Chapter 1 – Prologue

AN: I know that I already have two stories running, but frankly I came up with this idea and I couldn't put off beginning to write it. Perhaps it's the ku'uipo rings that have inspired this, or Vanessa's filming of Journey 2 in Hawaii, but I felt a sudden inspiration to write a completely new story.

And so, here it is. Please tell me what you think.

IMPORTANT: The Island that I place my story on is not real! It does not exist, it was created by me and therefore all credit for this island goes to me.

Mau Lao

This term, in Hawaiian, means forever.

What follows is my story. It's the story of how I met the woman that I knew would be my forever. It's the story of the struggles that I had to go to in order to guarantee that she would be my forever. It's the story of my journey on an island, though not mysterious, has some components that were completely unexpected when finding my forever.

Surprisingly, my story begins with a typical hot day on the paradise island of Maui, though most of my story will end up taking place at the more isolated island that, as far as I know, hasn't even been identified nor claimed by the United States. Though it was probably reckless to take a trip to the island at the time, risking my future, my safety, and my occupation, it was all worth it. Had I not decided to go on an adventure that day, I would have never found my forever.

Which, frankly, is far worse that the risks taken.

"Dude really, you are crazy!" my best friend muttered, shaking his head.

We were sitting on the balcony of my hotel room, his girlfriend sitting in his lap. Chad Danforth and Taylor McKessie. They had been my close friends from high school (we all attended East High School) and even though it had been 5 years since our graduation, we were still close as ever. Taylor was finished with school and had become a science teacher at East High, teaching biology and chemistry to senior high school students. Chad, conveniently, was a gym teacher and basketball coach at East High.

Me?

I got a business degree in university, though to be completely honest I didn't have to do that. My father was the owner of the Bolton Hotels chain, therefore leaving the next two generations of the Bolton family set for life. This, of course, didn't mean that I wasn't going to work hard to continue to pass on his legacy. It was the reason I had gotten my degree, to prove that I was indeed serious about taking over the business, instead of inheriting it for no apparent reason. My plan was simple: I was taking two years off, spending them touring the islands of Hawaii for 'potential hotel locations' and, when a spot has been picked out, helping with the beginning stages of development. It was an easy way to give myself a vacation that I felt well deserved after working incredibly hard to finish my degree early, as well as helping my father expand the hotel chain. Along with me for the trip, at least for the summer months before their jobs required them to head back to Albuquerque were my two best friends.

"I'm not crazy, I'm just incredibly adventurous." I replied nonchalantly, pouring myself another class of cool lemonade and taking a long drink.

"Adventurous! That's ridiculous!" Taylor exclaimed. "Your father allowed you to come here to help the business grow, to help find a place to build a high-class hotel that will bring in a lot of money. How would he react if he found out his son is gallivanting off to some unknown island so that he can have some fun?"

"Calm down Taylor. I'm a big boy, I can take care of myself."

"I don't think that's the point." Chad said, taking the side of his girlfriend as usual. He learned very early on in the relationship to agree with whatever Taylor says, for she was the type of strong-willed girl that would not allow herself to be controlled by any man. "The point is that you are being irresponsible. You could be putting yourself in danger, I mean really you know absolutely nothing about this island!"

"I know that it's just off the coast of Maui, that so far it has been unclaimed by any state, and therefore it would be a perfect location for a private island hotel. Think of it, Bolton Hotels, a personal island escape."

"That's a very beautiful idea, but seriously, don't the risks outweigh the benefits?" Taylor attempted to reason. What she did not understand was that my mind was already made up, and that I was going no matter what she said, and no matter how much she tried to persuade me not to go.

"Don't worry. I'm just going for a day. I'm leaving by boat early tomorrow morning, and I'll make sure that I'm back by dinner. Believe me, with the two off you acting all lovey-dovey all day, and having the hotel to yourselves without having to worry about where I am, you'll barely notice that I'm gone. It'll be a nice break."

"I don't know Troy. I can't see this going well." Chad said.

"It's alright Chad. You just wait, this'll probably end up being the best choice I ever made."

True to my word, I set out early the next morning, backpack on my back, hiking boots on my feet, water bottle in my hand. I took a small motorboat that I rented out onto the water, relishing in the cool breeze that swept over my face as I let the boat gently glide above the water. I was in no hurry. The sun was shining, the warmth spread over my arms as I controlled the boat. After a while of slowly gliding, the island was becoming clearer and clearer on the horizon. Slowly it was growing larger and larger, with a large peak in the center, surrounded by green forest. As I came closer and closer to the horizon, it was then that I noticed the pale while sands that made up the beaches surrounding the island.

"It's perfect." I whispered, breath-taken by the view in front of me. Looking over the side of the boat, the water was crystal clear. I could see small fish swimming beneath me, and I dipped my finger into the cool water, mesmerized by the ripples that came out of that small contact.

As soon as I made it to land, I made sure that I tightly secured my boat to a tree, before slowly beginning to walk along the shoreline. Looking out, I could faintly see the island of Maui directly north of me, though it was more of a shadow in the distance. I looked back at the forest, curious to see what mysteries loomed behind the dark expanse.

What I didn't see, was the curious set of eyes that were watching me.

AN: I know this is incredibly short, but it's just a test run. I want to know what all of you think before I even consider beginning to fully write this story! So please, review and let me know.

Xoxo,

Lar