A Borrowed Life (Carly and Liam #1) (2 page)

My hairdresser followed Liv's directions perfectly. I wasn't sure about the perm at first, but as my hair gradually dries, I like the result. They aren't small, tight curls, but rather long waves that swirl at the tip of my hair and are so subtle that they actually look natural. My hair was always practically impossible to curl. We both had tried everything from rollers to a curling iron, and all sorts of sprays, but there was simply nothing that would work. I’ve come to notice that with my naturally young features, waves look good on me and make me look like an accomplished woman.

After the salon, we go to several clothing stores to replenish my wardrobe. I don't have shoes, a bathing suit, or any of the accessories Liv had mentioned, and my annual budget is already exceeded, so I start to charge my credit card. I feel a little guilty about it, but I want to get the full experience, so I tell myself that I can always repay it later.

I try on a bikini with white straps and two shades of lilac and pink on the cups. It's so small that I hesitate getting out of the dressing room. The bottoms leave the pubic area a little too exposed and I feel practically naked.

“Come on, Carly! Get out of there!” Liv urges.

Okay, here we go! I take a deep breath and push the door open timidly. Adam, situated on the sofa, slowly raises his head with an unreadable expression on his face. His mouth drops as he looks at me from head to toe.

“Wow! Carly!” exclaims Liv. “Who knew you were hiding all that under your clothes!”

Their gaze makes me uncomfortable, so I automatically close my arms over my chest. Adam remains speechless and can't even utter a sound. I take it the bikini is a non-negotiable. I don’t think I’ll convince anyone to let me buy a one-piece swimsuit.

“If I catch you lurking at my sister like that one more time you'll get my fist in your face!”

The mocking voice of my brother, Ethan, sounds behind me and Adam laughs. I turn to see him approaching and he gives a firm handshake to Liv's brother.

“I'm not joking, man!” he adds, this time more seriously.

And then he turns to me, opening his arms wide and I throw myself at him in an emotional embrace.

“I heard on the radio!” he explains, “Liv asked me to join you.”

I turn around to my best friend who shrugs, smiling.

“Surprise!” she adds.

I love her! He’s my only family and she knows how important he is to me. He's always been my protector and took care of me in the worst moments of my life. Ethan is not my blood brother of course, but we both grew up in the same foster home. Our adoptive parents loved us like their own children and gave us everything they could, but nothing could compare to the relationship we had.

Ethan is now twenty-eight and a very handsome young man, with dark hair that falls over his hazel eyes. He has a rebellious style and a cross-shaped tattoo on his left shoulder. He’s always been frank and direct and doesn't censor himself, so with him I know I'll get nothing but the truth, as ugly as it may be. But that’s what I love about him.

“So little sis, are you going to put that bikini in your bag, or do I have to buy it for you?”

“Do you realize it costs over a hundred dollars?”

“Well, you could wear it to work, and you’d make enough to pay for it in less than an hour.”

I hit him in the shoulder while he laughs.

“Okay, fine! I'll get it.”

“With that, you'll need sunglasses,” Liv declares enthusiastically. “Ray Ban is a good brand.”

“What? You're crazy! I don't have that kind of money!”

“That's why you have a credit card. And we must not forget a hat, too.”

“I'm going into debt for a cruise that was meant to cost nothing!”

“Carly, for once I agree with Liv,” my brother intervenes. “Have fun and enjoy the moment. You’re allowed to, and you deserve it. And if you ask me, it's more of an investment than an expense. Dressed like that, you'll come back married to a wealthy businessman!”

I stick out my tongue to Ethan before closing the door of the dressing room. He knows very well that my heart isn't ready to love again. It's only been two months since Joey and I broke up, and his words come back to my mind as I think back to when I asked him why he wanted to end it and what I had done wrong: “Frankly, you're boring.” His waving hands were describing me from head to toe while he searched for the right words to say, even though he wouldn’t dare admit it was because I wasn’t pretty enough, or rather, not sexy enough.

Ethan, Liv and Adam are right; even if it is only to prove to myself he was wrong and that I can be sexy. I have all my life to remember these two weeks. Money problems won't matter ten years from now, but the memories will remain. I try to visualize myself on the edge of the pool sunbathing, wearing this bikini and every head turning on
me
. I need sunglasses! And a hat!

“This!” Ethan points to a skin-tight black dress on a mannequin through a window as we walk into the mall.

“Oh, yes!” approves Liv.

I look at it for a moment, imagining myself in such a dress. I like the idea. I’m getting more and more used to this new image I’ll be taking on during this cruise. Why not? We enter the store and ask to try on the dress.

Adam comes back with a pair of glossy black high heels. I'm not at all certain that the style suits me, but I agree to try them on with the dress. I open the curtain to reveal the alluring result; a suede bustier gently shapes my waist and slightly pushes up my breasts. The bottom of the skirt comes just above my knees, making it sexy and chic at the same time. I'm not used to seeing myself like this, but Adam’s lustful eyes give me confidence.

His gaze is crying sex and all the ideas that come with it. This kind of expression simply can't be faked, and it’s exactly the kind of reaction I want a man to have when he sees me.

“I thought I'd play the good girl card,” I joke to my friends who are still speechless.

“Bad idea,” retorts Ethan.

I'm a little surprised that these words come from my brother. He's always been a bit overprotective towards me, and now he wants me to run wild?

“Really?”

“Not a man worthy of the name wants to fuck a ‘good girl’. They want
that
,” he declares, holding out both hands.

“Excuse me!” I'm outraged at his vocabulary.

“It's the truth, Carly. You don't want to end your life as a single woman, and a man will ask you on a date only if he wants to have sex with you at first sight. I'm not saying you should sleep with him the first night, but for him to want to go out with you, you need to put sex in his mind first.”

“Here's the expert speaking! Your relationships never last more than a few weeks!”

“He's right, Carly,” confirms Liv. “Unless you believe in love at first sight or you wait for Prince Charming to come knocking at your door, that's how it works. First you attract a man by letting him imagine the fun he can have with you, and he’ll ask you out. Let it simmer for the first few dates, just long enough to get to know each other and let something true develop. He'll keep an interest for you as long as he doesn’t get you. The harder you are to seduce, the more he'll like it.”

Liv reveals her strategy as if there was nothing easier, and it’s apparent that Adam and Ethan find her cruel. But it's not such a bad idea, actually. Maybe I’ll try it?

I arrive home with more than a dozen bags and drop them on the sectional couch in my living room. I let out a disappointed breath. I probably exaggerated the shopping a little bit and I regret it now. My roommate’s bedroom door opens and he comes out, still sleepy and unshaved, with his long black hair tangled. He’s barely waking up as he looks at me with his little green eyes. He has a thin, elongated face and a smile that makes women go mad. The gym has never been his strength, so he’s not much bigger than me. He works nights which is why he sleeps late in the day.

“Shit, Carly! Did you rob the mall?” Sean exclaims after seeing all of the bags.

“You could say that, I guess. I'm going to Bora Bora in five days!”

He freezes, staring at me.

“Am I dreaming or what? Is this a joke?”

I prance around.

“No, it's not! The contest, remember?”

“Seriously? You won? There really are people who win those things?”

“Of course!”

“I thought it was just a scam to sell your number to marketing companies. Damn, I should have entered!”

I let out a chuckle as his arms embrace me.

“Congratulations, Carly! I'm happy for you.”

He makes himself coffee while I tell him all about it. Sean has always been a homely kind of guy, but he's really nice. He works on computers for a small company two blocks away that opened two years ago. We've been living together for so long now that cohabitation has become natural between us, but our relationship is strictly platonic. This probably explains why we get along so well. He's one of my best friends and I couldn’t live without him in my life.

The Diamond is more than eight hundred and twenty feet long and one hundred and six feet wide, and there are more than a dozen bridges. From the outside, it looks absolutely beautiful in its vastness. The white of the bow is immaculate and all the windows of the cabins are tinted.

Liv and I arrive at the gate to check in. The lobby is breathtaking; two glass staircases seem to hug the marble counter of the reception desk and rise to the second and third floors. The railings of the higher levels are also made of glass, and bubble-like seats are built in them so passengers could sit and take in the view below. A beautiful crystal chandelier hangs above our heads, while the rest of the room is decorated with bamboo plants and tropical artwork.

As soon as she sees our tickets, the receptionist gives our room number to a valet attendant in a beige uniform who takes our luggage. I'm nervous to entrust all my new, very expensive clothes to a stranger, but then I realize the value of my belongings is still well below that of the rest of the guests on board, who seem to fully trust the staff. Probably because they wouldn’t need a full year’s salary of serving customers to replace it all.

“You have a deluxe room with a reserved balcony,” announces the hostess. “Our butler service is available to you twenty-four hours and is also included. Champagne is free, as well as the minibar and all of our amenities. Use your magnetic key for access to all diners and spas. There are six restaurants on board, and I recommend you try them all. The Stardust provides entertainment every night, and offers fine cuisine from world-renowned chef, Sokyo. A brochure describing all the activities on board is already in your room. If you need anything, feel free to ask. Welcome aboard The Diamond, and have a nice stay with us.”

“Thanks,” I respond, so impressed I’m hardly able to talk.

I have a hard time fitting into this crowd and showing the same carefree expression as all the other guests. They walk on board with their heads naturally held high in their haute couture, made-to-measure suits and perfectly styled hair. Their jewelry alone is probably worth more than what I'll make in my whole life. Needless to say, I'm happy I didn’t arrive here with sneakers and old T-shirt.

We choose to take the stairs to the second floor over taking the elevator. The feeling of walking on crystal is exquisite, and my heels echo a discreet chime that gives me the impression of being royalty. I walk with lightness and delicacy for fear of leaving a scuff in the glass.

Our room is on one of the highest floors, just below the penthouse. When we arrive, the butler opens the door for us, welcoming us with a broad smile. Our suitcases are already in front of the two, king-sized beds. The pearlescent bedspreads fit perfectly with the contrast of sand hues on the walls and the chocolate colored molding. A band of the same brown is draped over the foot of the bed, displaying the golden logo of the company. A small box of Belgian truffles lays on each of the pillows, and on the bedside table, a bottle of champagne rests in a bucket with fresh ice cubes beside two crystal flutes.

The butler takes the bottle in a white towel, offering to open it for us. I agree with a simple nod. I'm simply speechless from the scenery that spreads before my eyes. The room itself is larger than my apartment! In front of us are French doors that will soon overlook the ocean once we depart, and long silk curtains hang along the frame, swaying under a subtle breeze. To my right, a huge flat screen TV hangs on the wall of the living room, and another door leads to a new part of the balcony that houses a built-in jacuzzi.

The adjacent bathroom consists entirely of gray marble from floor to ceiling, and even the walls of the bath, sinks and double shower are glazed. There is a matching marble bench, and another retractable bench made of white leather under a vanity mirror which fits the entire wall. People who have all the time in the world to dress-up, make-up and style their hair must indeed spend a lot of time in front of these mirrors. Freshly cut rose petals float in a jar of water placed between the two sinks, exquisitely filling the room with a floral aroma.

I turn to my best friend who's still standing at the entrance of the room, completely stunned by the extravagance of it all. The butler places the champagne bottle on the silver tray before heading out.

“My name is Regan, if you need me. I will be available and at your service during the length of the trip.”

He bows politely before leaving. I exchange an embarrassed look with Liv who shrugs. We aren't accustomed to such polite manners and it’s rather intimidating. Normally, we would be the one doing his job, so it’s difficult to not see the man behind the uniform.

Liv raises her glass in my direction.

“Cheers, my friend!”

I join her and we make a toast to this trip, promising ourselves to enjoy this experience fully, with no holding back! We sit on the bed to leaf through the brochure of the cruise. They guarantee the highest quality, which is expected by clientele such as theirs. Meaning, the towels and sheets are made with only the finest Egyptian cotton, and stores such as Dior, Prada, Burberry, Gucci, Tiffany’s, Louis Vuitton, and many others are scattered around the boat; only high class brands of clothing, jewelry, and electronic gadgets.

On board, there are many activities. There are tennis courts, a golf course, a mini-casino, a library, a nightclub, a gym with yoga and Pilates classes, and a spa that offers massages, seaweed body wraps, facial treatments, and full nail and hair services. There are several jacuzzis and two large pools, including one on the roof.

Liv and I look up to one another, eager to indulge in all these delights.

“Massage!” we exclaim simultaneously.

We finish our flute of champagne and put on our bathing suits to go to the spa, and I wear a transparent white cover-up; I'm not yet completely comfortable in just my bikini.

After reserving our massage, we head on the passenger's deck to watch the ship leaving the port. There, a few couches made with bamboo are arranged in crescent shape, facing the sea. A waiter offers us a mango drink, a speciality of the cruise line, and it tastes simply divine!

We head to the roof for lunch following our hot stone massage. Up there is a bistro that serves excellent filet mignon. Already, we can barely see the land behind us, and all around is only the blue of the Atlantic Ocean. We stay at the pool all afternoon.

The pool is divided into three parts; two square-shaped pools form at each side, and there’s a circle in the center that combines the two. The edge of the circular pool has a fountain that propels water in the middle, and it’s a magnificent sight. Bamboo trees are laid all around to complete the tropical atmosphere. There are three jacuzzis to choose from and a built-in tiki bar inside the pool. I see young women sitting in the water talking to the bartender who’s preparing them a drink.

We lay on the long lounge chairs, now only concerned with relaxing. We coast on the ocean, clouds parading over our heads, and the refreshing breeze cools down our skin that’s warming under the sun. Regularly, a server offers to refill our drinks or hands us some absolutely tasty frozen snacks. Liv and I are literally living the dream. The everyday problems seem so far behind and completely non-existent! All this luxury is almost cruel.

For dinner, we follow the recommendation of the receptionist and choose the Stardust, and the hostess leads us to our table. The room is gigantic; the roof is high, topped with a wide circle consisting of small pieces of colored crystal appearing as stained-glass, and is worthy of the greatest masterpieces. Small chandeliers are sprinkled here and there, only to glorify the impressive one in the center. The colors are a contrast of cream and dark brown, completing a both sophisticated and warm atmosphere. White tablecloths cover round tables of different sizes, framed with luxury padded chairs. Tissue napkins are folded over the plates in a form that I would need hours to reproduce. There are candelabras at the center of each table that are paired with lilac bouquets. In front of the room is a stage with a massive red curtain rising before the public.

I'm a little disappointed when I receive my main course, though. Liv and I both ordered pasta, but we were expecting there to be more then just five pieces.

“Were they short of pasta?” Liv quips.

“Or they want us to keep room for dessert,” I add jokingly.

“Do you realize that I can literally count the number of pasta pieces on my plate?”

I start to laugh with her. It's simply so different from the restaurant where we work. Our portions are larger than life, and the customers never eat it all. We find in the end we had more than enough to be satisfied without being overly full. After our meal, I have just the room for the chocolate mousse they bring us.

As soon as seven o'clock rings, the curtain opens and a musical show begins. I eat while watching the dancers in colorful costumes invade the stage. Suddenly, my whole body burns with a fire that is totally unknown to me. My gaze meets the stare of a man with piercing blue eyes sitting a few tables away from me. He is extremely attractive! He has a strong jaw, well-defined facial features, and full lips. His brown hair is soberly styled with pomade and he has slightly tanned skin. His dark gray suit makes him look older than he actually is, but I’d say he’s no more than thirty years old.

I scrutinize him from head to toe and he doesn’t move. His smile stretches across his face and I can read in his eyes the satisfaction he feels that I've noticed him. I feel like he is undressing me with his eyes. I bite my bottom lip as if this gesture would prevent me from melting in my seat. I see the other women who accompany him and his friends, and I come back down to reality. I'm no match for him. It's unfair that he's so handsome and yet so unattainable!

I can play the game of the rich girl as much as I want, but the fact remains that I'm far from being one. We don't come from the same world and I know too well what it costs to belong in that type of crowd. I'd better stay away from him if I don't want to burn myself.

Liv and I aren't going to bed any time soon. We sit on the veranda of our room and drink our champagne with a stunning view of the ocean and sunrise.

The next day, after having slept only a few hours, I'm awakened by a sweet warm breeze. I become aware of the softness of my sheets on my skin and I hold my pillow, stroking the fabric on my cheeks as I open my eyes. For a brief moment, I was afraid of waking up in my room back home and that this all was only a dream.

I simply pick up the phone and ask for breakfast to be delivered the room. This is a very good thing since I have no desire to get out of bed

“Get me the same,” Liv asks from under her sheets with her sleepy voice.

Just few moments later, our butler arrives with a bowl of fresh fruit, cheese and orange juice. He puts the silver tray directly on our bed so we don't have to get up at all. I thank him with a warm smile. He's being so kind to us! My smile seems somewhat unsettling to him and he leaves as quickly as he arrived.

Liv and I enjoy our breakfast as if it were the first time we ate in a long time. Everything is so delicious her
e
so tasty and fresh!

We begin our day with a facial treatment and a seaweed body wrap, and then head back to the pool. We alternate between sunbathing and swimming under the fountains. While I let myself float on water, again I get this sensation on my skin, but this time I recognize it; It's his eyes. I sit up to find him on a lounge chair surrounded by his friends. They all talk together, but his attention is distracted by me. A smile appears on his face when he sees that I'm looking at him.

Simple shorts fall on his hips exposing his toned body. I feel the urge to move my hand on my neck, and his smile widens. I'm under the impression he's speaking to me just with his eyes, letting me know that I'm his target and that he wants me. Suddenly, I realize my hand is trembling. He makes me so nervous! Luckily, he's too far to notice it.

I take a deep breath and join Liv on a lounge chair, trying to forget about his presence. I must put my thoughts together; he’s either the son of rich parents and is arrogant and snobby, or a he’s a workaholic who has no respect for anybody but himself. It's not that I have any prejudice whatsoever against rich people, it’s just experience taught me well. I need to remind myself he’s not for me and I need to hang on to this with all my strength.

Next to him, on a chair, lays a gorgeous blonde with an absolutely perfect body and tanned complexion, and her skin doesn’t show the slightest imperfection. She has full lips, deep blue eyes, and her hair shines in the sunlight. She reminds me of Sharon Stone in
Basic Instinct
the way she sits up with such a grace, the way she walks like a fierce seductress, and the way she watches this man like her next victim. She definitely stands a better chance with him than me.

“Are you okay?” Liv worries when she sees my pale face.

“Yes. Yes, I… Um… I think I've had enough of being at the pool.”

She picks up her cell phone to look at the time.

“Do you want to go out for dinner? How about we go dancing tonight?”

“Good idea. Let's do that!”

We get up and leave and I bring back my empty glass to the bar, which takes the bartender by surprise.