Page 36 of Lost At Sea With A Billionaire

The next few hours were a whirlwind of medical examinations, showers in actual bathrooms with hot water, and the strange experience of putting on formal clothes again.I found Janet in the guest suite, standing awkwardly in new clothes that had been delivered—simple but high-quality items that fit her surprisingly well.

“My assistant has good taste,” I said from the doorway.

She turned, a small smile playing on her lips.“And apparently, a good eye for sizes.”She tugged at the sleeve of the soft sweater.“This feels weird.”

“The clothes?”

“All of it.”She gestured around the luxurious room.“This is your life.Private helicopters, penthouse suites, staff waiting to fulfill your every need.”

I moved closer.“Parts of it, yes.But it’s not who I am.”

“Hmmm…” Her eyes held mine.

“You disagree?”

“The moment that helicopter landed, you transformed back into CEO mode.Orders, arrangements, efficiency.”

“That’s my job,” I said carefully.“Not my identity.”

She seemed to consider this.“I guess we’ll see.”

A knock banged at the door.Greg stood there with a tablet.“Sir, the search team is assembled and ready for your instructions.And there’s an update on the recovered crew members.”

“I’ll be right there.”I turned back to Janet.“Will you join us?”

She nodded.“I want to help however I can.”

The search operation headquarters had been set up in my home office.Maps of the Caribbean Sea covered the walls, marked with search grids and ocean currents.The lead coordinator—a wrinkled man named Hector with a military posture—waited with his team.

“Mr.Black, Ms.Banks,” he greeted us.“I understand you want to continue the search for Captain Reynolds.”

“That’s right,” I confirmed.“Whatever it takes.”

Hector nodded.“I should be honest with you, sir.The chances of finding him alive are extremely slim.”

“I understand the odds,” I replied, keeping my voice steady.“But we need to be certain.”

The meeting lasted over an hour as Hector outlined the search plan, incorporating data from the storm, ocean currents, and the location where we’d been found.Janet remained by my side, asking insightful questions about survival possibilities that impressed even the seasoned search experts.

“Your girlfriend knows her stuff,” Hector said after she’d suggested checking a particular chain of small islands based on the prevailing currents.

I didn’t correct his assumption about our relationship.“She’s the reason we survived on that island.If anyone can think like someone trying to stay alive out there, it’s Janet.”

When the meeting concluded, Greg stayed behind with another update.“Sir, about the crew—they’ve been notified of your rescue.They’re all still recovering at the Mercy Hospital in San Juan.”

“I want to see them,” I said immediately.

“Of course.I can arrange a visit for tomorrow.”

“Today,” I insisted.“They need to know we’re doing everything possible to find Captain Reynolds.”

Janetand I walked into the hospital an hour later, with Greg and another security officer who kept the press at bay.The seven surviving crew members had been moved to a private wing, where they were recovering from their ordeal.

The first person we saw was Sandra, my former assistant.She burst into tears at the sight of us.“Mr.Black!Ms.Banks!You’re alive!”

The reunion was emotional for everyone.The crew had been through hell—a week drifting in the life raft before a cargo ship spotted them, followed by dehydration treatment and recovery.They’d assumed we’d perished when the yacht hit the rocks.

“We saw you both go overboard,” Elliot, the first mate, explained.“The Captain ordered us to the life raft.He was going back for you when the yacht shifted.A wave took him from the deck before he could reach you.”

---