Act Like You Love Me (Jessica) novel Chapter 211

Chapter 211

Daphne’s pov

95

55 vouchers

“I don’t like oysters,” I said, my voice barely carrying over the sound of the waves.

I gently pushed away Mika’s hand as she tried to offer me a shell that looked far too much like a piece of wet stone for my liking.

Mika’s eyes widened. She gaped at me as if I’d suddenly started speaking a dead language.

“Really?” she asked, her hand frozen in mid-air. “How can you not like them? They’re literally the pearls of the sea.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at her sheer disbelief. “I don’t know, Mika. Maybe it’s a matter of free will and choice?”

She smiled sheepishly, probably realizing how dramatic and silly her question had sounded.

She pulled her hand back, shrugging.

“Well, I find it rare to hear people pass up this kind of goodness. Anyway, how about roasted fish? Surely you can’t say no to that.”

I nodded, grateful for the easy out. “That sounds perfect.”

I stood up from the chair I had been sitting in most of the evening, the ocean breeze tugging at the edges of my sundress.

After spending hours locked away with David in our villa while the other girls were diving in the ocean, I had finally decided it was time to stop hiding and be part of this summer trip.

We were on the upper deck, which had been transformed into a sprawling open-air kitchen.

The aroma of woodsmoke, lemon and charred Seafood hung in the air.

I wandered over to one of the smaller stalls where a man was expertly flipping fillets over an open

flame.

He was young, with a bright, welcoming face that made me feel an instant sense of ease.

He looked Filipino or Japanese; I sometimes struggled to tell the difference at a glance, but his warmth was universal.

“Magandang gabi po,” he said cheerfully, his entire face lighting up as he greeted me.

The respectful ‘po’ was the giveaway. I recognized the Tagalog respect marker immediately.

“Magandang gabi,” I returned, my own smile feeling more real than it had all day.

For a moment, he looked taken back, surprised that I’d responded so fluently, but I was a nerd for a reason.

10:38 Fri, Apr 17

Chapter 211

E55 vouchers

I’d spent years of my life dedicated to the quiet hum of libraries, obsessed with the way words fit together, learning basic grammar and phrases from half a dozen different languages just because I liked the puzzle of

“You speak Tagalog?” He asked, his eyes brightening with a new level of respect.

“Just a little,” I admitted, feeling a small spark of my old self, the girl who existed before the Tyrone entanglement-surface for a second. “I like to know how to say thank you properly in as many ways as

possible.”

“That’s incredible.” He commended and I blushed.

“First time on a cruise like this?” He pressed on the conversation, his English accented and pleasant

I nodded, watching him flip a piece of fish on the grill.

“It is. Everything looks amazing, but I’m keeping it simple tonight.”

“Smart choice,” he said with a wink. “Some of these dishes can be too rich for first-timers. Here, let me make you something special.”

He plated a beautiful piece of grilled fish, then reached under the counter and pulled out a small jar.

“This,” he said, drizzling a thick, rich-looking sauce over the fish. “My grandmother’s recipe. I made a batch for the staff, but for you, a special treat. It’s got a bit of ginger and calamansi. It makes the heart happy.”

“Enjoy, miss. And if you need anything else, just wave me down.”

“Thank you so much,” I said, genuinely touched by his kindness. “This smells incredible.”

I carried the plate over to the railing, wanting a quiet moment to myself.

The deck was alive with people dancing, chatting, and enjoying the warm night air, but I found a spot near the edge where the music wasn’t quite so loud.

The sea stretched out dark and endless below, reflecting the string lights overhead. I took a bite of the fish and closed my eyes for a second.

The sauce was perfect; bright, tangy, just the right amount of heat.

“There you are,” a voice said.

I turned to see Jessica walking toward me. She was smiling, her thick black hair pulled back into a neat, effortless bun that highlighted the elegant line of her neck.

In her simple silk dress, she looked breathtaking-natural and settled in a way I deeply envied.

“How are you enjoying the summer so far?” she asked, leaning against the rail beside me. “The cruise isn’t too overwhelming, I hope?”

I smiled, swallowing my food. “It’s been good. Really good, actually.”

10:38 Fri, Apr 17

Chapter 211

Except for the fact that Julie is here, I thought. But I didn’t say it.

Jessica nodded, her expression warm. “I’m glad to hear that.”

95

55 vouchers

We fell into a comfortable silence for a moment, watching the moon’s reflection dance on the black water.

Jessica seemed to be weighing her words, her gaze fixed on the horizon before she finally turned to me.

“Daphne,” she started softly. “I don’t mean to pry, truly. But I noticed… the other night. You seemed restless, and so did David. I’m just concerned. If something is wrong, you can talk to me.”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify