Chapter 21: Drake

Drake watched as Lydia gawked at the cruise ship, it was a magnificent vessel, a luxurious explorer style cruise ship. The ship was a gorgeous eggshell white, with gold lining, it looked as if this was its first voyage out to sea. Drake walked up to Lydia grabbing her hand and placing it gently into the crook of his arm, as he looked down and smiled at her, causing the paparazzi to go wild, cameras flashing off everywhere. Lydia looked absolutely gorgeous today, She had put her blond hair back into a single fishtail braid, framing her face with a few stray hairs, she’d applied mascara, bronzer, and a light pink lipgloss as makeup, going for a more natural look. She was wearing a form fitting sundress, that hugged at her curves, it was a beautiful white dress with a sunflower pattern, Drake smiled at her outfit choice, as he thought back to their time in his home, when he’d asked her what her favorite flower was.

“Sunflower,” she had whispered, her breath smelling slightly like the Malbec they’d been drinking. When Drake asked her why, she had had a shy smile on her face, not having expected him to inquire further. “Because sunflowers represent happiness.” She’d responded simply

“Come Princess, I’ll show you around deck,” Drake whispered quietly.

Lydia didn’t respond verbally, but she allowed Drake to walk her into the ship. She was upset with him, but she didn’t want anyone to suspect that there was a rift in their relationship, no matter how fake it was.

Lydia gasped as they walked inside the ship, the walls were lined with artwork by Pablo Picasso, the ceiling a vivid cobalt blue, with strokes of gold painted throughout. As they walked further into the ship, there was a grand staircase that lead them into the formal dining room, the dinning room looked fit for a Queen, and further through the dinning room, there was a door that led into a ball room, a grand piano sitting in the corner, on the other corner, a beautiful organ, Lydia couldn’t contain her excitement over the magnificent instruments, classical music was by far her favorite.

Drake leaned closer into Lydia, seeing the smile on her face, “There is a famous pianist on board, mother wanted live music during the after dinner entertainment.”

“And what pianist would want to spend their time with the oh so wonderful whittenberg family?” Lydia asked the tone of her voice loitering on insulting.

Drake chose to ignore her, he knew she was looking for an argument and he wasn’t going to fall into her trap, “Louis Lortie.”

Lydia’s mouth dropped, “No fucking way.” She squealed with delight, her earlier anger fading. “I cannot believe I’ll be hearing Louise Lortie play live. He is one of the most sought after pianist.” She gushed.

“The Whittenbergs money is old and stretches out far. To decline a request from a Whittenberg, would be social suicide.” Drake said nonchalantly.

Lydia rolled her eyes at Drake’s response, “why doesn’t that surprise me?” She mumbled under her breath, walking towards the door leading out of the ballroom.

Drake grabbed her arm and pulled towards him, clamping his hands down on her waist. “If you want I can get you a private showing with him?”

“And take up more of his precious time?” Lydia asked with a snarky tone to her voice, “I’d rather not.” She said turning from Drake once more.

“Lyd..” Drake said trying to talk to her.

“No Drake, you don’t get to do that. You don’t get to use a nickname and talk me to like we’re friends. This is just a business arrangement thats it. You made that perfectly clear last night.” Lydia hissed quietly under her breath, so the conversation could only be heard by herself and Drake.
“Lydia,” Drake mumbled, placing his hand on her chin, turning her once more to face him, “I truly am sorry, I lashed out at you, and I said things that I knew would hurt you, whenever I hurt, I tend to try and make others feel like I am feeling, and I know it’s not an excuse for hurting you, and I am trying to work through my issues, can you forgive me please?”

Lydia looked into Drake’s beautiful blue eyes and she could detect the sincerity in them, but her heart was still aching at his cruel words from last night. As much as she wanted to forgive Drake right then and there, She knew that she needed to protect herself, and protect her heart; because even though she’d just barely met Drake, she was already falling in love with him.

“How about we start over and begin again?” Lydia said flashing a small smile at Drake. She couldn’t completely forgive him, so this peace offering would have to do.

Drake inhaled deeply before letting out a slow breath. “Okay, I can do that.” He extended his hand out to her, and she took it, “Hello Beautiful, I’m Drake.” He said flashing her charming smile, that made Lydia’s insides quiver.

“Hey Drake, Im Lydia.” She responded biting her lower lip, causing Drake to break eye contact, his gaze traveling down to her lips, causing him to take a deep swallow. He wanted nothing more than to grab her in his arms and devour her mouth but he knew he’d have to work towards that.

“Well, I know we just met princess,” He said with a joking smile on his face, tearing his gaze from Lydia’s lips, “But would you like to see the room we will be sharing on this voyage?”

Lydia blushed at his nickname for her, she was closer to a pauper than a princess, but when she was with Drake, he usually made her feel like she was indeed a princess. “Lead the way Prince Charming,” Lydia said smiling brightly at Drake.

They walked towards the door leading out of the ballroom, reaching a set of stairs that led up to the upper deck of the ship, Lydia let out a scream of delight, as Drake pulled her up into her arms carrying her bridal style up the stairs to their cabin on deck. Lydia wrapped her arms around Drake pulling him in closer to her, inhaling his masculine scent, he always smelt so intoxicating.

The photography crew was on the upper deck already taking pictures of the cruise ship, when they spotted Drake and Lydia coming up the stairs, they turned their attention over to them, taking a multitude of pictures, capturing the young couples moment of happiness. “This picture is amazing,” Josie squealed in delight, to her coworker, her publicist was going to love this photo. She’d capture a beautiful moment between Drake and Lydia, he was holding her tightly against him, a smile plastered on his face as he gazed lovingly into her eyes, her arms were hooked around his neck, as she ran her fingers through his vibrant red hair, that had grown a bit longer than the short business professional cut Drake normally sported. Lydia had a look of adoration on her face as she gazed into Drake’s eyes.

The couple seemingly unaware of the photographers lost in each other’s gazes walked over to the main cabins, Drake selected the one on the port side of the ship, taking his key from his back pocket, while still holding Lydia tightly. Once the door was open he carried her over the threshold before slowly putting her down, keeping his hand on her waist.

“Wow,” Lydia whispered, her mouth slightly dropping open. “This is amazing,” she continued whispering awestruck at the beauty and size of the room. The entirety of the room was larger than her apartment, upon entering the cabin, they were greeted by a small fully functioning kitchenette, there was an expresso machine on the counter, and a full wine rack beside it, with wines that Lydia had never heard of. As she ventured further into the cabin, she was came into the sitting room, there was a small gas fireplace with a tv hanging above it, a small love seat was positioned against the back wall facing towards the tv, and hanging above the couch, was one of her mom’s favorite paintings by Picasso, “Girl before a Mirror.” Lydia felt the tears falling from her eyes before she could stop them.

“Lydia,” Drake said, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her in tightly for a hug, “What’s wrong beautiful?”

“Oh its nothing,” Lydia said sniffling wiping the tears away from her eyes, “This painting, it just reminds me of my mom, She would have loved it. It’s one of her favorites by Picasso.”

Drake felt for Lydia, he understood how important her relationship was to her with her mother, if it hadn’t been for her mother’s injuries, Lydia would never have become an escort, and he never would have met her, his heart hurt at the idea of never meeting her, he didnt know how or when, but Lydia had weaseled her way into his heart, and his feelings were growing deeper for her each day.

“Then she shall have the painting,” He said smiling down at Lydia.

Lydia began to protest, stating it was too expensive, and he didn’t need to, but Drake silenced her by placing a soft kiss brief kiss on her lips. “That’s what friends are for.”

Lydia tongue darted out, licking her lower lip where Drake had kissed her, she was stunned into silence. No one had ever given her a gift just because, and this gift meant the world to her. Her mother and her had always talked about this painting, and discussed what it meant to them and what they saw in the picture. Looking up at the painting, Lydia could see herself in the woman. The painting is an image of a woman, looking at herself in the mirror, the mirror portraying a darker version of herself. The oil painting is one of Picasso’s mistress who also happened to be his muse.

Lydia felt the urge to throw her arms around Drake and kiss him passionately, but she resisted. She didn’t want to be lost in the throws of passion and lust. She needed to remain level headed and remind herself that this situation is only temporary. Lydia and Drake stood there starring at each other quietly, a nervous energy in the air. Drake’s phone began to ring, and he pulled it out looking at the caller ID. It was his PI he’d hired to track down Amelia, if he was calling so soon, it must be something important.

“I have to take this.” Drake said gesturing to his phone, before he walked out to the private patio in their cabin. Lydia continued to wander around taking in the beauty of their room on the cruise ship.

***im sorry for the post delay, I couldnt access my anystories account until today. I hope you enjoy this update. xoxo- Marriah