Chapter 1: Maddie

My name is Maddie. My best friend Chloe and I had just finished the last of our school exams. We loved high school, but we loved the idea of attending university more. I had no doubt we would both get accepted. Chloe and I were straight-A students.

After celebrating her 18th birthday last month. We made plans to take a girls’ trip together. We decided on Thailand because her sister had raved about it a year prior. So, within a week after graduation, we were on our way.

Throughout high school, Chloe and I were the bookworm, nerdy type of girls, choosing to focus on school rather than chasing boys. We liked to read, watch romance anime, and occasionally play online games. That’s how we met for the first time. She was the only other girl who spent lunch break in the library.

During our senior year, we eventually got boyfriends. She started dating Eric Chang, a sweet Taiwanese boy, and I started seeing Luke, one of Eric’s friends. They were nice guys, but it wasn’t like we were both smitten or anything. It was just a teenage right of passage. A first exploration into sex and dating for both of us.

From the first moment I met Chloe, I thought she was gorgeous, if you overlooked her oversized glasses and acne that eventually cleared up in 11th grade. She was 5’7, taller than most girls at that age, slim, runway model type body, and glowing skin. She had amazing legs and a cute little bum, but her best feature was definitely her long red hair. She hated it, but I was so jealous. She always wore it in a boring, simple ponytail, but I couldn’t talk, I did the same with mine.

I myself am 5’3, with a little more curves than Chloe, but not much. I have straight strawberry blonde hair, light blue-green eyes, almost identical to Chloe’s, and smooth pale skin. I looked sweet and innocent, the girl next door type, with my soft facial features and gentle, warm smile, but I craved to be more adventurous the older I got. Chloe had been the shyer and more awkward type between the two of us, and I was the more social and willing to try new things type.

Before our trip, I thought it would be a good idea for us to get makeovers. I was tired of the nerdy high school look. Taking inspiration from child stars who almost became different people when they turned 18. Chloe was apprehensive at first, like always, but eventually, my pleading did the trick. And OMG! Her glow-up was crazy.

The girls at the salon convinced Chloe to dye her hair even darker than it was. They added light waves to her normally straight hair, and with professionally done makeup, Chloe looked like a different girl. Especially after replacing her glasses with contacts.

I was happy with my transformation, also. The girls mostly just added waves and volume to my hair and shaped up my eyebrows, but I was crazy jealous of how Chloe radiated hotness. We were both more than ready now to have a life-changing experience in Thailand.

Chloe’s parents were wary of our trip. They were a lot more conservative than mine, and mine were pretty conservative. Our initial plan was to stay in a backpacker hostel, be around people our own age. Fun and vibrant types from all around the world. But her parents would only agree to our trip if we stayed at a nice resort, some place safe, as they put it. My parents agreed it would be for the best, Ugh! Oh well, a nice resort still sounded fun though, and Chloe’s parents were paying for it, they were a pretty well-off family.

Too bad her rich dad didn’t pay for first-class tickets. The budget flight was horrible, at least it was short, around 5 hours from Australia. The resort hotel didn’t disappoint, though. It looked like something out of White Lotus, a TV series. So beautiful and tropical. Probably a smart decision to upgrade from a dingy backpacker hostel.

After check-in and unpacking our things, we decided to take a stroll around the resort. Walking down to the beach to take in the serene ocean views, it was spectacular, better than the YouTube videos made it out to be.

Seeing the crystal clear water, I couldn’t resist a spontaneous dip. Shedding my clothes in record time, and dived into the water. Chloe followed shortly after, and we playfully frolicked until we were out of breath.

“What happened to that new bikini we bought you for the trip?” I questioned Chloe as we took a seat on the sand.

“I feel more comfy in my one piece, maybe later,” she coyly replied.

“You looked so hot in it. We’re going back to the room to change before we check out the pool bar,” I eagerly told her.

Chloe let out a little sigh before she nodded in agreement. I smiled happily. We had both agreed to get out of our comfort zone on this vacation, and I wasn’t about to let Chloe forget that.

“Nice! So much better. You look like you’re ready to break hearts now,” I teased my bestie.

Chloe took a few twists and turns in front of the mirror. She looked so awkward and uncomfortable in the stylish red string bikini. It matched my forrest green one.

“It’s a bit too much. It barely covers my bum, I’m wearing a sundress over it,” Chloe argued.

“No way, don’t you dare. Just wear the wrap. You look amazing. Come on, let’s go get a drink,” I told her.

I grinned smugly as Chloe nodded in defeat. I almost always got my way. She was just so shy and sweet to argue with me further.

We walked hand in hand through the lobby. I could tell men were checking us out, mostly older men, there weren’t many guests our age at the resort, from what I saw. At least not yet. A minor complaint, but I wasn’t shutting out the possibility of a more mature man to flirt with. The point of the trip was to explore and be adventurous after all.

We found a couple of empty sun loungers by the pool, and a waiter promptly walked over to take our drink orders. Amazing service, that’s a 5-star resort for you. The guy wasn’t bad-looking either. He was definitely a local Thai man.

“Take off your wrap, enjoy the sun. We need a tan,” I said to Chloe while standing and undoing mine.

She sighed, and after a brief look about, she discarded the wrap so strangers could fully enjoy her gorgeous, long legs and cute butt.

As we applied sunscreen to each other’s bodies, the waiter came back with our drinks. He surprised us by revealing a gentleman at the bar had paid for them. Chloe and I looked over curiously at the generous stranger. He was clearly much older than us, with shaggy, dark hair and manly facial hair. His skin was well tanned. I couldn’t see the man’s eyes, his sunglasses covered them, but he looked decently attractive from here.

“We probably should decline, I don’t feel comfortable accepting drinks from strange men,” Chloe protested.

“It’s fine. No one’s ever bought me a drink before. It’s like we’re in a TV show,” I excitedly chirped.

I gave the man a gracious smile, and he returned it before turning in his seat to talk to another man near him, probably a friend. “ You see, he was just being nice. He doesn’t even want anything,” I said to Chloe.

“Not yet!” she retorted harshly.

“You are such a worryer. We’re here to have fun, remember? You promised to be open-minded,” I reminded my friend.

“Sorry! Dad gave me a lecture about boys before I got on the plane. I reminded him I was with Eric, but he said guys don’t care if pretty girls have boyfriends back home, and to be extra careful,” she explained.

“You’re going to break up with him when we get back, right? So who cares if you talk to some random guys here? It’s all part of the experience. Stop being so uptight!” I scolded her.

“I’m trying. I put on this skimpy bikini, didn’t I? Give me a break, Maddie!” Chloe giggled.

I chuckled back and gave her a warm hug,” I know. I love you. Thanks for coming with me. I know you didn’t really want to come,” I whispered into her ear as we held the embrace.

“No, I wanted to come. You are right! We need to break out of our shells a bit. I just can’t do it as fast as you can, Maddie,” she softly expressed.

“Well! A few drinks will help speed up the process. Drink up! Cheers to an amazing girls’ trip we’re going to have,” I said gleefully.

Chloe smiled and quickly downed her cocktail in one long gulp. I cheered and followed shortly after. We then urgently waved the waiter over to order another drink, laughing and giggling while planning our evening.

“Hey, I’m going to see if the bar can charge my phone, it’s almost dead,” I told Chloe. She seemed to be dozing off on her lounger and barely gave me an audible reply.

“No more drinks until tonight,” I teased her. I don’t think she was drunk, probably just tipsy, and tired from the plane ride.

I got up and casually walked over to the bar. The man who bought us drinks earlier was still there chatting with his friend. They didn’t notice me, continuing to talk about some financial deal or other business thing until I spoke up to the bartender.

“Sorry, do you have something I can charge my phone with?” I asked him politely.

“Of course, Madam. We have portable chargers that you can take back to your lounger,” The bartender informed.

“Awesome!” I chirped, then thanked him after he handed me the charger.

I spotted the two men looking at me. They had paused their conversation. I decided it was only polite to thank him for the drink. “ Hi, thank you for the drink earlier. My friend and I really appreciated it,” I warmly said. Beaming a smile to go with the thank you.

“It’s my pleasure. I’m Tim, by the way, and this is my good friend Ron,” he made known in a deep, mature, American accent.

“I’m Maddie, and my friend over there is Chloe,” I replied.

“On vacation?” Timasked. He then tipped down his sunglasses to not so discreetly check me out.

“Yes! A celebration girls’ trip, we just finished high school,” I told them happily.

“Congratulations, Maddie. That’s a big milestone. I’m sure you girls are going to have a great time here. It’s an amazing resort,” Tim expressed.

“I hope so! Anyway, thanks again for the drink. I should get back to my friend. Sorry for disturbing your conversation. It was nice meeting you, Tim ... Ron,” I cooed.

Ron was now openly scanning my bikini top with his grey eyes. I might have been creeped out in the past, but today, it gave me a surprising thrill.

“We welcome the distraction, especially from pretty women, right Ron?” Tim stated with a cheeky grin.

I quickly blushed and returned his grin, then scuttled away out of embarrassment. I was such a schoolgirl. I couldn’t flirt to save my life, especially with older, handsome men.

We stayed poolside for another half an hour or so. By that time, Tim and Ron had departed, and there were no other guys who took my fancy. Just Men with their wives or mistresses, maybe. So I decided we should leave and rest up for tonight.

“Want to get a nap before we go out tonight?” I asked Chloe while shaking her arm. She looked like she needed one badly.

“Sounds good,” she yawned back.

We retired back to our amazing room and immediately crashed in a heap on the queen-sized bed. Luckily, I had the foresight to set an alarm.

That night, we took a shuttle into town and enjoyed the night markets. Street food, a little shopping, and a casual walk about to take in the sights.

We met a few other Aussies along the way, including Mel and Tara, besties like us. We all went bar hopping together, meeting and clubbing with other Westerners from all across the globe. It was so much fun, such a new experience. Chloe and I never went to clubs back home.

We stayed responsible. Only having a couple of drinks and 2 or 3 shots with the girls. Most of the night was spent dancing to random electro music and listening to Tara make a fool of herself at some karaoke bar. She was so funny, a real party animal, unlike us.

All in all, it was a memorable first night in Thailand. We came back to our hotel around 2 am, and doused off instantly.

I woke the next morning to the sound of Chloe rustling through her suitcase. She had her gym wear on and a towel over her right shoulder.

“God, I’m so tired. I haven’t drunk this much in my life,” I said in a groggy tone.

Chloe giggled and shouted,” Yes!” She held up her earbud case in victory. “ I knew I bought them. Just go back to bed, it’s only 8. I’m going to get a workout in before breakfast,” she told me.

“Sure, you don’t want me to come along?” I asked her not so seriously after a big yawn.

“It’s okay, Maddie. Get some more rest. I’ll wake you for breakfast when I get back,” she softly replied.

“Cool,” I whispered back before drifting off.

I got my fill of sleep before Chloe could have a chance to wake me. It was almost 10 now, and she wasn’t back from her workout yet. I was starting to worry.

Just as I grabbed my phone to give her a call, my redheaded bestie came through the door. She had this weird look on her face, like she had just recovered from a panic attack.

“Hey, that was a long workout, you ok?” I worryingly ask her.

“Yeah! I’m fine. Sorry, I just got carried away on the treadmill,” she nervously replied.

I swear she was hiding something from me. I know her way too well. “ You sure? You look flustered, more pale than usual,” I pressed.

“Maddie, I’m great. I just overdid it a little at the gym. I’ll feel better after some food,” she explained.

“Okay. I’m so hungry as well. Hurry up and shower! Before I leave you,” I joked with a giggle.

Luckily, the resort had a buffet that was included with the room. We just made it before they closed for breakfast/brunch. Even with all the drinking we did yesterday, Chloe and I couldn’t resist trying out a mimosa and a bellini each. They were both so fantastic that we had another round.

The food was also amazing, with lots of Thai dishes to try, as well as the common breakfast foods we would get back home, delicious!

I was busy scoffing down some pandan pancakes, but noticed Chloe chatting to some guy on the buffet line. She was smiling and even chuckled once at something he said to her. What really surprised me was his age, or what I guessed his age would be. Probably 40s, he had a slight resemblance to my dad. Tall, a bit out of shape, and short light hair. You could tell his hairline was fading.

When she arrived back at our table, I couldn’t resist asking her who he was,” Flirting with old guys now, huh? What if Eric found out?” I teased with a cheeky smirk.

“What!? I wasn’t. I was just being polite,” she defended herself nervously.

“Hey, I won’t judge. But can you do it with guys that don’t look like my dad? It’s weird,” I joked.