The sun was setting over the horizon as Salomé stood at the railing of the luxurious cruise ship, the cold breeze whipping her dark blue hair into a frenzy.
Her fair, slender fingers grasped the railing as she gazed out at the endless expanse of turquoise water, feeling the stress of the past few days slowly ebb away.
She was in a white, flowing sundress which fluttered around her ankles. The delicate fabric was embroidered with intricate patterns that sparkled in the fading light, drawing attention to her petite yet curvy figure.
A sprinkle of freckles across the bridge of her nose added a touch of whimsy to her heart-shaped face.
As the ship glided smoothly through the water, Salomé felt a sense of peace wash over her. She closed her eyes with a gentle smile on her face, letting the salty air fill her lungs, and listened to the sound of the waves crashing against the hull.
This trip was going to be worth her while...
*
She walked into the elegant dining room in a floor-length, strapless evening gown made of silk. The gown was a soft blue that matched the color of her hair, hugging her curves in all the right places.
Her dark blue hair cascaded down her back in loose waves, framing her heart-shaped face and accentuating her sharp cheekbones. Her usually fair skin glowed with a subtle tan, a result of spending hours lounging by the ship's pool.
Around her neck, Salomé wore a delicate silver necklace with a small crystal pendant that sparkled in the light. Her ears were adorned with silver earrings that complemented the necklace perfectly.
On her feet were a pair of high-heeled silver sandals that added a touch of glamour to her overall look.
Her eyes scanned the room for her father. She spotted him sitting at a table, dressed in a tailored suit, and subtly made her way over.
As she approached, she noticed two other people sitting at the table - a middle-aged man with a stern expression, and a young man around her age, with piercing blue eyes and chiseled features.
Dominic saw his daughter approach the table and a warm smile appeared on his face.
"About time you made it here. Meet our dinner companions, Marco Rossi and his son, Giovanni Rossi." He said, pointing to two men sitted.
The middle-aged man stood up, his expression softening slightly as he extended a hand.
"Dominic always bragged about how beautiful his daughter was. Guess he wasn't so wrong after all." He said, with a small smile.
Salomé took his hand and curtsied a little.
"Nice to meet you, sir. I'm Salomé Rutledge. My father has said quite a few about you," she said, beaming.
"Ah well...I sure hope they're good things." Marco let out a small laugh.
"This is my youngest. You both should be around the same age, if I'm not mistaken." He gestured to the lad beside him.
The young man stood up, his eyes locking onto Salomé's.
"Giovanni Rossi." He said simply, his deep voice low and smooth, with just a hint of Italian accent.
Salomé felt a tiny flutter in her chest on hearing his voice. There was something about this young man's eyes that made her feel like he could see right through her.
Marco nudged his son discreetly, faking a cough.
"Nice to meet you."
"Likewise."