30

Santorini, Greece. A breathtaking Cycladic island in the southern Aegean Sea with the most outstanding secret spots to watch the sunsets.

Even from the rooftops.

I've never seen such a beautiful place in my entire life.

I could stare out into the beautiful view of the ocean and mountains forever and ever as the buildings and houses lean against the side of the hill.

The view from the villa looks like an artwork.

It's a village of white villas, blue-domed churches, paves paths leading up the mountain to get to the villages, and cubic- shaped houses.

It's indeed a sigh for sore eyes.

Santorini Palace, the resort we're staying.

It truly lives up to its name.

Whitewashed walls, a second floor with an amazing balcony, fat palm trees at the entrance, multiple swimming pools at the back and front and an outdoor bar and firepit.

We've got the two rooms on the left side, since other people booked the right side for their vacation.

Iris and I will be sharing a room since there's two beds in one.

Daniela will be getting the room right on the opposite side of the hall.

Professor let us be while we packed, and she went to her room.

"I can't believe we're here!" Iris smiled widely as she flopped down onto her bed like a starfish.

"We're here for the Olympiads." I remind her, placing my bags down on my bed and walked towards her.

She sat herself up by her elbows and looked at me.

Her smile slowly faded.

"Hey, is everything alright between you and professor?" She asked, tilting her head to the side.

Oh hell.

"Yeah, no, no." I nod, my voice pitched, "Why do you ask?"

"Uh-huh." She gave me a serious look.

"Iris, come on." I laughed, leaning over her bed to grab her wrists and pulled her towards me, "We're in Greece! No need for tension between anyone. All is fine. Everything is fine. Now come on, let's go explore!"

Iris smile returned as she slid her hand in mine, intertwining our fingers as she stood up. "Shouldn't we unpack first though?" She chuckled.

"There's plenty of time for that later." I said and lead her out the room, "Now come. I heard there's a spa around here somewhere. I could go for a massage."

The second we stepped out into the hallway, professor stepped out too. We stood there looking at each other before she broke the silence.

"Not so fast." She said, "I need to talk to you two about your schedule for tomorrow."

I let go of Iris and fold my arms over my chest. "Or, you could come with us, professor."

Iris frowned, but then nodded. "It'll be fun. I did my research on the plane. The town's having a tomato festival tomorrow night at the lower parts of the island. But right now, the spa is an option, or a mini boat ride along the small river under the bridge."

"I appreciate the invite, I do." Daniela takes a sharp breath in, "But I'm supposed to get a little work done before the end of the trip."

Iris and I give each other a side-eye before I look at professor. "Don't you think you need to be more... relaxed, before working?" I try to persuade her, "I mean, the relaxing spa, the tiny markets, the tiny wooden boat ride that Iris suggested..."

Professor raise her eyebrow and tilts her head, "I'm not falling for that."

I groaned.

Iris stepped forward with hopeful eyes. "Will you fall for it if we come back and immediately start going through our Spanish for tomorrow?"

"You're supposed to know your Spanish already." She scolds, crossing her arms.

Iris' eyes widen and she held out a finger, "Yes, but, we'll study extra hard."

Professor hesitates, giving Iris a death stare as she gave her a cheeky smile. Daniela's eyes met mine again and my body tensed up.

"Victoria?" She asked, implying whether or not I vote for Iris' plan.

"We'll get straight to work when we get back." I agreed, giving a nod.

Professor lets out a sigh.

I was now in the dressing room of a clothing store we found.

If we're going to the beach or for a swim in the pool later, I'll need to get a bikini.

I forgot mine back home in New York.

"Hey, Iris! Can you come here for a second?" I called out, hoping Iris could hear me over all the other sounds in the store.

Sighing, I turned back to the mirror and try to figure out how to tie the back of the yellow bikini's top piece.

I mustered up the courage to peek out of the changing room's curtain, hoping to spot Iris.

Instead, my eyes landed on Daniela, standing a few feet away with shopping bags in her hands.

Stuff Iris and I bought, but she offered to carry.

"Is everything alright in there?" Daniela asked curiously.

I hesitate for a moment before speaking.

"I-I need some help with tying the back part of the bikini top." I finally manage to say, my voice coming out as a whisper, "I can't reach."

She placed the bags down onto the wall and I knew she was coming.

My brain immediately went into freak out mode.

I let to go of the curtain, stepping back into the changing room with wide, panicked eyes.

There's no way she can see me like this.

Oh what am I saying.

She's seen a lot more worse than this.

I could hear her footsteps approaching, and I felt my heart pounding out of my chest.

She slid the curtain open just enough so she could come inside and closed it again.

Once she turned around to face me, we were so close.

Too close.

Our bodies were almost touching and I couldn't tear my gaze away from her.

I found myself dozing away.

"Fuck you look good, Victoria."

My eyes widen and I blink heavily, starting at her.

She called my name over and over, and once I shake my head, I jumped back into reality.

I didn't even realize the frown on her face.

"What?" I whisper.

"Did you hear anything I said? Jeez, I completely lost you there." She asked, a bit concern, "I said turn around."

I stare blankly at her.

Oh.

"Victoria, turn around." She repeated, reaching out.

Embarrassed, I spin around to the mirror and look at professor in it as she ties the top part of the bikini.

The feeling of her fingers brushing against my bare skin sent a shiver down my spine.

I didn't move a muscle, and tried not to breathe loudly.

"All done." She said stepping back.

I turned to face her, catching a glimpse of something else in her eyes.

The air was thick with tension and unspoken words.

I whisper, "Thank you."

She nods and opened the curtain slightly, before she exited, she turned back to me.

"Oh and, you look beautiful in that." She said genuinely, before leaving and closing the curtains.

And my imagination had come to a reality.

The day has been longer than we expected it to be.

We went from more shops, more outdoor markets, sight-seeing views, and overall just roaming around the island with all the beautiful houses of Greece.

To end our adventures of today off, we decided to go on the wooden boat ride through the canal, and under the bridge.

The sun slowly started to set over the horizon, casting a golden glow to reflect off us, along with the water, boat, and everything around us.

There was your stereotypical French man with a beret, dressed in a white-and-black-striped long sleeved, sweater and dark pants.

While we were sitting on the seats attached to the tiny boat, we stared out into the distance, and the other French tourist also doing sight-seeing, turned to us.

"Oh, Madam!" He exclaimed, and we turned to him.

His brown eyes looked at Daniela sitting on my left, "How beautiful is your children."

My eyes land on the camera hanging around his neck.

I could practically feel as the blood boiled through Daniela's veins.

The way she gave him a death stare, not blinking once, to the way her jaw clenched.

Iris and I couldn't help but to laugh as the man thought we're her children.

Why not play along.

Before professor opened her mouth, the man spoke again. And Iris and I sat back, amused, and watched them.

"I am professional photographer!" He smiled, "Why not take beautiful picture for beautiful family. It is free."

Professor reached her peek.

The man called her old in 100 different ways, by thinking she's our mom.

Though, honestly speaking, I wouldn't mind if that ever happened.

What?

She was about to say no before I nudged her side and smiled to the man. "Yes, we would love that!"

Daniela snapped her head to me, and the same did Iris.

They stared at me confusingly, but Garcia definitely had a hint of frustration mixed onto her face.

The man grabbed his camera with his one hand while he brought his fingers together with the other hand and made a kissing noise. "Perfecto!" He cheered, backing up and getting down on one knee. "What about kissy, no?"

All three of us frowned.

"Like uh, uh... kiss on cheek." He said, then pointed at Iris and Daniela, "You and you, kiss on cheek, her." He points at me.

Iris had no problem giving me a kiss against the cheek.

I was sitting in the middle between them after all, so it was easy.

Iris already leaned into my right, lightly placing her hand under my chin and pressing her lips against my skin.

Professor on the other hand stared at us blankly.

"I'm not--"

I step on her shoe, causing her to grunt.

"Come on, ma, give your daughter a kiss." I tease, nudging her side.

She rolled her eyes and leaned closer.

I look forward to the camera as the man held it up to his face.

Professor also gently placed her hand under my chin.

My breathing caught in my throat as I felt her lips against my cheek. A shot of adrenaline went through my body, but I stayed calm.

"Okay, smile!" The man cheered.

The flash went off.