Ella breathed in the fresh smell of sea and smiled,feeling so relaxed and happy. The two hours drive from the airport to Male was quite long and tedious.

A bus was provided for the transportation of many people going to Male,so she followed them. She tried calling Cassie but her phone kept going to voicemail. Ella had hoped that she would share the news about Maldives with her,but was disappointed when her number didn't go through.

"Where do you think that we would get our seaplanes?" A feminine voice asked beside her.

Ella turned her head to her right. A girl with red hair,who looked around her age,stood beside her with a smile on her face. The girl looked as if different colours puked on her with her mid thigh length gown,which had about six different colours on it.

To sum it up,she looked comical.

"I don't know." Ella shrugged,before turning her attention to the glistening sea.

"Oh,look. I think that man is holding a cardboard with someone's name on it." The girl pulled Ella's arm with one hand and pointed to her left with the other.

Ella sighed as she followed the girls hand. "That looks like my name. Won't you go and find yours?"

"I already did." She shrugged. "I saw you standing here alone, so I thought that I should help you out. You are going to Reethi Beach in Baa Atoll right?"

"Yes. And I was not lost. I was only admiring the beauty of the sea. I've never been to one before." Her gaze went back to the sea.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Wow,that's a first for me." She beamed again. "By the way,my name is Leandra Mendoza,But people call me Lea. What's yours?"

"Ella."

"Just Ella? No surname or anything?"

"Ella Milestone." Ella faced her. "I think we should go if we really want to get to Baa Atoll before night fall."

"Yeah,right. See you in Reethi." Then she was gone.

Ella smiled at the way people turned to give the colourful girl a curious look. Lea would surely attract a lot of attention wherever she went to.

Thirty-five minutes later,Ella found herself on a tiny island with beautiful white beach sand. She awed at the beauty of the beach. Whoever owned this place sure did a lot of work and thinking to make this place look this beautiful.

Maldives is truly a beautiful place to be.

Blocking out the noise of other people arriving on the beach,she picked her way to the giant building which had a sign that read 'Reception'. Ella marveled at the Maldivian style looking buildings all around. It was really breath taking.

To her chagrin,the reception was filled with people who wanted one thing or the other. The odour of sweat filled the air,making her wince. Bodies pressed against each other in the overly crowded reception and the air condition did nothing to salvage the situation.

Ella didn't have any idea about how long she waited,but after what felt like an eternity, she got to the receptionist, who looked as if she would drop from fatigue any minute.

"Welcome to Reethi Beach, how may we help you?" She sang in a tired voice.

"My name is Ella Milestone. My friend named,Ansela Mckade,booked a room here for me. I don't know where it is,Nor do I have the key."

"Just a minute."

Ella waited patiently,while the Receptionist typed away on her computer. After some minutes,she looked up with a tired smile and handed a bunch of keys to her with a A3 size book.

"This is the key to your Villa. The house number is on the key and The book is for the activities that would be happening around here. We hope you enjoy your stay here."

"Thank you." Ella moved out of the line so the next person could walk up to the tired receptionist.

Dragging her box on the sandy floor,she walked around the reception building and found herself staring at many semi detached and detached buildings set amid tropical foliage fringing a long expanse of stilts over the clear blue lagoon.

Whistling softly,she stepped on the stilts and almost slipped off if a hand did not wrap around her mid riff. After steadying herself,she turned around to see a handsome dark eyed blonde man,dressed in a colourful tee shirt with an old looking back pack on his back.

"You should be careful on this things,they look firm but are slippery."
Ella shivered in the cool evening air. His voice sounded so thick and warming. It made her insides suddenly hot. Tamping down her stupid over reactive hormone,she gave him a warm and gentle smile.

"Thank you,I'll keep that in mind." She pushed a lock of curly hair that had escaped the ponytail she put it in.

"Where are you headed to?" He joined her on the stilts.

"Room," she checked the leather dangling from the key holder. "Or should I say,Villa 104."

"Anyone would be better." He smiled at her. "Mine is Villa 107,not far from yours. Do you mind if we walk together?"

"Not at all." She started to pick her box but he beat her to it." Don't worry,I can carry it myself."

"Just think of it as neighbourly help. "

Ella felt grateful for the help,since her muscles were screaming tired at jet lag. They walked past different detached building in companionable silence. He broke it first anyway.

"So,what do you think of Maldives in general?" He asked her.

Ella stole a quick glance at him and was surprised to see that he was watching her. She quickly turned her gaze away and cleared her throat.

"I think it's beautiful." She returned. "The beach view,the serenity and peace,different people coming here to relax and enjoy. It's nice and cool."

"I agree. It's my first time here."

"Me too."

They fell into silence. Ella silently 'oohed' and 'Ahhed' at the beautiful buildings and people who were also looking for their building. She felt really grateful to Ansela and Cassie for choosing this place for her.

Maybe she would even find her love here. One can never tell.

"We are here." He announced.

Ella found herself in front of a green semi detached building. The paint looked fresh and smelt nice. But she secretly didn't like the colour,since she was not a fan of green. She felt happy when she saw that she would be having a neighbour. It would be nice,if it was a female and not another male.

Speaking of which,she wondered where Lea was posted, and hoped that she get to see the girl later.

"Thank you,so much." She accepted the box from him and moved to unlock the door.

"Sorry,but I didn't get your name."

Ella turned to him with a silly grin on her face. "That's cause you didn't ask. And I should warn you that that line is so old now. You should try some other one."

He returned her grin. "Okay,lets try that again. My name is Jamal Johnston,what's yours beautiful?" He thrust his right hand to her.

"Ella Milestone." She shook it.

"See you around,Ella Milestone of Villa 104."

"See you around too,JJ of Villa 107."

Jamal tipped an imaginary hat at her before walking away.

Ella grinned at his retreating back and waited until he was out of sight before going in.

~*~*~*~*~*~

William dropped his box on the tiled floor,of the large sitting room,before picking the AC remote from the glass centre table to turn it on.

Cool air instantly filled the once hot room. He heaved a sigh of relief before heading into the kitchen to see if he would find anything eat able. Much to his surprise, the freezer was stocked up to the brim with all type of foods and fruits.

He snatched a cold red apple and began to munch on it as he explored the kitchen.

It has the latest and modern appliances,which was surprising for a semi detached building. The coffee maker looked new and unused. In fact,everything looked new and untouched. He left the kitchen to explore the house.

The stairs had creeky sounds,which was highly expected. There were three rooms in total,with different size of bed and different colours of bed covers. There was only one bathroom in all,which had a big jacuzzi bath tub and a golden shower stall.

After exploring and deciding that he would pick the larger room,he went back downstairs just in time to hear his phone ring.

He groaned inwardly when he saw the caller ID.

"Hey,sister." He answered the phone with false cheer.

"Brother,how do you find the place?"

"Good. It's beyond my expectations." He bit into the apple as he walked towards the window,when he heard voices.

"Good? I expected more than that. Maldives is a great place. And so is Baa Atoll and Reethi Beach."

"I am yet to decide. I just got here after all." He pushed the draperies aside. His gaze narrowed when he saw a man dressed in a colourful shirt talking to someone who was out of view.

"Yeah,right. " Ansela snickered. "So,have you gotten to your room?"

William let the curtain drop as he stepped away from the window. "Yes. Why didn't you get the one nearby? 104, is a bit far away from the beach."

"Your thank you sounds perfunctory to me. At least,I got you the one that is closest to the first restaurant. You should be grateful to me for that."

William heaved a sigh of patience. "We'll talk later. And wait until I call you,don't you dare call me."

"Okey dokey. I hope you enjoy your stay there. And try to make friends and get laid. Be friendly to your neighbour."

"Wait,wha---" he was met with a beeping tone.

He scowled at his phone. How did she know that he has a neighbour?

He slapped his palm to his forehead. Of course,she would know. She was,after all, the one who booked the room,flight and all.

William took the A3 sized book and went through the first page. Its says there that dinner would be severed by six pm,and all Vacationers must attend.

He checked his wrist watch. It was already five-thirty one. Which means that he had less than twenty nine minutes to get ready.

As he carried the bag upstairs,he promised himself that he would just relax,enjoy and meet new people.

There's,after all, no wrong in doing that.

______________________________

A/N : I must admit and confess that I have never been out of Lagos,Nigeria before. So I don't know how Maldives or Philadelphia looks like.

The places I used in Maldives are real,that much I know. But the way they do there or what language they speak, I totally have no idea.

So,which is why I am using my imagination. But if you happen to know anything about Maldives, Baa Atoll and Reethi Beach,let me know.

For now, just bear with me.

And also,the games and activities I would be using is entirely my own idea and imagination.

I don't know what Maldives looks like,but in my imagination, I think it's beautiful. I would be writing more about Maldives,that is,if... Note the key word 'if'... I find anything about it.

Until then,I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

And,see you in next chapter.

Oh,don't forget to vote and comment and spread the word about LMF.

Eat tropical fruits and wear colourful shirts,until I come your way in next chapter, see you.

I know I said see you,but then... I am ranting,aren't I? Nah?... Well thank you.

See you, for real this time, next chapter.

Lots of kizzez. ~ Jazz.