Tessa received a call from Marissa the day before Marissa''s birthday.


    She had just finished lunch when she answered the call.


    "Hey, Tessa. Remember toe early tomorrow afternoon," Marissa said.


    Tessa asked curiously, "Isn''t your birthday bash being held in the evening?"


    "Yes, the party''s going to start in the evening, but the cruise ship will set sail at


    noon. We''ll be spending two days at sea," Marissa exined.


    "Alright, I''ll be there," Tessa replied.


    The weather was beautiful and sunny the next day.


    Tessa had changed into a blue halter-neck dress she had bought at the mall. She


    had even applied some light makeup and clipped her hair loosely at the back of


    her head with a hairpin.


    She didn''t bother going to a stylist for her outfit or putting on a full face of makeup.


    After all, it was Marissa''s birthday today. Tessa wasn''t about to steal the spotlight


    from the birthday girl.


    Stephen was patiently waiting for her nearby.


    Tessa packed a small suitcase, filling it with a change of clothes and some daily


    necessities.


    Once she was done, Stephen wrapped his arms around her before leading her


    out of the vi.


    A ck Cullinan was waiting for them at the door.


    Stephen''s assistant, Samson, was their driver for the day. So, he drove them to


    the dock.


    The sky was a clear shade of azure that seemed to lift spirits with its bright color.


    The moist ocean breeze blew gently in their faces, carrying with it a refreshing


    scent.


    Dozens of white sailboats and yachts were docked alongside the harbor. Arge


    white cruise ship stood among them. It had a sleek yet elegant design.


    The cruise ship was massivepared to the other boats in the area, making it


    seem like a floating pce at sea.


    This was the ship Marissa was using for her birthday party.


    A red carpet was stretched all the way down to the ship''s boarding entrance.


    Uniformed ushers had sweet smiles on their faces as they greeted Tessa and


    Stephen.


    Crew members in white gloves carried Tessa''s luggage for her.


    She boarded the ship via the gangway and promptly ran into Marissa after


    walking a short distance.


    Marissa looked absolutely stunning today. It was obvious that she was dressed to


    impress.


    She had on a shimmering


    mermaid-style gown in various


    shades of blue and purple. The hem


    of the gown swayed gently with


    each step she took, making it seem


    as though she was wearing a dress


    made out of ake dyed in shades of


    dawn. It made her look gentle yet


    regal.


    There was a brilliant blue diamond ne around her neck. She even had on


    matching earrings and a bracelet thatplemented her gown.


    "Tessa, you''re finally here. I''ve been waiting for you," Marissa said with a bright


    smile.


    Her smile deepened when her gazended on Stephen, who was standing next to


    Tessa. It was obvious that she was in a fantastic mood.


    Stephen had reallye to attend her birthday party. This was the first time he


    had ever deigned to attend a party she threw.


    Tessa didn''t miss the subtle shift in Marissa''s expression.


    So, she smiled and said in jest, "Were you really waiting for me, or were you


    waiting for him instead?"


    Marissa fluttered hershes yfully and responded, "Can''t I wait for both?"


    "Happy birthday, Marissa. Here''s your gift," Tessa said as she handed the present


    to Marissa.


    Marissa epted it with a grin and eximed dramatically, "My, my. A gift for me?


    You shouldn''t have. You''re the best!"


    Meanwhile, Tessa spotted arge


    table off to the side and saw that it


    was practically filled with gifts. In


    fact, it was a veritable mountain of


    gift boxes and bags.


    There was even a pair of staff members registering the names of the guests and


    the gifts they had brought.


    As everyone else''s gifts were recorded and ced on that very table, it was no


    wonder that it was already stacked so high.


    Yet, Marissa hade to personally ept Tessa''s gift.


    "I''ve invited a great deal of people


    today. Some of them are my friends,


    some are just mutuals. You don''t


    mind, do you?" Marissa asked as


    she led Tessa inside the ship.


    "Not at all. The more, the merrier. It''s your birthday, after all," Tessa said.


    Tessa and Marissa walked side by side while Stephen followed closely behind.