Date The CEO.com

Bubbles floated up to the surface of the water. Bright-colored corals decorated the ocean bed. Sea anemones swayed to the rush of the sea water. A school of clown fish swam over it all while a starfish laid lazily on a big rock. 

Down here where all the fish was happy, Eve fell into a state of tranquility. It was like a painting had come to life right before her eyes. Ambryan stayed beside her. The both of them wore snorkeling gear. Divers guided and observed them at all times. They were careful not to touch anything or it could be dangerous to the fish.

The bottom of the sea was from land noises and chaos. Peace surrounded the coral reef. WIth such wonderful things around them, what more could they look for?

Eve pulled out her mouthpiece when they rose back to the top. She sat on the boat, gasping for air despite how she had been able to breathe during the activity. Her arms wrapped around her stomach. A funny feeling quivered inside. 

Her gag reflex began to kick in. She closed her eyes and let herself breathe through her mouth.

Ambryan dropped to one knee in front of her. "Eve?"

He checked on her temperature, finding it normal. 

"Here. She may need some water."

At that, Eve shook her head violently and clamped a hand over her mouth. Ambryan snapped his head to the nearest crew member. "Do you have a bag? Or a bucket? She's seasick."

"Right."

Eve loathed this feeling. The urge to vomit tingled her senses but nothing came out yet. Her lips began to pale and her head felt light. An empty bucket appeared on her lap. She buried her face on top of the opening while Ambryan rubbed her back.

After a few pants, the contents of her stomach finally had enough.

Ambryan wiped her lips with the back of his arm. He waited for the color to rush back into his wife's cheeks and cradled her head gently. "How are you feeling? We need to get back to shore."

"I'm fine. We should go," Eve managed to breathe out.

The motor roared to life and the boat headed for the beach. Their cruise ship had anchored for the rest of the day. Everyone was to enjoy the island until curfew. It had many activities to offer but for these newlyweds, they had enough of land.

And it seemed that Eve's stomach now had enough of the sea.

She sat on the sand, hugging her knees to her chest. Her dizziness slowly faded away. She let herself fall sideways and rested her head on Ambryan's shoulder.

The latter brushed her hair off her face. "Better?"

"Definitely better than before." Eve sighed. Her eyebrows knitted together. "I don't even know how it happened. I was on a cruise ship for more than a day and I was fine! Was it something in the food? But we ate the same things—"

"Sssh," Ambryan silenced her. "Don't stress about it. We'll figure it out once you're better."

"Can I be shameless?"

"Why not?"

Eve lifted her head enough to prop her chin on his shoulder. She peeled her eyes half-open and smiled cheekily. "Would you carry me back to the ship? I want to lie down on a bed."

Ambryan didn't need further convincing. He lifted her up in one smooth motion and headed for the cruise ship. Eve chuckled, rubbing her cheek against his chest. She let her shoulders relax. Drowsiness weighed her eyes down. 

Maybe she was just tired.

As Ambryan walked up the plank, a woman stood at the top. She had her hand on the strap of her tote bag. A hat sat on her head while sunglasses protected her eyes. She removed the latter and revealed her black eyes.

She arched an eyebrow at the couple. "Well, that's a sight you don't see everyday."

Ambryan blinked in surprise but continued walking. "You're also on this trip?"

"It was a gift from a sponsor." She shrugged. Then, her attention shifted to the half-asleep woman in his arms. "Is Eve okay?"

"Who is that?" Eve mumbled to Ambryan. At this point, they had reached the deck. Their location was mostly private to their friends and family. It could be paranoia but neither she nor Ambryan believed that none of them wouldn't attempt to sneak into their honeymoon trip.

Ambryan had demanded complete privacy until their return.

Eve had gone along and supported his idea—her first order of business as his wife.

The woman had heard her words. She leaned close to Eve's ear before speaking. "It's your friendly neighbor, Spiderman."

"That doesn't like Tom Holland, Andrew Garfield or Toby Maguire."

"It's Tiffany," Ambryan said before it could go on further.

Eve instantly woke up. "Tiffany!"

She rolled off her husband's arms and landed on her feet with a thud. Ambryan had readied his arms to catch her but Eve found her balance. She tackled the model, squeezing the life out of her. "OMG! I haven't seen you since… well, I was going to say the wedding but you didn't make it."

Tiffany chuckled and patted her on the back. "For someone who looked like a hospital patient, you bounced right back to your feet faster than Lightning McQueen."

"I think I had food poisoning," Eve shared as she pulled back from the hug.

"Food poisoning?" Tiffany tilted her head sideways and assessed Eve. The reason sounded unlikely if no one else had it. They all enjoyed the same meals by the same chefs. Given how expensive the cruise was, the highest of highest quality was expected.

"Tell me there isn't another stalker trying to endanger your life," Tiffany couldn't help but say. Last time, Eve almost got drugged. If more crazy people like him existed, someone might have spiked her drink.

Eve pursed her lips. "I don't think that's the case…"

"I told you. Don't stress about it now," Ambryan interrupted. He swept his wife off her feet once more. Eve yelped in surprise. "The goal is for you to get better. I can investigate while you rest. We'll have to call the doctor first so we can have a diagnosis."

Tiffany stepped out of his way and waved her hand. "Feel better, Eve. It was nice seeing you both again. Enjoy your honeymoon! I'll be sure to visit once you have little ones."

Ambryan and Eve bid her farewell. Tiffany sighed as they walked away. 

It seemed like her hint was ignored. 

Ambryan waited in the corner of the bedroom while the female doctor checked on Eve. Since drugs could be the problem, they had Eve pee and ran tests on it. His hands clenched into fists on the crook of his elbows. He wouldn't be as forgiving before if something serious happened to her. 

The doctor began to pack her things. "She's not poisoned but she needs to be careful. No alcohol, no raw fish, no raw meat, less coffee, less sugar—"

"That's a lot of things she needs to avoid," Ambryan said, alarmed by 

"That's because it's a serious condition that needs extra attention and care," the doctor stated. She walked around the bed and headed for the door. "But it's not uncommon so no need to worry."

Ambryan blocked her way. "So she'll be okay?"

Worry projected out of his gaze. It wasn't until now did he realize that he didn't have the slightest idea how to care for someone ill. He always stubbornly let any of his sickness pass when they occurred. Only his mother and his mom forced him to eat and to drink medicine.

The doctor pressed her lips together, suppressing her amusement. She tapped Ambryan on the back of his hand. "She's going to be just fine. The baby too as long as you follow what I said. I'll be checking in during the rest of the trip. Congratulations on being a parent."

She closed the door behind her after she left.

The world had gone upside down according to Ambryan. His head snapped towards his sleeping wife. He couldn't remember how but he suddenly stood beside her bed. At first, he observed her face. The color in it had come back.

Then, his violet eyes flickered to her stomach.

He placed his hand on top of it. It rose and fell in the rhythm of Eve's breathing pattern.

"A baby…" Ambryan mouthed, too stunned to use his voice.

Eve found him sleeping on a chair when she woke up. His left arm was draped over the bed and her stomach while his right one was folded underneath the left one. He laid his cheek over his arm and snored softly.

She kissed his temple before getting up.

The sun had set outside the window of their cabin. 

"EVE!"

She heard Ambryan yell. Tremors ran up and down her body.

Then, knocks came from the door. "Eve! Eve, are you there?"

"Yes. Yes, I'm here," she answered, more confused than ever. Did he know something that she didn't? Was the food poisoned like Tiffany had suspected? She flushed the toilet and opened the door. "What are you—"

Ambryan yanked her into a bear hug. His cologne flooded her senses. She stiffened for a few seconds before returning the gesture. Her hands rubbed his back. It had to be serious for him to turn out like this. She just wasn't sure if she was ready to hear it. 

"It's okay. I'm okay." Eve comforted him. 

Ambryan grinned. "And the baby?"

"What baby?"