NATIA & The Invisible Island of Sawaiki

The yacht Maria

When Natia went out of the room, Sofia was there.

“Where are you off to?” she asked her.

“Just, you know.. looking around.”

“Oh, ofcourse. You are not familiar with the yacht. I will give you a tour.” Sofia offered.

Natia just raised an eyebrow at her. Earlier, she said, she was not going to be nice. Even though Natia later felt Sofia was not that bad, she wondered why she was acting nice now.

Sofia sighed. “I don’t want to go up and face mama now. I don't want to hear her disapproval of my behavior at dinner now. I will surely hear about it though. But I prefer another time. Not today. So, yeah. I will keep you company for now.”

Natia didn’t mind some company. So she just shrugged. “Lead the way.”

The yacht had nine decks. They decided to go to the lower decks first, since Vera had gone to the upper deck. She was staying in one of the penthouse rooms on the eighth deck.

But, Natia remembered what were on the upper decks. The ninth deck had a sun terrace and a plunge pool. The eighth deck mainly had the two penthouse suites. Maybe some of the helicopter hangers too. The seventh deck had a large swimming pool, a bar, a helipad, an open formal dining space and a large saloon.

The dining room they just had dinner in was on the sixth deck. It also had an atrium and an open deck.

They moved to the stairs to go down. The yacht also has an internal elevator to all levels.

“So, when is your birthday?” Natia asked.

“Second of October. Will you be flying directly to Paris or what?”

“I am invited?!” Natia asked, surprised.

“ Of course you are invited. I am sure papa will want you there.”

“Do you?”

Sofia turned to look at her confused.

“Do you want me there? It’s your birthday after all.”

Sofia sniggered and turned away.

“What I want, doesn’t matter much. And these parties matter more to papa and mama’s business world, than to me, even if it is my birthday. My guess is your revelation to the public will be on that day. Papa has to announce to the world after all, that he has another daughter.”

'That was sad.' Natia felt a little sympathy for Sofia. Her own birthday parties were all intimate family moments. She couldn’t imagine having such birthday parties as Sofia mentioned. To be surrounded by people who were only there because of your parents, and not because you wanted them there on your birthday. People who don't really care about you. That felt like being used.

And a public reveal! Natia felt a little apprehensive towards that news. Papa didn’t say anything to her. Hell! She didn’t even know if she was really meant to go to the birthday party. Maybe she would, since he doesn't want her to be a secret anymore. She just hoped her life wouldn’t change much if such a public reveal happened.

Sofia then again turned to face Natia.

“But, to answer your question, I don’t mind you being there.”

“Really?! You were glad your friends were not here to see me, earlier.”

Sofia sighed. “I am sorry, alright. I didn’t mean... oh whatever! I am not in a mood to explain it. But, I didn’t mean it like how it sounded. Whether you believe it or not, I don’t care.”

Natia just shrugged. A part of her wanted to believe Sofia, a part that longed to meet her brother and sister since she had heard of them. The jury is still out on the matter of Sofia. She thought.

The fifth deck had a conference room and a theatre. The fourth deck had the main entrance foyer. A large party hall was on this level with small dining tables to the sides and a dance floor in the center. The second helipad was also on this level.

The gym and medicine room were on the third deck. A multilevel beach club situated on the third and second deck with a full pantry. It featured two pools. They sit one above the other, one on the third deck and the other on the second deck, right next to the water’s edge. There were stairs running from the two sides of the lower deck pool to the upper deck. There was a spa area, massage room, beauty salon, sauna and shower areas on the third deck. A large lounge is situated at the rear of the second deck with a great view of the sea.

A three-man submarine was kept on the second deck. It can drive to a depth of 120 ft. The first deck had the engine room, the machinery and a disco. An underwater observatory was on the keel.

The yacht had an intruder detection system and an anti-paparazzi shield. The twenty guest cabins were situated on the fourth and higher decks.

Since they were not in any hurry, they decided to take the stairs back to their rooms. When they reached the fifth deck, they heard an angry shout and raised arguing voices. It soon quieted down to hushed voices. Sofia exchanged a glance with Natia.

The voices were coming from a small saloon on the fifth deck. Sofia moved towards it and signaled Natia to go with her. Natia followed unsure. The voice seemed to be Aleksandr’s. And Natia was sure he wouldn’t be happy to see her.