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?"