Ryan was a wonderful boyfriend and we had often talked about continuing our lives together. I guess he just wasn’t the one for me I was sure that he would make some lucky girl very happy some day.

I was asleep for most of the 16-hour flight and my mind was already swimming with the infinite possibilities of staying in a foreign country.

“Good morning, passengers. We are now approaching Singapore. Estimated time of arrival will be 8:29pm. The time in Singapore is 8:29am. We thank you for flying with us.”

I gave myself a good stretch as I curled up into my seat, admiring the view from my window seat again.

Singapore. The tropical island city. I can’t hardly wait.

◊◊◊

The airport was bustling with life and was so beautiful, well, as beautiful as an airport could be I guess. The people seemed so friendly and everyone looked like they were rushing. I’m sure I would soon be use to this new pace of life, I thought to myself, smiling as the immigration took my passport for verification.

“Welcome to Singapore,” she said, handing my passport over with a somewhat friendly expression.

I wheeled my luggage on a trolley as I walked into the arrival hall, trying to look around for the person who was supposed to meet me at the airport. I turned right to find myself starring a large cardboard sign with my name: Tina Kennard. I felt like a celebrity, what a thrill. I couldn’t help at laugh as I walked towards a young man.

“Hi, I’m Tina,” I said, point at the sign.

“Welcome, Chef Kennard! We at the Shangri-La Singapore are so very proud to have you join us, my name is Jeffery Lim, a representative from the hotel. It really is such a pleasure, we have all heard such wonderful things about you,” he said, shaking my hand enthusiastically.

As I walked out of the airport, a warm breeze blew across my face. Jeffrey loaded my luggage into a black car, ushering me into the back seat as he took the seat next to the driver.

“Chef Kennard…”

“Please call me Tina,” I said to Jeffery.

“Oh, sure. Tina. You’ll be staying at the Shangri-La hotel temporarily, we have arranged a suite for you to settle in.”

“Thank you very much, Jeffery.”

I grinned uncontrollably, there were not enough words to describe how wonderful everything seemed. I stifled a yawn. I was feeling terribly jet-lagged from the flight, despite the large amount of rest I had on the plane. As the driver sped down the expressway with was adorned with beautiful purple flowers and greenery, I felt my heart skip a beat. Although the adrenaline was pumping through my body, I couldn’t help but feel exhausted.

◊◊◊

The suite they had arranged for me was grandeur I had never experienced in my life.

All the rooms were a lovely cream color which made the entire suite so invitingly warm and comfortable.

There was a separate dining and living room. The entire space was adorned with plants, fruits and tasteful artwork.

In the middle of the bedroom stood a large King sized four-poster bed with a quilt so thick that you could sink into it and pillows so plush that it was hard to resist not lying down onto them. I opened the windows of my new bedroom and admired the view.

I had a couple of days of freedom before I had to report to the kitchen and I couldn’t wait to see what wonderful and exciting things this city had in store for me.

But first, I desperately needed to take a nap.