Page 30 of The Sounds of Her
The last week has been non-stop, performing shows in Thailand, Vietnam, and Hong Kong, as well as doing press, trying not to slip up we’re headed to Ad and Jenna’s wedding. Not that people have been speculating about it, this is the best kept secret in showbiz.
It’s hot but balmy when we head onto the runway, there is no airport terminal. We’re greeted by two members of staff, a man who looks to be in his late fifties and a woman about thirty. They’re both wearing uniforms with the company logo on the breast pocket.
They’re very welcoming, with huge smiles, and tell us our luggage will be taken to our villas, ready for when we arrive there later.
“My name is Bart, I am your host for the duration of your stay,” Bart tells us in a subtle French accent as we’re steered towards the golf carts, which I presume is how people get around the island.
“This is Cezanne, in charge of the villas and grounds,” he introduces the woman with him. “If there is anything you need, any of the staff on hand will be available to help or contact us. There are welcome drinks and appetisers at the main building. Mr Mathews and Miss Montanari are there.”
“Can I drive?” Jordan asks the driver of the first cart.
He looks as if Jordan spoke a different language. To be fair, it’s not out of the realm of possibility, this guy might only speak French Creole, the official language here. Or he’s used to idiot guests asking to take over his golf cart, and that is his pissed off face.
“Our drivers are here for your convenience,” Cezanne says, approaching Jordan. “Please allow us to guide you.”
“Yeah,” Nick adds. “Let the professionals do it.”
Jordan pouts but gets into the passenger seat, no doubt so he can pester the driver.
The main building on the island turns out to be a one storey wooden structure with a flat roof, covered porch and a lot of windows, all of which are wide open. Lush foliage surrounds it and there is a seating area with comfortable couches, huge oval swing seats, and wooden tables around a fire pit.
Tables and chairs take up a lot of the space inside, as well as a long bar and beyond it, through more open doors, is white sand and the ocean. With the blue sky and blazing sun, it is paradise here.
The carts park up by the entrance and as we’re all climbing out, Jenna appears on the porch. She is wearing a white strapless dress that reaches mid-thigh and her feet are bare. She hurries across the porch with a huge grin on her face and greets everyone, hugging her mom the longest.
Everyone is boisterous and enthusiastic, and I can’t help smiling at how happy she is.
“Where’s Adam?” Keira asks.
The man himself steps out then, topless and wearing shorts, also barefoot, with a cocktail in his hand. It has an umbrella sticking out of it, and I laugh at him. He looks so relaxed, and his grin is easy as he welcomes everyone, not in the least bit bothered by my laughing.
“How much do you want to bet he cries when he sees her in her dress?”
I give Jordan my ‘are you for real face.’ “What kind of naïve asshole do you take me for?”
He laughs. We all know Adam’s gonna cry and we will give him endless shit about it.
Thankfully, we move into the air-conditioned bar and are each given a glass of champagne with raspberries floating inside, all a little frilly for my tastes, but it’s liquid and its alcohol, so I drink it. At least it’s not one of those ridiculous cocktails like Adam’s, with umbrellas and sparkly straws. Sandy and Elsa have taken one of those.
There is a table set up with tapas style food that smells delicious. I’m so hungry I could eat my shoe, so I head straight over.
Once all the rowdy greetings have died down, people take seats at the various tables, eating and drinking. I stand by the bar and Adam comes over. He asks for a beer from the bartender and with a brow lift, I nod to make it two. I’ve had two glasses of the champagne but it’s giving me a headache.
“This place is impressive,” I say, looking around.
“You haven’t seen your villa yet,” he grins. “Ours is like a fucking palace.”
“I hope it’s well tucked away, no one wants to hear the shit you’ll get up to in a few days.”
“A few days?” he laughs. “Try from the moment we set foot in it. There is this outdoor shower-”
“No need for details,” I make a face, making him laugh harder. “You sick fuck.”
We sip our beers and Adam nods to the back deck, we walk out, leaving everyone behind. The sun warms my skin and I tip my head up to enjoy it. We’ve been on this continent for two weeks now and it’s so hot it’s been unbearable, but here, on the beach with the ocean breeze, it’s a level of heat I can deal with.
As far as the eye can see out here, there is white sand and aquamarine blue water. To the left, in the distance, there is a lush-looking forest, and to the right is a small rocky outcrop. I can just about make out a dock with boats tied up. The water is so calm it’s eerie.
Adam leads me away from the building and I kick off my sneakers and leave them on the wooden porch so I can feel the sand between my toes.