Is this destiny?

~ Golden Ocean Resort ~

Friday

8:16 PM

On a large open-roof terrace of JoAnna's apartment on the sixth floor of the main building, Jeff, JoAnna, Sophia, Felix, Bridgette, Steve, Emma, Charlie, Penny, Ben, Leah and Pam are about to have dinner.

The weather is pleasant, and the moon in the cloudless night sky is illuminating the ocean providing them with a great view.

The food is served, and they are listening to JoAnna's welcoming speech while munching on appetizers.

"Thank you, for coming.", JoAnna addressed everyone. "If you want a different suite, just say what you want at the reception and they will fix that in a jiffy. Please, before going to bed cast your vote what you want to do. The link to the poll should be on your phone since one hour ago. We have as options beach, spa, golf, shooting range, boating, horse-riding and of course hanging out and doing not much. Penny and I can't go horse-riding, but we can still enjoy riding the golf cart around. Don't feel bound by these activities. If you want to do them in a group you can, but you are welcome to do anything anytime or just stay in your room. Everyone will get reminder messages when what will start, and you can join or not depending on your mood. The main goal is to relax and enjoy the weekend. I know I need to disconnect."

"Thanks for setting this up.", Sophia responded. "I need a break, but I could not make myself take one."

"Same here!", Bridgette added. "Thank you for inviting us!"

"We all need a break and are happy to be here.", Jeff quickly interjected before others started one-by-one voicing their break-needs and thanks. "Can we eat now?"

Everyone laughed.

After dinner, they chatted for a bit and then everybody went to their suite.

Jeff and JoAnna went for a walk in the garden while staff cleaned up after dinner.

They held hands and walked on the pebble path which was lit up by small lights on the sides.

"I missed this.", JoAnna said when they sat on the bench.

"Mmm…", Jeff hummed in agreement and pulled her to lean on him. "It is relaxing."

They sat in silence for a long time listening to the faint sounds of waves which drifted from the direction of the ocean.

By the time Jeff and JoAnna returned to the apartment on the sixth floor, JoAnna saw that everyone cast their votes for the activities…

…

Saturday afternoon…

All the girls spent the morning in the spa while guys went to the shooting range. The girls enjoyed manicures, pedicures, massages and facials while chatting lively about everything they could think of. One of the major topics was the upcoming wedding in Chicago.

They all had lunch together, and for the afternoon they all went golfing.

Pam and Leah didn't want to join others with hitting holes and chasing scores. Pam never played golf, and Leah is a beginner, so the two of them decided to go to the putting range from where they can practice hits.

Penny and Ben joined them as well, but they didn't stay more than half an hour because Penny's legs started aching (she can't stand long in her fifth month of pregnancy) and the two of them headed back to their room, leaving Pam and Leah to figure out how to swing the clubs in their own style.

Between Pam and Leah, neither of them was very good, and they didn't want to get an instructor. They had fun chatting while competing which one of them will get the ball to land further away. With drinks and snacks available, the two of them didn't notice time passing by.

At some point, a group of three men approached them. They are also guests at the resort.

"Do you need pointers?", one of them offered.

Leah glanced at the three men and based on their postures and expressions, she concluded that they came to hit on them. Leah smiled politely. "No, thank you."

"Are you sure?", the second man asked while walking toward Pam, ready to take the golf club from her hand.

Pam was visibly uncomfortable. She swiftly took a step away from him and glanced at Leah nervously. "We are done here, right?"

Leah frowned, not happy that they are ending their otherwise cheerful activity because of these three guys. But she didn't want to push Pam into a confrontation she is not ready for. "Sure."

"Hey ladies! It's your loss!", one of the three men shouted after them while Pam and Leah walked away.

"Are you OK?", Leah asked Pam.

"Yeah."

"Are you sure? You didn't look OK there.", Leah persisted.

Pam shook her head more than she intended, revealing how anxious she is. "Nothing, really. It's just that the way he approached me brought back some unpleasant memories. It happens. I will be fine in few minutes."

Leah realized that the unpleasant memory must be related to the man who assaulted Pam and that Pam probably needs some space… and maybe some alone time. "Do you want to go to the suite and relax?"

Pam nodded with a grateful smile.

…

"Here, take this.", Leah said while offering a glass of wine to Pam. "Do you want me to give you some space?"

"No. Please stay...", Pam responded and downed the glass in one go.

Leah stifled a laugh seeing that Pam is giving her the empty glass. "Uhm… do you want another one?"

"Yes, please…"

Leah gave the second glass of wine to Pam, poured one for herself and joined Pam on the sofa.

Pam drank the second glass slower. "You are not going to ask me what that was about?"

"The man made you uncomfortable. You maybe overreacted a bit, but considering what you went through, your reaction is understandable."

"Thank you for not criticizing me. I am grateful that you are by my side."

Leah smiled. "You are doing great."

"I am because I have your support.", Pam said gently.

Leah saw that Pam is looking at her with admiration, and there is possibly more than that.

Leah felt guilty that she will leave soon. Pam is a great woman, attractive, smart… But Leah already put her life on hold for someone else (aka Isabella), and she is not about to make the same mistake twice.

"I'm sure you will do fine without me as well."

Pam pressed her lips into a line and observed Leah's expression while thinking about Leah's choice of words.

"You are leaving?", Pam asked after a long silence.

Leah nodded.

"When?"

Leah shrugged. "Not sure. In a week, maybe."

"For how long?", Pam continued probing.

"I don't know. I will keep in touch and send you photos and maybe next time we go together."

Pam sighed. "That would be nice. Will you come back?"

"I don't know."

"What do you know?", Pam was visibly irritable.

Leah was surprised by Pam's sudden outburst. "Pam?"

Pam hid her face in her palms. "I'm sorry. It's just… I never felt this connection. It's like you understand me without the need to explain things and I'm having a great time with you and… I'm going to miss you."

"I will miss you as well.", Leah said with a smile and spread her arms, offering a hug.

Pam leaned closer and they hugged each other in silence.

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