"You can and you will. The paramedics are here, I'm fine. Just shaken up. Maya, go. Live your best life and take pictures of overpriced resort food for me."
She couldn't stop picturing the aftermath. A twisted vehicle, glass shards, the kind of chaos Jessica described. The shock, the timing. Something about the accident felt off. As if the crash wasn't just bad luck. It left an unease that refused to fade.
"This feels wrong."
"What feels wrong is wasting a first-class ticket. Go. But if you get murdered, I'm telling everyone you died wearing mismatched socks."
Maya laughed despite herself. "Deal. But if you're lying about being okay, I'm haunting you from the afterlife."
"I'll save you a good haunting spot. Now GO!".
At the airport, Maya sat in the departure lounge. Her single suitcase looking lonely next to the empty seat Jessica should have occupied. The first-class boarding announcement echoed through the terminal like destiny calling.
A faint shimmer of doubt flickered. Jessica's rattled call, the driver who sped away, and this unlikely accident. All aligning into an uneasy pattern Maya couldn't ignore.
"This is either the best decision or the worst decision of my life." She muttered, grabbing her boarding pass.
"Ma'am?" The flight attendant smiled with professional warmth. "Traveling alone today?"
"My friend had a car accident. So now I'm either living my best life or walking into a very expensive trap."
The attendant's smile faltered slightly. "I'm sure it's the former."
"That's what they all say right before the murder."
She scanned the terminal—everyone looked harmless, but Maya's skin tingled. Someone at a kiosk lingered a little too long. Or maybe she was just jumpy.
Maya settled into her first-class seat. It was bigger than her entire bathroom. She pulled out her phone to text Jessica.
"Officially in the lap of luxury. Seat has more buttons than my car. If I disappear, check my browser history and delete the embarrassing searches."
Jessica's response came immediately: "Already on it. Also, that truck driver who hit me? Weird thing. He just drove off after. Like he was in a hurry to be somewhere else. Probably nothing, but... "
Maya's brow furrowed as the plane began to taxi. She was thinking about the truck driver's disappearance, Jessica's shaken voice and the uneasy silence afterward. None of it sat right with Maya. Something didn't add up.
She frowned at her phone as the plane lifted off into the darkening sky. Her stomach twisted into knots. The flight attendant was already offering her champagne and warm nuts.
"Probably nothing," she whispered to herself. The words felt hollow as the plane disappeared into the clouds. It was taking her closer to the unknown. She thought again about what happened to her friend.
The Sapphire Cove Resort looked like someone had asked a billionaire to design paradise then given them an unlimited budget and a cocaine habit.
Maya stepped off the private shuttle. Her discount sunglasses couldn't block the bright marble and gold accents.
The staff smiled, showing their investment in her happiness.
"Welcome to Sapphire Cove, Ms. Chen." The concierge appeared as if summoned by magic. He was wearing a uniform that probably cost more than Maya's rent. "I'm Ricardo. I'll be your personal liaison during your stay."
"Personal liaison?" Maya adjusted her backpack. Which suddenly felt like it was made of cardboard and shame. "Is that fancy talk for 'person who makes sure I don't steal the towels'?"
Ricardo's smile never wavered. "We prefer to think of it as ensuring your experience exceeds every expectation."
"Well, my expectations started at 'doesn't give me food poisoning.' So, you're already winning."
They walked through the lobby. It featured a waterfall that was definitely not installed by the lowest bidder. Maya noticed the other guests. They moved with the casual confidence of people who had never checked their bank balance before buying coffee. Designer luggage, understated jewelry that cost more than cars. They had that particular glow that came from never having to worry about money.
"Your suite is on the seventh floor." Ricardo said, leading her to an elevator that was bigger than her kitchen. "Ocean view, private balcony, and complementary champagne service."
"Champagne service? Like, someone brings me champagne?"
"At any hour, ma'am."
"Even 3 AM?"
"Especially 3 AM."
Maya grinned. "I'm definitely not in Kansas anymore."
The elevator opened to reveal a man who looked like he'd stepped out of a cologne advertisement. Tall, dark-haired, wearing a suit that whispered expensive secrets. He was carrying himself with the kind of confidence that came from owning things. He glanced up from his phone, and Maya felt her breath catch.
"Excuse me." He said in an accent that sounded like it had been educated at the finest European schools.
"No problem." Maya replied. She immediately regretted it because her voice came out slightly strangled.
He stepped aside to let them enter. Maya caught a whiff of his cologne. It felt like something that probably cost more than her monthly salary. It made her think of dangerous things.
"Seventh floor," Ricardo announced as the doors closed.
"Same." The man said quietly.
The elevator ride lasted exactly forty-seven seconds. Maya knew that because she counted every single one. She was trying not to stare at the reflection of Mr. Expensive in the mirror.
"Have a wonderful evening." He said as they reached their floor, stepping out ahead of them.
"Yeah, you too." Maya managed. She was watching him walk away with the kind of stride that suggested he owned the hallway.
"Popular floor," she commented to Ricardo.
"The penthouse suites are highly sought after." Ricardo replied diplomatically.
Maya's suite turned out to be bigger than her entire apartment. The bathroom alone could have housed a small family. The bed was so large she might need GPS to find her way to the other side.
"This has to be a mistake." She said, staring at the champagne bucket that was already waiting.
"No mistake, Ms. Chen. You're our VIP guest."