"Are you listening to me?"

Faye's floating mind got back to reality at the snap of Lila's fingers in front of her face. The cab had come to a halt in front of the pier where different cargo were being loaded and unloaded mechanically by man and machine alike. She still couldn't believe that she was taking a month-long sabbatical and that Mr. Kawolski was so supportive of her aunt's proposal. He had repeated over and over how she would be sorely missed, but maybe that was just a gesture. She could probably be slipping and she didn't even know it.

"Not really..." Faye finally admitted to her aunt.

Lila sighed as if giving up on her niece. "Stop worrying about work will you? You did say that the board would still have you back after a month. You're not losing your job so just enjoy your trip. Plus, it's a sabbatical leave. What more do you want? Here's your itinerary," she handed over an envelope, "And I got you the best suite in the cruise! Relax and have a great time. Promise me that."

"Okay." Faye nodded and stared at her aunt's outstretched hand. "What?"

"Phone."

Faye backed away. "Oh, no. Not the phone auntie. What if there's an emergency or something?"

Lila set a stubborn jaw. "Then borrow from someone else. Give me the phone, Faye."

"No! Auntie, you don't know what you're trying to make me do! And it's not like someone would just lend their phone to a random stranger."

"Oh yes. I do know what I'm talking about! And yes, there are still people out there who are kind enough to lend a phone. You're never going to get any rest with that phone with you and then there'd be no point in you going on this cruise. If your office doesn't call you, you're going to call your office. And that is not a sabbatical in my book. Now, give me the phone or I swear I will wrestle you for it! And hurry up. The fare meter's still running, you know!"

It was Faye's turn to sigh, defeated, and gave up her phone, volunteering to pay for the cab fare as she gave a wad of cash to her aunt. Closing the trunk of the cab, her aunt Lila gave her a tight hug.

"I hope this trip will change your life, honey," Lila said into her hair.

Faye released her. "Auntie, it's just a sabbatical. I'll be back to my old self once this is over."

Lila wrinkled her nose telling her how she felt about that. "Who knows who you might meet there? I'm sure that he'll be smart, cute and respectful to elders! Isn't that exciting?"

Faye rolled her eyes. "I'm not here to find a guy auntie. You said I have to rest and guys are nothing but stress. And you're supposed to agree with me. I mean, look at you! You're an old maid and-OW!" She rubbed the back of her head where her aunt hit her.

"Just you wait until a guy snatches your heart out of your chest. You will definitely remember all those Korean comedy-dramas I was forcing you to watch. Let's see you laugh then!"

Faye shook her head in disbelief then smiled at her aunt. "Thanks a lot Aunt Lila."

"That's Mrs. Fields to you, kid. Do you know how much I hate the name Lila?" she smiled back and waved as her niece carried her bags along the entrance of the building leading up to the gangplank of the ship.

The bags she packed weren't as heavy as the one she was carrying. Or maybe that was just her imagination. Either way, she made her way to the building checking one of the two bags she brought in and gave the woman her ticket. The woman's smile almost split her face in two as she welcomed Faye on board and someone else led her to her rooms carrying her bags.

She looked around her, noticing that as they climbed higher, the views and the people became classier. Even the noise level was dying down and soft elevator music replaced the chatter and ruckus. The air even smelled...richer. It was like a subtle perfume and the smell of newness was sprayed all over the floor where the man led her.

He gave her the card key and she gave him a tip, waiting for him to get out of the room. As soon as the door shut behind her, she squealed with her mouth closed. Her suite was nothing short of spectacular! There were rose petals scattered on the queen-sized bed as well as a champagne bottle and a bouquet of flowers. The couch in the middle of the huge space was just elegant and the lighting of from the huge glass windows were perfect. She checked out the bathroom and saw that it was mostly made out of marble. She swore she could stay in the bathtub all day with all the different bath scents lined on the shelf.

She could live like this for a month! But then again, that would be boring, wouldn't it? She was sure her aunt knew how easily she bored.

The rest of the itinerary was pulled from the envelope and she examined it. The first stop was an overnight stay in Hawaii, then it was off to Guam, then onto Malaysia, then Sri Lanka, and finally, Madagascar, before taking a flight back home. Well, that was exciting! So many countries in a month!

The door opened and the same bellhop came in carrying bags. Faye looked at him quizzically wondering if he was lost until he told the man behind him that this was his room. She couldn't be sharing a room with a total stranger, could she?

"Excuse me?" The bellhop and the man behind him looked at her. "Yes. I was wondering if there was some kind of mistake?" She hoped it wasn't her bellhop who was wrong. She was just settling in so nicely.

The bellhop looked at her itinerary and looked at her puzzled. "There's no mistake, Ms. Westbrook. This is your room. Both of yours."

"What? I don't understand..."

The bellhop smiled. "If there is any misunderstanding, I can take you to the front desk."

"Faye 'The Mule' Westbrook..." the man behind the bellhop laughed.

Faye peered at him. There was only one person who called her that and her insides churned looking at him. Freckleless, glassless, fatless, fixed teeth, and eight years made Nathan Prescott unrecognizable. He wasn't the snot-filled nerd anymore. Lila wasn't kidding when she said he looked like someone torn out of the silver screen, but he was still the same person. "Oh hell, there's a great deal of misunderstanding! This has to be sorted out."

"Champagne and flowers? Nice." Nathan ignored her, walking past her to the gifts on the bed.

She put her hands on her hips. "Hey! We have to go to the lobby and sort this out. Are you listening to me?"

"If you're planning on kicking me out of this room, no thank you," he snorted and checked out the bathroom. "Now this is a bathroom!" He looked back at Faye. "You know, I'm amazed at how people rarely give their bathrooms any credit. It's like they don't know how important it is for society to function well."

"Don't you even get the situation we're in?"

"I do. I just don't make a big deal out of it like you do." He shrugged. "You know how I'd been bothered? If you turned out to be either a bloated whale or an anorexic giraffe. But you filled out well these eight years. Having an eye candy isn't too bad."

Faye grunted and turned away to sort things out with the management, but not before she heard Nathan say, "Nice legs, by the way. You should wear shorts more often." She wanted to lash out at him so badly, but she restrained herself. It was all going to be sorted out and she could relax. Kicking out Nathan from the room would be one of the most rewarding things she had ever done in her life.

The ship's horn resounded throughout the whole ship and she could see people running toward the railings to have a last look at the home they were leaving behind. It made her wish that she was one of those left behind instead. She had always avoided Nathan when they were younger tired of all the arguments and the insults they threw at each other and she could feel the de ja vu, only they were older and were on a cruise ship and not in their little town.

But no, she had to make the best of everything. Her aunt had paid for so much just so she could get on the trip and she couldn't let her down.

She knocked on the door of the manager's office and was greeted by the manager's smile. "Ms. Westbrook, I presume?"

"Yes," she nodded. "There's a problem with the room arrangements."

"Ah. Please sit down." His smile never wavered as she sat in front of his desk. "They said you would come to complain about your arrangements. Where is Mr. Prescott? Isn't he with you?"

"Who said I would complain?" She asked taken aback. "What's going on?"

"I guess you'd take it upon yourself to explain to Mr. Prescott if he asks, then?"

"Explain what?"

The manager's smile told her to prepare for the worst, just how bad the news was, she didn't know.

I hope you have a good start with this new year and blossom with happiness. So, what are your plans this year?

Another chapter here for you guys, which I was able to write because I'm dying due to my studies.

But anyway, how was the chapter? Did you like Nathan's entry?

I chose Matt Lanter as Nathan. Oh my god, he's so cute and is perfect for a bad boy. If you wanna imagine him as any other actor, feel free to do it.

If you have any constructive criticism, don't hesitate to write it down here so that I can improve.

Thank you so much for staying with me and constantly giving support. If you liked this chapter, don't forget to vote and comment and be sure to tag your friends to share this story with them!

The next update will depend upon the response. I hope you liked it. ❤

I love you all!