She steps out of the boarding gate into an air cooled hell. The airport terminal reeked of sweet floral arrangements and cheap cologne.
Vaela struts through the terminal like it didn't matter. Gigantic sunglasses rimmed her nose, gold hooped earring dangles aside her cheeks, and her body adorned with a strappy sundress that hung lazily off her shoulders.
She wanted to be invisible. But she felt like a steaming pile of shit attracting every fly for 10 miles.
The men swarmed. Locals, tourists, rich expats and flashy businessmen. All smiles, sweat and subtle sleaze. Swarming over her like she was the island's latest delicacy.
The offers poured in. Honeymoon suits, open bars, pleasure boats and jet skis.
Vaela didn't break her stride. Head held high, she marches through the airport focused, flourishing and fending of men left and right.
"I swear… if another one whistles at me I'm going to rip their fucking tongue out!" she mutters under her breath.
"I'd consider cancelling your curse to see that happen." Lilith laughed beside her, flitting about in a body-hugging mesh suit that left absolutely nothing to the imagination.
"I'm serious, Lil!" Vaela sneered. "No flirting. No fangs. No emotionally tortured men with sad eyes and soft hands and big… ugh. No men! I'm on a break. A sabbatical."
"That's just depressing." Lilith sighed. "Nothing mends a broken heart better than a few intense orgasms. Trust me, I know these things."
"Sunshine, cheap cocktails and smutting novels. That's what I need." Vaela sighed.
"Toss in a little testosterone and you'll have yourself a party." Lilith adds.
"NO MEN!" she hisses, repeating the words like a mantra.
---------------
Vaela oozes out of the limo as if it was pouring her like a fine wine. Tilting down her sunglasses, she surveys the resort where she would spend the rest of the week.
She stood before a temple built purely for the pleasures of indulgence, stepping into an artwork of white marble, towering palms and rum that flowed like water.
Her private suite was immense, featuring an infinity pool, full bar, king size bed and a balcony bigger than most of Veruna's downtown apartments.
Vaela tossed her bags into a corner, poured herself some sort of alcohol infused concoction and flopped onto the bed with a long sigh, wrapping herself in throw pillows.
Lilith slid onto the silk sheets beside her, wearing her signature naughty grin.
"Mmmm…" she purrs, licking her lips slowly. "This place tastes like money, sex and tequila. You sure you don't want a little taste, kitten? A little no strings attached, passion in paradise? At least a sexy beach boy to help scrub off the scent of heartbreak… you reek of it."
"No sex. No flings. I just want to read about it in badly written, smutty novels about sweaty pirates covered in leather." Vaela sighed.
"You're killing me here, kitten. Seduction is bread and butter. Feed me!"
"One week. No penises. I've earned it!" Vaela says smugly as she sips on her glass and reaches for a book.
Lilith poofs into her cat form under a puff of smoke, stretches lazily across bed before pouncing off towards the beach.
"I give it three days before you're tangled in some seaweed with the island's hottest hunk… " she purrs as she saunters off.
Vaela scoffs, gulps her glass and glares at Lilith as she disappears around a corner.
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Two hours later Vaela sat reclined on the beach, lazing beneath an umbrella as she read Seduced by the Sea Dragon and sipped on a cocktail that tastes like strawberries dipped in heaven.
But peace and quiet was still just an elusive concept.
The staring was constant, and the unsolicited offers would not end. Mansions, island hopping, massages and yachts. Men smiling with walls of white teeth, covered in oil and devoid of shame just kept coming like a conga line of broken promises and future regrets.
"Do I have 'ruin my fucking week' written on my face or something?" Vaela scowled after hissing off a lifeguard that tried to serenade her with a ukulele.
"Kinda…" Lilith chuckled as she tanned in the nude beside her.
Sulking at the bar, surrounded by drinks that had been bought for her, she beckons the bartender close.
"Is there anywhere on this island where I can get some peace and quiet… ANYWHERE?!" Vaela pleaded.
The bartender leaned in, making sure there was nobody within hearing range. "There's a little beach. Local's call it the Moonglow Lagoon. Far from the resort. No tourists. No DJs. No sweaty bros. It's a long walk though."
By mid afternoon Vaela is hiking through a narrow path, forging through the jungle with her sandals dangling from one hand and a large tote bag from the other.
Sweat curls down her neck as she huffs through the undergrowth. Lilith bobs through the air behind her, swatting at mosquitoes and hissing at the wildlife.
"I swear, if this ends with you getting killed by a wild boar or something…"
"I'd rather get mauled by the wildlife than get hit on another muscled meathead called Chad." Vaela huffs.
The thick brush thinned, and hidden behind a wall of palm trees and bushes, they finally stepped into a tiny cove.
"Perfect!" Vaela breaths as she steps onto the warm sand.
The sun shone onto a lagoon of perfectly clear, turquoise-green water that gleamed like polished glass. It was quiet. No music, no sweaty bodies. Just a peaceful paradise soaked in soft sunlight and serenading bird song.
Vaela kicked off her sandals, dropped her shawl and gently waded into the water grinning like a cat. The warm waters felt cool and calming on her skin and she sighed for what felt like the first time in days.
Finally, she was at peace. Floating gently on her back, the undulating ocean carrying her off gently on waves of tranquility. It was just utter—
A splash.
She flicked her head toward the sound, and released a sigh of defeat.
A man.
He emerges from the water slowly, deliberately and dripping with smug confidence that says yes, thank you, I know exactly how hot I look.
He drags himself onto a rock in the middle of the lagoon, posing like Poseidon, his Greek god-like figure glowing as sunlight kisses his golden skin. Long dark hair hangs over his brow, until he flicks it back to reveal eyes like emeralds and abs that could cut glass.
"Oh… forgive me, m'lady." he calls out. "I thought I was alone. Not many know of this place."
"Clearly someone does." Vaela mutters. And stares.
"My luck then." he grins, tilting his head as a glint of sunlight flickers through his crystal-like eyes.
Vaela's hearts pulses. Just a little too hard.
She hesitates, transfixed on his beauty before rolling her eyes and sinking under the water as she blew up a fountain of bubbles.
She was screaming.
Lilith lay on the sand, sipping on tequila, watching the scenes unfolding with devilish delight.
"Three days." she grins.