Third Person's POV.
The aftermath of the spat on the deck lingered like a stubborn bruise—raw, tender, and impossible to ignore. Daphne retreated into her cabin, the door clicking softly behind her, leaving the world outside to spin on without her. She sank onto the chair facing the mirror, her fingers fumbling through her hair as if disentangling herself from the chaos of her own mind. Her reflection stared back, tired eyes shadowed with frustration, the faint tremor of her nerves betraying her calm façade.
She brushed her hair slowly, each stroke a hesitant attempt to regain control, to steady the storm inside her. The cabin was silent except for the faint rustle of bristles and the quiet hum of her own breathing—until the door swung open with an unceremonious creak, and Cole stepped inside.
"What are you doing here?" Daphne asked sharply, her voice rough with annoyance, eyes narrowing as she looked up from her reflection. She crossed her arms, the tension palpable.
Cole paused in the doorway, a mischievous grin tugging at his lips. "Can't I check on my bestie again?" he teased, voice light and playful, trying to diffuse the storm brewing in her gaze.
Daphne scoffed, the sound sharp and dismissive. "Are you drunk already?"
Cole chuckled, the sound rich and carefree. "It's five bottles too early to ask me that, sweetheart," he said proudly, plopping down onto the couch beside her. He stretched out, arms behind his head, eyes gleaming with mischief. "How are you feeling? That was some intense verbal match you had with Percy."
She sighed deeply, shoulders slumping further. "I don't get why he's acting like this. He's only known the kid for weeks, and suddenly—they're best friends? I've known him since diapers, and he doesn't even talk to me unless it's absolutely necessary. He didn't even attend my birthday after-party." Her voice cracked slightly on the last words, exposing her vulnerability.
Cole sighed, leaning back with a look of sympathy mixed with exasperation. "Well, you know how Percy is. He does what he wants, when he wants." he said carefully, as if choosing his words with care.
Percy—her obsession, her frustration. The one guy she can't have.
Percy this! Percy that! Percy!
That's all she ever talks about.
And now he's here, checking on her, and all she wants to do is vent about the one guy he's been waiting for her to get over. Great. Just great!
She continued, voice rising with a mixture of anger and confusion.
"Did you see how he wrapped his arms around the kid? What's so special about him anyway?" Her words tumbled out, each one sharper than the last, frustration pouring out in waves. She looked away, voice lowering. "It's like I don't even mean anything to him."
Cole listened patiently, only occasionally offering a comforting word or a nod. He didn't understand what Daphne saw in Percy that had her so obsessed—yet, he knew how it felt to chase after something just out of reach. The heart, after all, wants what it wants—and boy, did theirs want the one thing they can't have.
The quiet was interrupted by a faint knock as Penelope interrupted the moment.
"Guys, dinner!" she called softly through the door.
"Finally! What took them so long? I'm starving!" Cole stretched dramatically, standing up with a groan, stretching his arms overhead like a man who'd been waiting too long.
Penelope chuckled quietly, shaking her head. "Well, this whole trip was a last-minute decision, so the chef had a lot of prep work to do—especially since he's catering to people with such expensive tastes." Her tone was teasing, but there was an underlying warmth that made Daphne's shoulders relax slightly.
Cole chuckled, raising his hands in surrender. "Go ahead, I need a minute with Daphne." she told him and his eyes twinkled with mischief as he stepped aside.
Daphne shot Penelope a skeptical look "If you want to tell me to behave at dinner, save it. I don't want to hear it." Her voice was gentle but firm.
"Whoa, relax, babes. This is me waving the white flag." Penelope held up her hands, her face softening with understanding. "I know things got a little out of hand earlier, but we've had fights before, some even worse than this one. We'll be fine—just like always."
Daphne looked away, biting her lip, the hurt still lingering. "Are you trying to convince me, or yourself? Did you see him with the kid?"
"I did," Penelope admitted softly. "That's why I'm telling you—Percy wants him around. Fighting him about it isn't going to make you his favorite person, you know."
Daphne's brow furrowed. "You're always on his side..."
"And I always will be," Penelope said gently, stepping closer. "Just like I'll be on yours and Cole's. It's us against the world, remember?"
Daphne rolled her eyes, a small smile tugging at her lips. "You're good... like always." She hesitated, then nodded. "Fine. I'll play nice with Percy's new friend. Happy?"
Penelope grinned, reaching out and taking Daphne's hand. "That's all I ask for. Now, come on—we've got a weekend to enjoy."
The two friends linked arms, with a shared smile, they headed out together, the tension easing just a little.
The smell of something delicious wafted through the air as they made their way to the dining area, making Daphne's stomach rumble.
"I smell something good," she said with a grin.
Penelope giggled quietly. "It should taste good too. We're paying a pretty penny for it."
They arrived in the dining area, where an array of different meals was spread across the table, vibrant and tempting. The atmosphere was lively, but Daphne's eyes immediately found Cole, who was already holding a bottle of wine, a mischievous glint in his eye.
"Ladies, about time," Cole called out, voice loud and jovial, a glass in hand.
Penelope raised an eyebrow with a playful smirk. "I see you've already started drinking, Cole."
"I never stopped," he retorted, giving her a wink, and both girls burst into laughter.
Cole turned to Gemini, who was sitting next to Percy, holding out a bottle of wine.
"Hey, buddy! Want some wine?" Cole asked with a wink and the boy's eyes widened in alarm.
"Don't give him alcohol!" Percy warned sharply.
Cole clicked his tongue, mockingly disappointed. "Tsk! You're no fun at all." He turned to Gemini with a grin. "If you ever get bored hanging out with him, come to big brother Cole, okay? I'll show you how to have fun."
Gemini, who sensed the trouble brewing and, wary of Daphne's stony glare, decided to ignore Cole and focus on Percy instead. Percy's satisfied smile was almost smug, and Daphne's eyes flicked over to Gemini—she looked like she wanted to stab something, probably him.
What's her problem, anyway? Since Gemini's arrival, she'd been giving him the stink eye like he'd bought the limited designer purse she wanted. Was she really that upset that Percy brought someone less privileged on their trip? Or was it something else?
Meanwhile Daphne's thoughts churned as she watched Percy with the kid. The way Percy paid attention to him, the same attention she's been begging for, a feeling the familiar prick of anger rising within her again, a tangled mess of jealousy, protectiveness, and confusion she couldn't quite untangle.