Nitzan, a 21-year-old, an ordinary girl who juggles life between her job at the airport and her studies at university. She escapes the daily grind on a solo vacation to the city of Nice, France, not far from Monaco, where she unexpectedly meets Luca...
The sun hung low in the sky as I walked down the dock, the air thick with the scent of saltwater and the faint hum of boats bobbing on the waves. Ahead of me, Lucas waited by the sleek, gleaming yacht that I assumed was his. It was massive but elegant, nothing like the over-the-top images I'd imagined. Still, the sheer size of it made my stomach twist with nerves.
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He looked at me, his eyes scanning me, he bite his lip. "Bonjour princess, you look good. your ready?" Lucas asked with a smile as I approached, his casual confidence putting me at ease, at least a little.
I nodded, though my legs felt like jelly beneath me. "Sure. I mean, I've never been on a yacht before, but it looks... nice."
His grin widened. "Trust me, you're going to love it. I thought we could cruise along the coast, maybe anchor down for a bit, and enjoy the water. It's the perfect way to spend a day in Monaco."
As I followed him onto the deck, I glanced out at the endless stretch of blue. The water sparkled under the afternoon sun, but something inside me clenched at the sight of the vast ocean. My throat tightened, a reminder that I didn't belong here-not on a yacht, not in this world of luxury, and not in the water.
I hadn't told Lucas I couldn't swim. It felt silly, an embarrassing fact that clung to me like a weight. How could someone who grew up near the Mediterranean Sea not know how to swim? And beyond that, there were other insecurities I wasn't ready to share. The idea of me in a swimsuit, brought out a discomfort I had felt in years.
"Come on, I'll give you a quick tour," Lucas said, his voice pulling me from my thoughts. He led me through the yacht, showing me the luxurious interiors-plush seating, a fully stocked bar, and large windows that gave an unbroken view of the sea. It was beautiful, but I couldn't shake the feeling of being out of place.
"You okay?" he asked, noticing my silence. I forced a smile. "Yeah, just... it's all a bit overwhelming, you know? This isn't exactly my everyday life experience."
Lucas chuckled softly. "I get it, but I promise, today isn't about the yacht or the fancy stuff. It's about enjoying the sea and relaxing. You deserve that."
We made our way to the upper deck, where the sun was beginning to dip lower in the sky, casting a golden glow over the water. The horizon stretched endlessly, the waves gently lapping against the side of the boat. Lucas leaned against the railing, the wind tousling his hair as he looked at me.
"So, I was thinking we could anchor out here, jump in for a swim," he suggested, his tone casual.
My heart skipped a beat, and I felt my chest tighten. I looked out at the water, the deep blue suddenly feeling suffocating. The idea of being in the water, not knowing how to swim, sent a wave of panic through me. "Swim...." I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. "I, um... ok, I guess it's not that bad."
Lucas blinked, clearly not expecting that. "You seem off, you sure?"
"Yeah..." I said quickly, feeling my cheeks flush. "Let's go"
