Chapter Text
You have a good life - no, a great one. You love the seaside town you call home. A few years ago, you finished college, earned your bachelor’s degree and later your TEFL certificate. Your parents have always supported you. After years alone following your mother’s death, your father recently remarried and you adore your stepmum.
You have a best friend who feels more like a brother. While other friendships have come and gone, he’s always stayed. Through thick and thin.
You live alone in a small rental apartment. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s yours. Cozy. Comfortable. You even like your job - its flexibility lets you travel, your one true passion.
So why are you sitting on the floor in the dark, silently eating ice cream straight from the tub?
Well… that would be because of your boyfriend.
Or rather, your ex-boyfriend.
---------------------------------------------------A few hours earlier, you met him for dinner. He’d called the day before excited, saying he had big news and had made reservations at a high-end seafood restaurant to celebrate.
You dressed up, hoping, maybe foolishly, that the news had something to do with your relationship. After three years together, you weren’t even living together yet. He’d always said he wanted to take things slow and focus on his career. You respected that…but lately, it felt like you were stuck.
When the “big news” turned out to be his promotion to hotel manager, you smiled and congratulated him. But inside, something sank.
Halfway through dinner, you couldn’t hold it in anymore. You asked where your relationship was going. As always, he shut it down. Same excuses. Same deflection.
That was it. You stood up, told him you were done and walked away, refusing to waste any more time on someone who clearly wasn’t willing to commit.
Now, the anger sits heavy in your chest - but it’s directed at yourself.
Why didn’t you end things sooner? Why did you keep accepting his excuses?
Looking back, you’re not even sure how you lasted three years. He was good-looking enough. Easygoing. Social. But beyond that, you had little in common.
You wanted adventure. He wanted routine.
You wanted to explore the world. He thought travel was a waste of money. It wasn’t as though you were financially irresponsible or expected him to fund your hobby. He rarely joined you on trips or holidays. At best, he would occasionally agree to a weekend getaway. In fact, he rarely made time for you at all. Work always came first, saying that people who didn’t put in the effort couldn’t expect a raise, let alone a promotion.
Maybe at some point you had simply grown too comfortable with the sense of stability.
Your phone buzzes pulling you from your thoughts.
A reminder. Your upcoming holiday. You had booked it months ago - and yes, you were going alone, as usual.
But excitement surges through you. Just a few more days and you’ll be spending a whole week in paradise.
---------------------------------------------------The journey to Azurie Island is long - hours on a plane, followed by a shuttle to the pier, then a ferry to the island. Finally upon arrival you take a taxi to the resort.
After checking in, you walk along the beach to your bungalow.
The moment you step inside, relief washes over you.
You made it.
The bungalow is small but cozy, perfect for two. A compact kitchen connected to the living area. The bedroom features a comfortable double bed facing wide open doors that let in the sea breeze. A simple bathroom sits off to the side. Warm wooden furniture, the steady sound of waves and scent of sea salt creates a calm, peaceful atmosphere.
You quickly unpack, then head straight for the shower. After hours of travel, heat and humidity, you feel sticky and gross.
Stepping out in nothing but a bathrobe you nearly jump out of your skin.
There’s a man standing in the living room. He looks just as shocked as you.
You stare at each other for a few seconds before you find your voice. “Excuse me…what are you doing in my bungalow? I didn’t order room service….and you definitely don’t look like staff.”
“I’m not,” he says. “I’m a guest. This is supposed to be my place.”
You frown, crossing your arms. “No, I booked this bungalow...I can prove it.” You grab your phone and show him the confirmation email.
He glances at it, then at his key. “This is bungalow thirteen…right?”
A pause.
He sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. “Looks like there’s been a mix-up...I’m sorry for startling you.”
You shake your head. “Give me a minute to get dressed. Then we’ll sort this out at reception. You can leave your stuff here for now.”
At the front desk, the receptionist looks mortified. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Xavier. It seems our manager assigned you bungalow thirteen without checking availability. Since this guest booked and prepaid, it rightfully belongs to her.”
She types quickly at her keyboard, frowning. “Unfortunately…we’re fully booked. Please give me a moment to find an alternative.”
You and Xavier step aside to wait.
You introduce yourself, offering your hand. His handshake is warm, sending a faint, unexpected tingle up your arm.
“Nice to meet you,” he says. “And…sorry again.”
You wave it off. “Not your fault. Travel mishaps happen.”
He relaxes slightly.
“So…what brings you here?”, you ask.
“A friend of mine owns the resort,” he explains. “He’s been trying to get me to visit for ages. My boss basically forced me to take vacation days, so…here I am.
“I love traveling,” you say with a smile. “And I came for the carnival. It only happens once a year - I couldn’t miss it.” Your eyes gleam with excitement.
The receptionist returns, looking apologetic. “I’m afraid there’s no accommodation available. Everything is fully booked due to it being peak tourist season and the carnival.”
You glance at Xavier, a sudden pang of guilt hitting you. “What will you do?”
He sighs. “Go back home, I guess.”
Something about that doesn’t sit right with you. “What if… we share the bungalow?”
The receptionist blinks.
Xavier looks at you like you’ve lost your mind. “That’s kind, but I don’t want to intrude.”
You shrug. “I’ll barely be there anyway. I’ve got a full schedule. It’s more than big enough.”
He hesitates. “Are you sure?”
You grin. “What…do you snore?”
He chuckles, the tension finally breaking. “…Alright.”
You weren’t planning on having a holiday roommate, but here you are, sharing a bungalow with Xavier.
It’s only your first day here and already something unexpected has happened.
You can’t help but wonder what else this holiday has in store.