Polly typed away at her keyboard, looking almost as annoyed as Gina. She shook her head and removed her large glasses. "Sorry, Gina, but it looks like you're stuck."
Gina sighed and rolled her eyes. "Screwed over by another one."
"So what exactly happened?" asked Polly. "You sounded so excited when you were getting the tickets. No more Paris?"
"No more Paris, and no more Chris," replied Gina. "He said he met some new girl, and they both skipped off to Dublin."
Polly held her mouth open and scrunched her nose in sympathy. "Oh, darling, I'm sorry to hear that!"
Gina tightened up the side of her mouth and made a face. "I'm so used to it now. Lesson learned--I can't trust men."
Polly tutted. "Don't give up on them yet! Look at my Harold--we celebrate twenty-three years next month!"
"Congratulations," Gina told her with a small smile. "So, we can't get a refund?"
"Not on this package, no," said Polly. "Because they were knocking down the price so much, they didn't agree to a refund policy. On the plus side, you do have the credit."
Gina sighed. "I don't know. I mean, the whole point of the trip was to connect romantically. Now it's just about the last thing I want." She sputtered. "On the other hand, I have so much vacation banked that it won't even roll over. I
have
to take it."
Polly typed some more. "We have a few travel packages you might like. Why not spend some time alone? You might find new adventures. Maybe even love!"
Gina looked around in behind Polly's desk at the posters. She scanned over the pictures of white beaches with clear blue water, and couples holding hands. Gina then noticed a stand-up card. She picked it up to get a better look. "What's this one?"
Polly looked up from her screen, then smiled. "Oh, that's something special!
Mozo
is our premium resort, off the island of Honduras." She scrunched up her nose. "It might be a bit pricey. Wait!" She typed away at her keyboard again. "Ah! Turns out we have a special on this month since it's the low season. Your credit could just about cover it!"
Gina came around to look at the screen, as Polly called up the website. Gina was in awe of the nearby beach, as well as the amenities.
"This looks too good to be true," Gina remarked. "This isn't like the Wynd Festival where everyone was ripped off, right?"
Polly laughed. "No! This place has been in business for a long time. It's...different, though."
Gina looked Polly in the eyes. "How different?"
"Well, it's more of an...adult experience," Polly explained. "It's definitely not like some swinger resort. There is a good chance of having your normal comfort zone challenged."
Gina looked again at the beaches, the rooms, and the scenery. She especially liked the picture of the solitary woman, leaning on a railing and looking out to the ocean holding a champagne flute. She immediately pictured herself being there.
"Book it," Gina insisted.
Three days later, Gina was on her way to Honduras. She was still able to fly first class, reminding her of her trip to St. Kitts and Nevis.
After leaving the airport, she arrived at the dock by cab. The ferry took her out to Playa BalsΓ‘mica, the location of the
Mozo
resort. The sun was already starting to set, and the beautiful red sky was mesmerizing her.
Upon docking, several staff came out to welcome the tourists and cart their baggage up to the resort hotel. There were only a few other travelling companions checking in for the night, and each one was invited to see the manager one by one. The guests were welcome to help themselves at the cocktail bar in the lobby while they waited.
When Gina was summoned, she was escorted in by one of the female attendants. Gina thanked her, then went to sit down across from the manager's desk. The manager was on the phone but wrapped up her conversation quickly.
"Good evening, Ms. Barese," the manager said in a subtle Latina accent. "My name is Ana-Maya Lopez. You can call me Amada. It's what they called me back in my village."
Gina extended her hand and Amada shook it. "So why did you want to see me?"
"Ah, this is the process for making sure your stay with us is as enjoyable as possible." Amada got out a touchpad and began to scroll. "Perhaps your travel agent explained the process. Here at
Mozo
, we provide all of the luxury to make a great vacation, but we also provide special servants."
Gina's eyes went wide. "So...what? I get someone to wait on me?"
"We alternate the schedule," replied Amada. "You will spend tomorrow by yourself to do as you please. If you wish to leave the resort and go sightseeing, you are most welcome. The crime and other issues are almost non-existent here on the island, but we would feel better if you had someone to accompany you." She handed the tablet over to Gina. "Your schedule is to have such a companion for each other day you are here. First day will be by yourself, then a companion provided, and so on."
Gina took the tablet and looked at the roster. There were ten different people present. Gina tapped on a random person, and all of his stats were available--height, weight, interests, nationality. "What--so we just pick who we want to spend the day with?"
"Each person will wait on you hand and foot," Amada explained. "They can show you the island, participate with you in leisure activities--even cook for you."
Gina looked around, then noticed a young man with lean muscles and a handsome face named Gael. He had a slim moustache and smouldering eyes. Gina tapped on the tablet, then showed it to Amada. "This one."
"Double-tap on the accept button, and he is yours," Amada said with a smile.
A check appeared over Gael's face, as the regular screen now appeared. Gina looked and saw a second man, this one with bright red hair and a huge chest. She was surprised to see such a man in a place like this, but figured he might be interesting. She selected Ryder.
"One more," prompted Amada.
Gina noticed there was one female in the group of ten, with her hair pulled back and large glasses on. She looked like she had a sweet face and a long neck. Without even reading over the bio or seeing the other pictures, Gina selected Rocio.
"All done!" Gina handed the tablet back, and Amada set it aside.
"Very nice," Amada commented. She stood up and extended her hand, as Gina did likewise. "I believe this will be to your liking. Please enjoy your day tomorrow. We run a tour of the island if you wish to join it. The caravan will depart at 8:30 in the morning."
Gina left, then headed up to her room. Her bags were waiting for her already. She felt bad that she could not give a tip, then remembered that tipping at this particular resort was discouraged.
Gina got in the shower and rinsed off, then got into her nightshirt. She got into bed and drifted off to sleep, wondering what her companions were going to be like.
The next day was a slow pace for Gina. Rather than join the caravan, she decided to have a late breakfast, sitting out on the restaurant's patio. The wind coming off of the ocean was warm but still soothing.
She went down later and strolled along the beach. The white sands were soft along her toes as she walked along in her flip-flops. There were only a few dozen people along the beach, many of them older couples. Gina's mind went to Chris, and she cursed that evil prick for getting into her mind and messing up her vacation. She quickly squashed him upon seeing a large man on a paddleboard.
Gina had dinner up at another one of the resort's restaurants, then went to the tavern they had. There must have been an important soccer match, because even the wait staff were huddled near the TV. Gina had a few rum drinks before she went back up to her room. She felt as if she had a pretty nice day, but she was looking forward to being waited on by her own servant.
Gina was woken up by a knock at her door. "Ms. Barese?" came a voice from the other side.
Gina snorted herself awake as she pulled her curly hair out of her face. "Who--who is that?"
"It's Gael," he announced. "I figured you would want to explore the island."