The flight to Bali was aboard Kingsly Scott's private jet.
After dropping her at the hotel, he wasted no time pinning her to the bed for a passionate kiss before heading a thousand kilometers away to Jakarta for business.
Then, she realized he was genuinely there for work and didn't have time to accompany her on a Bali vacation.
The scenery in Bali was breathtaking: the sea, the sun, the fine sand... endless vistas.
The island's architecture embraced a Mediterranean style, and the interiors were decorated with items from around the world. Each room featured fingerprint access, ensuring the utmost privacy for guests.
Wearing a wide-brimmed hat and a sheer dress in the afternoon, she strolled along the beach, relishing a rare, tranquil afternoon.
While applying lotion in her room that evening, his call came through.
"Why did you take so long to answer?"
She didn't want to take his call, so she pressed the speakerphone button and replied, "I was applying sunscreen."
"What did you do this afternoon?"
"Sat on the beach watching the ocean."
"Feeling better now?"
Feeling?
She paused.
"Bali's scenery is perfect for easing worries and troubles, a place to let them go."
"I don't have worries and troubles."
"Yes, only guilt and discomfort."
After breaking up with Jasper, her chest was filled with guilt and discomfort; how did he know?
Could it be that despite his busy schedule, he brought her to Bali, not staying a night at the hotel, hoping she'd feel better there?
"Are you pleased with yourself now?"
He chuckled, "You think too poorly of me. I want to cheer you up."
His words were always sweet, like honey, but she knew better. It was all a facade, likely setting some trap for her to fall into.
"I'm getting ready to sleep."
He made a sound of acknowledgment, "Scared to sleep alone?"
"I only get scared when you're around."
He laughed heartily, "It's strange. You're always so quiet when facing me, as if you're afraid to offend me. But over the phone, you become sharp-tongued, responding sparingly."
He laughed, and although she couldn't see him, she knew her earlier demeanor hadn't truly annoyed him.
He continued, "I've been quite busy lately, so I might not have time to call every day. Take care of yourself, and don't worry about me."
"I certainly won't," she replied, thinking him presumptuous.
He laughed again, "If you still feel down, I've got an idea for you."
Curious, she hummed in response.
"I hear shopping makes women happiest. Take some time to shop off the island, buy loads of clothes, and you'll feel better."
She was unimpressed, retorting, "What a great idea, Mr. Scott."
"I'll give you a credit card. Shop till you drop, and your mood will naturally lift when you realize you're spending my money."
She couldn't help but laugh, imagining the scene brightening her mood. After all, with his wealth, maxing out his card seemed unlikely.
The next day, Rachel indeed went shopping off the island.
Whenever she saw something she liked, she'd tell the clerk, "Wrap it all up."
Initially, store clerks were skeptical of this woman wearing sunglasses and not draped in designer labels. But as she swiped Kingsly's card, their smiles bloomed, and they praised her, nearly worshipping her.
Rachel shopped with glee, thinking, "Let's see how cocky you are after I max out your card."
However, after purchasing numerous items and feeling exhausted from shopping, she realized the card appeared limitless.
A call to the bank revealed that the card was unlimited; unless she could spend his entire fortune, she'd never max it out.
She felt deflated... intending to annoy him, she'd only tired herself out. She could spend lavishly for three lifetimes with his fortune and not exhaust his resources.
Back at the hotel, staring at the pile of clothes and bags, she ruffled her hair in frustration.
Kingsly was so busy the next two days that he didn't have time to call her. She enjoyed the sea breeze, sampled Bali's delicacies, and found herself relaxed.
On the fourth day, her sister, Diana, called while lounging in the sun with sunglasses.
"Sis, Noah told me you broke up with Jasper?"
Knowing her sister would call about this, she paused before replying, "Kids shouldn't meddle in adult affairs."
"But Jasper is so good to you, and you were about to marry!" Diana, fond of Jasper, having long called him "brother-in-law," couldn't accept it.
"Focus on your studies; adult matters are beyond you."
"Sis, I'm eighteen now, I know what love is... Noah said you fell for someone else, but I can't believe anyone loves you more than Jasper."
Rachel closed her eyes wearily, "Diana, love is complicated. I know Jasper is the best for me, but I need someone I love and who loves me back."
Diana sighed. "I love my boyfriend, so I understand what it's like to love someone. I'm sad you and Jasper didn't get together after so many years."
"Silly girl, I'm doing well now, much happier than before..."
"Yeah, Noah said you went to Bali with someone. Is he with you now?"
"Yes, he's putting on sunscreen for me!" she said lightly, feigning sweetness.
"He seems considerate... Noah said he's in business, like my boyfriend. Visit me in the U.S. sometime, and we'll have dinner."
"Sure, I'll visit when I can."
After ending the call with Diana, Rachel's smile faded.
Her siblings wished her happiness, but she knew she'd never find it.
On the fifth night in Bali, someone rang her doorbell.
Fresh out of the shower, hair damp, she assumed it was room service and opened the door without thinking.
She was swept up and carried inside before seeing who it was.
It wasn't until she caught his familiar scent and the door closed that she realized who it was...
He pressed her against the cold wall, kissing her fiercely.
Only after a long moment did he pull back, both breathless, her lips swollen.
"Why are you here?" she asked nervously.
His eyes burned with desire, staring at her hungrily.
She had come to understand what that look meant.
"Aren't you going to shower first?" she offered, hoping to delay the inevitable. "Let me run you a bath..."
"No need."
He slung her over his shoulder and walked straight to the bed.
His intense gaze frightened her as she beat his back, muttering, "Beast."
He tossed her onto the bed, and before she could protest, he was kissing her, shedding clothes.
Soon, both their clothes lay scattered on the floor.
With a final, powerful thrust, he released his desires within her.
He withdrew, tidied himself, and held her, his chin resting on her damp hair, murmuring, "Time for a bath?"
Feeling sticky, she wanted to bathe but had no energy to respond. Turning her back to him, she tried to ignore him.
He nudged her cheek, smiling, "Can you deny you felt any pleasure?"
Already annoyed, his teasing words made her grab a pillow and throw it at him.
He dodged, and the pillow fell to the floor.
Recalling how she'd unconsciously moaned under his lead, she buried her face in the covers, ashamed.
He laughed heartily, pulling her from the bed.
Though they'd seen each other naked before, seeing his muscular physique and what lay between his legs made her blush; wrapping her arms around his neck, eyes closed to avoid looking.
After her bath, he gently laid her on the bed.
She clutched the covers, hiding her nudity, watching him don a robe.
Noticing he wasn't preparing for bed, she asked, "Aren't you sleeping?"
He sat beside her, hands resting on either side, "Didn't I satisfy you?"
His response twisted her innocent question into something else, which made her glare at him, both embarrassed and angry.
He chuckled, pecked her lips, "You sleep. I've got work to do."
She turned away, ignoring him.
He affectionately pinched her nose, then moved to the desk.
As he walked away, she opened her eyes, noticing him pause and glance at the piles of shopping bags.
These were her shopping trophies, many unopened.
Seeing his frown, she assumed he was lamenting the expense. Smugly, she said, "This is nothing for Mr. Scott, right?" Chanel clothes, Dior perfume, Gucci bags...
Kingsly plucked a pink garment from a bag.
Thinking he checked the price, she imagined his shock at her expensive taste and laughed, "How's my taste, Mr. Scott? If you approve, I'll buy more and wear a new one each day for you."
He smiled, holding the pink garment, eyes deep. " Are you sure you want to wear these for me daily?"
She was pleased with herself and realized he held a sheer, pink lingerie set, and her face fell.
Her cheeks turned from white to blue to red. Oh, no, she'd bought this lingerie without realizing it.
Recalling the sales clerk's offer of "inner beauty" items, she'd assumed lingerie, asking for all styles. Now she realized she'd bought these.