Filed To Story: Finding the Secret Daddy for My Baby Novel
Willow beamed. “Of course I should do that!” Once she spoke, she got up and ran out the door. When she arrived at the deck, she saw bodyguards standing there, stopping tourists from heading on. “I’m sorry, miss. This area isn’t open for guests today,” said the bodyguard.
“I’m a friend of Mr. Quarles. I’d like to congratulate them. Can I do that?” She smiled while explaining to the bodyguard. The bodyguard looked at her pretty face and felt conflicted, so he asked, “May I know your name?”
“I’m Willow Presgrave.” Since the bodyguard knew the names of Ethan’s friends, he asked, “Who is Jared Presgrave to you?”
“He’s my older brother!” she replied. Then, the bodyguard immediately apologized, “Pardon me, Miss Presgrave. I’m sorry I offended you. Please head inside!”
Willow thanked him sweetly before heading toward the deck. It just happened that Ethan and Josephine were sitting together enjoying the sunset, unaware that someone was approaching them until they heard a crisp voice yelling, “Ethan, Josephine, hello!”
He turned around to see who it was while Josephine exclaimed in surprise, “Miss Presgrave! What a surprise.” “I came here to have fun and didn’t expect to see you two either.” Then she sweetly congratulated them. “I’m here to congratulate you. I wish you a happy and long marriage together and hope you’ll be happy forever.”
Josephine burst out laughing. “We’ve yet to hold a wedding ceremony, but thank you for the wishes.”
“Ethan, what’s the matter?” Willow found it strange that he did not greet her. Then, Josephine pulled her aside and explained, “Miss Presgrave, don’t mind him. He recently lost his memory and has forgotten many things and people.”
“Huh? What happened to him?” Willow was concerned. “It’s all in the past, and he’s currently trying to recover his memories.” After that, Josephine introduced Willow to Ethan. “Eeth, she’s Willow Presgrave, the younger sister of your best friend. She’s your friend too.”
“Miss Willow… Presgrave,” he greeted. “Ethan, just call me Willow! I’m used to that,” Willow replied, feeling quite disheartened about his amnesia.
“Sure, Willow.” He smiled while having a natural, familiar feeling of treating her like a younger sister. Josephine offered Willow a glass of red wine, asking, “When did you get on board?”
“I came on board in Averna too! We might’ve missed each other. Josephine, are you here on vacation too?”
“Yes. We’re here to relax.” “I see! No wonder the ship suddenly docked at Averna. If I had to guess, I would say Ethan called this ship over just for you!” Willow was quick to understand the situation. Smiling sweetly, Josephine admitted. “Yes. That’s what he told me.”
“Oh, wow! It means I must’ve ridden on your coattails to be able to board the ship in Averna!” Willow exclaimed. “There’s a masquerade ball tonight. Will you be attending, Miss Presgrave?”
While looking at her, Willow suggested, “Josephine, why don’t you call me Willow like Ethan does? We’re going to be family very soon!”
Before today, Josephine dared not call Willow by her name because she was the jewel of the Presgrave family and had high status. Yet she discovered Willow was an easygoing, kind- hearted girl who was also down to earth. “Sure, Willow.”
“I’m also looking forward to the masquerade ball tonight, and I’ve already prepared a mask for the party. Will you be going too?”
“Yes! I heard it’ll be fun, so I wouldn’t want to miss it either, Josephine answered. When Ethan noticed how Josephine seemed. more relaxed while happily chatting with Willow, it became contagious for him.
Later, Willow sat with them for a while and found an excuse to leave because she did not want to disturb the couple’s romantic time together. Once she returned to her room and looked at the time, she beckoned to her assistant, “Mary, come over and help me with my makeup!”
Mary was Willow’s all-around assistant. She could do everything, including Willow’s makeup and everything else in her life. ‘Sure, Miss Presgraye. I’ll ensure you’ll look stunning tonight.”
“Gosh, no! Just do as you would normally. Don’t overdo it and make me look horrifying.”
“How could I? You’re born with beautiful looks that could charm all the boys, even with the lightest makeup.” While doing Willow’s makeup, Mary asked, ‘Miss Presgraye, are you looking, forward to meeting your Prince Charming tonight?”
Willow denied, “No, I’m not. I’m only twenty- three this year. I’m not in a rush for marriage.” Laughing, Mary rebuked, ‘When fate comes, knocking, you can’t stop it.”
After Willow’s makeup, she changed into a black evening dress, and as soon as she put on her fox mask, an air of mystery and elegance, enveloped her.
The masquerade ball was the most anticipated, event for all young cruise ship passengers because many were excited to meet someone new. Similarly, Willow was one of them because who would not look forward to a mysterious ball full of surprises?
In the meantime, Ethan and Josephine were ready for the event. Inside the large ballroom consisting of three floors, a romantic atmosphere filled the space as men and women with all sorts of delicate masks entered the venue. Those mutually attracted to one another would group together, and the added mystery of the mask evoked a sense of excitement in the guests.
When she entered the ballroom, he immediately locked his gaze on her because he feared his woman would get hit on by other men. He refused to let others lay their hands on her.
Since it was her first time attending such a ball, she could not hold back her excitement. Amidst the music, attendants were shifting through the crowd on the dance floor with red wines, offering them to customers beside them. Instantly, the fragrance of wine wafted through the ballroom, causing tension and chemistry within those youngsters.
Soon, Josephine’s sexy figure attracted a man’s attention. Perhaps he was so entranced by her beauty that he missed the towering figure behind her. As such, he mustered up his courage to approach her by halting her. “Miss, would you be so kind as to accompany me for a dance?”
She politely waved her hand and rejected him. “I’m sorry, but I already have a partner.”
“Miss, you’re so beautiful tonight. It’s perfectly normal for a beautiful woman like yourself to have several dancing partners, right?” The man refused to give up.
Just as she was about to reject his offer again, she felt a domineering hand wrap around her waist, followed by Ethan’s voice, warning the man, “She’s mine, so leave her alone.”
When the man saw the terrifying glint inside his eyes, he thought Ethan, albeit young, was not someone he could offend. Therefore, he flashed them an embarrassed smile and left. Josephine turned around to comfort her fiance.
“Alright, relax. We’re here to have fun, so this is normal!” Feeling resigned, Ethan argued, “I shouldn’t have brought you here. You’re too eye- catching.”
That cracked her up. “I’m not! I’m just an ordinary woman!” He immediately held her waist and whispered, “The woman Ethan Quarles takes a fancy to is no ordinary one.”
Josephine enjoyed hearing that and could not help but ask, “Do you see Willow anywhere? Maybe we should look for her.”
Smiling, he assured her, ‘Don’t worry. She’s the daughter of the Presgraye family, so she’s not short of protection.”
She thought that sounded reasonable. Moreover, she had seen how heavily guarded Willow was during their previous wedding, so she knew Willow must have bodyguards with her. More importantly, it was best not to disturb her fun tonight!
Willow did enter the dance hall, but not with the intention of dancing. She was there merely to witness the fun. Her preference lay in finding a spot to observe people and seek entertainment. However, what she did not know was her incredibly captivating aura- mysterious, noble, like a fairy. Even with a mask on, her big watery eyes and beautiful plump red lips were enticing.
At that moment, Josephine saw two familiar figures standing beside her. Although they were, wearing masks, she recognized them right away. Aren’t they my bodyguards?
“You… How did you two manage to get in here?” She could not help but burst into laughter. Her two bodyguards were known for their serious demeanor, yet they joined in on the fun. “We’re here to protect Miss Presgrave. She can’t be out of our sight.”
“Don’t worry. I can take care of myself,” Willow reassured. She did not want to rely on constant protection, as it would only make her feel vulnerable and weak.
“Miss Presgrave, you can have fun freely. We won’t disturb you,” the bodyguard replied. She nodded and added, ‘Well, you guys can enjoy yourselves too! I won’t tell my dad. Go get your dance partners!”
“No. Our duty is to protect you,” the bodyguard stated earnestly. At that, Willow could only let them be. Of course, she was clueless that danger was around her.
In actuality, a group of kidnappers had targeted her. They were aware that capturing her would enable them to demand a substantial ransom from the Presgrave family, ensuring a lifetime of financial security for themselves. It just so happened that Willow boarded this cruise ship, and they had to kidnap her before the next port arrived.
Tonight’s masquerade ball presented the perfect opportunity for them to strike. With a vast and diverse crowd, even with her bodyguards in tow, it would be challenging for them to provide constant attention and protection. Meanwhile, four men standing in the corner were also staring at Willow. One asked, “Boss, can we make a move now?”
“The next port won’t arrive for another two days. We have to act tonight and demand money from the Presgraves. We need to be quick, ruthless, and ensure not to harm Miss Presgrave.”
“What if we accidentally do?”
“Even if we get the money, we won’t live long enough to spend it.” These kidnappers were well aware of the potential consequences if they were to harm Willow, so their sole objective was to obtain a ransom and not cause her any physical harm.
The ball was reaching its climax as guests poured into the dance hall, causing it to become increasingly crowded. Ethan had already left with Josephine because he could not bear seeing her jostled in such a chaotic environment. He believed it would be better to take her back to their room to rest.
New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.