Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Joseph led me to the elevators next to my room. These elevators were amazing. Gold bars were on the outside, and a chandelier was on the ceiling.

Joseph opened the bars and said, "Step inside." I walked inside the elevator with Joseph following behind me. He pressed a button, and the elevator started moving.

Joseph said, "What's your name miss?"

I replied, "My names Clara Williams."

"That's a beautiful name." He said.

I replied, "Thank you."

He was a gentleman. I wondered if he was getting married anytime soon.

Joseph asked, "So who else is on the ship with you?"

I replied, "Just my mother and father. They surprised me since it's my eighteenth birthday today. But, I found out that I have to get an arranged marriage. They always expect me to be 'proper'.

"Well, happy birthday, Clara. And, I understand. I came with my parents as well, and they do expect me to be 'proper' as well. I'm only nineteen."

I realized that Joseph had a very soothing voice... it was perfect.

The elevator started shaking, and before I knew it, we were on D deck.

Joseph opened the gates of the elevator and we both stepped out. He led me up a small set of stairs. There were double doors on the left side of the staircase.

Before we stepped inside, I whispered to Joseph,

"I can't be seen with you. If my parents find out, they'll freak out." He nodded. We both went through the doorway, and went our separate ways.

The first class dining pavilion was massive. There were probably fifty tables, with a white tablecloth on all of them, a small decor lamp, and plates and cutlery. I looked up, and the ceiling had enormous white chandeliers hanging. The walls of the dining pavilion had paintings hanging on them, consisting of everything from people, to landscapes.

In the back corner were four men playing the violins, and cello.

I looked around for a minute, and then I saw my mother and father at our table. I walked over, and sat down in the chair next to my mother, with a blank seat on the right. Across from our chairs at the same table, was another family. A mother, a father, and two children who looked to be about nine and ten. There were about 300 people in this room if I would have to guess.

My mother asked, "Isn't it beautiful here, Clara?"

I replied in a toned voice, "It truly is amazing!"

My father took out his pocket watch and said, "Lunch should be served to us any moment."

My mother said to me, "Clara, who was that man you were talking to a minute ago in the elevator?"

How did she see me? If I told her I had feelings for him, she would never talk to me again.

I replied with a worried look on my face, "Um... He was just someone I met in the elevator. I was lost so he helped me find my way here. He should be somewhere in this room as well."

I looked around, but I couldn't see him.

My mother said, "Clara, what did I tell you about talking to strangers? You will not see that man again... I could tell you liked him."

I said, "But mother-" "Clara, I said that you will not see him again, and that is final!"

Why didn't she want me to be happy? I had to come up with a plan to see Joseph again.