Sophia stepped out onto the balcony, hoping for a breath of fresh air and maybe a view of the ocean. The scene before her was more stunning than she had anticipated. The soft glow of the setting sun cast a warm, golden light over everything, making the water sparkle, and the sheer elegance of the balcony layout took her breath away. But what really caught her eye was the surprise waiting right there—an exclusive, small pool nestled in one corner of the balcony. It was a luxurious touch she hadn’t expected.Her excitement bubbled up immediately. She’d thought their suite was impressive enough already, but this was on another level. She turned, a wide grin spreading across her face, and rushed back into the room. “Robert!” she called, her voice full of the thrill that had taken hold of her. “There’s a pool out here! Can you believe it?” She glanced over at him, practically bouncing as she waited for his reaction.Robert looked up from his iPad, an amused smile tugging at the corner of h
Sophia sat at the outdoor dinner table, feeling the gentle breeze of the evening against her skin. The dinner, a grand affair hosted for all the cruisers, had been a pleasant experience so far. The food was exquisite, the atmosphere vibrant, and the night sky slowly transitioned into a canvas of stars. She and Robert had spent most of the evening chatting lightly, sipping champagne and enjoying the ambiance. But as she took another sip, Robert’s phone buzzed on the table.He glanced at the screen, muttered something about needing to take the call, and stood up, excusing himself with a polite nod. Sophia watched him stroll a few feet away, his figure highlighted by the soft glow of the outdoor lights.Now alone, she scrolled through her phone absentmindedly, her champagne glass dangling delicately from her other hand. The gentle hum of conversations surrounded her until a pair of voices drifted into her ears, clear enough to catch her attention.“I don’t think they’re in a relationship
I sat at my cluttered work desk, the bright glare of my computer screen adding to the tension that was causing my eye to twitch. As a marketing executive, my days were packed with back-to-back meetings, campaign planning, and endless emails. Today was no different, and I silently begged the clock to move faster. I couldn't wait for the lunch break to finally check the message from my high school friend, Robert.My office space was a mixture of organized chaos: colorful post-it notes stuck to the edges of my monitor, a half-empty coffee cup, and stacks of marketing reports awaiting my attention. My boss, Ms. Marlene Thatcher, had been particularly irritable lately, scrutinizing every minor detail with an unforgiving eye. Ms. Thatcher was an older woman with sharp features and a stern expression that seemed permanently etched into her face. Her salt-and-pepper hair was always pulled back into a severe bun, and her eyes, a cold steel gray, missed nothing. She had a reputation for being s
The break room was a small, cozy space with a few tables and chairs, a kitchenette, and a vending machine that dispensed lukewarm coffee. I found a quiet corner away from the usual office chatter, settled into a chair, and opened my phone with trembling fingers. The message notification from Robert stared back at me, and I eagerly tapped on it. The message was filled with stickers of "Call me" plastered all over. I couldn't help but giggle; it was so typical of Robert to use stickers to make his messages more urgent and playful. He knew it would make me call him immediately. Each sticker was a different bright color, some with exaggerated hand gestures pointing to the phone icon, others with animated characters jumping up and down. It was a lighthearted touch that momentarily lifted the weight of the morning off my shoulders. As I dialed his number, my mind raced with questions. Was he back in town? Ever since college, Robert had successfully built his own company, so he was rarel
SOPHIE'S POV I was at my desk, taking my much needed break, the soft murmur of my colleagues and the distant hum of office machines, created a soothing background noise. Then the sound of a screeching voice calling my name. I jolted upright, nearly spilling my coffee. My heart skipped a beat, and I quickly turned towards the direction of the voice. There, a few feet away, was Mrs. Thatcher, storming towards me. Her face was twisted in anger, her usually composed expression replaced with one of intense fury. Her glasses sat precariously on the bridge of her nose, a sure sign of her agitation. My mind raced as I tried to recall if I had missed something important or made a serious mistake. But nothing came to mind. I felt a cold sweat forming at the back of my neck as Mrs. Thatcher’s heels clicked sharply against the polished office floor, each step echoing ominously in the suddenly quiet room. Seeing Mrs. Thatcher in such a state was unsettling. She was known for her meticulo
As the office began to empty out, I remained at my desk, gathering my things slowly, my mind still reeling from the day’s events. I shut down my computer, the screen flickering off and leaving me with my own reflection. I looked tired, my eyes heavy with fatigue and a trace of the earlier embarrassment. I packed my bag methodically, slipping my notebook and pen into the side pocket, and placing a newly purchased magazine on top.The overhead lights cast a sterile glow over the room, making everything feel a bit more surreal. I glanced around, noticing the empty desks and the few remaining colleagues who were finishing up their tasks. The murmur of distant conversations and the occasional sound of a printer or keyboard clicking were the only noises breaking the silence.I stood up, adjusting my bag on my shoulder and smoothing down my skirt. Just as I was about to leave, I saw a colleague walking towards me. It was Janet, one of the senior analysts. She had a sympathetic look on her fa
SOPHIE'S POV What are the odds? Charles Brown, the man who had crushed my heart into pieces, the one I thought I’d never have to see again, was going to be on the same boat cruise as me. For two weeks. Two weeks of being trapped on the water with my ex, the ex who had left me in the worst way possible. My dream cruise will be a nightmare with him in it. I felt like my stomach dropped the moment I found out. . Jane has said it so casually, like she had no idea what it would do to me: well she didn't . Charles Brown! That was it. No warning. No easing me into it. Just... him. On my dream boat cruise And why now? I’d been looking forward to this trip the moment Robert broke the good news to me. Preparing my mind, imagining things, counting down the days. It was supposed to be about freedom, about leaving all the crap behind, about being in peace. But now? Now it felt like I was walking right back into the fire. Charles freaking Brown!! The man was a master of disguise. Handso
The next morning, I sat at my desk, staring at the glowing screen in front of me. My email was open, the cursor blinking right next to my carefully worded proposal for leave. It felt like I’d rewritten it a dozen times, trying to make it sound professional while practically begging to get out of here for the cruise.The dream cruise. My dream cruise. The boat cruise I'd been more than opportuned to go on, one I had already mentally calculated. And yeah, Charles was going to be there, but I wasn’t about to let him ruin everything. I’d spent enough time letting him get in my head. Not this time.I took a deep breath, my fingers hovering over the mouse. Robert had suggested I take some time off so I could cruise in peace. He made it sound so easy, like I could just ask for it and get it, no problem. But this was Ms. Thatcher I was dealing with. My boss. The ice queen herself. Still, it was worth a shot. I couldn’t not go just because Charles was going to be there.“I’ll deal with that la
Sophia sat at the outdoor dinner table, feeling the gentle breeze of the evening against her skin. The dinner, a grand affair hosted for all the cruisers, had been a pleasant experience so far. The food was exquisite, the atmosphere vibrant, and the night sky slowly transitioned into a canvas of stars. She and Robert had spent most of the evening chatting lightly, sipping champagne and enjoying the ambiance. But as she took another sip, Robert’s phone buzzed on the table.He glanced at the screen, muttered something about needing to take the call, and stood up, excusing himself with a polite nod. Sophia watched him stroll a few feet away, his figure highlighted by the soft glow of the outdoor lights.Now alone, she scrolled through her phone absentmindedly, her champagne glass dangling delicately from her other hand. The gentle hum of conversations surrounded her until a pair of voices drifted into her ears, clear enough to catch her attention.“I don’t think they’re in a relationship
Sophia stepped out onto the balcony, hoping for a breath of fresh air and maybe a view of the ocean. The scene before her was more stunning than she had anticipated. The soft glow of the setting sun cast a warm, golden light over everything, making the water sparkle, and the sheer elegance of the balcony layout took her breath away. But what really caught her eye was the surprise waiting right there—an exclusive, small pool nestled in one corner of the balcony. It was a luxurious touch she hadn’t expected.Her excitement bubbled up immediately. She’d thought their suite was impressive enough already, but this was on another level. She turned, a wide grin spreading across her face, and rushed back into the room. “Robert!” she called, her voice full of the thrill that had taken hold of her. “There’s a pool out here! Can you believe it?” She glanced over at him, practically bouncing as she waited for his reaction.Robert looked up from his iPad, an amused smile tugging at the corner of h
SOPHIA'S POV The hostess led us down a polished corridor, her heels clicking against the marble floors as we followed in awe. Everything around us screamed opulence—from the crystal chandeliers to the plush carpets lining the hallway. It was like we’d stepped into a world that only existed in glossy magazines and movies. And yet, here we were, soaking it all in like it was made for us. I stole a glance at Robert, who seemed unbothered, his expression cool and composed. Just another day for him, I guess. For me? I couldn’t help but feel like I was getting away with something here.The hostess turned back to us with a smile and gestured down another corridor. "Right this way, please. You’re in the VVIP section," she said, her voice carrying an unmistakable note of respect. I couldn't hide my shock. VVIP? I knew Robert was well-off, but this was next level.I kept quiet, not wanting to seem like a total newbie, but my mind was racing. Most people would’ve been thrilled just to be on the
As we stepped off the yacht and onto the dock where the larger boat was anchored, I took a quick survey of the setup. The boat—a luxurious vessel with sleek lines and a shining exterior—towered over the yachts that had started to gather around. Some other guests were already disembarking their own yachts and making their way up the ramp, mingling, exchanging greetings, laughing. It was a decent crowd, a mix of wealth and status, judging by the designer suits and glamorous dresses. I noted it all, but none of really intrigued me. Boats, parties, all this was pretty standard at this point.Sophia looked around, wide-eyed, her excitement practically radiating off her. It was a look I’d seen before on her—the curiosity, the fascination with the world of luxury, although she still has her elegant touch. I watched as her gaze swept over the dock, from the polished rails of the boat to the crew members in their crisp uniforms. It was amusing seeing her like this, clearly enjoying herself.
SOPHIA'S POV As Robert and I arrived at the boarding area, I took a moment to take it all in. There was a small crowd gathered, all dressed impeccably, their conversations weaving together in a hum of polished accents and subtle laughter. It felt like the kind of scene where the rich and powerful came to unwind, but still with a sense of formality clinging to them. No one looked too relaxed—everyone here was a bit on display.My eyes scanned the faces, catching glimpses of people I’d only ever seen on magazine covers or social media. To my right, a woman in a sleek black dress adjusted her sunglasses as she took photos by the water’s edge. Definitely a social media influencer. Beside her stood a man whose face I recognized from a viral tech article about his latest app that made millions overnight. He was talking animatedly to a well-dressed older couple, his hands moving in exaggerated gestures, like he was pitching a story rather than just making small talk. And then there was us,
SOPHIA'S POV The weekend had been… honestly, just so good. I’d be lying if I said it wasn't nice having someone like Robert around. We’d spent hours walking through the garden, and even though the place was way too fancy for what I was used to, it somehow felt natural. Trying new dishes the chef whipped up had turned into a little game, too—some stuff was amazing, and other things… let’s just say I was glad Robert didn’t make fun of me too much when I nearly spat out that one dish. Then there were the movie nights, hours just sinking into the couch, and the light competition of board games. I didn’t even mind that Robert kept winning because it was fun watching him get competitive about things so small. And, okay, we definitely took a few whiskey shots here and there. Not like, drunk, but just enough to feel loose and laugh harder at things that weren’t even that funny. It was the kind of weekend I hadn’t realized I’d needed. Now, though, it was cruise day. The morning had flown
As soon as Robert and I pulled up to my house, I felt a sense of relief. The day had been long, but in a good way—catching up with Robert, shopping, and just spending time together had made it fly by. We’d laughed about the dumb stuff we did back in high school and talked about how much had changed since then. It felt nice. Familiar. But now, I was ready to crash.Robert helped me unload the designer clothes from the trunk, carrying the bags to my front door. I was grateful for his help, especially since my arms felt like jelly after carrying everything around earlier. Once we got to the door, I hugged him. It was a quick, friendly gesture, but I hoped he knew how much I appreciated everything."Thanks for today," I said, stepping back from the hug."No problem. It was fun. Let me know when you’re settled in, okay?" He gave me a small smile before heading back to his car.I nodded, waving as he drove off. Once inside, I immediately dropped everything near the entryway, kicking off my
ROBERT'S POV We were done shopping, and as soon as we made our way out of the boutique and back into the car, I felt pretty damn good. Sophia had picked out some killer stuff, and I could tell she was buzzing, too. The drive back home was going smoothly, but I decided to switch things up and take a different route that’d cut some time off the trip.As we cruised along, a huge-ass billboard caught my eye. It said something about investing in real estate — all flashy and shit — but that wasn’t what pissed me off. It was the guy in the picture. Charles. That smug bastard, standing there with his arms crossed . The sight of his stupid face and that arrogant smile made my stomach churn. I could feel the anger bubbling up inside me, but I kept it locked down for now.I glanced over at Sophia, and yeah, she’d seen it too. Her expression gave it all away. There was this painful mix of sadness, anger, and guilt written all over her face. Fuck, I never want to see her like this,and knowing it
SOPHIA'S POV I was sitting on the couch, kind of zoning out while watching this cooking show on TV, some chef making a fancy pasta dish that looked way too complicated for a casual dinner. My phone was in my lap, but I wasn’t really paying attention to it. The weekend vibe had completely taken over, and I was feeling relaxed. Plus, the desserts I’d had earlier were making me feel a little too comfortable.And then, out of nowhere, Robert’s voice broke through the TV noise. I glanced up, but honestly, the words didn’t really register. What did register, though, was how damn hot he looked. I mean, for a second, I just froze. Robert was standing at the bottom of the stairs, one hand in his pocket, looking like he stepped right out of some luxury magazine. He was wearing this Tom Ford denim shirt that was perfectly fitted, highlighting his broad shoulders and chest, and charcoal grey pants that looked both casual and expensive at the same time. And, of course, he had on these black Chri