SAGA 1 – STRANDED IN DUBAI
As our 4×4 crested another golden sand dune at breakneck speed, I threw my hands in the air and let out a whoop of pure joy. The desert stretched before us, endless waves of sand painted orange by the setting Arabian sun. Six days into my Dubai vacation, I couldn’t believe how dramatically my fortunes had changed.
“Having fun?” called the man beside me, his wife laughing as our driver made another sharp turn, sending sand flying.
“The best!” I shouted back, feeling the desert wind whip through my hair.
I caught the woman’s eye as our vehicle slid sideways down a steep dune. Something in her smile made me wonder if she was thinking about it too—that moment when everything changed. The look we exchanged held a weight that the other passengers couldn’t possibly understand.
Six days ago, I’d been on the verge of tears with nowhere to go. Now I was sandboarding down dunes and looking forward to a traditional Bedouin dinner under the stars. The contrast wasn’t lost on me.
As we pulled up to the desert camp where camels waited to greet us, I squeezed the woman’s hand briefly in silent gratitude. She nodded, understanding without words.
My mind drifted back to that first night, when Dubai had seemed like anything but paradise…
The air-conditioned chill of Raffles Dubai’s marble lobby was a stark contrast to the sweltering heat outside. After the luxurious 15-hour Emirates flight from Houston—my first time experiencing the legendary A380-800 with its spacious economy cabin and world-class service—I’d arrived feeling optimistic, despite my exhaustion.
That optimism evaporated the moment the receptionist’s perfectly manicured finger tapped at her keyboard and her expression shifted from welcoming to concerned.
“I’m sorry, but there’s no reservation under your name, Ms. Taylor.”
My suitcase stood beside me as my designer carry-on suddenly felt heavier against my shoulder. Around me, the hotel’s grand lobby with its distinctive pyramid design buzzed with wealthy tourists and businesspeople, all blissfully unaware of my world crumbling. Through the massive windows, I could see the Dubai skyline glittering against the night sky—the paradise I’d been dreaming about for months.
“That’s impossible,” I insisted, forcing my voice to stay steady. “I have the confirmation right here.” I fumbled with my phone, pulling up the screenshot Denise had sent me three weeks ago. I slid it across the counter with trembling fingers.
The receptionist—Amara, according to her name tag—examined it with a sympathetic but unmoved expression. “This reservation was made for Denise Williams. Are you Denise Williams?”
“No, but I purchased this room from her when she couldn’t make the trip. She sold it to me last minute.” Even as the words left my mouth, I realized how ridiculous they sounded.
Tasha, the only real friend among the group of six women I’d flown to Dubai with, stepped forward. “Look, there has to be something you can do. Jasmine paid for this room already.”
Behind Tasha, the other women shifted uncomfortably. I barely knew most of them—friends of friends who’d agreed to let me join their girls’ trip when a spot opened up. Their expressions ranged from annoyed to embarrassed.
Amara’s fingers tapped at her keyboard. “I understand your frustration, but Ms. Williams never contacted us to change the reservation name. This room is registered as a no-show, and according to our policy, that’s a hundred percent cancellation fee. The payment has already been processed.”
“But I paid Denise directly,” I said, panic rising in my throat. I pulled out my phone again, scrolling frantically through Venmo transactions. “See? Three thousand dollars. My entire savings.”
“I’m very sorry, but that’s an arrangement you made with Ms. Williams, not with Raffles Dubai.”
I swallowed hard, my mind racing. This vacation was supposed to be my escape—a break from the endless shifts at the marketing firm, from the suffocating student loans, from the breakup that had left me sleeping on my cousin’s couch for the past three months. I’d stretched myself impossibly thin to afford this.
“Can I call her?” My voice cracked. “Denise? Maybe she can verify—”
The call connected after four rings.
“Denise? It’s Jasmine. I’m at the hotel, and they’re saying—”
“Oh, hey…” Her voice sounded distant, unconcerned. “Yeah, I thought you could just show up with the confirmation. That’s all I needed last year.”
“They need more than that, Denise. They need ID matching the reservation. They’re saying I can’t stay.”
A pause. “That sucks. But the money’s spent already, Jasmine. I used it to cover my cousin’s emergency surgery last month. I can’t refund you.”
My knees nearly buckled. “But that was everything I had. I’m stranded here.”
“I’m really sorry.” She didn’t sound sorry. “I’ve gotta go.”
The line went dead.
I looked up to find five pairs of eyes staring at me, plus Amara’s increasingly uncomfortable gaze.
“Why didn’t you use the group’s travel agent?” asked Kendra, the trip organizer, pushing her designer sunglasses up into her hair. “Miranda handled all our bookings. She could have fixed this beforehand.”
“I didn’t know there was a travel agent,” I mumbled. “Denise just said there was an opening and I could take her spot.”
“You should have asked more questions,” said another woman—Vanessa, I think. I’d only met her twice before this trip.
Tasha put her arm around my shoulders. “Can’t she just stay in our room? We have two queen beds.”
Amara shook her head. “I’m sorry, but all guests must be registered. It’s a requirement for international visitors in Dubai. We would need to add her to your reservation, which would incur additional charges.”
“How much?” I asked desperately.
“For five nights, with our current rates… approximately thirty-two hundred dollars.”
The lobby seemed to spin around me. I’d spent my last dollars upgrading to that Emirates flight, convinced it would be worth it to start my dream vacation in style.
“I don’t have a credit card with that limit,” I whispered. “I spent everything I had to get here.”
The silence that followed was deafening…(Interested in reading the whole story? CLICK HERE)
SAGA 2 – UNEXPECTED ROMANCE
Ava had been looking forward to this vacation for months. She had just broken up with her boyfriend, Ben, a few months ago, and she needed some time to relax and clear her head. She had booked a week at this amazing Yucatan Adults Only, luxurious all-inclusive resort located on a beautiful beach in Mexico.
Ava arrived at the resort and was immediately struck by its beauty. The grounds were well-maintained, the buildings were elegant, and the staff was friendly and welcoming. She checked in and was given the room she and her ex had chosen a year ago, the romance bungalow suite. It came equipped with a canoe and sat directly on the lake with a large balcony to relax and soak all of life in.
She opened the door and couldn’t help but to imagine Ben’s reaction if he were there to see that suite for himself. She remembered the time they spent planning the trip with their travel agent who strongly recommended this romantic bungalow suite.
She whispered, “The travel agent was correct! This is romantic!”
She flopped on the bed in the oversized 720 square foot suite and mumbled, “And now I’m all alone.”
She finished exploring the bungalow suite and unpacking for her 7 night stay and headed to the concierge desk.
Once in the lobby she could swear she smelled the cologne of her ex.
It was something rare and the scent you wouldn’t miss a mile away. It is specifically made to attract and arouse women. Ben’s friend makes the oil for her ex after selling thousands of the small valves each and every month online.
Ava starts frantically looking around to see if her nose was playing tricks on her or she was hoping that Ben’s friend had a customer in the lobby and it wasn’t Ben.
“Excuse me miss, how may I help you? Are you enjoying your stay?” The concierge quickly interrupted her investigation.
“Oh yes, I am so sorry.” Ava walks closer to the concierge desk to really see if he was the one wearing the familiar but exclusive cologne.
It definitely got stronger and she smiled, “May I ask what cologne you are wearing?”
He blushes and says, “I don’t know. My wife bought it online for me last year.” He looks around and leans in towards Ava and whispers, “To tell you the truth, ever since I started wearing this stuff the women are going crazy around me.”
They both chuckle and she realizes she is still in love with her ex.
She proceeds to schedule out her days with the concierge helping along the way with booking the best excursions, dinner reservations and chill spots on the property for her so she can truly relax.
Ava spent the first few days of her vacation exploring the resort and enjoying the amenities.
She swam in the pools which was the highlight for service, with their amazing pool bar, El Gran Azul Pool Bar. Every time she looked around, someone was refilling her drink. She sunbathed on the beach after realizing she didn’t have to pay extra for the loungers with the umbrellas included in her stay.
After tasting the food at the beach restaurant, she knew that lunch would be better on the beach the entire trip. She also went on a few excursions, including a boat trip to a nearby island and a snorkeling tour.
Ava loved taking early morning walks on the property before it got too hot while sipping on her latte from the fabulous lobby. She couldn’t help exploring the cenotes, and flamingo area at the resort. She had time to reflect on some things without any interruptions.
By the afternoon she found herself playing a round of putt putt golf at the resort. Tears welled up in her eyes because she couldn’t help but to think about her ex. She felt she’d overreacted. She shouldn’t have broken it off. He loved putt putt golf. He even designed a putt putt golf themed resort in their friends backyard one summer and it was a HIT!
Before she could stop her tears a young couple asked, “Are you playing here?” taking AVa out of her blank daze staring out at the next set of holes.
She quickly wiped her tears and moved out the way so they could finish their game.
Her first few days at the resort caused her to burst into tears because everything about this resort reminded her of her ex.
One day, Ava was relaxing by the pool when she saw a familiar figure walking towards her.
Ava’s heart started to race.
She knew those abs, she knew those bulging ripped arms from anywhere.
The sun glared into her eyes making this figure glow and become somewhat of a shadow.
She didn’t know what to do.
The closer he came she got a whiff of that cologne.
She knew exactly who it was.
She had been trying to avoid Ben since they broke up, but now he was here, standing right in front of her… (Interested in reading the whole story? CLICK HERE)