FLASH MARRIAGE; CHARMED BY THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE CEO - Chapter 443

Chapter 443: Dinner On The Cruise Deck

A soft ocean breeze swept across the upper deck, carrying the faint scent of salt and distant shores.

Above, the moon hung full and bright, casting a silver glow over the rippling water.

Lanterns and candle flames flickered gently along the beautifully decorated outdoor dining area, casting warm golden pools of light over the elegantly set dinner table.

Uniformed maids could be seen moving hastily, making finishing touches to the lavish dinner area in preparation for their guests’ arrival.

Sarah stood near the railing, the evening wind teasing the hem of her flowing blush pink dress. The soft fabric of her dress shimmered under the moonlight, making her almost look like a sea goddess watching over the ocean. Her loosely styled hair fluttered in gentle waves, framing her pretty face and cascading down her slender shoulders.

As she stared longingly into the distance, she tried to steady her breath, smoothing her sweaty palms over her dress even though they trembled. She didn’t notice Amelia quietly approach her from behind.

“You look stunning, my dear,” Amelia whispered brushing invisible dust off Sarah’s sleeve. “If love could recognize beauty alone, Henry would collapse at your feet.”

Sarah gave a weak, nervous laugh, her heart pounding even harder.

“Do you think I’m too dressed?” She murmured.

“Of course not.” Amelia chuckled softly. “You look perfect.”

“Thanks.” Sarah exhaled through her mouth. “Can you call Blaze again and find out why they are taking so long?”

Amelia beamed, patting Sarah’s arm. “I already did. They will soon be here any minute.”

A little distance away, Judith and Hilary’s parents stood together, quietly admiring their daughter while counting their blessings.

“She won’t leave there until he shows up,” Judith whispered, wearing a proud smile as she kept a steadying hand on Hillary’s arm.

“What do you expect?” Hilary nuzzled his wife tenderly on the cheek making her giggle softly. “I’m glad to see both my ladies happy again.”

“I just hope Henry regains his memory quickly so that he can marry her,” Michael commented, standing beside their mother.

“I concur baby.” Annabelle cooed dreamingly. “They both deserve happiness after everything that happened to them.”

“They will,” Judith said confidently. “Amelia and I are already planning something.”

“Look!” Annabelle pointed excitedly. “They are here.”

Sarah hurried to the entrance, beaming as Blaze finally showed up at the top of the staircase, closely followed by Henry and the elderly couple who had saved him.

Henry looked freshly groomed and tastefully dressed, though slightly stiff in the new outfit Blaze had helped him pick. His hair had been trimmed neatly, and his beard gone, leaving behind a well-defined, clean-shaven chin.

Clutched tightly in his slightly trembling hands, was a rare, pale-blue wildflower that he picked for Sarah. And his smile, though trembling, melted hearts.

Sarah felt like throwing all caution to the wind and jumping into his arms. But she feared scaring him off or causing a memory meltdown.

She stared at him, tears rimming her shimmery eyes as he scanned his new surroundings.

It wasn’t just the wardrobe change or the beautiful flowers in his hands that made her breath hitch. It was the look on his face.

It was a mixture of nervousness, determination, and gentle wonder as he stepped onto the moonlit deck and took in the sight of the waiting family.

The elderly fisherman and his wife stood close to him, both looking equally overwhelmed but honoured.

“Family…” Blaze stepped forward, “…I would like you all to meet Mr Amos Gusta, his beautiful wife, Mrs Zia Gusta and their foster son, who is also our dearly beloved Henry Gordon.”

“Welcome, Mr and Mrs Gusto.” Amelia quickly stepped forward first, offering the couple and Henry a warm smile and a friendly embrace.

“You are highly. We are delighted you could join us for dinner. I’m Mrs Amelia Anderson.” She introduced herself excitedly. “And this is Mr Hilary Hunt…” She gestured backwards, introducing the rest of the family one after the other until she got to Sarah.

“Wow! Such a rare beauty.” Zia whispered nudging Henry playfully on the arm. “I always knew you were lucky and special. Go get her tiger.”

Sarah’s heart thundered louder in her chest as Henry cautiously stepped closer, his movement filled with uncertainty.

Suddenly, it seemed everyone around them had blurred into the background and it was just the two of them on the deck.

When Henry got to a few feet in front of Sarah, he stopped, his palm slightly sweaty around the stem of the delicate flower as he swallowed the lump in his throat.

“I… um…” He cleared his throat. “I would like to apologize to everyone …” He said without breaking eye contact with Sarah. “….and most especially to you.”

Sarah’s lashes fluttered, tears falling down her flushed cheeks before she could stop herself.

Henry quickly pulled out a handkerchief from his pants pocket and offered it to her.

“Aww.” Muffled voice echoed in the back as Henry continued his rehearsed speech, his voice soft and sincere

“I didn’t mean to frighten you back at the dock. I didn’t mean to say I wasn’t Henry with such harshness. I was…confused and I reacted… poorly.”

Sarah shook her head, slowly dabbing at her tears. “It’s fine. You didn’t do anything wrong. You just woke up to a world you didn’t remember. Anyone would be scared.”

Henry swallowed another bigger lump in his throat, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down as he said.

“I hope you will forgive me because I still don’t remember. But… I want to try. To open to learn about who I am, and to make up for the pain I caused you.” He extended the rare wildflower toward her. “Here…it’s the island blue diamond like we call it. It is said to bring happiness and good fortune. A beautiful woman like you deserves all the happiness and good fortune in the world.”

At his words, Sarah’s tears dam broke. She accepted the flowers with trembling hands, stammering “T… thank you. C….can I h…hug you.”

Henry’s chest tightened with pain from seeing her cry. “Of course.” He whispered, closing up the space between them and embracing her tenderly.

The rest of the family, including Amos and his wife quietly slipped away to give the couple some space.

Sarah wept bitterly on his chest as she recalled their last moments before Sebastian opened fire on him.

“Please, stop crying, Sarah.” Henry gently patted her on the back, worried about touching her inappropriately. “I promise, I will make it up to you.”

Sarah nodded her head and slowly released him, shielding her face, so he wouldn’t see her ruined makeup.

“Why don’t you go ahead?” She whispered in a cracked voice. “I’ll join you at the dinner table.”

Henry frowned as he observed the way she was now shielding her face from him. He didn’t know if it was something he did or said.

“Are you angry at me?”

“What?!” Sarah looked up at him, exposing her smeared makeup.

“You were hiding your face. So I thought I might have done something wrong.”

“No…” Sarah chuckled amid tears. “I was just worried about my ruined makeup.”

“You look pretty, nonetheless,” Henry assured her with a smile.

“Go…” Sarah pushed him forward, blushing at his comment. “I promise, I won’t be long.”

A few minutes later, when Henry and Sarah had joined the rest of the family at the table, the grace was said, Judith anchoring the thanksgiving prayer.

Afterwards, she thanked the Gustas for saving Henry and reuniting him with his family.

“We only did what any parent would do,” Amos replied, feeling like a king with all the luxury food in front of him.

“And we’re happy to meet the people from our son’s true life,” Zia added, her heart filled with happiness.

As the family dined, the deck was filled with cheerful laughter, soft chatter and tinkling cutlery.

Sarah kept Henry engaged, talking heartily about when they first met.

At the peak of the dinner, Amelia lifted her glass in the air and clinked her fork against it, silencing everyone.

“To new beginnings, expanded family, making new memories and falling in love all over again. Cheers!”

“Cheers!” Everyone on the table chanted followed by the clinking of wine glasses.