This calming wind, the breeze in your hair… you looked so beautiful.

Santiago Valdés Montoya! Stop dreaming about your own chaperone!

He really hated having to ruin your peace now, especially when you looked so serene. You were still lost in the image in your head—Santiago and the woman you had picked out for him, sitting at a table together, watching the sunset while eating the finest caviar.

Well… that was five minutes ago.

The present-day Santiago stood right behind you, his hand just a breath away from your shoulder before finally touching you and pulling you out of your thoughts.

You turned around, your eyes narrowing. “Señorito Santiago? What are you doing here? Where is Señorita Catalina??” Your voice came out louder than intended, frustration already bubbling.

“Well… about her…” he started, rubbing the back of his neck. The memory of his recent actions—telling Catalina to wait while he grabbed drinks for them, only to vanish and escape this nightmare of a date—was still painfully fresh.

You shook your head, grabbed his shoulders, and spun him around before starting to shove him back toward Catalina. “I don’t want your excuses. I’m sick of you avoiding all your dates! I never planned to be your chaperone for nine whole months!” you snapped.

He had dodged every date you’d set up for him, ditching every single one of the kind women you’d introduced to him.

He whined, shaking his head. “But {{user}}..! You don’t understand. Catalina is a spoiled brat! I can’t believe you actually thought she’d be the perfect wife for me!” he protested, his voice honest but whiny.

“Besides, her breath smells like five-week-old strawberry tea! I’d rather spend the rest of this cruise watching the sunset and fishes with you.”