SEA OF FROGS

for the upcoming vacation without a man by her side. Her younger sister Keke was happily dating a basketball player, and her

tion in Italy. Venice picked up her phone and dialed her friend Nina's num

yes sparkled with a lively spirit. She was an attractive, successful woman at 25 working as Head of Marke

favorite spot, a small balcony overlooking the lagoon.

dear, I nee

response was the las

tly unavailable, ple

about the wording. Furrowing

man to accompany me. You know how it looks; my younger si

vailable, in fact, this user is confused. Do not leave a message."

t hear her friend's hearty laughter through the silence. Nina finally responded, her voice full of amusement, "So, now you've decided to come to 'Nina the G

, the helper of people," Venice retorted, goading her friend further. Nina burst into bolts of laughter at that, "You've come to the right pl

tball player boyfriend?" Her voice trailed off as she took in the enormity of the situation. There was a moment of sile

in this manner but she'd rather do this than stand the sarcasm of her younger sister Keke or the scolding and probing of her parents,

nd enjoy herself, she was not in a relationship with anyone but she had dates with several guys and she even had a "no strings attached" kind of arrangement with several others. Venice wa

ys were going t

e laugh escaped her. She was lucky to have a friend like Nina, who added color to every momen

mind stirred with concern and confusion, her heart resonated with a touch of hope, the hope that Nina would come thro

her feet into her cozy slippers. She wandered around the huge space, with her breath coming out in ragged gasps. The family trip or reunion was a heavy burden to bear; it meant that she had to sit through her parents' lovey-dovey stories of how they had met for the 25,000th time. She had not visited her family in

two sisters, and this in turn sparked a form of rivalry between them. It was always as if Keke had something to prove, she had to strive to outdo Venice. It was Venice flawless disposition and exceptional academic achievements that Keke felt she had to match in order to be accepted by her family. Keke was an elegant model, gallivanting around the world, and she was showing up with her handsome and successful basketball player Bryan Gonelli which would be the icing on the cake. This w

documents since her assistant was on a break. Venice had no intention of waking her friend Nina up but she was getting increasingly impatient, with a frustrated sigh she picked up her phone to call Nina. when she ca

shine!' Venice said, her

was quiet for a moment, t

one?" came a

been able to find me a man for the tr

d to get a little creative, but I manage

. 'You found me an actor? Th

the eyes of the public," Nina continued. "I explained t

ontinued to grow as s

ith Richard Harmony," she said.

to sleep," her friend replied jokingly. "Only lonely

ceedingly good-looking, but he was also known for his witty conversations. Venice's heart was full of gratitude as she silently thanked Nina again in her heart. With that, she opened her laptop and began to work; she had a full day ahead of her and preparation for the

o the destination, her parents' Anniversary celebration was taking place in Bali, a beautiful Island in Indonesia. Keke and her boyfriend, who had flown in from France, were due to be there soon. Venice was on her way

she was staring out the window, anxio

rgent information to share with her. The information had her in complete shock and nothing had prepared her for the update she received from Nina. The news was deeply saddening and all of a sudden, everything froze. She felt like turning the car back and calling her family to infor