"Ashelin Clarke." The officer handed her back her passport, and the anxious Canadian exited through the security door. She brushed a wad of thick auburn locks from her shoulder as the hot Bangkok air hit her like a jackhammer. It was thick, even though it was nighttime. She couldn't believe she was here.

She glanced up and down the street, unsure of how to start her adventure. She'd purposely not booked any hotels, just in case she got too excited and wanted to charter a boat to the island right away.

She almost leapt out of her skin when she felt a tap on her shoulder. A man in a full on black suit and tie stood there, holding a piece of paper. He turned it around for her to see and she realized it was a printout of her passport. Her stomach fluttered.

"That's... me." She nodded, mouth dry. He was wearing sunglasses, so she couldn't discern his expression, but he was fairly tanned and had a full head of dark hair. She wondered how he was dealing with wearing so many clothes in this heat. Even her pale yellow sun dress was feeling heavy.

He turned on his heel and started walking towards a shiny SUV with enormous tires. Ashelin followed him, having to trot to keep up with his long stride. He was easily a foot taller than her slender 5'3 frame. He opened the back driver's side door and held out his hand to her. Don't think, she urged herself, and took his hand, allowing him to help her up into the massive vehicle.

It was cool inside, the leather smooth and soothing against her hot skin. She tossed her backpack onto the seat next to her as her chauffeur closed the door, and jumped into the front seat. He didn't seem to want to chat, and Ashelin wasn't sure if he could speak English. She wasn't upset about that, as her nerves were on fire and she wasn't sure she could form a coherent sentence anyway.

This was happening. This was actually happening.

She glanced at the clock on the dash. 23:25. Almost midnight. She was buzzed.

The car stopped and the driver pointed to the right of them. Looming above them was a tall, ornate building.

"I guess this is where I get out." Ashelin commented as he jumped out to open her door for her again. "Well... thanks for the ride."

He didn't seem to acknowledge her as he got back in the SUV and took off.

The building was huge. She assumed it was a hotel, and entered with trepidation. Would Vaas be here? Her heart caught in her throat. She didn't think she was ready to face him yet. At the very least, she had to shower.

She approached the front desk, and the clerk smiled warmly. "Good evening, dear, what can I do for you?" Her english was only slightly accented.

"I need a room, I guess." Ashelin shrugged and returned the smile. "Some guy in a suit dropped me off, I suppose he was recommending this place."

"Ahhh, one minute." The woman squinted and then touched a few things on her computer screen. "You are in Mr. Volker's suite, Ms. Clarke."

"Am I that easy to recognize?" The redhead toyed with some of her hair and the clerk trilled out a laugh.

"Right this way, Ms. Clarke." They traveled down a hall of red oak hardwood and rich emerald carpets. Ashelin wondered who Mr. Volker was. Maybe an associate of Vaas' from the mainland? Maybe just Vaas' alias?

Her pulse quickened as they climbed flight after flight of stairs. Was the pirate king going to be waiting for her in this suite? They reached the top of the stairs and a locked door. There wasn't even a hallway here. This suite took up the entire top floor.

"Thank you," Ashelin said as she stepped inside the opened door.

"You're very welcome. Just call down if you need anything." The clerk smiled and closed the door behind her.

The room was huge. There was a full kitchen, and a living room with an entire wall made of windows that looked out over the city.

She dropped her backpack in the bedroom and gawked at the four poster king sized bed, topped so high with blankets and pillows it looked like a cloud. There was an envelope in the center, and she scrambled up onto the bed to open it.

In scrawling black letters it read: The Social Club. There was an address.

Her head spun. This was all so unreal. She'd expected to do some sightseeing, and psyche herself up to find someone to take her to the island. Instead, as soon as she'd landed Vaas himself was guiding her through the motions of getting her to him. She should have been feeling scared, but instead heat rose up in her belly.

She laid back on the comfortable pillows of the bed, spread her legs as far as they would go, and lifted her dress.