Georgia was happily devouring her breakfast when the galley's double doors slammed open, followed by a chorus of loud male voices. The chatter died instantly when they spotted her.
Evelyn strode in with perfect timing and dry sarcasm. "Gentlemen! First time seeing a woman? Me and Sarah are onboard too, you don't ogle us like that. You're hurting our fragile feelings."
A stunning woman followed closely behind, long ash-brown hair, a modelesque figure, and a uniform that did little to hide her curves. Georgia immediately guessed who she was.
Since she's not new in the maritime industry, she had already assumed that Evelyn was not the only woman in the crew, if one is assigned onboard.
"Hi, Georgia, I'm Sarah," the woman said warmly, extending a hand. Georgia shook it. "Don't mind the guys, they're just not used to this kind of situation," she said with a smile.
"I guess, the meeting was about me, huh?" Georgia said, noticing how the other crew kept their distance from her.
"Yup, you guessed that right, and besides, this is something that not every ship experiences," she said.
Georgia smiled a bit and said, "Let me guess. Second mate?"
Sarah's brows lifted in amused surprise. "Guilty. How did you know?"
Georgia nodded towards Sarah's shoulder. "Your rank says it all. You look quite young to be a second mate. And with a beauty like yours, I am sure the single men here will fight over your attention. I'm kind of familiar with the industry. I figured you weren't just here for eye candy."
They both chuckled, but Georgia's tone shifted. "I know how everyone will affect my stay here. I apologize in advance for the paperwork. Especially after what I asked of the captain. I'm sorry."
Sarah waved it off. "It's not every day we get a rescue drama onboard. But yes, the paperwork gods are not pleased."
Sarah leaned forward and whispered. "Between you and me, though? The captain had us all sign an NDA. So technically, this conversation doesn't exist."
Georgia blinked. "Wait—he made the crew sign a nondisclosure agreement? Can he even do that?"
"No, in this kind of situation, only the company has that authority. But…" Sarah leaned closer with a smirk, "…when you're the son of the multi-billionaire shipping magnate who owns the ship you are commanding and the port that we are heading to, you can bend the rules easily. That's why I think he agreed to your request."
Georgia froze. "Wait. Captain Knight is 'that' Knight?"
"Second son of Benjamin Knight himself," Sarah confirmed. "Which also explains why he's bold enough to fake a false rescue alarm. He can help you get off this ship unnoticed, Georgia… because the next port we're going to is the Knight Crest Port."
Georgia swallowed. "Oh, wow, I must thank him then. I am already feeling guilty earlier of how I treated him, and now I feel more guilty. I should do something good for him while staying here, and make sure to not become a burden. I really feel guilty for calling him a pervert."
Sarah raised an eyebrow for a second but quickly chuckled, then leaned in. "Just don't fall for him, be careful. He's got charm, he knows he is handsome, and he knows how to use it. That man collects hearts like souvenirs. Total womanizer. He might try to take you to his bed tonight–"
"Sarah!" Evelyn returned, carrying a tray of coffee. "I leave for five minutes, and you're already poisoning the mind of our guest?"
"I'm warning her based on facts and not poisoning. There's a difference," Sarah retorted. "The man's a menace with a tongue dipped in honey and lies. I don't want her to get tricked into spreading her legs."
"Like you did, right?" Evelyn shot back with a cool stare. "Not all women are like you, Sarah."
Georgia quickly raised her hand between them to de-escalate the situation. "I don't think that will happen, don't worry. I am engaged and about to get married, so rest assured, his charm and lies will have no effect on me. I'm loyal."
Georgia wanted to puke after uttering those words. The thought of her ex-fiance and how loyal she was to him makes her sick.
"Good," Evelyn said briskly. "Let's go. The captain and Chief Officer want to speak with you."
Georgia stood and smiled at Sarah. "Nice meeting you. Hope we chat again."
"Count on it," Sarah said with a sugary smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
As they walked down the corridor, Evelyn leaned close and whispered, "Be careful around Sarah."
"Does she have feelings for he captain?" Georgia asked.
"She's obsessed. Followed him into the industry just to get close to him," Evelyn uttered.
"Oh, well, that's sweet actually. I mean, chasing the love of your life is not always a bad thing, right?" Georgia said.
"You are right, but then, the captain has no interest in her. But she's willing to use any means just to get him… You heard me earlier… Any means… You get me right?" Evelyn said.
Georgia nodded. "Yes, I do. I might not have experience in that area, but I am not that innocent."
"That's good. And I admire you for holding on to that. But like I said, be careful around Sarah. That woman is insane, unreasonably jealous, and possessive.
Her family's loaded too. They own the agency that assigned us here, so she throws tantrums until she gets on the same ship, as the captain. Last time they tried to reassign her, her daddy fired the person responsible for it."
Georgia groaned. "Wow, that's awful. I "
"She'll sabotage any woman who breathes near Captain Knight. They assigned me here to keep her in check, someone she can't bully. But still, watch your back. That smile of hers? It's got fangs."
Georgia nodded, already feeling the tension creeping into her muscles. She hadn't even spent a full 24 hours onboard, and she could already smell the drama brewing and a terrible headache coming.