His Unveiled Passion

Tessa and Marissa leaned against the railing near the side of the boat, enjoying the ocean breeze.

Marissa raised her wine glass and clinked it lightly against Tessa's, the sound reverberating clear and bright around them.

The salty breeze had messed up their hair by now.

Marissa swallowed another gulp of her red wine. She had drunk quite a bit tonight and was already slightly tipsy. Her face was flushed as she tapped Tessa's shoulder.

"Tessa, I'm really sorry about what happened during the day. Summer intentionally left a mark on the card before she dealt it to me. I truly had no idea what she was planning."

Tessa took a sip of her wine and smiled at her. "To be honest with you, I did suspect you for a brief moment. However, you've dispelled all my suspicions with your declaration earlier. I trust you."

"I knew it," Marissa said with a grin.

The birthday party had reached its end. Most of the guests had returned to their quarters for the night. Only the sounds of the crashing waves and howling winds remained.

"I wish for you and Stephen to stay together for a long, long time." Marissa tried to tame her hair that had been mussed up by the wind. "I really mean it," she added with a smile.

"Thank you." Tessa looked into Marissa's eyes. "I'm curious-you gave us separate rooms in the beginning because you didn't want us to stay together. Why did you change your mind once night fell?"

A bitter smile tugged at Marissa's lips. Her tone sounded a little self-deprecating when she explained, "I finally allowed myself to face reality, so I gave up on him."

She turned to face the ocean, the wind blowing her hair past her shoulders to flutter in the air behind her. Her voice melded with the sounds of the waves and the winds, echoing in Tessa's ears.

"It's true that I separated the two of you because I was jealous. I didn't want you to stay with Stephen because I was still holding onto my feelings for him.

"But after what happened with Bruno, I realized how much he cares for you. You might not be aware, but Stephen didn't let Bruno off the hook even after he scooped him from the ocean. He had his men lock Bruno in a brig below and tortured him until he was begging for death."

"I didn't know that," Tessa said, frowning.

"Bruno got what he deserved. He brought misfortune upon himself."

Marissa paused for a moment before she continued, "The other thing that convinced me to let go of my feelings was the game we played in the afternoon.

"I've seen Stephen play this type of game before, Marissa explained in a light tone. "There are plenty of women who are interested in him. He played a similar game during another friend's birthday party. They were playing 'Truth or Dare when one of the women confessed to him."

"How did he respond?" Tessa asked curiously.

"His response?" Marissa started laughing uncontrollably. "He just said 'oh' before

he proceeded to ignore that woman for the rest of the party."

"How ruthless of him," Tessa said with a smile.

"There was another woman who was dared to kiss someone of the opposite sex. That woman liked Stephen, so she plucked up her courage and asked him for a kiss. But his murderous glare frightened her so much that she immediately switched targets."

"Was he that scary?"

"Of course. I'm not exaggerating in the slightest! I bet he's never looked at you that way." Marissa's expression fell. "Do you know how I felt watching him ask you for a kiss in front of so many people?"

She chuckled bitterly. "I'm not exaggerating when I say that it felt like 10,000 arrows were piercing my heart. I'm so envious of you for being the object of all his affections.

"It was at that moment that I knew I didn't stand a chance." Marissa's voice became quieter and quieter, giving off the impression that her very being was breaking apart with every word spoken. "Or perhaps, I never stood a chance at all from the very beginning. I was just too blind to notice."

When Tessa made it back to her quarters, she noticed that the lights in the room were still switched on.

Stephen had his back to her as he stood by the window, answering a call he had received.

Tessa strolled over to him with light footsteps. She snaked her arms around him and hugged him from behind, burrowing her face into his back. She could feel Stephen stiffen in her hold.

"That's all for now. I'm hanging up," Stephen said to whoever was on the other line before disconnecting the call. He then turned around and drew Tessa into his embrace. "You're back."

Tessa hummed in response. As she leaned against Stephen's chest, she

murmured, "Stephen Jacobson, you're a good man."

"You only realized this now?" he asked in a low and sultry voice, tightening his hold on her.noveldrama

"Will you always treat me this well?" Tessa asked.