Paid-for vacation

The cruise liner was slowly sailing along the coast of Brazil.

I tried to relax under the sun. Each time I closed my eyes, I imagined the meetings waiting for me. I wished I could attend them, but nooo.

You need to take some vacation now, my boss had said. If you burn out, it'll both hurt you and the company. She had booked and paid the cruise for me.

It was only the first day and I wanted back. I wasn't even allowed to bring my computer.

"Hey, you seem pretty tense. Can I help ?"

A cute girl, dressed in the cruise's uniform, was leaning over me. She was carrying a bottle of oil and a pair of gloves.

"Just turn over and I'll give you a massage."

"Okay." I said to the staff girl before turning over.

She knelt next to me and knead my back with her oiled, gloved hands.

It was just what I needed. My body was relaxing, my thoughts wandering.

"Very good." I heard the girl say. "Just keep relaxing, feel your worries drift away."

I sighed.

"And once your skin absorbs all this oil, we'll talk about what else you'll be doing."