Giovanna

The sun was unbearably hot that day.

The fact that I was partially leaning against the side bars of a sea ship, with seagulls flying over the pier and a turquoise sea below, also did not help much in disguising the feeling of intense heat and the growing need to jump into the water. But considering that we were still moored on the shore of the immense ocean that would accompany us for three months of travel, I was content only to shake my face in search of some refreshing breeze.

Downstairs, gathered in a small group of people surrounded by security guards, were my sisters and their new boyfriends, casting goodbye nods that I had already lost the patience to reciprocate five minutes ago, when I noticed that the ship was taking longer than usual to leave. Someone should still be saying goodbye to the family members at the pier, since we would not leave until all the passengers have boarded.

If that ship were commercial, I would have already given up on the idea of staying so many days at sea with people who didn't even deign to show up at the correct time for boarding. However, that was a ship chartered exclusively by a businessman who was hiring my services and that of several others at that time around me, for a campaign we would do in Denmark.

In fact, from the moment I boarded, I did everything to run away from friends and not so friends as soon as I found in the bow, in the surroundings of the ship, and even on the pier itself. I had the slight impression that all the people I had ever met in my life were on that ship, which was quite possible, since as a young and very rich girl, I always had very influential and powerful contacts.

All those important contacts "and even those I made a point of deleting after an unsuccessful fuck" were gathered on that ship. I didn't know very well why I felt slightly uncomfortable with every man I had sex with stuck with me for three months on the high seas, or by every snobbish girl who had already commented on my weight and my fortune, who at the moment threw me wide smiles and pretended that they had never mentioned my name for some derogatory comment, as I noticed every known and

"Tell me that there is no heat like that of Brazil in Denmark," asked Gisele in a hoarse tone, with her throat already dry for so long under that sun. "Or I give up this trip right now.

"You're one of the hired models, you can't give up," said Jussara, emerging from my other free side. Our security guards were in plainclothes, probably watching everything on our backs. Jussara leaned on the side bars in front of us, throwing a sequence of nods to our family members. When a breeze with a characteristic sea air odor passed through us, her black hair hit lightly against my arm. "Do like Gio, who is seeing the trip as a good opportunity for knowledge.

"Who said that? " I said, giving a mocking giggle. "I'm seeing this trip as an opportunity to have sex once again with all my exes, assault my false friends, and still take a vacation in Denmark. I don't want any knowledge, thank you.

"My God," Gisele mumbled, although she smiled. "Sometimes I think you're a little nymphomaniac.

"Who knows? "I shrugged, then sighed, feeling my sweat running down my spine. "But who are we waiting for, anyway? I can't stand this hell heat anymore.

"It's good to get used to it, that's where you really go," Jussara debauched.

Smiling against my hair that was blown by the wind against my face, I lightly hit my advisor and friend's arm. Jussara had a very gloomy expression on her face, and I couldn't say if it was because of her safety boyfriend "and my cousin" who was on the pier and waving for her departure, or if because of Gina, my older sister, was in fact her best friend and I had usurped the space by hiring her as my advisor as well.

Anyway, Jussara realized that she could not advise me while I was on the other side of the world, and because of Gina's lack of need in her services, since she would be traveling on vacation with her boyfriend to the interior of our state, with the aim of disconnecting from the world.

So, after Jussara informed me of that blessed work cruise, I dragged her along with me and Gisele. At least I wouldn't freak out in ninety days stuck with people I hated and praying for the stops we would make along the islands to finally get to the Scandinavian country.

At that moment, all the occupants of the ship seemed anxious, more to know who had been the son of a bitch who was late on a work trip, than to actually start the journey. I had never taken a trip on a cruise, although I had extensive experience with sunny days on a yacht.

The parties on the high seas were the best for rich people who could not attend ordinary places, so I was very calm with the light swinging of the ship against the small waves of the sea.

However, I feared for storms, outbreaks, or simply listening to the song of the whales. Nothing in the world scared me more than the sound of whales, and I never knew how to explain very well why.

My mother believed in past lives, she said that I would probably have died on the high seas in some incarnation, and that even the notion of the existence of a creature belonging to the sea already caused me agony because of that past of another life; I could only pray that it was something in my past and not in the present, or I could already say goodbye with a little more fervor

"Ah, there it is," Jussara whispered, in a slightly high tone because of the murmurs of the occupants of the ship who seemed slightly shocked. I turned to look in the direction she pointed. "The person who was missing just arrived.

Climbing the steps to board, a man appeared with black hair flying in locks that reached the back of his neck. He was very pale, with light eyes and a pink mouth. The clothes blended in the shade of blue and white, highlighting its muscular and tall silhouette. The jaw was pronounced, without a beard, and highlighted cheeks brought a harmony to the slightly square face.

I blinked for the surprise, so I blinked again, as he walked along the deck without paying the slightest attention to any of the guests, and positioned himself a few meters from where I was, also turning to the pier and leaning against the steel bars. Behind the man, a small procession followed; women, children, men, security guards. And everyone followed the man, as if he were the boss, the leader, or the...

"Prince," murmured Gisele, shocked.

"Simply the Prince of Denmark," informed Jussara, giggling. Just like several of the rich snobs who looked away when the prince turned his head, I decided to focus my eyes on my hands, which trembled against the iron bar between them. After a second, Jussara noticed that I was out of breath and poked me. "Gio, are you okay?

I stuttered, suddenly feeling my stomach turn and turn. The ship was beeping with a loud and shrill horn, and the people around were celebrating that we were finally leaving. However, my eyes were still seduced to look at the man. I knew he was getting enough looks to not even bother with mine, but I fought against the desire to examine that beautiful and unforgettable face once again.

"Do you know any of them? “Suggested Gisele.

Not just one of them, but the most important among them. That man, whose everyone now drooled and speculated about how he could have stayed in Brazil without anyone knowing about his visit, was none other than the one who chased me in dreams; after a crazy sex that we had and that I could never forget. The man who told me he was a prince, but that I swore was a lie, although he had really treated me with more kindness and care than a cut diamond. My mouth got dry.

"I know the prince," I said softly.

“Really? From where? "Asked Gisele.

"From my bed, I replied in a shock tone.

Jussara and Gisele laughed. I turned to them, completely icy and pale. They both stopped laughing at the same time. I didn't have any sentimental problems to solve. Just like my sisters, I didn't get attached so easily to men, but that man... It had been different with him.

It had been intense, time-consuming, and only once, months ago. And we didn't have any contact. He was gone, and so was I. But there he was. He was in the same country as mine for months, until that trip, and there we were, together again.

"What a coincidence," Jussara murmured, frowning lightly. "At least we won't be able to call this trip boring.

"Certainly," echoed Gisele.

I kept quiet, just watching the pier move away and the waters causing waves below us. The smell of sea air rose, touching my face as the warm breeze surrounded me. The strong sun lost some of its importance, because when I went back to looking for the prince among the guests, I noticed that he was watching me too.