CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY TWO – THE SUPERMODEL

As they finished their breakfast, a striking woman approached their table. She was tall and slender, with long blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. "Luca, darling!" she exclaimed, air-kissing both his cheeks. "I thought that was you!" Luca stood, a wide smile on his face. "Xarina! What a pleasant surprise. I didn't know you were on this cruise." The woman, Xarina, laughed melodiously. "Last-minute booking, darling. You know how it is in the modeling world – one minute you're in Milan, the next you're sailing the Mediterranean!" Rebecca felt a twinge of something – jealousy? – as she watched the exchange. Luca seemed to suddenly remember her presence. "Oh, where are my manners? Xarina, this is Rebecca. Rebecca, meet Xarina. She's an old friend and one of the top models in Europe." Xarina turned her dazzling smile on Rebecca. "Charmed, I'm sure. Any friend of Luca's is a friend of mine." Rebecca managed a weak smile in return. "Nice to meet you." "Xarina, why don't you join us?" L