Finally, I could let go of this forbidden love and made the decision to leave.
Not a second passed by after I sent the message and Harry called me.
"Joey Caplan, are you joking?" Harry Robinson's voice boomed from the receiver, "Do you realize what you’re saying? This voyage will take you away from your home country for ten years, maybe even a lifetime! Are you ready to live adrift forever?”
“I can’t allow it. If you leave, how am I supposed to explain it to President Morris?”
Harry was the captain in charge of my company's overseas shipping operations.
The President Morris he was talking about was my Auntie, the same woman who had raised me for ten years and was also the company's CEO.
I had expected his reluctance. I even prepared my excuse.
"Harry, this isn't a decision I made on a whim," I told him. “You know I’ve loved my Auntie for years. It’s caused nothing but trouble for her. If I leave, it will be better for everyone.”
“Besides, if you don’t take me, I’ll find another ship or leave the country on my own. You can’t stop me," I threatened.