In the marble-lined Jacuzzi room, steam curled around Lolita's shoulders, making her cheeks flush. She lounged against a plush bath pillow in a red satin bikini threaded with yellow sapphires, each gem catching the underwater lights. Warm jets massaged her toes while a crystal flute of champagne bobbed on a floating tray beside her.
On the wall-mounted screen, her favorite soap opera played its final scene: Dr. Desouky leaning over his cancer patient, Maddie, to kiss her lips. Maddie lay pale beneath her hospital scarf, her eyes shining with hope. Axel, ever the cynic, hated this part—he called it "cheesy romance"—but Lolita found it irresistibly moving.
Breaking news.
Lolita's eyes widened as breaking news interrupted her show. Her jaw clenched—she'd wanted to see Dr. Desouky's kiss.
The reporter's facial expression was tense. Her hands were clasped in front of her on her anchor desk.
"We've an update on the war with Intermarium and Technate," the reporter said.
Lolita leaned towards the television; her lips pursed.
We better have won the war.
"Intermarium has lost the battle on Grey Island against Technate," the reporter stated flatly.
"FUCK!" Lolita screamed, hurling her champagne glass at the television. It smashed into pieces, spidering a large crack across the screen.
She rose from the jacuzzi, grabbed her housecoat, and slipped it on. She pulled her cell phone from her white housecoat pocket and dialled Axel's number. Voicemail.
"Axel, this war is far from over. We're returning to Cascadia to meet with Osa Jackson." She ended the call, tossed the phone onto the marble counter, and strode toward the door. The war had just begun.