"So, do you? Do you find me attractive?" I asked again.

Jacob gazed at me with such curiosity and passion, "You did not like him? The person you were arranged to marry?"

I shook my head, "No. That's why I ran away, silly. I barely knew the man. So, do you find me attractive?" I asked again, going back to the topic.

He chuckled, "Of course I find you attractive!"

"How about Monika and Carla?" I asked right away.

I felt Jacob wrapped both of his arms around my waist. Maybe to steady me because I could feel my footing getting unstable. The strength on my legs were slowly diminishing. Or, maybe he just wanted to hold me closer. I giggled.

"They are both very attractive, too," he answered honestly.

I frowned. "Who's more attractive? Me or them?"

Jacob chuckled again, "I didn't know you could be this vain, not to mention competitive."

I took hold of his face in my palms again, "Who?!"

He smirked, "Does that bother you?"

I raised my voice a bit and tightened my hold on his face, "WHO?!"

He laughed, "Of course, you."

I smiled at him, not letting him go, "Good."

Then, we were silent. We both could hear the gentle creaking sounds of the ship. He looked at me as I gazed upon him. His eyes were hypnotizing me once more and carrying me to the depths of my emotions and I could not hold it in. I have to tell him. I have to tell him how I feel. He has to know! He has to know, right now!

So, I decided to break the silence. "Jacob, I think I've fallen--"

Jacob scrunched his forehead right away, "Stop. Don't."

I scrunch my forehead too, "Why not?"

"Let's talk about this when you are sober," he insisted.

I smirked at him and shook my head. "I love you, Jacob. I've fallen for you."

Jacob sighed and looked at me so passionately, "That's not fair," he complained.

"How so?" I asked.

"Because you are not sober," he said.

I smiled at him as sweetly as I could then pulled his face towards me so I could bridge the gap between our lips. I do not know how to start a kiss but I wanted to feel his lips on mine so I brushed my lips against his and prayed that he would respond right away. And Jacob... He did not disappoint!

His lips moved and they were gentle unlike the first time. One of his hands traveled from my waist to the side of my face and he pulled me closer. I closed my eyes and smiled. He chuckled after feeling me smile and continued with what he was doing. I could feel his soft, velvety lips tease my upper lip then proceeded to kiss my lower lip. I felt him nip my lips a bit… and oh my goodness! It was euphoric! Such heavenly bliss! If only I... WE could stay like this forever.

But, he stopped and his lips moved away. I groaned in protest but it did not change the fact that the kiss stopped. I opened my eyes. Jacob was watching me. He smiled. I was about to ask why he stopped but I felt dizzy… queasy… lightheaded. I felt faint. I needed to close my eyes. Now, I could feel the effects of one and a half bottles of rum.

Before I succumbed to the darkness that was inviting me, I felt Jacob's arms supporting my body so I would not completely fall. I knew he carried me and placed me somewhere soft then I heard him say, "See? I told you it's not fair." I felt him kiss my temple, after.

A smile formed my lips before I completely caved into the deep slumber my body was calling for. What a delight!

*****

My head was pounding when I opened my eyes. However, I felt like I was in a good mood. I stretched and looked to my right side. There was a shelf and books and rolled parchment papers. My eyebrows met. Since when did I have those in my room? I looked at the bed and the sheets were different. What is going on?

I heard someone clear his throat so I turned to my left. Jacob was sitting on the chair by his desk watching me intently. I gaped. I was about to scream but flashes of memories from last night began to play in my head.

"Good morning," Jacob said and smirked.

My eyes widened as I recalled everything. I immediately got off Jacob's bed after muttering a quick "Good morning."

I quickly smoothed the wrinkles on my clothes after I stood up. I looked back at Jacob. He grinned. His face showed much amusement as he watched my panicked demeanors. I was suddenly embarrassed so I ignored my headache and rushed to the door. I turned the knob to escape but Jacob was behind me in seconds. He pushed it closed again.

"No, I don't think so," he whispered in my ear. "You had a lot to say last night. Now, it's my turn."

My face became warm. That was an understatement! My WHOLE BODY felt warm! I slowly turned around to face Jacob. His right hand was still on the door. His gaze was still so intense. He placed his other hand on the door as well so I was trapped in between his arms.

"Now, I'll answer all of your questions from last night. Hopefully, you remember them. Your questions I mean," he continued.

I swallowed hard. God, Jacob looked more handsome this morning.

"Do I find you attractive? VERY. I find you very, very, very attractive. If not, I wouldn't have taken you."

I blushed even more. I looked away because of embarrassment.

"Don't turn away. I want you to look at me as I said these things," he said and held my chin to face him once more.

When he was sure that I was looking at him, he put his hand back on the door.

"Have I fallen for Monika? No! Was I practicing self-control with her? Absolutely not! Why would I when all I can think of is the kiss that happened between us that night?" he answered.

I was mum! How do I respond to all of these?!

Jacob continued, "I asked you if it was alright to drop off Monika to Sirumaha, remember? If you said 'No', I would've dropped her off the nearest island and left."

I sighed in relief. Jacob chuckled but continued speaking, "Have I fallen for Carla? No! Why was I gentle with her? Because she was kind and helpless."

"You were in the room the whole night together and both of you came out disheveled," I commented.

Jacob nodded, "Yes. But we were NEVER alone. Sandlot and Monika were hiding here the whole time. They were the ones who arranged our appearances to look convincing. I promise you, Darling… nothing happened. Again, why would something happen when all I could think of is you?"

"You tucked in their hair behind their ears," I said.

Jacob closed his eyes, "I am so sorry. It was a force of habit. It will never happen again with other women, just you. As a matter of fact, I resolved to not have any more women in Labyrinth after I saw how you hated having Monika around but you drove Carla here."

"Really?" No wonder he said I was making it difficult.

Jacob nodded. "Any more questions that I need to address?"

"Why did you order Sandlot to strike me?"

Jacob sighed, "You really won't let this go without an explanation would you?"

I shook my head.

"Very well, this may sound like an excuse but this was the truth. It was the only way to make you stop. You looked at me so disappointedly and it hurt me. I wanted to lock you in my embrace and tell you the truth but that would ruin the scheme and would bring us all in danger. So, I ordered Sandlot to do it because I know what he is capable of. I know the strike would be as safe as it could be because Sandlot is so precise with these things," he explained.

I gave him a faint smile, "Then why didn't you just tell me these before?"

Jacob gave me a faint smile back, "Because you were too angry and unforgiving to me. Because I got jealous on how everyone was forgiven except for me. Because my pride was hurt. Because if I tell you then I admit that you drive me crazy… then I would have to tell you that I love you… and that would not be perfection."

My heart was pounding too fast. But Jacob went on, "Don't you know that after we kissed, I planned on the perfect picture on how to confess to you? But you beat me to it, and you were drunk."

I could not respond. I was too happy to respond. He loves me too!

I wrapped my arms around his neck and giggled. "I meant every word," I replied. "I love you, too, Jacob."

Jacob chuckled and wrapped his hands around my waist. He pulled me closer to him and when our faces were too close, he kissed me. Ever so passionately he kissed me and ever so passionately I responded.