"Love Born on the High Seas"

By Lydia Bongcaron Wade

"Love Born on the High Seas"is about people who meet and fall in love at sea during cruises to the British Isles and to Panama Canal. The fun of travel as well as inconveniences, difficulties and problems are outlined in the book.Many aspects of cruise ships including their physical features, the crew, what they offer for passenger maximum satisfaction and the like are discussed.
Most interesting parts of the book are the agony and the ecstasy of loving and being loved truly. Surprising twists and turns in every chapter will delight the lover of satisfying, inspiring, and heart-warming love stories.It promises to give the reader feel love as love should be, and ought to be.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jun 2, 2014
• ISBN: 9781496906243

Lydia Bongcaron Wade

This is the sixth book written by the author. Her first was a family drama entitled Where Miracles Grow. The second and third are memoirs: Grandma Series I and Grandma Series II. The fourth is a romance fiction, Love Born on the High Seas, and the fifth is an epic romance novel entitled Love Born in the War Front. She was born and grew up in the Philippines and has been living in the US since in 1985. She was a teacher for seventeen years in Manila, worked as an education officer in Nigeria for nine years, then was employed by the Department for the Aging as a case manager, benefits/entitlements specialist, and food and nutrition lecturer at four senior centers in Queens, New York, for eighteen years. She has traveled extensively within the United States and to many countries around the world. Her book Grandma Series II: Grandma’s Travels details her travel experiences. In between writing her books, she attends meetings with a writers’ group at McHenry College and hosts a radio show called The Homemaker with Lydia. This show is available at 101.5 FM, Huntley Community Radio, every Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and at HuntleyCommunityRadio.com.

Book preview

Part 1

NIKKI AND NINA LISA

CHAPTER 1

Nikki de la Fuente woke up with a start. A loud banging on the door of his cabin on Deck 2, of Venus cruise ship roused him from a troubled sleep. Nikki, open the door! I forgot my key inside. Mario, Nikki’s cabin mate was calling urgently, followed by another knocking. Nikki got out of bed, muttering to himself. He just had a most glorious dream. Why should he be disturbed at the precise moment when he was kissing his beloved?

As Mario let himself in, Nikki eyed him reproachfully. How come you forgot your key? And why would you be so sullen this morning? Mario countered, meeting Nikki’s annoyed gaze. It is not like you. You used to be awake before this time too. It is now 9:30, man."

Nikki hurried to the bathroom with a changed tone. Oh, goodness, I am now late to the headwaiters’ meeting. Thanks for waking me up, pal, he said to his friend as the latter was getting out of their cabin.

While getting dressed, he recalled last night’s episode. The lady sitting at the table by the window at Rose Restaurant on Deck 5 last night haunted him and kept him awake most of the night. Her captivating smile, her sweet, amiable nature won his admiration almost instantly. He was sorry he did not have the chance to find out who she was.

Nikki reported to his work as one of the headwaiters at Rose Restaurant the following evening much earlier than he used to do. Will I see her again tonight? He asked himself hopefully as he joined Marc and the other headwaiters at the restaurant. He had taken extra care dressing up with his blue uniform suit, one of the three uniforms they wore during ordinary nights, alternating with beige and green. During formal nights on the ship, they would wear black suits and ties.

Nikki, we are invited to dinner at the Japanese Restaurant tonight after work. It is Ronald’s 35th birthday celebration, Marc remarked, interrupting his thoughts, as they stood together at the restaurant’s entrance. Why did he not tell me himself? He made the reservations with Asikase Specialty Restaurant only this morning. You were probably out of your cabin when he tried to contact you. He is not working tonight. Sam is taking his place.

Hi! Nik. You are unusually silent tonight. What’s the matter, buddy? Ronald nudged his friend while they were having dessert. Oh, sorry, pal. This dessert is so delicious. I am rendered speechless. Come on, you have been quiet since your absent-minded greeting to me when you were coming into the restaurant, Ronald remarked pointedly.

Nothing really, Nikki replied briefly with a tap on Ron’s shoulder. Actually, he had a lot in his mind. The thought of his brief encounter with the enchanting lady last night kept on nagging at him. Was your dinner alright, ma’am? He asked the unknown lady, noticing her half-empty plate. She looked up at him with a smile that nearly knocked him off. It sure was very good, thank you. I am just waiting for my dessert. What a dreamy, sweet voice," he commented secretly.

Let me speed it up for you, Nikki volunteered. Oh, no. You don’t have to. I am not in a hurry to leave. In fact, I am enjoying it here in this table, where I can see the ocean. It is very calm and beautiful out there. And the moon is enchanting. Yes, yes, please stay throughout the evening, he pleaded silently. He felt he could talk to her forever. He wanted to continue talking to her, gaze at her lovely face, which was illumined by the pale moonlight shining through the ship’s thick window glass.

Nikki, Table no 12 wants you, a waiter called his attention. They have been asking for you." Nikki excused himself from the lovely lady and with a slight bow, he turned away reluctantly. When he came back a few minutes later, she saw her leaving the dining room. A bus boy was clearing up her table.

Did she not like her dessert? He asked her waiter casually, trying to hide his disappointment. She did not say anything, Nik. Maybe she decided to skip her dessert. Many of them pretty ladies, as you know are watching their curves." Pablo gave him a knowing smile.

The workout at the gym after his restaurant duty at 10:30 p.m. did not help Nikki. Another night of tossing and turning left him exasperated. He did not see the unknown lady with the enchanting smile at the restaurant tonight. Who could she be? Was she a fairy who waved her magic wand on him? How was it that he could not take her lovely face off his mind? When he first caught a glimpse of her at the table with a view of the ocean, her long hair bathed in the moonlight, he felt drawn to her like a magnet. There was an aura about her that charmed him completely.

CHAPTER 2

Nikki had worked with different cruise ships owned by at least three cruise lines for the past 12 years. He had met, got acquainted with countless women and had made love to several of them.

The two divorces behind him did not change his fancy for more and more women, whose names he could no longer recall.

Recently, he had a one-year relationship with two women at a time, both working on the same ship. Susan, a manager at one of the bars, quit the ship and went home to Poland after she learned of his affair with Ana, one of the hospitality girls in the other main restaurant on Deck 7. Only three days ago, he had flirted with the new Atrium pianist and got an encouraging response. Two other girls in the Buffet restaurant on Deck 11 were also vying for his attention.

He had two other women he was going with whenever he was on vacation in his town in Acapulco, Mexico. His mother told him once: I hope you will not pay a huge bill later on for your indiscriminate ways with women. I hate to see that time to come, my son. His two brothers, Simon the oldest and Leo, their youngest were both faithful to their families. Simon managed the ranch estate, which Nikki had inherited from his godfather, a wealthy landowner in Puerto Vallarta. Leo managed their family resort restaurant in Acapulco, while his mother owned a Craft Store in downtown Acapulco. The two businesses supported their family well after his father died.

Nikki was fickle in getting a degree as he was with women. First, he went to Law School, but quit after one year. His mother wanted him to be a doctor, but he barely made it to the second semester in Pre-med when he gave it up. Learning about diseases and treatment did not appeal to him. He considered B.A. but he changed his mind after the first semester.

Before his father died from a mysterious illness, which he caught in Omuta, Japan, where he worked as a mining engineer, he made Nikki promise to take up any one of the Engineering Courses. He kept his promise and finished Marine Engineering. He became the second Marine Engineer in one of Carnival Cruise Lines’ ships, his first job on a ship.

He gave up the position for an electrician post. He hated working below deck. He felt isolated and out of place in the engine rooms at the bottom of the ship. He thought he deserved better than tinkering with the engines with greasy hands and arms.

One day, his friend Jess, a Maitre D in a Specialty restaurant at Venus Cruise Ship, introduced him to a Manager at one of the ship’s main restaurants. His one-year attendance at a Hotel and Restaurant Management School in Mexico City and his experience with their restaurant in Acapulco qualified him for an Assistant Headwaiter. Eventually, he became one of the Head-waiters in the ship’s main and buffet restaurants. The position suited him perfectly. He liked being around people, talk to them, listen to their complaints or compliments about the food and food service. Overseeing the waiters in his team gave him a feeling of importance and authority.

He loved watching women enter and leave the restaurant with their escorts, probably their husbands or boyfriends. He enjoyed going around the tables greeting the diners and was flattered by the women’s flirtations. Apart from his good looks, Nikki possessed certain traits that endeared him to his colleagues, especially the women staff, and attracted the ship’s lady guests: his attentiveness and friendliness, his caring and charming ways. However, he had one weakness, which he found hard to keep in check, women.

During family gatherings and religious holiday celebrations at home, he would bring along a girl different from the previous time. His mother asked him once, Where’s the girl who came with you last time? And the other time? How many girlfriends do you have, Nikki? My son, you are so like your deceased father. Mama, take it easy. I will bring you the best girl one day, he said seriously kissing his mother on the forehead.

He was forced to marry one of his girlfriends after he left medical school, when he got Lourdes pregnant. Lourdes’ older brother Leoncio threatened to hurt him if he did not marry his sister. He had two sons with her, now teenagers. He pampered his boys with anything they desired. Lourdes divorced him three years ago. She could not tolerate his ways with women. His second marriage also ended in divorce. He had no children with Rosita. Both women had moved to other places in Mexico and had since remarried.

CHAPTER 3

On the third night of Nikki’s brief acquaintance with the dark-haired, beautiful lady, a group of three guests was ushered inside the restaurant by Ronald. Nikki was talking to Marc and did not notice the distinguished looking group as they entered the full restaurant. They were settling down at a table for three situated on the elevated section in the far end of the room, when Nikki spotted them.

As Nikki strode in their direction, he was uncertain if the young lady in the group was the same one he met the other night. She was dressed in a stunning V-neck yellow gown with a deeper yellow rose tucked on her left shoulder. She looked familiar. Her companions, a middle-age lady looking elegant in her formal black gown and a good-looking gentleman in coat and tie, made up an attractive threesome. Tonight was a formal night. All the guests, headwaiters and waiters were dressed formally. The dining guests were coming from the theatre where the captain’s welcome was held earlier in the evening, followed by cocktails.

Hello! Is this table good enough for you? Nikki asked politely. The young lady looked up at him with a smile. Oh, this is the kind gentleman I met the other night, she said turning to her companions. It was then Nikki confirmed this was the same lady of his dreams the past two nights. His heart skipped a beat! The older woman acknowledged his greeting with a Hi, the gentleman, with a slight nod.

This table is fine, although I feel like we are on a stage, the older lady commented. I hope the others down there won’t watch every bite we take, the man said jokingly.

Would you kindly reserve a table for us by the window during the 6:00 p.m. seating, Mr.? The young lady asked, meeting his intent gaze. Nikki, ma’am, that’s my name. And yes, of course I shall be glad to have a table by the window reserved for you as you wish, throughout the cruise. You may also request any meal of your choice or anything you want in the restaurant."

Really? Does that include requesting you as our personal waiter? You are very kind and obliging. That maybe too much to ask, Brian. In a lower tone, which the other lady thought Nikki would not hear, she continued, He does not look like the other waiters.

I am one of the headwaiters sir, but I shall be very delighted to serve you. You will have a permanent waiter too. If that is the case, then let us introduce ourselves. The man stood up and shook Nikki’s hand. Call me Brian. This attractive lady is Elena, and this pretty young woman is Monina Lisa. And I am Nikki De la Fuente, at your service.

Nikki fussed around the group enthusiastically, taking extraordinary steps, which he would not normally do with dining guests. Would you like to order special meals for tomorrow’s dinner? He asked when the group was finishing dessert. Nina spoke first. I should like to order Leche Flan for dessert tomorrow. Elena reflected for a second then declared, May I have Chicken Sotanghon Soup with my meal tomorrow? These are Filipino recipes. Would you have someone who knows how to cook them? "Sure, ma’am. Half of our chefs are from the Philippines, so are our waiters. How about you, sir?

Oh, I’ll pass tonight. Perhaps I’ll order something different tomorrow.

Venus, Olympus Cruise Lines’ newest ship was a 120,000 ton vessel, with a capacity of 4,500 passengers and 1,020 crew members. It sailed the British Isles, Northern Europe during the summer and springtime. During the fall and winter, it changed routes to South America, to the East Coast of the U.S. and the Caribbean Islands. It was a very elegant and attractive ship inside out, particularly the Atrium, the ship’s centerpiece.

It was rated a three-star ocean liner, offering excellent food, state of the art amenities and high quality service. Named after the Goddess of Love and Beauty, Venus was the most beautiful cruise ship in the Olympus Cruise Lines’ fleet of ships. The other ships in the fleet were named after the other gods and goddesses of Mt. Olympus in ancient Greek Mythology.

The itinerary of this 14 days cruise to the British Isles included seven major ports. Southampton, England, was its home port. Then it proceeded to Falmouth, Cornwall England, Glasgow Scotland, Reykjavik Iceland, Qaqortoc Greenland, St. John’s, Newfoundland, to New York, U.S.A., the final destination of the transatlantic voyage.

The crew held emergency drills prior to entry in every port. Nikki hated these drills. He would skip the routine