Chapter 2 — Chapter 2

The music, of course, let us down, and I refused to dance until one of the tourists demanded something popular and modern.

That's when I went out to stretch my legs and dance, doing it as usual, with abandon...

"Marina!" Vera snapped me out of it. "Don't put on a show!"

"Yeah..." I froze. The music had stopped, and I was standing in the middle of the hall. Everyone was looking at me. Especially eagerly, the two twins.

"Come on, let's have a drink, you've started to relax," Vera pulled me towards the table.

"Let's!"

The brothers didn't lag behind a step, looking devotedly into my eyes... At me! Their pupils with golden specks seemed to hypnotize me, calling me somewhere, promising paradise...

"Selfie!" Vera squeaked, already a bit drunk, pulling out her phone. I just felt good, suddenly relaxed, and smiled.

While my friend was busy trying to "Photoshop" our picture before posting it, I was invited to dance. One of the brothers, pulling me by the hand, led me to the dance floor.

"You're so beautiful," he carefully placed his hand on my waist, the other squeezing my hand.

"And you're not bad yourself," I smiled at him.

"I like you, a lot."

"But nothing will happen between us. I came here to relax, not to have a fleeting vacation romance."

"I understand. Just being near you will be enough for me," he made a dip in the dance move.

I stayed silent, noting to myself how confidently my partner led, knowing the moves of tango, even if it was a simplified version of the dance. I just enjoyed the music and the movements. It was nice to dance with someone who knew what to do. And then, to my disappointment, the dance ended unexpectedly along with the music.

But the evening continued. Gradually, my mood improved, I felt more confident, and even posed for Vera, who did nothing but snap photos with her phone, making us and others take pictures.

"That's enough, let's go for a walk!" I waved off another invitation to dance from one of the brothers. The tequila was drunk, and I wanted to walk along the shore.

"Let's!" Vera suddenly swayed as she stood up. It seemed this Lunatic shouldn't be served any more...

"Yeah," one of the brothers caught her. The other disappeared, and, looking around, I spotted him at the bar. Remembering the bill, I went over to him.

"Shall we split it?" I approached the bar.

"It's already paid for. I just took some more drinks," he showed me a small basket.

"Isn't that too much?" I frowned. Were they trying to get us drunk?

"They're non-alcoholic, and some sweets!" He pushed the basket towards me so I could take a look. Indeed, there were four bottles of local juice drink and a few packets of nuts in sweet glaze.

"Shall we go?"

We followed Vera, who was literally hanging on the man's arms.

"Just for a short walk before bed," I realized we should head towards the hotel.

"Of course. Especially since we have a trip planned early tomorrow," one of the twins agreed.

"We should get up..."

"You'll be woken up."

We walked to small gazebos right by the sea. Vera was seated in a wicker chair, while I sat on the edge.

"Tell me about tomorrow's trip?"

"First, we go to the dock where our boat is. We sail to Witong Cape, where the best diving spots are. Then, if you decide, we'll take you up the river to the old Snake Temple. Tourists aren't taken there, it's forbidden, a historical landmark. It's almost completely preserved to this day," the twin explained.

"I don't like snakes!" I even got goosebumps thinking about it.

"But there are no snakes there, just a temple of the snake god. It's a very beautiful place!" He moved closer to me, took out his phone from his pocket, and opened the photo gallery to show me pictures.

"Very beautiful... Is all of this there?"

"Of course, and along the way. It'll all take just one day, you'll be back at the hotel by night," he persuaded.

"Alright," I suddenly gave in. Maybe it was worth seeing the local sights. "But you promised to leave the route with the receptionist..."

"Of course! Everything will be taken care of! You just need to bring clothes, sunscreen, and hats. We'll take care of everything else."

"And a camera, I didn't bring it for nothing..." I looked at the peacefully sleeping Vera. "We should go, or we won't get up tomorrow."

"We'll walk you back," one of the brothers picked up Vera.

The hotel was nearby, the sleeping friend didn't attract any attention, and we entered the room calmly. They laid her on the bed while I stood by the open door.

"Good night!" I said goodbye to the guys.

"See you tomorrow," they exchanged glances.

I closed the door and looked at the sleeping Vera. I needed to take off her jumpsuit and shoes... After doing so, I covered her up and went to the bathroom. Noticing the untouched drink bottles still in the basket at the entrance, I put them in the fridge – someone might need them tomorrow. The locals praise them, saying this drink helps with hangovers.

After undressing, I lay down in bed, wrapped myself in a sheet, wiggled a bit to find a more comfortable position, and almost instantly fell asleep, entering a vivid exotic dream where I was dancing amidst a multitude of flowers, and the two twin brothers were watching me, their eyes filled with unhidden delight.

The dream was interrupted by a knock at the door. Did we oversleep?

Wrapping myself in the sheet like an Indian sari, I shuffled to open it.

"Good morning. You were asked to be woken up," the receptionist girl smiled politely.

"Did they bring the route?" I grumbled, yawning desperately.

"Yes. Don't worry, your guides will bring you back. The law is strict about this, tourists are protected!"

"Thank you!"

The girl left, and I looked at Vera.

"Wake up, the country is huge!" I sang, nudging my friend awake, grabbed her ankle, and pulled her slightly off the bed.

"Leave me alone!" she kicked her leg.

"You begged me for two days to go on this trip, and now – leave me alone?" I chuckled and went to the bathroom.

"I'm going to die..." she moaned.

"There's a drink in the fridge that promises to relieve any hangover symptoms," I cheered her up.