A Common Passion
Lily tossed and turned in her bed, falling victim to the nightmare as memories of what happened at stern kept pushing their way to the forefront. The fear, the panic, the feeling of being so close to death itself.
She could imagine the man who threatened her life succeeding in pushing her off the railings. Forcing her to fall into the freezing ocean, submerging under the waves and into the abyss.
But in her nightmare, she found a light. A familiar face, but no name to remember.
The man who had rushed to her rescue came to mind. The one who had put himself in danger for her sake, even though she barely knew him. She could recall his facial features, even his eyes, which were the most attracting.
As the fear subsided, she remembered the presence of a second man who had intervened and helped pull her to safety, which caused her to fall on top of the first. Even in her sleep, she blushed. She could recall being on top of him, a rather awkward and inappropriate position but innocent under the circumstances.
Feeling herself coming back to consciousness, her eyes opened, slowly recognizing the light from the last candle that was nearly out. Moaning, she turned to her side and stared out the window, seeing the darkness outside.
Her mind turned towards the memory of the man again.
Who was he?
Despite not knowing him, he held her interest the most out of anyone she had met on the trip, especially how caring he came across when trying to rescue her. Something about him felt different, like as if she knew he was the type that would have jumped in after her if she had fallen into the ocean.
With her eyes closed and her mind beginning to once again calm, she remembered his face and those beautiful eyes. The kind that held a peacefulness that welcomed her.
She smiled before dozing off, not once thinking about the incident. Instead, she felt incident in trying to track down the man who had saved her and personally thank him herself.
/
Just barely before morning, Tony was interrogating Jon on what had transpired the previous night. Due to how both Tony and Michael were, Jon had decided not to tell him, especially since their new friend wasn't in on their little secret.
"So... wait a minute," said Tony. "You two saved a first-class girl from falling off the back of the ship?"
Jon nodded, "About sums it up."
Meanwhile, Taylor was dressing up in his suit, ready to head out.
"Was it Prometheus?
Jon paused unsure how to answer as he turned to Taylor, "Probably best to ask the man himself."
Taylor sighed as he finished dressing, turning towards them. He was so conflicted that he only had one response, "I'm not sure."
Tony frowned, "How do you not know? You said yourself that Prometheus was targeting someone on this ship. And someone was attacked last night."
"Something doesn't feel right," Taylor shook his head. "I've been tracking him for years, and he's been very careful. But the man I fought last night... it doesn't feel like the same kind of person. If it is him, then that means I need to find a way to get him out of the authorities' hands and turn him over to the Guardians."
Jon frowned, "But... you said you're still trapped here. Even if you get him out, you'll just be making things worse for yourself."
"I know!" he replied. "Which is why, until my circumstances change, he'll stay in their custody. But still, I need to speak with him."
Jon slightly cringed, "I don't see how the Master-At-Arms will allow that. He was not so welcoming towards you last night. And I doubt any sleep has changed that."
"Which is why I'm not going to ask him. The only card to play is to appeal to Mr. Cornelius to get permission. He's the builder and owner of this ship, he'll have more authority to some extent. But even then, I'll still need to play by their rules to get him to trust me."
"Well, he did wish to repay you in some w-" Jon's eyes widened, slightly cursing himself under his breath, "No wonder she looked familiar! The girl we saved... she was the one from yesterday I was staring at."
The two stared at him in surprise.
"Wait… what?!" Tony cried out.
Taylor raised an eyebrow, "Talk about coincidence."
Jon nodded, smiling as if he had won a prize, "It's true. I didn't realize it at first but last night I kept having this suspicion that I knew her."
"What are the odds of that happening?" Tony asked, more to himself.
"I don't know, but it really doesn't matter. Tomorrow… I'm dining with royalty."
"Wait, they offered you a seat with the first class for dinner?" Tony's mouth dropped. "Why couldn't I have been there to save the princess!"
"Not the point! It's my chance to see her again!"
Tony and Taylor looked at each other with a knowing and devious smile before turning back to him.
"Uh oh, someone is falling hard," Taylor teased.
"When's the wedding?" Tony winked.
Jon laughed, "Guys, it'll probably just be one night, my only chance to actually talk with her. After that, they'll just forget about me and Taylor."
Tony nodded, "You're not wrong. We may have a first-class room, but we will never be part of their society."
Jon nodded, "True to that. Also, she seemed-"
He stopped himself, realizing that he was about to give away something sensitive. He had saw her running past him and knew that she had been crying. At first, he thought she had been running from the man, but that didn't make sense when he thought about it. She would have been crying out for help before reaching the stern if that was the case.
No, it had to be something else.
The way she looked, it reminded him of the day his parents passed away. The sense of loneliness and darkness in the aftermath of their passing. The event had just made him want to leave and put as much distance between him and his former home. So, he became a drifter, with nothing waiting for him. To live the rest of his days like they were his last.
It was only when he met Taylor that things became easier for him. Like as if the Almighty had sent him a guide, a mentor to support him.
But for her…
"Jon?"
Taylor's voice brought him out of his thoughts, seeing the concerned expressions his friends were giving him.
"Sorry, I… I was just thinking... about how scared she looked."
"I would expect so, especially from someone who has come so close to death," said Tony.
No one spoke for a while.
"Hey, what are you going to wear tomorrow for the party?" Taylor asked, raising his eyebrow.
Jon sighed, "Fine! I'll wear the suit and tie you got me."
"And any chance I may be able to come?" Tony asked.
Jon shook his head, "Nope!"
"Ah, come on!"
Taylor laughed as he walked to the door, "I'm heading out to find Mr. Cornelius. If I'm going to get my chance, it's now."
"Alright," Jon nodded. "We'll be with the third-class for a while."
"Don't forget your suit!" Taylor called back before closing the door behind him.
/
After managing to get some rest, Lily awoke from her slumber, wearing a smile that surprised Mandy when helping her dress for the day.
"You're in a good mood. I would have thought nearly falling to your death would have the opposite effect."
True, she thought.
She knew that news of her attack was traveling like wildfire across the entire first-class. She cursed herself since it would mean having to endure everyone's questions and possible disapproval looks.
But she wasn't afraid or weighed down by it all. Instead, she was happy and felt a rush of life she hadn't felt in years, a new appreciation for life itself. She tried to think hard about why that was, but she couldn't figure it out.
After breakfast with her parents, which was spent with Rebekka berating her for being so careless, Lily decided to go look for the man who had saved her last night. To escape suspicion, she told her mother that she would go on a walk to clear her mind. But once out of her sight, she went to her father, who had left moments before.
"Dad," she knocked on his door to his office.
Augustus looked up at her and smiled, getting up to approach her, "Ah, my dear. What is it?"
Lily swallowed, "Do you... know the room number of the men who saved me last night? I wish to thank them personally."
Augustus frowned, "Lily... I don't think that's necessary. You'll see them again tonight. Afterall, your mother would disapprove."
Lily sighed, "I know, but everyone will be wanting to speak with them, and I wish for this to be a private conversation, out of gossip ears. It's the least I can do for them."
Taking a moment to think long and hard on it, he smiled and nodded, "Very well. But at least take Thomas with you."
Lily shook her head, "Dad, the threat has passed, and he's locked up. This is something I need to do without assistance. Please, just this once."
Although still worried, Augustus nodded, "I'll allow it just this once. I was able to get their room number from the Master-At-Arms. But once you're doing talking to them, come right back. Or else your mother will definitely have my head."
Lily laughed, "Alright. I'll see you at dinner."
"See you there," once writing the room number on a piece of paper, he handed it to her and returned to his work on the desk.
Managing to exit the suite without Thomas or the other guards noticing, Lily made it onto the deck and felt the sunlight touch her skin as if she were experiencing it for the first time. She smiled and closed her eyes, bathing in its radiance.
"Glad to see the young miss is starting her day off better than last night."
She almost jumped as she turned to the voice and met a familiar face, a man who was leaning on the railings, smoking a cigar.
"Ah, Mr. Davis, it's good to see you," though slightly embarrassed, she pushed those feelings aside and smiled, walking towards him. "How have you been?"
Kyle Davis held up his hand, "Please, Kyle is fine. No need to be too formal. And I'm doing good, thank you for asking."
Despite having only known him for two years, Davis had grown close to the Cornelius family and helped in her father's business. It didn't take long for him to become a close friend.
Lily nodded, "I take it you heard."
"Your father came directly to me last night. He... didn't say it, but I knew he was frightened by the thought of almost losing you."
"I'm happy that he was able to come directly to you for comfort."
"Hey, it's what friends are for," he smoked his cigar once more. "You seem to be off to somewhere important.
"Oh, I'm going to personally thank my rescuers from last night, before they attend tonight's dinner."
Davis nodded, "Ah, yes. I heard much about Mr. Reeves and Mr. Matthews. I look forward to meeting them tonight. Well, I'll let you get right to it. I'll see you at dinner."
Lily slightly bowed, "I'll see you there."
/
Arriving at the door, Lily knocked, waiting for a few moments before the door was opened by a young man she didn't recognize.
"Oh, hello," she nodded. "I apologize for disturbing you. I'm looking for-" She paused, trying to remember the names that Davis had given her. "- Mr. Reeves and Mr. Matthews."
The man frowned before his mouth dropped, recognizing who she was, "You're Miss Cornelius! I'm Tony!" He reached forward and took her hand, shaking it. "It's a pleasure to meet you!"
Although startled and taken back, she shook his hand in return and offered a small smile, "Yes, it's a pleasure. I'm Lily, Lily Cornelius."
She was a bit surprised by clothing, which made him look like a third-class passenger.
"Oh, I'm aware. Jon wouldn't shut up about you."
Lily smiled, hearing the teasing in his voice, "Yes, it was quite the embarrassing scandal."
"That's one way to put it. Anyway, Jon is down in the living quarters of the third-class. I was just about to go down and join him. I can take you with me."
"No, it's perfectly fine. I think I can manage."
"Oh, no need to be shy, I can help you find him easily. As for Taylor, well... he already took off too..." he paused, his smile almost disappearing. "... to handle some business... I believe."
Lily couldn't help but feel that he was purposedly keeping information from her, but choose not to pry. If she couldn't thank him now, she would later.
"Alright... if that's okay."
Tony waved her concerns away as he exited the door and closed it, "Ah, it's fine."
As they began to walk down the hallway, Lily realized she didn't know who was she was going to meet?"
"Is Taylor's last name Reeves or Matthews?" she asked
"Reeves," Tony replied. "Jon's last name is Matthews. He's the one who was keeping you from falling into the ocean, while Taylor fought your attacker."
Her heart leaped with joy, knowing that she was meeting the man she couldn't get out of her dreams.
"And when will Mr. Reeves be back?" she asked.
Tony shrugged, "He's unpredictable when it comes to that. Always running into trouble."
Lily couldn't help but frown at that statement.
/
Approaching the suite that the Cornelius family was staying in, Taylor knocked on the door and was met by a servant lady.
"Yes?" she asked.
Taylor slightly bowed, "My name is Taylor Reeves. I wish to speak with Mr. Cornelius. It's important."
The woman stared at him before nodded, "One second."
She closed the door, leaving him standing outside with two men stationed on each side.
A few minutes later, the servant lady returned and opened the door for him.
"He's waiting for you in his office. The room on the right."
Taylor nodded, "Thank you."
Entering, he walked into a large living room, filled with furniture, paintings, and shiny silverware. He saw the room on the right and approached the open door, entering.
Knocking on the wood of the door, he caught Mr. Cornelius' attention, who looked up.
"Ah, Mr. Reeves, please come in."
Closing the door behind him, Taylor approached the desk.
"Please, take a seat," Augustus motioned towards one of the chairs.
Taylor shook his head, "No, thank you. This will be brief." He took a breath. "I wish to ask of you a favor."
"Anything!" Augustus' head perked up.
"I don't mean to act on your generosity, especially since you're allowing me to attend your dinner tonight, but I wish to ask for your permission to speak with the man who attacked your daughter."
His expression changed, one of confusion and suspicion, "Why?"
Taylor remained firm, "I trust that the information I'm about to share will be kept secret, but I'm still taking a risk."
Augustus frowned, but his curiosity got the better of him as he nodded.
"I'm not recognized by any government, nor would my superiors acknowledge me if I was tell you who I work for you. Everything I have done has been unsanctioned. But I have been on the hunt for a rogue operative, someone who was supposed to be on this ship."
"And... is the man who attacked my daughter this operative you've been chasing?" he questioned, his voice now serious.
Taylor sighed, "I don't know. Something about him doesn't feel right, which is why I need to speak with him as soon as possible. If he is indeed the man I'm looking for, then I need to find out. Because if not, then my search is not over."
Augustus though long and hard, "If I was to grant you access to him, it'll be with the Master-At-Arms and myself present. I wish to know why he targeted my daughter."
Taylor nodded, "I'm okay with that."
Managing to keep his expressions to himself, Taylor was worried about how he would be able to interrogate the man while in the presence of others who wouldn't understand a word he was saying. But regardless, he needed access, and he didn't wish to work against these people, nor be exposed in any way.
Augustus nodded, "Very well, I shall accompany you to him right now."
Taylor nodded in return, "Thank you, Mr. Cornelius. And consider yourself having repaid a debt by doing so."
"A debt?" a voice came from behind.
Augustus and Taylor turned to see a man entering through the door, smoking a cigar.
"Ah, Kyle!" Augustus smiled, rising to his feet and coming around the desk. "Good to see you! This is Taylor Reeves, the man I was telling you about last night."
Kyle turned to Taylor wearing his smile as he stared directly into his eyes and extended his hand to him, "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Mr. Reeves."
Taylor smiled back and accepted his handshake, "It's a pleasure to meet you... Mr.?"
"Davis, Kyle Davis."
"Mr. Reeves and I were about to head down to the Master-At-Arms quarters to interrogate my daughter's attacker. Would you like to come with us?"
Davis shook his head, "No, I have other things to attend to. But I wished to tell you that your daughter is off to find Mr. Matthews, as well as our friend here."
Augustus waved him off, "I'm aware. But I thank you for coming directly to me."
Kyle slightly bowed and teased, "Happy interrogating."
Just as Kyle walked out of the room, the Master-At-Arms came strolling through right after him, a worried expression covering his face. His narrowed at Taylor before turning to Augustus.
"There's been a death!" he announced.
Taylor's stomach dropped, hoping to God it wasn't who he was thinking.
Augustus frowned, "And why are you bringing this to me?"
The Master-At-Arms sighed, "Because... it's the man who attacked your daughter. He's dead."
/
The whole way Lily thought about the man she was going to meet. She was taken back by how talkative Tony was, but otherwise found him engaging and likable. A breath of fresh air from the people she was normally talking with.
Arriving at the steps that led down to the third-class living quarters, they both stepped in and closed the gate before heading down. She could hear music, laughter, the sound of children giggling, different languages being spoken at once. Even the sound of a piano.
The closer they got, the more they could feel the excitement in the air.
Once reaching the end of the stairs, Tony pointed out the spot where Jon was.
/
Jon smiled as he watched Lucy, who was sitting in his lap, draw her picture on a free page of his portrait book. He had plenty of pages left before he needed a new one, so it didn't bother him. After drawing them yesterday, Jon had struck up a conversation with the girl's father, Brock. And had become instant friends with them.
Men and women, of all kinds of races, were talking and laughing. Children ran around, playing with reckless abandon and limitless energy. Some were even chasing a rat. Some were around the piano, singing along with the man who was playing it. The whole third-class living quarters was alive, a welcoming place of harmony.
Michael was talking with the Irish woman, trying to help her pronounce his name in English. Though the two had trouble understanding each other, they enjoyed being in the other's company. Much to the dismay of her parents, who were sitting not so far away.
Meanwhile, Brock was going through Jon's drawings, in awe of his excellent work and skill.
He shook his head, smiling, "This is very good."
Jon nodded to him, keeping his attention on Lucy, helping her out with some advice but ultimately letting her imagination become unleashed.
"Seriously, Jon, these are very, very good."
"Thank you," Jon nodded to him.
Suddenly, everyone started to quiet down. The talking stopped in seconds, as did the piano playing and the singing. Even the children stopped running around. Everyone's attention was now towards the stairs.
Brock and Michael turned their attention to what everyone else was looking at and were hit with a stunning sight.
Jon frowned as he looked up, just now realizing how quiet it was.
"Uncle Jon, why is everyone so q-" Lucy gasped the moment she turned her head.
Jack stared in awe at beautiful sight before him.
/
The moment Lily reached the end of the stairs, she smiled at the sight before her.
So many people were gathered into one area, never feeling uncomfortable with how little space there was, how crowded it was. Men and women of all kinds of races and nations were talking to each other without worry about how they sounded or spoke. There was no mindless chatter, no need to say something in a certain way. They just said what was on their mind.
She smiled at the children who ran amok, chasing each other or chasing the poor rat that was trying to stay ahead of them and find a way to safety.
She smiled at the man who was playing the piano and the men who sang around him.
To her, it was paradise. A haven she wanted to see more of. A slice of heaven that was forbidden to her.
Sadly, it wasn't to last as everyone began to notice her. The talking ceased and the piano playing stopped, going with it the singing as well. Even the children stopped what they were doing.
Now, the attention was on her.
Her smile disappeared as she felt so vulnerable to stares that everyone was giving her. She tried to smile again but it failed to reach her ears. Never before had she felt this embarrassed as she began to walk among them, her eyes looking Jon. Her cheeks felt like they were on fire.
Men tipped their hats to her, while the woman giggled and whispered amongst themselves.
As her eyes scanned the crowd, she met the eyes of blue and green, and a shocked face that belonged to one, Jon Matthews.
Meanwhile, Tony stared at the two with a knowing look before slightly nudging her shoulder with his, "Hey, don't be so shy. Your Knight In Shining Armor is right over there."
Although slightly startled, she nodded and began to approach him, wearing the same smile from the night before.
/
Jon turned to Lucy and whispered, "I need to get up and talk with an old friend, you can continue coloring. Alright?"
Lucy blinked and turned to him, nodding with a bright smile, "Okay. Go get her, Uncle Jon."
He blushed as he picked her up and set her to the side of the bench next to her father, allowing him to stand up just in time as Lily approached him.
"Hello, Mr. Matthews," she greeted.
Jon swallowed and nodded, "Hello... again."
She trembled a little at being so close to him, her dreams coming back to her.
From behind Tony, as well as others, watched in amusement.
Thankfully, life in the quarters slowly started to come back to life as people began to talk again and the piano resumed, though no singing this time, and the children's attention was drawn elsewhere.
Only those closest to them kept watching.
"May I speak with you?" she asked.
"Ah... yeah," Jon nodded.
When he didn't move, she realized he didn't understand. She could feel the eyes of several eyes who continued to watch them.
"In private."
His eyes widened, "Oh, yeah... of course. My apologies."
"Here you go, Uncle Jon," Lucy handed his portrait book to him. "I'm done now."
The two turned to the little girl.
Lily smiled as she glanced between them.
He's good with kids.
"Thank you, Lucy," he took the book from her. "Are you sure that you're done?"
She nodded, "I think it's best if I continue anothe time. Goodbye, Uncle Jon."
"Bye, Lucy," he watched her run off, disappearing into the crowd to play with the other kids.
Turning back to Lucy, he motioned towards the stairs.
"Lead the way."
Nodding, she turned to head back, ignoring the continuous stares from others.
Tony stared Jon as he walked past him, raising his brow a few times with a smile, which earned a small smack on the chest.
As Jon followed after Lily, Tony and Michael looked at each other with a knowing look. Casting one last glance at them as they started to head back up the stairs. Once they were out of sight, the two joined at a table, getting ready for another game of cards.
/
As they got to the deck of the Titanic, both Jon and Lily stopped by the railing and faced each other.
She felt her heart beating fast, especially now that they had some privacy, despite those who were walking about.
As the silence continued, things felt more awkward between them.
"Soooo… you said you wished to speak with me?"
Lily shook her head, "Yes, sorry. Beautiful weather we are having, don't you think?"
She contained her need to cringe, feeling so vulnerable and stupid for saying something so unrelated and mindless. Even her face felt hot.
Jon raised an eyebrow at her and laughed, "Yes, we are."
Oh, God, he must think I'm so stupid and silly!
Shaking her head, she motioned to the pathway before them, "I just wanted to say... thank you for saving me last night. It was very brave and noble of you. Including Mr. Reeves. I was hoping to thank him as well."
"Well, knowing him, he's probably busy. You'll get your chance tonight. And you're very welcome. It was simply doing the right thing."
"Still, it seems rather inappropriate that we didn't get the chance to do so now, before everyone will bombard you both with questions. Word has probably spread to everyone of what has happened."
"Eh... Taylor will be okay with it. He can get embarrassed with private thank yous."
Lily nodded, biting her lip, "Well, seeing how we are having our own private time together, tell me something about yourself, Mr. Reeves."
"Jon", he corrected. "Please, call me Jon."
She smiled, "Okay, Jon. Where did you grow up?"
The two began to walked beside the railings, feeling the cool breeze of the wind.
"Well, I was born in America, specifically in Los Angeles."
She felt captivated by his voice, so soft and gentle.
"When I was fourteen, my parents passed away and I just left."
"I'm so sorry for your loss," despite she truly did feel bad for him, the way she said it felt mindless, something she internally scorned herself for. "Why did you leave? Don't you have any kin there?"
He shook his head, "Born an only child. Plus, being a fourteen-year-old boy who couldn't wait to see the world gave me a reason to leave. At the time, I was looking to put as much distance between me and my hometown. Just… too many memories..."
She felt so many different emotions at once for him. Admiration for how carefree and adventurous he was. And sadness for the loss of his parents. It reminded her of the day she lost her brother.
"So, I left and haven't been back since. Well, until later."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I plan to visit Los Angeles again. I think I'm ready to go back and face my past. I guess we need to remind ourselves of where we come from, of where we all began."
She nodded, admiring his words of wisdom.
"You could call me a tumbleweed blowing in the wind."
They both chuckled.
"Well, Lily, we've been walking for a good deal of time and talking about me. But what about you?
Lily sighed, "Dr. Matthews, I-"
"Jon," he interrupted her. "Please, no pleasantries. You can call me Jon."
Taken back, she nodded, "Right, my apologizes, Jon. But I don't feel comfortable discussing myself."
Jack raised an eyebrow, "Oh, come one! Surely, there's something you are okay with discussing."
They turned to each other.
Lily took a breath, "Well, I'm the daughter of the man who built this ship. I come from a rather noble family, one of royalty, in fact."
Suddenly, she came to a stop and sighed, feeling anxious, "Look, I know what you must be thinking. 'Poor little rich girl. Many others get mugged, why should she be treated any different?'"
Jon frowned and shook his head, coming to lean against a cable, "No. That's not what I've been thinking at all since last night. What I've been thinking about and having trouble understanding is… why would someone want to attack someone who was defenseless and innocent."
She stared at him in shock, not expecting his answer. She was surely believing him to be thinking something different, especially with her family's wealth.
"Look, just because you come from a rich family doesn't mean that you deserve to be attacked, or killed. If you're expecting me to judge you, don't. There's nothing to judge, except what he did."
She blinked, trying to keep her mouth closed from how surprised she was by his understanding.
"However, there is something I am curious about."
She frowned.
"Why were you crying?" he asked.
"What?" his question surprised her. Then she realized that before she was attacked, she had been running and crying, which caught some onlookers. Which meant, he had seen her distress.
"I saw you," his expression turned serious, yet soft. "What was making you sad?"
"Well, I…"
Suddenly, she felt something within break. Like a dam that finally hit the breaking point.
"It was everything!" she walked around him to the railing. "It was my whole world and all the people in it!"
Jon turned and followed her.
"Like my life is somehow going so fast, yet so slow, ahead and I'm... just powerless to stop it!"
He kept his eyes on her, listening.
"Every day it's the same thing! Get up, get dressed in tight dresses that you can't breathe in, have breakfast with my parents, listen to them talk mindless chatter, go on tea dates with other high society women, listen to more of mindless chatter, walk around and talk about the state of things and how they should be better, talk in a polite matter that feels so fake you are struggling not to cringe, and then repeat everything over again until it's time to go to bed!
"But the worst of it is... my courtship!"
Jon frowned, "Courtship? As in, you're going to America to meet a man for a possible marriage?"
Lily nodded, "I barely know anything about him. But I've... heard things."
"Like?" Jon asked.
Lily sighed, "He's a respectable businessman and would make for a fine marriage, but... he has a reputation as a womanizer."
"Ah," Jon's eyes lit up. "You're worried if he'll be faithful to you."
"There's an old saying that powerful, driven men have big lusts to satisfy. And I'm afraid... if I'm going into a loveless marriage."
Jon shrugged, "Well... I mean... people can change. I've heard of arranged marriages where things just worked out."
"But what about the ones that haven't?" she asked, her insecurities getting the better of her.
Once again, Jon shrugged, "I don't have the answers to that. It depends on the person. But if you ask me... I would say give this person a chance."
"But... Jon..." she began to tear up. "This is my last chance."
"Last chance?" he frowned before the realization set in. "Oh."
She wiped the tears away, "Yeah."
"Sooo... did they reject you... or..."
She shook her head, "No... they did. Apparently... I'm not marriage material enough. Nor is my family's growing financial troubles appealing. Despite that my father has things under control and making do with his gambles."
"I'm sorry."
"Not your fault. You're the one who asked."
Jon laughed, "True. But... moving on to other things, what do you like to do?"
Lily froze, unsure if she should tell him or not. But seeing the genuine look in his eyes, she felt comfortable to share it.
"I'm... an artist."
Jon's eyes lit up, "Wait, really?"
Her heart sunk, expecting the worst. Until...
"Me too!"
Her eyes widened, "What?"
Realizing that he was carrying his portrait book, he opened it and came right next to her side, showcasing one of his recent paintings from a few days ago. Seeing the page, Lily's eyes grew, and she immediately took the book from him, which made him laugh.
"You drew this?!" she exclaimed.
The drawing was of a couple sharing dinner at a small restaurant, toasting to their relationship.
Jon pointed at the two, "They were celebrating their 10th anniversary of marriage. I was able to draw them from afar before they even finished eating. Oh, and this one," he turned to another page. "This one was of an old woman in London. She always feeds the birds in the mornings."
"These are really good," she said, admiring his work. "Seriously, these are really good."
She turned another page and saw a drawing of a mother rocking her baby and another of a man holding his newborn son, showcasing the giant hands to the small body of the toddler.
"And these were drawn from life?"
Jon nodded, "Well, most of them are. Some I draw from imagination or memory."
She felt a hint of jealousy. She could tell that he was allowed to draw without judgement or restriction, while she had to do so with her mother constantly getting in the way. Being reminded how un-lady-like it was.
"It was my mother's gift," Jon continued. "Combined with my father's patience and strong hands, I was given a gift from them both. They always encouraged me to make it a career choice, to make my work known to the world.
Lily turned to him, feeling the warmth inside her heart as the jealousy melted away. While she wished her parents were the same, she felt the love in his voice that he held for his own.
Her smile grew, "Well, you have a gift, Jon. It's as clear as these drawings."
He turned to her and a devious smile appeared on his face, "Well, you've seen mine. It's time that I get to see yours."
Despite hearing the voice that said no, Lily couldn't help but smile back.
/
Taylor stared in shock at the sight of the man's body in the cell. His eyes were wide open, with vomit on the bed. Just judging from the color of his face, he had been dead for hours.
"How did this happen?" Augustus demanded.
The Master-At-Arms stared down in shame, "We still don't know. But the ruling belief is that he committed suicide through... some kind of poison."
"Was the man checked of poisons?" Taylor asked, turning to face him.
The man stared back, "No."
Sighing, Taylor leaned his head against the wall. Frustrated and anxious of the outcome.
"Was his cell being watched?" Augustus asked. "Are we certain no one could have forced him to the take the poison?"
The Master-At-Arms shook his head, "The area was being watched. No one else, except the guards were on site. The only explanation is that the while the cell wasn't being watched, the man took the poison to avoid his fate."
Taylor slightly shook his head. None of it made sense.
His instincts were saying the exact same thing, that his belief of this man being Prometheus was wrong. The Prometheus he had been chasing wouldn't have been captured so easily, nor would he have taken the easy way out without trying to escape.
Then he remembered the tape recording. How the two men had mentioned a boss, someone who was controlling them. He had always assumed that Prometheus was working for someone, but he was wrong. Prometheus was the boss, just contracting his own missions out, just to avoid capture.
Which made Taylor wonder about the possibility if all of this was meant to be a distraction from the real target. Was he traveling across an entire ocean in the opposite direction? Had he been set up to fail? Was Prometheus going to initiate an attack in Britian or someplace in Europe?
And worse, his only lead had taken any kind of useful information right to his grave.
All he had were conjuncture thoughts and clues that didn't amount to any kind of hard evidence. But the more he thought about it, the more he came to realize that Lily Cornelius might have been just a distraction the whole time. A way to draw out the pursuers and strand them on a ship, with no way to turn around. Afterall, aside from being the daughter of the ship's designer and producer, her death meant nothing. Not in any way he could foresee.
But then there was another theory that equally scared him.
That Prometheus was on the ship, observing things from afar. Letting his pawn fail in order to draw him out. But if that was the case, would that mean Lily Cornelius was still in danger? Or was her staged attack only meant to force him out? And if so, did that mean someone else was the target? Or himself?
So many questions ran through his head, almost giving himself a headache.
He couldn't come to a conclusion, which only made him more anxious and frustrated. He wanted to punch the wall, scream, curse, just something to let it all out to find some kind of clarity. He wanted answers and solutions to finally put this mission to rest.
Taking a few deep breaths, he backed away from the wall and turned to the dead assassin, whoever he was. Watching as the only lead he had was covered by a large cloth.
"Mr. Reeves," Augustus approached, sadly smiling at him. "I'm sorry I wasn't of help."
Taylor shook his head, "It's not your fault. You did what you could. That's enough for me."
"Still, the threat has past, and my daughter is safe," he patted him on the shoulder. "I look forward to dinner tonight."
Taylor nodded, "I'll be there."
As he watched Mr. Cornelius leave, he followed behind and was stopped at the door by the Master-At-Arms.
"Tell me something, off the record," he rubbed his beard. "Do you think he killed himself? Or do you think someone else did this?"
Taylor frowned, "I thought you didn't trust me."
The Master-At-Arms shrugged, "Still don't. But I trust my instincts that you're not the one responsible for last night or what happened this morning. While the evidence does suggest that suicide is likely, I find it no coincidence that he ends up dead before we could interrogate him."
Taylor sighed, "Honest opinion... I don't think he's the man I'm chasing. I think I've been fooled into a chasing a pawn. Whoever I'm looking for, I believe he's still out there."
"On this ship?"
"I don't know. Too many what-ifs. Too many conjectures to consider, and not enough hard evidence."
"Is Miss Cornelius still in danger?"
Taylor sighed, "I don't know. But my advisement would be to keep her guarded and watched at all times. Because if the man I am looking for is on this ship, he has the advantage of no true name or physical appearance for me to recognize. And if he turns out not to be on this ship... then it means I've failed."
The Master-At-Arms turned to him, his expression hinting of sympathy.
"Mr. Cornelius won't accept any of this as evidence. He'll want to make his wife and daughter feel safe, including the passengers. The death of this man has given that to him, especially since this is the 1st anniversary of the ship's voyage."
Taylor nodded, "Then, let's hope that Miss Cornelius is no longer the target."
"Hope isn't enough."
He turned to the high-ranking officer, "On that, I have to agree. Good day."
Exiting the room, he walked down the hallway and up the stairs to head back to his room, his head lost in a sea of thoughts and questions.