A free vacation with a stranger sounded way too good to be true. But the email didn’t ask for any personal details—no credit card information, no address, nothing shady. Just a ticket, a fancy hotel reservation, and the promise of a mystery travel companion.
It was so bizarre that I couldn’t stop myself from boarding the plane, curiosity bubbling inside me.
Only, when I finally saw my so-called “mystery companion,” my stomach dropped.
It was the one person I never wanted to see again.
Friday evening had rolled around, but my body felt like it had been through an entire month of exhaustion. As soon as I stepped into my sister Deborah’s apartment, I kicked off my shoes and collapsed onto her couch, stretching one arm lazily over my face while the other absentmindedly scrolled through emails on my laptop.
Across the room, Deborah was having her own fashion show. She paraded back and forth in front of the mirror, switching between outfits, twirling like a model on a runway, and occasionally striking dramatic poses.
Shopping bags covered the floor. The crinkle of plastic and the rustle of fabric filled the air as she sifted through her latest purchases.
She did one final spin and turned to me, expectant. “Well? What do you think?”
I barely glanced up, giving her dress a half-hearted look. “Nice, Deb. But I still don’t get why you need so many clothes.”
Deborah scoffed, placing her hands on her hips. “Of course, you don’t. You weren’t the one who had to wear hand-me-downs her whole childhood.”
She dramatically flipped her hair. “This is therapy, Charlie. I’m healing.”
I shook my head. “Whatever helps you sleep at night.”
Returning my focus to my laptop, I scrolled through my inbox. Junk mail, bills, newsletters I kept forgetting to unsubscribe from—nothing out of the ordinary.
And then, I saw it.
I sat up straight, my eyes narrowing at a subject line that didn’t look familiar.
Congratulations! You’ve won a free two-day vacation with a mystery travel companion!
Before I could process it, Deborah’s voice cut through my thoughts.
“How about this one?” she asked, stepping out in another dress.
I didn’t respond.
Silence.
“Charlie?” She turned, eyebrows raised. “Are you even listening?”
I blinked. “Huh? Sorry, I just got some weird email.” My frown deepened as I reread it. “Apparently, I won a free two-day vacation… with a stranger.”
Deborah’s jaw dropped. “What?! A free trip? Let me guess—it’s one of those scams where they steal your identity.”
“That’s the weird part.” I scrolled again. “There’s no request for banking details. No sketchy links. Just my name, flight details, and a hotel reservation.”
Deborah practically launched herself onto the couch, leaning over my shoulder. “Let me see.”
I tilted the screen toward her. She scanned the email, her expression shifting from skeptical to shocked.
“No way…” she breathed. “Charlie, this actually looks legit. There’s an actual booking confirmation, flight details, even travel insurance.”
I shook my head. “That doesn’t make sense. No one just hands out free vacations.”
Deborah clicked around, opening links, double-checking information. Finally, she leaned back, arms crossed. “I can’t find anything suspicious. Charlie… you actually won a trip.”
I chewed my lip. Excited? Terrified? Maybe both.
“I can’t just go on a trip with a random stranger.”
Deborah rolled her eyes. “Why not? It’s an adventure! And who knows? Maybe your mystery travel buddy is a hot guy who finally ends your dry spell.”
I shot her a glare. “Deborah! I like being single.”
She smirked. “Mmm-hmm. Sure. You say that every time.”
I grabbed a pillow and hurled it at her.
She dodged, laughing. “Hey! I’m just saying. Maybe it’s fate.”
Fate or not, something about this whole thing felt off.
And yet, part of me wondered…
What if?
The next day, I stood in the airport terminal, gripping my suitcase so tightly my knuckles turned white. The ticket in my hand felt heavier than it should.
This was crazy.
Some email had sent me a free trip I never entered to win, and somehow, I’d let Deborah talk me into going. The whole thing was ridiculous.
I exhaled sharply and turned toward the exit. I should leave.
But I hesitated. I’d always been careful. Always taken the safest route.
I can’t keep running from new experiences.
Taking a deep breath, I forced myself forward.
Business class felt surreal. Plush leather seats, endless legroom, complimentary champagne—this was a world I had never stepped into before.
But none of it mattered.
My focus was on the people boarding, scanning their faces, wondering who my seatmate would be. Would they be nice? Annoying? Would we have anything in common?
And then, I saw him.
A man was already sitting in my row, hunched over, scrolling through his phone.
I took a step forward.
He turned.
My stomach dropped.
“…Luther?” My voice came out barely above a whisper.
His head snapped up, eyes widening. The same piercing gaze I once loved. The same face I had spent years trying to forget.
“Charlotte?” He blinked. “What the hell are you doing here?”
My heart slammed against my ribs. “Please don’t tell me you also got one of these tickets.”
Luther ran a hand through his hair, still looking as confused as I felt. “…From some contest email? Yeah. You too?”
I groaned. Every part of me screamed to leave.
“Oh no. No, no, no. This is too much. I’m leaving.” I turned sharply, ready to bolt.
Before I could take a step, a gentle but firm hand landed on my shoulder.
A flight attendant smiled politely. “Ma’am, the plane is preparing for takeoff. Please remain seated.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but Luther spoke first.
“It’s okay, everything’s fine.” Then, before I could react, he reached for my hand and squeezed it lightly—just like he used to when he wanted me to calm down.
For a moment, just a single moment, my breath caught.
Then I yanked my hand away.
No. Not again.
Luther sighed. “Charlotte, our marriage ended years ago. Please don’t ruin your free trip just because of me.”
I hesitated. I wanted to storm off. But business class was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I wasn’t about to miss it because of him.
With a frustrated sigh, I sat down. “Fine. Just don’t talk to me.”
Luther smirked. “Noted.”
I turned toward the window, pretending he didn’t exist.
I never expected to see Luther again. And honestly? I had hoped I never would.
But life had other plans.
And I had no idea just how much this trip was about to change everything.
