Two: Three Years Earlier

It's been a while since she last went on a solo trip. She used to love doing it back in college. To travel to strange places she had never been, to learn the cultures, the food, meet new faces that she probably will never see again, to be anonymous where no one recognizes her or knew who she was.

She finds it easier to connect with people without them knowing personal details about her. People are much friendlier, less judgmental, and not interested in prying on her private life when the encounter is brief, the conversations are on a need-to-know basis. No need for false pretenses. No drama. They will go about their day with a smile on their faces and a feeling of delight after meeting a nice stranger.

But this was the first time she had ever been on a cruise ship. She booked an ultra-premium cruise line for a trip to Bhorma where she will spend 3 nights on the ship, 2 nights docking on the island, and another 3 nights to come back. She wanted to experience the luxury of a smaller cruise ship where she can enjoy both her privacy and well-deserved upscale pampering services.

It's a much-needed trip from having been so busy setting up her new upcoming business. She will be opening her own home decor studio once she's back from the trip and who knows when she will be able to travel on her own again. This trip was a gift to herself for working hard and going through all the hardships in her adult life.

The sun was warm on her face. She had found a nice spot on the cruise, although she hadn't thoroughly explored the whole ship, she wanted to lay on one of the sunbeds by the swimming pool and read the guidebook that was provided in her cabin.

She had put on her blue bikini that matches the color of most of the interiors around the pool, she wore her favorite blue and white floppy hat, Bottega sunglasses, and smeared sunscreen all over her body before finally stretching her legs to relax under the afternoon sun.

Soon after, a waiter came by with a glass of champagne. She asked him to leave two glasses on the table next to her. Pre-dinner drinks seemed like a good idea.

She opened the pamphlet of the cruise's itinerary. LUDUS OCEANIA "Where Your Dreams Become Reality"

She smiled thinking of how amazing her days will be for the next 9 days, and of course the days to follow where she will finally get her business up and running.

The lavish grand staircase at the atrium, the luxurious dining area, the private cinema, casino, spa, library, fitness center with sauna and a squash court are among the activities she can choose to do onboard. She had also made arrangements for shore excursions once they arrived in Bhorma. Everything was all set and planned.

She leaned her head back and let out a satisfied sigh. She was looking straight at the upper deck across from her when something caught her eyes from the left side. A woman was looking down at the pool site. She was in her bikini leaning against the railing. Her straight long hair was blown by the wind.

Even from where she was sitting the woman's silhouette looked perfect. She was young, probably in her early 20's. The sight took Olivia back to her younger years where she used to look like that, not that she looks terrible now, she was a beauty queen once. A title that any woman could only hold for so long. Afterward, it was just 'Ex-beauty queen' as they get older, and then they just wish they never had been one so they don't have to live up to people's expectations for being one in the first place.

The years pass slowly but surely. She was 22 years old when she got the title. It surprised her when she tried to remember how 16 years had come and gone without her realizing it.

She'll never get that skin ever again no matter how hard she tries. Although she was still in a better shape than most 25 year-olds could ever hope for, her bosom and her backside had succumbed to the 38 years of gravity. Soon the skin on her face would follow, she had started seeing wrinkles around her eyes and her smile lines.

She may not be young anymore, but she wouldn't trade her wisdom for her youth because she finally understood what she wanted for herself. Something she could only learn through aging, to find herself in a way a 20-year-old could never do.

She picked up her champagne, took a sip, and was about to go back to her pamphlet to plan her next day when a man came up behind the young woman at the upper deck balcony. His unbuttoned long sleeve shirt was rolled up to the forearms, he was wearing beige cargo pants and holding a glass in one hand. He was probably the same age as the girl.

He kissed the back of the woman's shoulder and she turned around to kiss him. A sweet passionate kiss of young lovers in the dusk. He put his hand on the small of her back, she leaned closer to him. Their skin brushed against each other, she lifted one leg up and a wide smile bloomed across her face. They laughed at something he whispered in her ear.

Olivia smiled. Young love was probably the only thing she missed from her younger years.

They look like a handsome couple. Fresh out of college probably, or slightly older, but for them to be able to afford that trip, they must've come from a rich family, she thought.

The girl went inside the ship right after that kiss and left her boyfriend alone on the deck. One swift second passed by when the guy turned his head and their eyes met. She looked away, a bit embarrassed for getting caught watching them from afar. But she felt his eyes on the side of her face, he was still looking at her. She glanced at him to make sure, and their eyes met again.

He smiled at her this time. She held her breath. As much as she hates to admit it, that guy had caught her attention. She curved her lips slightly to return his smile. The guy raised his glass to her, and she did the same. They sipped their drinks as if they just made a toast with each other. He tilted his head to one side, rested his chin on the palm of one hand, and leaned his elbows on the railings, his eyes still pinned on her.

It was the strangest feeling she hasn't had in a long time. That guy was flirting with her.