Night of Destiny (Anastasia Tillman)

Sophia turned to look at Arthur and asked, “Hey, do you know what the ocean said to the shore?” He narrowed his eyes as he pondered on this, and his curiosity was piqued when he could not think of an answer. “What did the ocean say to the shore?” “Nothing, it just waved!” She burst into laughter, clearly amused by her own silly humor.

Just then, Arthur sputtered and started laughing, and at once, the moon lost all its beauty.

Sophia gaped at him with wide eyes, entirely stunned by his pearly whites and his open smile. He looked carefree and captivating.

In truth, he was rather astonished by how her laughter, which was in no way demure or ladylike, only prompted his own. Son of a gun, he thought.

At that moment, her brows raised in amusement as she tilted her head to one side and appraised him openly. No woman had ever looked at him like he was a piece of art on full public display. before. Because of that, he grew self conscious and quickly asked, “What are you staring at?” She giggled. “You. You're quite the looker.” As though wanting to get back at her for making him laugh earlier, he scoffed and pointed out haughtily, “Yeah, and I'm way out of your league.” She blinked at him and she couldn't help arguing, “I never wanted you to be in my league in the first place.” Arthur turned to head back into the cabin, but that was when he heard Sophia mutter triumphantly, “I think it'd be more accurate to say I'm way out of your league. Always will be.” He stopped in his tracks and threw an icy look at her over his shoulder. “Please, | can easily make you mine whenever | want.” She blushed, completely caught off guard by his confidence, but she did not want to lose either. Her quick wit made her retort, “And by the tyou makeyours, wouldn't you be mine as well? So, | win either way.” He was starting to think that this was her idea of a pick-up line. He scoffed primly and refused to be lured into this ridiculous banter. “Don't flatter yourself. | don’t actually care about making you mine.” “Which then brings us back to the question of who's out of whose league,” she said without missing a beat as a devious smirk tugged on her lips. “But it looks like we've cto a draw.” Arthur pursed his lips into a grim line and did not try to continue this debate with her.

“You know, Young Master Weiss, | don't think | ever got your name. Think we're close enough to be on a first-nbasis, yes?” Sophia asked, leaning forward as if to pick up on the most salacious gossip.

Bemused, he did not withhold this information and replied, “The name's Arthur.” Arthur. Arthur Weiss. She tried it out in her head and decided that it had a good ring to it, then pressed further, “So, did you grow up in the city or are you from out of town?” “I've been living abroad with my family since | was little,” he said.

“I bet you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth,” she followed up cheerily.

“Why do you say that?” “Because you're one of the most prim and-proper men I've ever met!” Arthur had never heard that description being used on him, and he wondered briefly if he should be insulted.

Meanwhile, on another yacht, Katrina had her eyes set on Jacob. She had heard that he was the second young master of the Presgrave Family, and while his fortune or status was not as impressive as Elliot's, he still made for a good target.

“Young Master Jacob, you don’t look very happy. Care for scompany?” Katrina slinked over while holding a glass of wine in each hand. She was a model with a slender figure that had curves in all the right places and a pretty face to boot. Besides, Jacob was never one to refuse beautiful company.

“Sure,” he said agreeably.

They went out on the deck and leaned against the railing as they sipped their wine. At this moment, the yacht swayed, and Katrina had oh-so-naturally stumbled into Jacob's arms as she gasped, “Oh, my!” He gripped her waist to steady her. “Are you okay?” “I accidentally spilled my wine,” she said mournfully as she tugged on the neckline of her dress. “How does the damage look, Young Master Jacob?” Jacob's gaze darkened at once. He was sure that Katrina was doing this on purpose, and she had pulled the neckline. so far down that she might as well dispose of the dress entirely. That said, he had to admit that he was very much attracted to her show of skin.

“I have a couple of evening dresses back at my place. Why don’t you cby after we get off this yacht and pick one that you like?” he offered in a husky voice, the implication clear in his words.

“That would be great,’ she said brightly with a knowing look in her eyes.

Meanwhile, over at the dock, Sophia alighted from the yacht after Arthur and walked up to the car his bodyguards had brought around. It was only during the drive back to the villa that they realized it was already past midnight.

After arriving at the villa, she was so exhausted that she took a quick shower and hopped into bed. While she slept, he tossed and turned in his bed in the master bedroom. He was not one to stay up late, but for sreason, sleep would not cto him.

The images of Sophia's ready grin from tonight flashed across his mind, and he found himself thinking about the way she made fun of him openly and the way she smiled at him without pretense.