Chapter 2 - The Security Escort
The color completely drained from my father's face.
"What do you mean your card was declined?" Vanessa shrieked, grabbing Brandon by the collar of his navy polo.
"I mean the bank flagged it because someone emptied my entire savings account this morning," Brandon stammered.
Before my family could process this disaster, three large security officers in crisp white uniforms approached our table.
"Excuse me, but we need Richard and Vanessa Miller to come with us immediately," the lead officer commanded.
Dad tried to puff out his chest and look intimidating.
"Do you have any idea who I am?" Dad blustered loudly.
"Yes, sir, you are the guest attempting to authorize a fifty thousand dollar upgrade on a stolen credit card," the officer replied smoothly.
The entire buffet line gasped in unison.
Mom buried her face in her hands and began sobbing dramatically.
"This is all your fault, Millie!" Vanessa screamed as a security guard gently grabbed her arm.
"If you had just paid for our original rooms, none of this would be happening!" she cried.
I took a slow sip of my iced water and smiled.
"Enjoy the engine room, Vanessa," I whispered as they were led away in disgrace.
I finished my dinner in absolute peace and decided to head back to my penthouse suite.
I walked down the luxurious hallway of the top deck, feeling lighter than I had in a decade.
I pulled my keycard out of my designer purse and pressed it against the electronic lock.
The light flashed red, emitting a harsh buzzing sound.
I tried it again, but the door remained firmly locked.
A cabin steward walking by looked at me with deep sympathy.
May you like
"I am so sorry, Miss Miller, but your sister convinced management that you were having a mental breakdown," the steward explained gently.
"She showed them a medical power of attorney and had your room keys transferred to her name an hour ago."
