I said without thinking. My purpose was to challenge him but that was a mistake.

Jacob smiled at me ever so playfully then he said without beating around the bush, "You're jealous, weren't you?"

My blood rushed up to my face. "What?!" was all I managed to say. I could not even deny it!

He stepped forward towards me, I stepped back. "You're jealous," he said. His eyes fixed on me like a predator hunting a prey. "You were irritated because you were jealous of Zivi. And you not being able to explain it is nothing but a pathetic excuse because you do not want to admit to it."

I was taken aback. I blinked fast. I had to quickly think of a clever response. I had to bounce back or else he will continue to have the upperhand. But nothing clever came to mind. I was completely blank.

"How conceited can you get?!" That was all I could say in defense.

Jacob looked at me unfazed. He kept on stepping forward and I kept on stepping back until my back made contact to the railings. Jacob held onto the railings trapping me in the process. Then, he leaned forward to my direction so our faces were too close to each other. My eyes widened and my heart started to panic. I had to say something!!!

"Why would I be jealous?" I managed to say given my situation.

"Why not?" he asked.

I closed my eyes and tried to calm down. When I opened my eyes, I saw him staring at me with such intensity that I could not explain so I replied with, "No, I'm not jealous," hoping that he would release me and let me go.

But he didn't. Instead, he asked again, "Why not?"

I was getting frustrated and I wanted to escape but my brain was not working with me. Still, I tried to answer, "Because… be...because...." I stuttered.

In my desperation, I looked him squarely in the eye in a dire attempt to intimidate him but that was another mistake. The moment I gazed on him, I felt myself getting lost in his dark, black eyes. I couldn't think straight. What is going on with me? I had to snap out of this! I had to say something! I need to escape!

I was in distress and I needed to get away from him as fast as I could. So, I pushed him! With all my strength, I pushed him and then I babbled. I was in panic, "Why would I be jealous, huh? You are after all just a soulless pirate who prey on the weak and those who cannot fight back!"

I gasped after realizing what I just uttered! I didn't mean what I said but it was too late. Thaddaeus stood up and spoke, "How could you say that? That is not true!" he said in a loud voice enough for everyone to hear.

Everyone stopped what they were doing. Thaddaeus does not speak much but when he does, everyone would listen. They all looked our way. Jacob quickly stepped in front of me to shield me from their eyes, especially Thaddaeus' seething eyes.

"It's alright Thaddaeus. It was nothing but a harmless banter," Jacob explained in my defense.

I saw Thaddaeus scrunched his forehead. He was not convinced. "Captain, why do you tolerate her too much?" Then, he peered at me. "Miss Darling, Captain Jacob is the Captain of this ship. His title requires respect. You shouldn't be talking to him that way. You saw that he was not soulless! When did he prey on the weak, huh? You've been sailing with us for quite a while now. You should know this," he scolded me.

I was stunned. In my entire life, I was never disliked… not to this extent at least. For the love of mercy, I am the queen's favorite! But Thaddaeus, he looked at me with such disdain. His voice dripping with obvious animosity. He was angry at me for what I said about Jacob. I did not mean what I said. I just said that as a defense mechanism. Of course, I know they're not true. If they were, I would not have sailed with them. But, I could not say anything. I stood there not even wanting to defend myself.

I did not know what to do. I did not know what to say. I looked down, completely embarrassed about my behavior. Jacob saw my dilemma and inhaled, "It was nothing, she did not mean it," he said then he turned to me. "Darling, go to your room for now. Let me talk to them," he told me.

I looked at him and then nodded. "I'm sorry." I quietly uttered before I ran to my quarters. Once inside, I paced back and forth, trying to reflect on what just happened a few minutes ago. When I got tired, I leaned on the wall and looked up. I sighed. I wish I could take back time.