![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ezzuye.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/474462903_1016585757179139_7318563227556132578_n-240x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
I thought going on vacation with a stranger to make my ex regret leaving me was the perfect plan. It seemed simple enough\u2014act happy, make him notice, and watch it all fall into place. But as the days went by, nothing turned out the way I expected, leaving me questioning everything.<\/p>\n
I might have done the craziest thing in my life, but there was no turning back now. I stood at the airport, nervously glancing at my phone every few seconds, wondering if Travis would even show up. The whole situation felt ridiculous.<\/p>\n
A few days ago, he was just a stranger at a bar, someone I barely knew. I remembered how he casually mentioned he was short on cash while I, in my heartbreak, had spilled my guts about Josh leaving me.<\/p>\n
Somehow, in that mess of a conversation, the idea hit me\u2014wild, impulsive, and maybe a little brilliant.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey,\u201d a voice interrupted my thoughts. It was Travis.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ezzuye.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ec0b9db878c080a9a962286efdf204665e608eed8286a46b9b4e080a380614ed.webp\")
\nFor illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, hi,\u201d I said, trying to appear calm.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, still think this is a good idea?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not sure,\u201d I admitted. \u201cBut it could work. You?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo downsides for me. I\u2019m going on vacation with a hot woman, and I\u2019m getting paid for it,\u201d Travis said with a grin.<\/p>\n
I felt my cheeks burn. \u201cIf I were hot, he wouldn\u2019t have dumped me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s just an idiot,\u201d Travis replied.<\/p>\n
We made it through security and boarded the plane. That\u2019s when I saw him\u2014Josh. And of course, his new girlfriend was right there beside him. He looked surprised to see me.<\/p>\n
\u201cAri? What are you doing here?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n
I felt Travis slide his arm around my waist. \u201cHeading on vacation with my boyfriend,\u201d I said, though I could barely hide the panic bubbling inside me. I had wanted Josh to feel jealous, but he seemed completely unfazed.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, we just needed some time alone,\u201d Travis added smoothly.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, we\u2019re doing the same\u2014\u201d Josh started, but Travis cut him off.<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry, we need to find our seats,\u201d he said, steering me away.<\/p>\n
I was still in a daze as we sat down and buckled in. Once we were settled, I finally managed to thank Travis. \u201cI completely froze back there. Thanks for stepping in.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what I\u2019m here for,\u201d he replied with a playful smile.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ezzuye.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/4c9b89bd834c350290f046fc77085da779dc87a79bddb64263bcc97fbce6465c.webp\")
\nFor illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney<\/p>\n
As the plane took off, I stared out the window, watching the clouds swirl beneath us and replaying everything in my head.<\/p>\n
The plan was simple\u2014at least on paper. Make Josh jealous, make him regret letting me go, and win him back.<\/p>\n
I\u2019d thought through every detail, making sure it looked natural. Travis and I were supposed to be the picture of a carefree, happy couple.<\/p>\n
Even staying at the same hotel as Josh wasn\u2019t a coincidence. Thanks to a few mutual friends, I knew all about his vacation plans. Now, all that was left was to play my part and make him notice.<\/p>\n
When we arrived at the hotel, exhaustion hit me like a ton of bricks. I was ready to drop everything and collapse into bed.<\/p>\n
That hope, however, vanished the second we opened the door and saw the room.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s only one bed,\u201d I said, my voice flat with disbelief.<\/p>\n
\u201cYep, I can see that,\u201d Travis replied, looking entirely too amused.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis has to be a mistake. I booked a room with two beds!\u201d I insisted, already reaching for my phone.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe there was a mix-up,\u201d Travis offered. \u201cNo big deal. We can share.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAbsolutely not,\u201d I shot back.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s the problem? Afraid Josh will find out? Isn\u2019t this exactly what you wanted?\u201d he teased.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t share a bed with someone I barely know,\u201d I said firmly.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy not? It\u2019s just sleeping,\u201d he countered.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause it\u2019s wrong\u2026I\u2019m not that kind of person,\u201d I insisted.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re too uptight,\u201d Travis said, shaking his head.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd you\u2019re too laid-back,\u201d I retorted.<\/p>\n
Without another word, I headed to the front desk to sort things out. But when I explained the issue, the receptionist told me there was no mistake.<\/p>\n
\u201cI specifically booked two beds,\u201d I argued.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s the problem, Ari? Something wrong?\u201d Josh\u2019s voice suddenly chimed in, catching me off guard.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? No, no problems at all,\u201d I stammered.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, we do have a\u2014\u201d the receptionist started.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything\u2019s perfect,\u201d I interrupted. \u201cThe room is just lovely. Very romantic. My boyfriend and I are thrilled.\u201d<\/p>\n
The receptionist looked confused but didn\u2019t push the matter further.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo\u2026a boyfriend, huh?\u201d Josh said with a smirk. \u201cDidn\u2019t expect you to move on so quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, you didn\u2019t exactly come here alone,\u201d I shot back.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re different, though,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI decided to find someone who appreciates me,\u201d I replied with a smile before walking away.<\/p>\n
To my surprise, I felt a strange sense of power. A week ago, I\u2019d imagined myself begging Josh to take me back. But now? Not so much.<\/p>\n
Back in the room, I told Travis we were staying put and not to ask any questions about it.<\/p>\n
We decided to call it an early night and climbed into bed, each sticking to our side. I stretched as far away from him as possible.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo you are that kind of person,\u201d Travis said just as I was drifting off.<\/p>\n
At first, I didn\u2019t understand what he meant. Then it clicked, and I felt my face heat up.<\/p>\n
Without thinking, I grabbed a pillow and swatted him with it, laughing despite myself.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re impossible,\u201d I muttered, rolling over to face the wall.<\/p>\n
Behind me, his laugh rang out\u2014loud and carefree, like he didn\u2019t have a single worry in the world.<\/p>\n
Somehow, it was oddly comforting. I fell asleep to the sound, my lips curved in an unintentional smile.<\/p>\n
The next few days passed in a whirlwind of meticulously planned run-ins with Josh and his girlfriend.<\/p>\n
Travis and I leaned into the act, playing the perfect, carefree couple. To my surprise, it didn\u2019t feel forced.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ezzuye.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/22a2693116779b60c4dff820d3a316ce48fc3f16ca2471bb97b37ee185956a73-512x1024.webp\")
\nFor illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney<\/p>\n
Travis made everything easy. He was funny, spontaneous, and had this way of making me forget why I was there in the first place.<\/p>\n
We spent afternoons building sandcastles, laughing as Travis insisted mine looked like a \u201clopsided pancake.\u201d<\/p>\n
We mimicked overly peppy tour guides until tears rolled down my cheeks. And in the ocean, we splashed each other like kids, the waves swallowing our laughter. With Travis, I felt something I hadn\u2019t expected\u2014peace.<\/p>\n
One evening, after dinner, Travis stood up suddenly. \u201cLet\u2019s go,\u201d he said, holding out his hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere?\u201d I asked, suspicious.<\/p>\n
\u201cTrust me,\u201d he said, pulling me outside and onto the beach.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know we\u2019re not supposed to be here at night,\u201d I whispered, glancing around nervously.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, relax. What\u2019s the worst that could happen?\u201d he said before sweeping me off my feet and carrying me toward the water.<\/p>\n
I screamed, laughed, and begged him to put me down, but he didn\u2019t stop until we were both soaked. Even then, he held onto me.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re crazy,\u201d I said, still laughing.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ezzuye.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/8938e8ba3be288bae183f632730d4f7880891ffab26a13a7ef11cdf01b3ed083.webp\")
\nFor illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd?\u201d he asked, his eyes locking onto mine.<\/p>\n
For a moment, it felt like time stopped. Our faces drifted closer, but then reality hit me like a ton of bricks.<\/p>\n
I pulled away, mumbling something about Josh. As I waded back to the shore, I realized I thought about Josh less and less these days. Sitting on the sand, I couldn\u2019t help but feel conflicted.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy do you even want him back?\u201d Travis asked, joining me.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love him,\u201d I said.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you?\u201d he asked, unconvinced.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were together for a long time,\u201d I argued.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut he didn\u2019t treat you right. From what you\u2019ve told me, he made you feel small,\u201d Travis said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not true,\u201d I replied defensively.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe you just don\u2019t see it. I talked to him, you know. He doesn\u2019t seem like a great guy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou talked to him?\u201d I yelled.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe came to me, asking how serious we were,\u201d Travis explained. \u201cBut he doesn\u2019t deserve you, Ari. He doesn\u2019t see how amazing you are.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd how am I amazing?\u201d I asked, genuinely curious.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re smart, funny, stunning\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cStop it,\u201d I interrupted, but he kept going.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou scrunch your nose when you drink soda, you\u2019re adorable when you\u2019re angry, and you definitely snore.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI do not snore!\u201d I said, hitting him lightly.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou do. I\u2019d bet on it,\u201d he teased. \u201cYou\u2019re kind to everyone, even when they don\u2019t deserve it. And did I mention how beautiful and smart you are?\u201d<\/p>\n
I stared at him, my heart pounding. And then, without thinking, I kissed him. It was nothing like kissing Josh\u2014it was better. Warmer. Real.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ezzuye.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/cee86b017705a92f659dd0c574559dd759e75cbc5aae935475bc298fe2fb1bb9.webp\")
\nFor illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney<\/p>\n
When I finally pulled away, Travis grinned. \u201cWow. Didn\u2019t see that coming.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShut up,\u201d I replied, laughing as I leaned into him. For the first time in a long time, I felt completely at peace.<\/p>\n
The next morning, I woke up to someone shaking me. It wasn\u2019t Travis. I opened my eyes to see Josh standing over me.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to talk,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Reluctantly, I followed him outside. \u201cWhat is it?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t do this, Ari. Seeing you with someone else\u2026I still love you. I was an idiot. Please, take me back,\u201d he pleaded.<\/p>\n
Before I could think, he kissed me. But instead of the rush I expected, I felt nothing. Absolutely nothing. I pushed him away.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, Josh. I can\u2019t do this anymore,\u201d I said. \u201cI have someone who sees me for who I really am, and I can\u2019t lose him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can fix this,\u201d he insisted.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d I said firmly. I turned to find Travis, but he was gone. My heart sank. He must have seen everything.<\/p>\n
I ran through the hotel, desperate to find him. Finally, I spotted him leaving our room with his bag.<\/p>\n
\u201cTravis!\u201d I called out. He didn\u2019t stop. \u201cPlease, wait!\u201d<\/p>\n
He paused but didn\u2019t turn around. \u201cYou got what you wanted. You don\u2019t need me anymore,\u201d he said coldly.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, you\u2019re wrong. I don\u2019t want him,\u201d I said, my voice shaking. \u201cI want you. You\u2019re the only one who\u2019s ever made me feel like this. I\u2019m terrified of losing you.\u201d<\/p>\n
He stared at me, his expression unreadable. \u201cI told him no,\u201d I added softly.<\/p>\n
Still, he said nothing. My heart was breaking. \u201cPlease, Travis. Don\u2019t leave.\u201d<\/p>\n
After what felt like an eternity, he dropped his bag and walked back to me. He cupped my face in his hands and kissed me like his life depended on it.<\/p>\n
\u201cSharing a bed wasn\u2019t such a bad idea after all,\u201d I whispered through tears.<\/p>\n
\u201cBest idea ever,\u201d he replied with a grin before pulling me into another kiss.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I thought going on vacation with a stranger to make my ex regret leaving me was the perfect plan. It seemed simple enough\u2014act happy, make him notice,… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":19869,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19868","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n