Page 1 of Vacation Friends

CHAPTER

ONE

You shouldn’t have walked into a place you weren’t supposed to be.

When you did and you realized your mistake, you should have looked away.

But you didn’t.

Instead, you became suspicious and hostile.

You confronted me.

Then you made a threat.

I’ve put entirely too much into this to let someone like you ruin it.

This isn’t my fault. It’s yours. It’s all because you didn’t mind your own business.

I saw it in your eyes. Saw how you were going to wreck everything.

Now it’s come down to this. I never planned on taking such drastic measures. But you’ve left me no choice.

I shrug my shoulders and continue down the path to the beach as darkness hangs overhead, making me feel as if I’m tucked under the black cloak of an evil, ominous deity.

At least the nighttime disguises my face and what I’m about to do.

You’re waiting by the water, just as I told you to.

But do you think I asked you to meet so we could make a deal?

I regret to inform you that isn’t the case.

I can’t pay you off. No amount of money would be enough for your silence.

No, I have other ways of handling things.

As I approach, you turn toward me. Something flickers in your brown eyes—greed.

You’re slimy, that much is obvious.

But I hadn’t anticipated you being this much of a problem.

“You wanted to meet?” you begin, the start of a smirk on your face.

You’re in your mid-twenties and only five foot four. Your build is hefty but not muscular. You’re too much of a desk jockey. Your brown hair is dark and thick, always perfectly styled with a side part.

You think you’re smarter than you really are.

You think you’re smarter than I am.

I’m going to prove you wrong. I’m going to prove a lot of people wrong.

“Yes, I wanted to meet,” I tell you, grateful for the darkness and that no one else is around. But I have to act quickly because in the blink of an eye that can change. “I want to explain myself.”

“There’s no explaining what I saw.” You definitely smirk now, your double chin emphasizing your cocky expression—but in a repulsive way. “You and I both know it. You’ll do anything to get ahead. So why don’t you just get to the point?”

You’re clearly hoping for a payout here.

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