Chapter 4
The night was lively. Strings, guitars, and flutes played in the background as the crew sang an old folk song. They danced and made merry.
Emily wiped the sweat from her brow, having worked tirelessly, bringing beer and food from the kitchen to the men.
Whenever she try to rest, the stern look from the head cook always make her jump up.
The tension around her still hadn’t faded. The past few days had been hell. Even when she tried to stay out of trouble, the crew still brought it right to her doorstep.
She let out a tired sigh, as she pick the empty beer bottle from the floor.
It happened so fast that her skin jump up from her skeleton. She feel a light nudge on her waistline. It does feel like it was breeze, it feel deliberate.
She slowly turn around. Her heart sank to her stomach. She clench her sweaty palm against the hem of her dress.
Big Jeff.
He tower above her.
He close the distance between them, steps slow, deliberate. There was no rush in him, no hesitation either. His eyes scream of mischievous and naughtiness.
"Hey you" a quiet snick left his lips.
"What do you want?" Her hands trembled as she try to stay still.
"You should have at least reply to my greetings, courtesy demands it." He grinned, licking his lips like a dirty pig.
Emily flinched slightly as he placed his hands on her shoulders, squeezing them roughly.
Big Jeff let out an evil smirk, clearly enjoying the look on Emily’s face—intimidated and pleading for mercy. This was exactly the position he wanted to put her in.
"You're hurting me?" She cried out.
She try to free herself but his grip was tighter and stronger.
“Thought you’d learn to stay where you belong,” he said, voice low.
Emily said nothing. She swallowed hard, still struggling to break free from his grip. Her eyes welled up as she fought not to blink.
The space between them closed too quickly. What started as intimidation shifted into something heavier, something dangerous. The air felt tight, like it was pressing in on her.
She kept her face steady, even as her pulse quickened.
“I don’t want any trouble, take your hands off me. I have duties to carry out” she snapped her voice laced with venom.
He laughed, not for fun but to mock her.
“You don’t get to decide that.”
His hand moved to her neck, his fingers wrapped around them, he didn't press tighter, but that was enough to intimidated and scare her.
She freeze. She realized then how vulnerable and helpless she was. No one was around. No one would step in.
The rest of crew stand back watching, not because their were scare of big Jeff but they enjoy watching her suffer, watching her feeling intimidated, watch her been preyed on.
The moment stretched, every second feeling heavy as she waited for him to free her.
“Step away.”
The voice was calm. Controlled. But it cut through everything.
She took a deep breath. The tears she had been holding back for so long finally slipped down her cheeks, but she quickly wiped them away before anyone could notice.
Big Jeff froze. He slowly release his hand from her neck. And turn around.
Emily didn’t need to turn to know who it was.
Ezra stood there, his presence alone enough to shift the balance. He didn’t look angry. He didn’t raise his voice. But there was something in his gaze that made everything feel like a mistake. The crew could feel it.
Big jeff stepped back immediately.
“No harm meant, I was just saying hello to her” he winked "right Emily?"
“it don't look anything like that,” Ezra said, he gaze slowly turn to Emily.
He saw how terrified she looked, her eyes fixed on the floor like an archaeologist searching for artifacts.
“That was what really happened,” Big Jeff smirked. He turned to Emily. “See you around, Emily.” He blew kisses into the air.
He stomped away without another word.
The once lively ship turn into a deadly silence. The crew men slowly dispersed.
Whispers spread through the ship.
Emily exhaled slowly, she has been tense. Her hands trembled slightly, and she clenched them to hide it.
Ezra looked at her briefly. His expression gave nothing away.
“You shouldn’t be alone,” he said.
Before she could respond, he turned and walked off, as if the moment meant nothing.
“Thank you,” she mumbled, hoping he would hear her.
She felt it in the way her chest tightened. Her thoughts settled when she thought about it more. It wasn’t just what almost happened—it was how easily he had stepped in and stopped the situation from escalating.
Whenever trouble came lurking around, he always appeared to save her. She didn’t know how to thank him enough.
Her eyes drifted from one crewman to another, and she saw the look on their faces. It wasn’t pleasant—more like suspicion.
She bowed her head to avoid their eyes.
She took her tray and returned to the kitchen.
The atmosphere on the ship had shifted. The crew’s glances lingered on her as she walked away. Their whispers carried further.
They had noticed.
“What is going on between her and the captain’s son?”
“I’ve been meaning to ask that for a long time. He always comes around to save her like a knight in shining armor.”
The crew had noticed the protection and exchanged side glances, even though it was unspoken. Nothing went unnoticed here.
And Emily could already feel the consequences beginning to take shape.
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