Sailing Against the Tides (CS #1)

Chapter 27

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Livy
"Ehem, kayo na lang po inaantay," tumikhim si Vince at nang-uuyam na ngumiti.

Napapaso akong napalayo kay Captain Esguerra matapos niya akong maalalayan sa loob. He entered and walked to the men without glancing at me.

Dama ko ang pag-iinit ng pisngi ko. The way he held me was a familiar feeling. As if his hands perfectly fits me and puts me to security when in fact it shouldn't!

"He's glaring at me, man," Neil whispered after stepping beside me.

Mangha ako habang pinapanood ang paggalaw nila sa control system. The supposedly dark view infront of the window was bright due to the lights. Nikolo's lips were pressed to a grim line as he observes the movements here.

"Sino?" I whispered back at Neil.

"Si Capt. Esguerra. Tagos sa buto ko," sumimangot siya. "Hawak na kita e. Hinila ka lang palayo sa'kin."

"Issue ka naman. Don't make it a big deal," iling ko sa kanya.

I saw Vince whispering something to Nikolo who remained emotionless. Vince chuckled when Nikolo frowned at him. Sumulyap lang sa akin si Vince at ngumiti nang matantong nakatingin pala ako sa kanila. I quickly looked away.

"Three teams will have their rotation every four hours and eight hours off throughout this sail. Captain Cruzo and his team will be in-charge for now. Captain Hans for the second. And I'll be on command for the third team," Captain Esguerra spoke with authority.

Iniwas ko ang tingin ko dahil may kakaiba akong naramdaman habang pinapanood siya sa propesyonal niyang estado. My eyes focused on the steering wheel at the almost center part. Napansin ko rin ang isang maliit na steering helm sa may front part. In today's era, everything is electronically designed so technology are also upgraded immensely.

Natuwa ako sa nakikita. Although it's not my first time to be here, I always get fascinated to how amazing this scenario looks. Everything is electronically linked. That explains why the steering wheels are not as big as what I watched in the Pirates of the Carribbean movies.

"Each crew will have an officer of the watch, assistant officer of the watch, quarter master lookout and a staff officer to work with the Captain during their operation," Nikolo continued to emphasize while the staffs nodded, listening intently as their main commanding speaks.

I found myself roaming my eyes. I found a digitized computer system containing a chart of what I think are the routes. There were lots of monitors and control system.

They call this navigation control center area of the ship as the bridge. This is exclusive off limits to passengers of course.

I remained silent while Captain Esguerra gave the needed orders.

"Are there any clarifications or statements you want to add, Miss Bautista?"

Nagulat ako sa pagtawag niya sa akin. All eyes went on me. Nikolo's grim expression while staring at my soul did not falter a single ounce.

I did not expect him to ask of me anything. Wala akong masyadong alam rito. Hindi ganoon kalalim ang ideya ko sa nangyayari dito sa loob ng cruise bridge! However, I am equipped on how this kind of business runs. But not just the substantial details of their part.

Pagkalabas ko ay agad akong nagtungo sa deck 1. I went to the bar area and ordered a drink for myself.

"Sex in the cruise," I stated calmly. Ngumisi sa akin ang bartender. He had a boyish smirk plastered on his lips.