At Your Service (Book Two)

Chapter 7: Down By The Beach

As the second rays of morning sunlight kissed the shores of the beach in Rio de Janeiro, a serene and rejuvenating atmosphere filled the air. The soft murmur of gentle waves washing against the sandy shoreline created a soothing rhythm, singing with the distant calls of seagulls gliding gracefully overhead.

The air was infused with a fresh and invigorating scent, a blend of salty sea breeze and the subtle fragrance of tropical blooms carried on the gentle wind. A tranquil draft enveloped the beach, interrupted by the occasional laughter and the melodic chirping of colorful tropical birds. The golden light of dawn bathed the landscape, casting a warm and ethereal glow upon the stretch of sand that lay before the awakening city.

Vicência strolled along the beach, her sandals sinking into the soft sand with each step. The morning wind ruffled against her hair, adding to her sense of freedom and adventure. Her classmates, busy taking in the ravishing energy of liberation, discovered her presence walking past them.

Her dress gently kissed her sun-soaked skin as she walked along the sandy shoreline. Its intricate patterns showed shades of turquoise and aquamarine, mimicking the hues of the sea, while splashes of vibrant coral and golden yellow added a playful touch.

Her classmates watched her as she walked across, observing her beauty in profound awe, mouths agape. Her friends who were busy being soaked by the coming wave overhead, rose to look at her with the same subtle glimmer. Yet, a figure from an unseen distance viewed her without his mouth being parted out of excessive flattery.

Swift placed himself sitting underneath one of the umbrellas on the stone walkways far from the beach, shading himself discreetly from her. He wore a pair of shades that concealed his eyes from the sun, and from Vicência's sight of recognition. He couldn't help but stare at her perfect, curvy figure in wonder, strolling across the beach line.

For the past hour, he was hidden in plain sight, maintaining his watchful gaze at her as he tucked his hands together on a table, still sporting his noticeable jacket. He didn't bother to find a wardrobe change to blend in. Even with his clothing distinction, he still assimilated with the other beach visitors, without plans of giving himself away any time soon, as it seems.

Swift noticed Vicência starting to walk away from the sand, heading to the stone walkway. It led her towards the hotel, which was not far from where they were, just a few steps away from the beach. Realizing she had enough of being enveloped by the morning sun, he trailed her cautiously.

Her friends didn't question her sudden take of absence, which gave Swift the upper hand to follow her without having to do it discreetly. He still kept his pace slow but in a hurrying manner. He maintained a careful distance to avoid rising manners. She walked through a marching group, almost slipping away from his sight.

Eventually, she made it back to the hotel, using the entrance beside a small hangout area with dining tables. He followed her, pushing open the same glass door she walked through. He saw her enter an elevator as it started to open, beside it is another elevator that just happened to arrive on time after she walked in.

Discreetly, Swift entered the elevator that was next to Vicência's. Luck strikes him again as all elevator passengers exited the one he entered. He pressed the button rapidly and the doors closed not long after. Both of their elevators ascend, with Swift following Vicência.

Two hours ago, when the first rays of the morning arrived, he heeded Vicência and the rest of her class enter through the hotel doors and checked into each of their rooms in an orderly fashion. She was assigned to share a room with one of her classmates, and with Swift's attentive ears, he heard the name, Amelia.

He eavesdropped on the two girls announcing their room number energetically, unknowingly being listened to by him. Their room number was 405. As a contingency, if his mission might take a day or two, he intentionally booked a room under her floor, and he received 313.