Chapter 29

“When does the bet end?”

“When we get off this ship.”

“Then who knows what could happen, Countess Donovan.”

Leaving that meaningful remark, Dominic smiled at Gabrielle. Both Gabrielle and Earl Donovan wore puzzled expressions at the cryptic exchange.

The orchestra’s slow tempo gradually shifted to a lively, faster tune. At the same time, people began to stand up one by one.

Gabrielle, attending such an event for the first time, watched in confusion as others rose from their seats.

Through the open doors, couples stepped onto the deck and began to waltz. The night sky was so clear it seemed stars might spill out at any moment, and the sound of waves crashing against the ship blended naturally with the music.

It was definitely reality, yet it felt so surreal—like a dream. With a floating feeling, Gabrielle smiled softly.

“Gabrielle.”

Dominic, calling her by her first name rather than her surname, stood up and reached out his hand to her.

Gabrielle blushed in embarrassment.

“A-ah, no… I don’t know how to dance.”

“It’s alright. I’ll lead.”

“Go on, dear!”

Before she could refuse again, the Countess Donovan, beaming, gently pushed Gabrielle’s back.

“Leave your shawl here.”

With no choice, Gabrielle stood, and Dominic immediately took her hand as if to protect her and led her out to the deck. The gloved hand touching her bare back made her spine stiffen. He wasn’t caressing her, just touching her protectively, yet her nape grew hot.

Standing on the deck, the two joined the other passengers spinning to the music. Holding hands, they circled away, then returned close in a turn. When Gabrielle found herself so close her nose nearly brushed his chest, she looked up.

“You dance well.”

A subtle musk-like scent tickled her nose. His gently smiling face was smooth as if sculpted by an artist. Her throat felt dry. Gabrielle barely managed to move her lips.

“It’s because… you lead so well.”

“Sorry about the third-class cabin.”

“Huh? Why are you apologizing for that, Executive Director?”

“I asked for at least a second-class cabin, but it seems there was a mix-up.”

Gabrielle was surprised. She hesitated, lips slightly parted, then bowed her head.

“Why?”

“…….”

“Is it because you like me?”

Disappointment washed over her. She thought he could distinguish work from personal feelings. At the faint possibility, Gabrielle quietly spoke.

“Is the contract renewal also because of you, Executive Director…”

“It’s neither.”

Before she could finish, Dominic firmly denied it.

“What?”

Gabrielle blinked in confusion. Dominic smiled softly and replied gently.

“That’s odd. I said I was interested, not that I liked you.”

“…….”

“The third-class cabin is on the lowest deck, and it’s far from the first-class cabins, so I requested a second-class one thinking it’d be easier to go back and forth.”

Silence quietly passed between them. Gabrielle, her mind blank, was led by his hand like a paper doll, spinning a few more times before her face flushed bright red.

“S-sorry.”

“For what?”

She was embarrassed. She realized she was the only one who’d been conscious of him. If there were a mouse hole around, she’d have crawled in and hidden. Wasn’t there one here?

“Gabrielle.”

While she couldn’t lift her head from embarrassment, Dominic let out a small laugh.

“Why are you so cute?”

“…I know you’re teasing me.”

She wanted to escape from his arms right away, but unfortunately, they were in the middle of the deck. His large hand gently lifted and lowered Gabrielle’s waist as she tried to step back.

“I’m not teasing.”

“See? You’re teasing me.”

“It’s just… fun.”

“…Go ahead and laugh all you want.”

He didn’t seem likely to let her go easily. Gabrielle resigned herself, not wanting to draw more attention. It was surprising she still cared about appearances in front of him, after showing him every possible side of herself.

The music was reaching its cl*max. Spinning once more, holding his hand, Gabrielle ended up close to him again.

“At first, I was drawn because you’re the same age as my younger sister, and you seemed clueless about the world—it annoyed me.”

Dominic, bowing his head, confessed in a whisper.

“But then I kept watching… you didn’t seem naïve, but rather, you endured things knowingly, which made me pay even more attention.”

Gabrielle slowly raised her head. Their noses were almost touching. The air between them felt electrified, tingling and tense.

“It became hard to watch you struggle, suffer, and feel lonely.”

“…….”

“Is this what it means to like someone?”

Dominic gently tucked Gabrielle’s loose hair behind her ear and asked softly. At that moment, the music ended.

“Wow!”

With a chorus of exclamations, the seated passengers turned their attention to the deck and applauded. Gabrielle, her face as red as a beet, pushed away from his broad chest and hurried back to her seat.

Dominic followed and sat beside her, and Countess Donovan immediately exclaimed as if she’d been waiting.

“That was wonderful! You two were the brightest among the dancers.”

“You flatter me, Countess.”

Dominic replied modestly, and the Countess laughed and added,

“You’re really not lovers yet? Even I felt butterflies watching you!”

The conversation was interrupted by her husband. Clearing his throat, Earl Donovan gestured to the shawl Gabrielle had draped over her shoulders again.

“By the way, where can I get a shawl like that? The quality is excellent. I’d love to give one to my wife.”

Dominic answered calmly, as if he’d been waiting for the question.

“Our company carries it. It’s made from arctic fox fur.”

“Arctic fox… That’s not available in this country.”

“Yes. We’re planning to import it from Croatia.”

“Oh… Isn’t that a protected species, banned from trade?”

“The law changed this year. Successful breeding at farms means regulations on raising and distributing arctic foxes will change too.”

“Ho…….”

“Come to think of it, Earl, you mentioned running a large ranch. If you’re interested, let’s talk.”

Naturally, Dominic baited the conversation, and Earl Donovan’s eyes sparkled as he seriously continued the business talk.

Sensing it was a sales pitch, Gabrielle wondered what she should add and listened to their conversation, when suddenly the Countess grabbed her arm.

“Won’t you come to the powder room with me? I’d like to fix my makeup.”

If Earl Donovan was a potential investor for Dominic, the Countess was a direct customer for their products. After a brief hesitation, Gabrielle nodded.

“Men are hopeless. Give them a chance and it’s all boring business and money talk. Even on a pleasant trip home.”

As soon as they entered the powder room, the Countess set down her pouch and complained.

“Don’t you think so? They really don’t get the mood.”

Gabrielle just smiled, unsure how to respond. As the Countess applied lipstick from her pouch, she smiled at Gabrielle through the mirror.

“By the way, you’re very pretty, Miss Brooks.”

“Me?”

“Very pretty. Cute, too.”

“Oh. Thank you.”

Blushing, Gabrielle bowed her head shyly.

“I wish I had a daughter like you.”

“Didn’t you say you had children?”

“I do, but they’re hopeless. One’s gone abroad and never comes home, and the other is well past marriageable age but just spends money and plays.”

Though the Countess grumbled, there was a subtle pride in being able to support both her hardworking and idle children. Half envious, half curious, Gabrielle asked carefully,

“Your daughter hasn’t married yet?”

“No suitable sons-in-law so far. I’ve arranged a few matches, but she didn’t like any of them. She’s very particular about looks.”

“Oh.”

“In that sense, you’re lucky, Miss Brooks. You get to be with such a handsome man.”

“H-he’s my boss.”

The Countess pressed, 

“Well, it doesn’t seem like that’s all there is between you two.”

At her sharp observation, Gabrielle awkwardly smiled and changed the subject.

“By the way, that lipstick color suits you very well. It’s perfect.”

“Isn’t it? My husband picked it out, and I really like it. When it comes to picking things out, I can’t beat him.”

The Countess laughed and suddenly asked,

“Honestly, you’re interested, aren’t you?”

“Huh?”