Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 128211 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 641(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128211 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 641(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
It was a kind of creative chaos that fueled me — part high-stakes event planning, part luxury hospitality, part performance art. And I was damn good at it.
My father would never understand. To him, real success had a corner office, a six-figure salary, and a respectable title that made people nod with approval when you said it at cocktail parties. To my mom, success was a family and a clean home.
But this? This floating paradise of gold confetti and six-star service? This was my canvas. My stage. My proof that I was exceptional at something, even if it wasn’t the career my parents once imagined for me.
It killed me that I still longed for their approval, even knowing it would likely never come.
Would my father see this show and finally understand it? Would he see the way my brain worked, how I could take a list of absurd requests and turn them into a seamless, spectacular few days at sea? I wanted him to understand how hard I worked, how much thought and care went into every place setting and party playlist and flower arrangement.
And I wanted him to see how much joy it brought me — not just doing the work, but nailing it. There was an art to this, and I wanted my father to appreciate the craft: seeing a guest’s face light up when they walked into a themed dinner that was better than they’d dreamed, hearing them laugh until they couldn’t breathe during a ridiculous game I orchestrated, watching them actually relax because they knew they were in capable hands.
I created memories.
I left my mark on guests from all over the world.
That was success to me.
That was the kind of work that mattered.
“Couple more notes,” Captain said, glancing down. “Nicole doesn’t drink tequila after an unfortunate incident at the AVN Awards. Mark doesn’t eat anything purple. And they want a ‘Naughty Nautical Brunch’ on their last day — complete with penis-shaped pancakes and mimosa towers.”
Finn rolled the preference sheet package and tucked it into the front pocket of his shirt. “You know it’s a party when I pull out the penis molds.”
“This is going to be the most insane charter of the season,” Palmer said, but the way he rubbed his hands together showed he was just as excited about it as I was.
Captain stacked the pages, shaking his head with a weary grin. “Here’s hoping they tip like porn stars, too.”
“Don’t worry,” I said, flipping my notebook closed. “If they want the wildest, most unforgettable charter of their lives… they came to the right boat.”
CHARTER CONFESSIONAL
CLOSE QUARTERS
SEASON 4, EPISODE 4
CHARTER 3
LEAH BROOKS: THIRD STEWARDESS
PRODUCER
Welcome back! How are you feeling?
LEAH
I’m feeling so much better, but also still mortified. How embarrassing to get sick on the second charter, and after a night out. I just hope Captain doesn’t think I was hungover. Not a good look!
PRODUCER
Well, I think everyone is glad to have you back. Are you excited about this charter?
LEAH
Oh my God, yes! These guests are so freaking fun. I mean, I have seen more ass and titties in the past twenty-four hours than in my entire life, I think, but they’re super nice.
PRODUCER
It was quite… interesting, unpacking for them, wouldn’t you say?
Leah covers her face and laughs.
LEAH
Yeah… definitely wasn’t prepared for all the… toys I’d find in those giant suitcases. No wonder the boys nearly threw their backs out lugging them on board.
PRODUCER
Can you give us some commentary on that to run with the footage? A live reaction of what was going on in your head?
Leah drops jaw, blinks, laughs.
LEAH
Wow… okay, then. I think it’s safe to say these guests came to party. I have never in my life seen a dildo this big.
Leah does a little dance, humping the air.
LEAH
But hey, no judgment here. Express yourselves, babes.
PRODUCER
Perfect. The guests do seem nice. They were thrilled with dinner, but that didn’t stop them from wanting midnight snacks.
LEAH
Oh… yes, I heard about this. Poor Ember was up so late!
PRODUCER
Finn, too.
LEAH
Rockstars, both of them. It’s not easy to smile and serve after such a long day like that. You know, I can totally understand how they were together in the past. They make a great team.
PRODUCER
Has it been weird at all, having exes on board? Any sticky situations?
LEAH
They’ve been professional, as far as I can tell. Bicker at each other like an old married couple, but other than that, I think it’s been fine.
Leah tilts head, arching brow at producer.
LEAH
But your cameras have seen more than I have, haven’t they?
The first day of the charter passed in a blur of champagne corks, shrieking laughter, and the unmistakable slap of bare skin against our freshly cleaned sun pads.
Our guests wasted no time making themselves at home. By the time they’d finished the tour, Nicole was topless, her girlfriends were taking turns trying to flash the drone camera operators, and Mark was already flirting with Leah and boasting how he and Nicole had an open marriage. That was especially charming, considering he was wearing nothing but a gold thong and sunglasses that spelled out Daddy in rhinestones.