Unexpected Dreams and Ocean Breezes

"Sasha, oh my gosh!" Rachel said, eyes wide with excitement.

I stopped eating and raised my head as my curiosity piqued. "What is it?"

"Check out this hottie," she whispered, nodding towards the table in front of us. "He's been staring at us ever since we got here. I think he's interested."

I glanced over and saw him: the most handsome guy I'd ever seen. His allure was almost dangerous, his features too perfect to be human. His long, fluffy black hair and deep brown eyes added to his striking looks. He was with a group of friends, all stylish and dashing, but he stood out like a star among constellations.

I couldn't help but stare. Our eyes met, and he smiled, a slow, easy grin that made my heart skip a beat. I quickly looked away, my face heating up, and focused on my plate, my appetite suddenly gone.

"There's no way a guy that hot and handsome would notice me," I thought, glancing at Rachel and Kira. Rachel, with her radiant dark skin and golden curls, and Kira, with her smooth ebony complexion and curvy figure, were both stunningly beautiful. "He's probably looking at one of them, not me."

I always knew I was pretty, but not enough to catch the eye of someone like him. Rachel and Kira had always been the ones to draw attention, while I stayed in the background, content with my books and stories.

"I can't let myself get distracted," I thought, picking at my food. "Handsome guys are always the worst." I just wanted to enjoy my dinner in peace, without getting my hopes up.

Still, being here was a blessing. I remembered how I got here, through hard work and a stroke of luck.

A week ago, I was staring at my laptop in shock. My novel had won first place in a major online contest. "Oh my gosh! This can't be real!" I screamed, overwhelmed with joy.

My novel had gained millions of views and hundreds of thousands of followers in just three months. Winning first place came with a prize of $250,000, a $15,000 bonus, six months of free promotion, and an all-expenses-paid vacation to the Maldives.

I called my besties, Rachel and Kira, to share the news. Rachel and I had been friends since our first year in university. I got into uni very early at sixteen due to my academic prowess. Rachel, two years older, took it upon herself to act like my older sister. She was kind and supportive, helping me through tough times. Kira, on the other hand, I met in my second year. She was Rachel's coursemate and close friend, which made us bond quickly.

After university, while waiting for my Youth Service batch, I decided to start writing novels. My first novel didn't do well, but I never gave up. During my Youth Service, I continued writing, and that's how I got to where I am today.

Since Rachel and Kira had been special to me, I decided I would go with them on the vacation. Being highly introverted, I would feel lonely if I went alone.

I really didn't have another option. My elder sister was on her honeymoon, while my elder brother and baby sister were busy with their studies. I couldn't interfere.

When they heard the news, they were ecstatic for me. They hugged me in excitement. I asked if they would love to come with me, and they didn't hesitate to say yes.

The next day, being Friday, we all went to the embassy to get our documents sorted. We were told they'd be ready in five business days. This was enough time to get ready.

We went shopping for summer wear, party clothes, shoes, bikinis, makeup, perfumes, and other accessories. We also got suitcases and everything we needed for our girls' trip.

Five days later, our documents and passports were ready. The next day, we organized our things and booked our flights for the following day. Since my flight was free and business class, I paid for my friends' business class tickets too.

Friday morning, we left early for the Maldives. The flight was long, but it was our first flight, and we were very excited. The journey felt surreal, like stepping into a dream. The anticipation built with each passing hour, our laughter and chatter filling the cabin.

We arrived in the Maldives at 8 p.m. local time. By then, we were exhausted but exhilarated. A lady was waiting for us at the airport, holding a sign with my name. She was my travel guide, responsible for my vacation itinerary. When she saw my friends, she hesitated, but I quickly explained they were with me and I was covering their expenses.

She smiled and led us to a seaplane that would take us to our resort. Even at night, the Maldives was breathtaking. The stars reflected off the water, creating a magical, shimmering effect. The cool breeze carried the scent of the ocean, fresh and invigorating.

We landed at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, where we were taken to a luxurious suite. The overwater bungalow reserved for us had stunning views, exquisite decor, and all the amenities we could dream of. The room service was impeccable, and the cuisine was a masterpiece. From what I had heard, even billionaires came here to stay in the Muraka suites. The company had booked an overwater bungalow just for me, which was wonderful. My friends and I could share it and save money. "I and my girls are going to have the time of our lives," I thought to myself.

Despite our exhaustion, we couldn't help but explore a bit. The bungalow had glass floors, allowing us to see the vibrant marine life below. The night air was warm, filled with the gentle sound of waves lapping against the stilts. We sat on the deck, dipping our feet in the water and talking about our plans.

Finally, we couldn't fight the fatigue any longer and fell into bed, telling ourselves that tomorrow would be the start of an incredible adventure.