Love's Grand Tour

Chapter 1.

Natasha's POV:

At a young age, I learned that life is messy. You either follow the crowd to survive, or you stand your ground and fight for yourself.

I'm Andrew Natasha. Raised by foster parents, I never knew my real ones-and, to be honest, I never cared to. But when I was old enough to fend for myself, my foster parents decided their job was done. They sent me packing.

I still remember that day vividly-the sting of abandonment, the sound of the door clicking shut behind me, the scent of fresh-cut grass as I walked away from the only home I'd ever known.

I don't hate them for it; in fact, I'm grateful. Life wasn't easy for them either, and I figured I was just another burden they couldn't afford to carry. I recall the look of relief on their faces as I left, mixed with a hint of guilt. It was a complicated emotion, but one that I understood.

After leaving their house, I started a new life on my own. It wasn't easy, but I persevered. I began working as a high-class escort, which is just a fancy way of saying I got paid to wear pretty dresses and smile at rich guys. The smell of expensive perfume and champagne became familiar, but the emptiness inside me never faded.

But despite the glamour and luxury, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was just a bed warmer to these men. None of them saw a future with me; I was just something to use and discard. I refused to see myself that way, though. I was more than just a pretty face and a charming smile.

After years of living the high life, I'd had enough. I was tired of the fake smiles, awkward conversations, and constant pressure to perform. I wanted out. So, I made a plan. I saved up enough money to leave California and start fresh in Hawaii, my dream destination.

I'd always fantasized about waking up to the sound of waves crashing, spending my days soaking up the sun, and living a simple, peaceful life. I worked hard to make that dream a reality, and finally, the day arrived. I packed my bags, said goodbye to California, and boarded a flight to Hawaii.

"Bye, California, hello, Hawaii!" I exclaimed, feeling a thrill of excitement.

The five-hour flight passed quickly, and before I knew it, I was landing in Honolulu. As I collected my luggage, my excitement turned to panic. The person I'd arranged to meet was nowhere to be found, and I realized I'd been scammed. I was stranded in a foreign city with no money and no one to turn to.

Panic set in as I rummaged through my bag for my phone. My hands were shaking, and my heart was racing. I dialed Raymond's number, my friend back in California. "Ray Ray, I need your help," I said, trying to hold back tears. "I've been scammed, and I'm stranded here with no place to go."

Raymond and I met in a rather unconventional way. He's the only actual friend I have, and the one true friend who understands and knows me better. Let's just say he was one of the reasons I quit my lifestyle, but that's a story for another day. Right now, I needed his help to get out of this mess.

I broke down in tears as I spoke to Raymond. "I was scammed, I have nowhere to go, you're the only person I could think of..." I rambled on until I ran out of words. Silence set in for a while as I waited for Raymond to speak.

"Are you done?" Raymond asked with a firm voice that didn't show concern. Raymond is always like that - he has this emotionless facial expression that I personally find hard to read.

"I guess," I replied in a baby-like manner.

"Where are you?" he asked.

"Hawaii," I replied, sniffing back tears.

"Why the hell are you in Hawaii?" Raymond's voice rose in surprise.

"It's a long story, can you just help me out?" I pleaded.

Raymond sighed. "Do you have any idea where you are right now?"

I looked around, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. The sound of the airport announcements, the smell of food from the nearby restaurants, and the sight of strangers rushing to their gates created a sense of chaos. "I'm not sure," I admitted, feeling a sense of desperation creeping in.

"Share your location with me, and stay right where you are," Raymond instructed before hanging up.

A few minutes later, he called back with a solution. "I've got a friend who lives around there. You should head to his place. I'll send you the address."

I felt a surge of relief wash over me. "Thank you, Ray Ray."

But my relief was short-lived. As I realized I had no money to get to Raymond's friend's place, my heart sank. "Ray Ray, I don't have money to get there," I admitted, feeling a sense of shame.

Raymond's response was immediate. "I'll take care of it," he said before hanging up.

A few minutes later, my phone beeped, indicating an incoming transaction. I smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude toward Raymond.

"Thank you, Ray Ray," I whispered to myself.

As I hailed a cab and gave the driver the address, I couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation. Who was this friend of Raymond's, and what would he be like?

The cab dropped me off in front of a beautiful mansion with a lush garden and a stream running alongside it. The sound of the water, the smell of the flowers, and the sight of the stunning architecture created a sense of serenity. I felt like I had stepped into a dream world.

As I walked up to the door, I noticed it was slightly ajar. I pushed it open and called out, "Hello?"

A deep, smooth voice responded from inside. "Oh, hi. Come on in."

My heart skipped a beat as I stepped inside and caught sight of the most gorgeous man I had ever laid eyes on. He was everything I had sworn to resist: charming, handsome, and oozing confidence.

"Hi, you must be Natasha," he said, flashing a dazzling smile.

I felt my face flush as I took in the sight of him. "And you must be Adrian," I replied, trying to sound calm.

As Adrian took my luggage from me, his hand brushed against mine, sending shivers down my spine. I couldn't help but feel drawn to him, despite my best intentions.

"Snap out of it, Tasha," I chided myself as I followed Adrian into the house.

Before I could get comfortable, I remembered my promise to Raymond. "Excuse me for a Minute, I need to call Raymond," I said, rummaging through my bag for my phone.

As I dialed Raymond's number, Adrian looked at me with curiosity. "yeah sure, go on" he said..

I nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. "Yeah, I just need to let Raymond know I arrived safely."

Raymond answered on the first ring. "Hey, Tasha. You're safe?" he asked, his voice firm but concerned.

"Yeah, I'm safe," I replied, feeling a sense of gratitude toward him. "Thanks for everything, Ray Ray."

"Anytime, And One more thing, Tasha," Raymond said, his voice serious. "No flirting around, especially not with him."

I hesitated for a moment before responding. "I promise, trust me, I have turned a new leaf. No flirting, I promise," I assured him with a smile.

"I will try to trust you this once," Raymond said before hanging up.

I turned to Adrian, who was watching me with an intense gaze. "Thanks for letting me stay here," I said, trying to sound calm.

Adrian smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "No problem, Natasha. Let me show you to your room," he said, leading me into a beautifully furnished and decorated room with a plush bed and a stunning view of the garden.

I felt a surge of gratitude toward Adrian as I gazed into his striking blue eyes, which seemed to sparkle like the ocean. But as our eyes met, I felt an undeniable spark of attraction, and I knew I was heading for trouble.

"Thank you for letting me stay here," I said, trying to sound calm despite the flutter in my chest. "I really appreciate it."

Adrian's smile broadened. "It's my pleasure, Natasha. Make yourself at home. If you need anything, just call me."

My mind began to wander as I gazed at Adrian. "Anything at all?" I asked in a soft tone, my eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Adrian's eyes seemed to gleam with amusement. "Yeah, anything. let me leave you to do your thing then"

As Adrian turned to leave, I forced my gaze away but it was too late. That flicker of attraction had already taken root. And i had no idea if i was ready for what's coming..........