A blast of cold air from the car's air conditioning nipped my skin. Completely annoyed and quite frankly, exhausted, I wiped the small trail of sweat that had formed on my forehead. I had, after all, pulled my rather heavy suitcase throughout the airport. Jason had been waiting for me inside the car, enjoying the car's air conditioning. What an ass...he could have helped me but instead had a smugly smile on his face.

Foreign music played on the background as I finally managed to put the luggage inside the trunk. Glaring at the blond, I snapped shut the door with too much force. Jason didn't even blink. I noticed he'd typed my aunt's hotel address in the car's GPS, so we were pretty much good to go. In silence but with that annoying smirk etched on his face, he started the car.

Ugh.

I'd just met the guy and he was annoying the crap out me.

My thoughts focused on the music blasting. It was Latin-American pop music. I understood the lyrics since Mom made me learn Spanish when I was little. For a moment, my eyes turned to Jason; I wondered if he knew Spanish as well...otherwise how was he supposed to communicate? He must have sensed me watching him because a moment later, his grey eyes turned to me. His lips turned up and I turned away rolling my eyes.

I didn't know why but he just brought out the worst of me. I hated the way he said princess. It was evident how he felt about me. He was pretty sure I was a spoiled brat who had her way all the time.

Wasn't that how I'd been acting, though? Oh...shut it...Everybody acted out from time to time and I wasn't expecting him to be so...him...

He was as handsome as conceited. Not to mention he was pretty judgmental. That was it. He didn't know me. He had no idea of who I was and yet he was judging me just for the heck of it. Just like most people. That was exactly why my only friend was Valerie; after all those years of friendship, I knew she was a real friend. Most people would be nice with me just to appear on a magazine or meet other royals...I rolled my eyes...if only they knew we were just like them. Even more screwed up. Being a public figure sucked most of the time...

I kind of wanted to snap at him, just to wipe that stupid smirk off his face. However, I needed to keep my temper to myself. I wasn't as rude as him. Besides, I could totally see how it could backfire on me if he ever chose to talk to my parents...

The road ahead was filled with tree fruits and palm trees. You could see an endless amount of mangoes and bananas hanging from the trees. It was pretty nice, to be honest.

The sun was shining brightly and I knew that if it wasn't for the car's air conditioned I would be sweating like a pig right now. Suddenly, a bright blue line appeared on the horizon.

The sea!

My lips parted as I took in the scenery. The ocean was absolutely breath-taking.  Different shades of blue ranging from the darkest blue to emerald. It was absolutely beautiful. For a moment, I kind of thanked my parents for sending me there.  But it was just for a moment, since the ocean disappeared out of sight and was replaced with large bushes and trees. The sign 'Azúcar' (sugar) appeared carved in a wooden sign.

The whole place was surrounded by exotic looking plants in different color shades. Some had striking colorful flowers hanging from them. The building was rather small for a hotel but too big for a house. It was all painted in white but the paint had worn off in different places. A large intricately carved wooden door was on the front porch above a small staircase surrounded by potted flowers.

The hot air and the distinctive sweet smell of the beach greeted me. Jason opened the car's trunk and pulled out both suitcases. As I was opening my mouth to thank him, his grey eyes turned to me. His stare was bold and deep at the same time. "Just to be clear, I'm not playing your boyfriend part, ok?" My large suitcase dropped to the floor with a large thump. "My actual girlfriend wouldn't appreciate it and besides...you're definitely not my type, princess..."

What does he means by a girl like me?

Glaring at him, I placed both hands on my hips as I snapped sarcastically, "That was the last idea on my mind, don't worry hot stud." He raised an eyebrow as that stupid smirk reappeared on his face. "And stop calling me princess, you dumbass!"

What an idiot! I felt bad for the poor girl that was dating this obnoxious ass!

He rolled his eyes as he walked smugly beside me, carrying his lightweight luggage. What on earth did he bring for two months, anyway?

"I'll see you inside, cupcake..." his grey eyes sparkled mischievously as he walked in front of me.

The nerve of him!

Making a face, I eyed my stupid large suitcase. Groaning, I took the handle and started to pull it up. It was too heavy and it was a complete feat to hoist it one freaking step. Halfway through the stair, Aunt Patricia opened the large wooden door to greet us. It was long ago since I'd seen her, yet she didn't look different at all. Her tanned olive skin had a few more wrinkles but her black curly hair didn't have any grey hairs. It was pinned to the side with a small red flower. She had a red cotton dress embroidered on the v-neck with white flowers.

I couldn't hear how Jason introduced himself, since I was huffing and groaning as I pulled the stupid suitcase with all my force. I could, however, distinguish how my aunt stared at him in awe. She was obviously taken aback with the guy's good looks and I wondered for a millisecond about the first time I saw him.

Had I been that obvious? Oh God...I had, hadn't I? That was why he'd mentioned the whole boyfriend business...

If I hadn't been in the middle of pulling the suitcase I would have totally rolled my eyes at them and make some kind of snarky comment, but all my energy was focused on carrying my luggage. Still, I must have been too distracted because the handle slipped off me and the suitcase slumped noisily down the stairs. My eyes widened and I cringed as I thought about my hairdryer and perfumes...

"Ay Dios mío! Are you ok?" Aunt Patricia asked with a thick Mexican accent as she walked to me. A sympathetic smile played on her lips as she held me tight on a bear hug. "You've grown to be such a pretty young lady!"

"Thank you..." I patted her back awkwardly as she kissed me on the cheek, still thinking about my clothes and all. I remembered that Aunt Patricia was always kissing and embracing everyone. Well, most Latin-Americans did. It was one of their common traits. Their over-friendliness.

Jason winked at me as he passed next to me to carry my suitcase. I glared at him. He was just helping out because my aunt was there. Idiot.

So far, there was nothing nice about him. Besides his looks, of course. But that was it. He was the most obnoxious prick I'd ever met. And I'd just spent less than two days with him.

"He sure is something, isn't him?" Aunt Patricia whispered as he reached the front porch. I turned to her a bit weird out. She didn't notice as she continued frowning, "I can't believe your parents would send someone like him to spend all summer with you..."

"According to Mom, she kind of chose him?" I said unsure, because being honest, his looks were probably the last thing on Dad's mind when he chose him. He was, without a doubt, the best of his kind.

"Mmhhmm...I'm not sure about my sleeping arrangements, now..." She passed an arm on my shoulders while my eyes widened in horror, "I mean, I can't have you sleeping in my house because you're supposed to be just another employee, but..."

Oh, Jesus...where had she placed me, then?

We'd reached the wooden carved door by now. She let me walk in before her. The inside of the house was as pretty as the outside. It reminded me of Greece. The front desk was next to a glass paneled window that overlooked the sea. It was beautiful. The rest of the furniture was mostly in wood. Everything needed a hand or two but the rustic gave it a nice feeling, too.

"So, here we are guys. This little hotel was my late Mother's heritage," her almost black eyes softened, "she worked really hard to keep it going despite the larger hotels that have been established in Huatulco. Still, I intend to fulfill her legacy." She turned to Jason, "as you see, it could use a hand or two, so I'd be willing to pay you if you want to help out."

Jason shook his head, "I'm already getting paid, so there's no need. I'll help out. I just need to be close to Your Highness at all times..."

I grimaced before rolling my eyes. Talk about being baby-sited.

"I understand. But as of now, she's just Marianne, ok?" He nodded as she turned to me. "You're just a look-alike, ok? Most of my guests are Europeans or Americans, so I'm hoping that they don't recognize you. However, I'll try to give you work away from them." She looked at her watch, "we'll meet at seven for dinner in the kitchen, so you'll meet the rest of the staff after you rest, ok?" She raised her index finger, "one more thing. Jason, are you carrying a gun?" My eyes widened in horror as he nodded.

"I'll leave it somewhere safe. I can manage without it."

What was he? Some kind of modern ninja?!

"I appreciate that, thank you." Aunt Patricia smiled relieved, "also, do you guys speak other languages?"

I raised my hand totally feeling back at school, "I know Spanish, French and a bit of German."

She clapped her hand excited, "that's great! You'll be really helpful, Marianne!" I smiled proudly and raised an eyebrow at Jason.

He ignored me, of course. "I just know English and some Italian..."

"I'm going to ask my employees to speak in English. They need to practice, anyway. And most people in town speak English as well. We are, after all, a place living on tourism." She smiled at us, "you have three hours to rest. Let's go to your rooms." Her dark eyes turned troubled for a moment but she walked away anyway.

Quite worried at her sleeping arrangements, I started to pull my luggage, following behind Jason as my aunt walked outside from a back door. We surrounded the building hearing the distant sound of the waves crashing on the background.  She stopped on a small corridor with two doors. One across the other. "They're small rooms but I hope they are ok for you guys. I'll send Pablo, my waiter and bell-boy, to get you for dinner, alright?"

I nodded as she smiled. She gestured me to go on with her hands. Taking a deep breath, I glanced at Jason's door, he was already inside. "I'll see you at dinner, Auntie..."

She placed a soothing hand on my shoulder, "you can't call me that, honey." She rolled her eyes, "and I can't call you honey, so we'll both have to work on that, ok?"

Chuckling, I nodded.

"I'm glad you're here, Marianne. I do hope you enjoy your stay in Mexico."

Guarded, I thanked her before entering my room. It was indeed small. It didn't have air conditioner, only a large ceiling fan that I turned on as soon as I entered. A small bed was placed in the middle of the room with a bed stand on the right side. Across the room, there was a small closet where I rested my suitcase, next to another small door. I assumed it was the bathroom and I sighed relieved because for a moment, I thought I was sharing a bathroom with Jason.

There was only one large window on the other side of the room. It was closed by white cotton curtains but I could hear the ocean really close. Excited, I bit my bottom lips as I pulled them to the side. It overlooked directly to the bay. My room was situated in some kind of ravine and the blue ocean was crashing against the rocks. My lips tugged up on a bright smile. No matter how small or hot the room was, just that view and the sound of the ocean was worth it.

Even though I was completely drained from the trip, I opened my suitcase and started to fill my closet with my clothes.  Thankfully, they were all just wrinkled and all, but no mess had been made when I dropped them.  Grabbing a fresh pair of clothes, I took a quick shower. The warm water relaxed my back muscles. I brushed my long hair and left it to air-dry. The denims short-shorts I'd chosen, felt way much better than then pants I'd been wearing before. I toped them with a pink spaghetti-stripe tank top. Grabbing my beach sandals, I walked outside the room after adjusting my watch to Mexico's time zone. I still had an hour before dinner and I was dying to feel the sand under my feet.

Briefly, I glanced at Jason's closed door before walking down the small hallway and stepping through the rock path that I assumed led to the beach. My hand followed the small rustic rail that had been built on the path. Small wild flowers adorned the path all the way. My feet hurried as I heard the waves closer. As the rock path ended, I slipped my sandals off and left them next to the rail. The pale sand felt soothing against my feet. I giggled like a little girl as I ran to the ocean.

The emerald water was cold and fresh. It felt awesome against my skin. I stood there, watching the ocean and feeling the sea breeze on my skin as I thought that two months in paradise didn't seem so bad at all...

Even if I had to endure Jason the whole time.

Hey!! Merry Christmas to everyone!! And the best wishes for 2015! :)

Sorry it took me forever to update. I had a very busy December (I'm a baker and I had a ton of work) and I also went to the beach with my family! I wrote most of this chapter there but didn't have wiFi, so I couldn't upload it...

Anyway...I'm really excited about this story...and I'm hoping you are too! :)

COMMENT and vote!! That would be a kick-ass Christmas present from you!!!