Yanshuo got up and swung his legs off the bed. His head felt heavy from sleep. The low hum of the yacht's engines made him feel even more tired.
The hallway was quiet. Some cabin doors were open a little, showing soft robes and nice furniture inside. He didn't care.
This one is mine, he thought, smiling.
He was twenty-six. Tall and lean, with brown hair and blue eyes. His skin was pale with a light tan from traveling. He worked long hours as an international sales manager and spent most of the year flying from place to place. This trip was for him.
The door to his cabin slid open. The room smelled clean, like fresh wood and new sheets. It was big, bigger than most apartments he had stayed in. Large windows showed the dark ocean outside. Moonlight shone across the marble floor and gold furniture.
A king-size bed sat in the center. The sheets were smooth. The pillows looked soft. A velvet chair rested in one corner. A desk held a journal, magazines, and a pen. The minibar hummed quietly, full of champagne.
Everything was perfect.
Yanshuo kicked off his shoes and lay on the bed. The sheets felt cool. He stared out at the sea as the yacht moved smoothly through the water.
No work. No emails. No calls.
He glanced at his things, his watch, wallet, and tablet full of unread messages. He laughed softly.
None of that matters tonight.
He closed his eyes for a moment. The silence felt nice at first.
Then it got boring.
What's the point of all this if I just lie here? he thought, sitting up again.
He pulled on a clean shirt and trousers, simple, well-made stuff and slipped his feet into soft shoes. As he walked down the hallway. He passed a cabin where the door was wide open. A woman was folding clothes on the bed and she glanced up as he walked by. He nodded politely and she smiled back, but her eyes looked tired, like she'd been up too long. Probably just tired from the trip, he told himself.
Around another corner, he saw a staff member in white gloves standing still by a wall, staring at nothing. Yanshuo paused for a second something about the way the person stood felt off, but then the staff member turned and walked away, and he shrugged it off.
They work long hours. Can't blame them for zoning out.
The music got louder as he neared the main lounge. The door was open and warm light spilled out into the hallway. Inside, people were laughing, drinking, dancing to a slow beat. A group of friends played cards at a table. An older couple sat close together, watching the sea through the windows.
Yanshuo smiled to himself. This is more like it, he thought. He stepped into the room, and the air hit him warm and sweet, smelling like food, drinks and flowers. Everyone looked relaxed, happy. For a moment, he forgot that little weird feeling from before. Tonight's going to be good, he decided, heading toward the deck doors to get some fresh air.
He walked the upper deck, wind in his hair, salt in the air. Fireworks popped far off, but he was watching her.
She leaned on the railing, hands folded. Hair shone silver in moonlight, eyes on the water. She didn't try to get noticed, but people looked anyway.
Yanshuo grinned. Perfect. Quiet types always like me. He strolled over slow, his usual way.
She's been waiting for someone like me.
"Nice night to skip the party," he said, leaning on the rail nearby. She looked up and their eyes met.
"Oh—yeah, it is," she said softly, a little shocked.
He laughed. "You're staring at the water too much. Fireworks are better." He pointed up, but kept looking at her.
"I know… I just like the ocean," she said, looking down and twisting her hands. Cheeks pink.
"Ocean's fine, but nights like this don't happen often. Why stand alone up here? Braveor waiting for someone to talk to you?"
She paused, then giggled. "Maybe both."
He moved closer. She didn't move away. "I'm Yanshuo. What's your name?"
"Shiori," she whispered, playing with her dress.
"Shiori. Pretty name."
Her eyes got wide, then she looked down. "Thanks."
Got her. He smiled big. "Come on, stop watching the water. Let me show you the yacht."
She hesitated, then nodded. "Okay."