Containment Of Secrets

Chapter 23

(Saige's point of view)

I made a mad dash through the airport after returning the rental car. I spotted Julie as she was handing over her passport for security to check it. She turns around to face me when I am almost at her, "About time you showed up. The prince kept you well over." She teases.

 "It was nothing like that."

"You can't fool me, Saige. Now that your escapade is over, let's go home." She walks on over to the next security checkpoint. I unzipped my purse to find that my passport and money was gone. I searched my purse twice, but to no avail.

"Miss, we can't let you board the plane if you don't have your passport." Security informs me. Julie comes over to me before giving her full attention to security.

"There has to be a way she can board the plane. What about her driver's license?" She asks security.

"My wallet is gone too."

"Even with a driver's license, she would still need a passport to go along with it." Security replies.

"There has to be a way." Julie says, looking at the officer desperately. The officer just shakes his head.

"No, Julie. Just go, I got this." I reassure her, pulling her into a hug, "I'll be okay, I have always been up for a challenge."

"That you have, are you sure you'll be, okay?"

"More than sure. Now go." I tell her. She reaches into her purse pulling out a small amount of cash. She hands it to me. With one last wave, she leaves me with the officer.

"Miss, I can give you the information on how to acquire a new passport."

"That would be great."

~~~

 "Eleven Weeks!?" Mother repeats back into the phone. I was currently speaking with her on the phone back in my hotel room.

"Yes, Mama. Eleven weeks, if I am lucky."

"You don't have any money, Saige. How are you going to eat?"

"Julie gave me some money to get by."

"Saige, that's only going to last for a few days. Baby, you have to think of their currency too. It's not American money."

"I get that, Mama, you just have to trust me on this. Whatever happens, I'll find my way back home."

"I know you will. Now that I have your hotel information, I will send resources your way. Please be careful. I love you, Saige."

"I love you too, Mama." I ended the call after that. I lay back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. I didn't know where to go from here, but I needed to figure out something fast. I get up, walking over to the double doors leading out to the balcony. The view was breathtaking as the breeze kicked up on this mild summer night. Downtown was full of life. I look down to see the hustle and bustle below me.

I turned to go inside to slip on my sandals, it was the perfect night for a walk. I walked and walked for what felt like forever. My walk carried me to a beach nearby the downtown area. I walked along the sand all the way to where the shoreline meets the ocean. The moon casted a beautiful illumination across the sea. It reminded me of home when I looked up at the night sky from time to time.

My eyes welled up at the thought of being back at home. I'm sure Julie was almost on her way home as I stayed stuck here in Wilachia. I was so stupid for leaving my purse unattended. I had to be the dumbest person on the planet.

"It is nice to see someone else using the beach for therapy too." A voice not too far away from me speaks. I turned to where the voice was. From what I could see, the man was dressed in casual clothes as he looked out toward the ocean.

"I enjoy the beach. Give me the sand and the ocean, and I'll be the happiest girl in the world."

"Ahh, you must be one who prefers to tan over getting in the ocean."

"No, I actually enjoy a good swim. When I was a child, my mother had a time getting me out of it."

"Why are you not in it tonight?"

"I was just on a walk, I needed to clear my head. I happened to discover this place by accident."

"That's understandable. Where are you from?"

"Should that not be a dead giveaway? I was told earlier that I have an accent."

"I might be Wilachian, but that does not mean I can spot a foreign tongue."

"What does Wilachian have to do with it?"

"Oh, come on. You must know me; I am seen here all the time."

"No. I don't believe I do."

"Your voice sounds quite familiar, even if you don't know me." The man steps closer to me as he says this. It was as if the past had come back to smack me in the face. I was staring right at Ryan, from the wreck. He seemed to be just as surprised as I was.

"I should have known that voice was familiar." He says, as he narrows his eyes at me.

"I'll be leaving you to it." I stand up, brushing the sand off my shorts. He quickly comes closer to me.

"Hey!" He calls out. I turn around to face him. I figured I might as well give him a chance to speak.

"Listen, I was quite the ass a few days back, but I wanted to thank you for helping Abel and I like you did."

"You're welcome. I should be on my way now." I go to leave again for him to only grab ahold my arm to spin me around.

"How long are you planning to stay?"

"Why should you concern yourself with that?"

"Damn, who knew you could be so fiery. I guess the temper matches the hair. What's your name?"

"What's your name?"

He fixes me with a stare, "Look. I'm not here to play 20 questions. What's your name?"

"Saige Masters, and yours?"

"Persistent, are we? Well, it's only fair that I answer too. My name is Ryan Crayton." He leans his hand out for me to shake. I do of course as he asks a follow-up question.

"Where's your friend?"

"She's on her way home."

"Why did you not go home with her?"

"Because I lost my passport and wallet. I have to wait until another one is issued to me before I can fly back to the States."

"An American. You definitely are far away from home. I do hope the rest of your stay goes well, but I must warn you to be careful."

"Thank you. Nice to meet you properly, Ryan."

"Back to you, Masters." He turns back to walk along the beach. I started on my way back to the hotel as it was starting to grow late. Once I had arrived, I quickly showered and went to bed.