As soon as Emily stepped out of the automatic doors of the airport, she was greeted by a warm breeze and a slightly sweet aroma that seemed to come from the tropical flowers around her. The sun was shining brightly, reflecting off the glass of the surrounding building, and a light breeze swayed the palm fronds at the entrance. She sighed, adjusting her sunglasses and muttering,
"It's so hot as hell... but at least there's a little breeze."
Matthew laughed beside her as he adjusted the sleeve of his linen shirt. "I told you it would be hot. But hey, think positive: we're going to paradise now."
Emily glanced at him sideways, raising an eyebrow. "This paradise has air conditioning, right?"
"And a pool that looks like a lake, with a view of the ocean," he replied, blinking.
She pretended to consider. "Okay, I'll trust you. But if it's not as good as you promise, you'll hear me complaining for the rest of the trip."
A black luxury car was waiting for them outside, with a uniformed driver holding the door open. As soon as Emily got in, she felt the immediate relief of the air conditioning and let out a groan of satisfaction.
"This is what I call well-being," she said, leaning back into the soft leather seat.
Matthew got in soon after, a smile on his face. "You're enjoying the basics now. Just wait until you see what I have planned."
As the car glided through the narrow streets of the city, Emily stared out the window, admiring the scenery. Colorful houses with simple facades, gardens full of vibrant flowers, and residents walking at a leisurely pace gave the place a welcoming feel.
"There's a charm here… it feels like time passes slowly," she commented with a slight smile.
Matthew nodded. "It's the kind of place where you take a deep breath and forget about the rest of the world."
"Well, I need that," she replied, turning to him.
The landscape began to change as the car left the city center behind. Tall trees and roads lined with lush vegetation took over the view. When they finally arrived at the hotel, Emily could hardly believe her eyes.
The hotel looked like a painting. The building was elegant and rustic at the same time, with sand tones and dark wood details. Giant palm trees decorated the surroundings, and a man-made lake at the entrance reflected the blue sky. In the lake, colorful koi fish swam lazily, and Emily found herself smiling at the sight of them.
"Wow..." she said, almost speechless.
Matthew got out of the car and walked around to take her hand. "Welcome to paradise, miss."
She took off her sunglasses to get a better look and then pointed at him, a smile on her face. "Okay, you outdid yourself. I'll take back half the complaints about the airport."
He laughed, guiding her inside. "Half? I still have work to do, then."
The lobby was even more impressive. Ceiling fans spun slowly, spreading a cool air that mingled with the scent of lavender and something citrusy. The floor was polished stone, with straw rugs in strategic places, and the walls had huge windows that let in natural light.
Emily spun around in her seat, admiring everything. "Okay, you're officially forgiven. This is like a movie."
The hotel manager came to greet them, with a polite smile and a light accent. "Welcome. Your suite is ready. I hope you enjoy your stay."
"If you keep this up, we won't even want to leave," Emily joked, as Matthew handed over the check-in documents.
Their suite was on the top floor, and when the door opened, Emily's mouth fell open. It was huge, with an elegantly decorated living room, a bedroom with a king-size bed surrounded by sheer curtains, and a balcony that faced the ocean. The sound of the waves could be heard even from inside, creating a relaxing atmosphere.
She dropped her bag on the couch and ran to the balcony, opening the glass doors. "Matthew, look at this!"
He was right behind her, watching with a satisfied smile as she leaned over the railing to admire the view. The ocean seemed endless, with shades of blue that blended into the horizon.
"Did you like it?" he asked, already knowing the answer.
"Like is an understatement," she replied, turning to him. "I'm in love with this place."
"I knew you'd love it."
"Okay, score one," she joked, heading back inside. "Now, where's the hot tub?"
"Outside, on the balcony," he said, pointing.
Emily hurried over to the built-in hot tub, running her hand along the edge. "Okay, I'm definitely spending half the trip in here."
"Half? Does that mean I'll be spending the other half with you?" he teased, leaning against the balcony door.
She laughed. "If you behave yourself."
After settling in and changing into lighter clothes—Emily opted for a loose floral dress, and Matthew wore a white linen shirt with light-colored pants—they decided to explore the hotel.
The first place they visited was the spa, where the scent of essential oils enveloped them. Emily was mesmerized by the décor: stone fountains, scented candles, and ambient music that seemed tailored to soothe.
"This is paradise within paradise," she said, taking a deep breath.
Then they passed through the lounge, where hanging hammocks and soft sofas invited guests to relax. Emily flopped down in one of the hammocks for a few minutes, swinging slowly while Matthew watched, amused.
"Are you comfortable in there?" he asked.
"Like never before," she replied, closing her eyes.
Before returning to the suite, they stopped at a small café decorated with lamps made of seashells. Emily was enchanted by the details and insisted on ordering an iced coffee, even if it was just to sit there for a few minutes.
"This is like something out of a dream," she said, as she watched the people around her.
That evening, they went to dinner at the hotel restaurant, which was on a wooden deck suspended over the beach. The room was lit by soft lights hanging from ropes, creating a romantic atmosphere. Emily wore a long blue silk dress that shimmered in the candlelight, and Matthew, in his linen shirt, looked like he had stepped out of a magazine.
"You're staring at me again," Emily said, feigning disapproval.
"Who can blame you? You look stunning," he replied, without looking away.
They ordered local dishes, including grilled fish with exotic spices. Emily took her first bite and closed her eyes, savoring it.
"This is perfect. I think I'll need the recipe," she said.
Matthew smiled. "You're already good at so many things, Emily. Leave something for the chefs."
After dinner, they walked barefoot along the sand, the sound of the waves filling the silence between them. Emily looked up at the sky, where the stars shone brighter than ever.
"This is surreal," she said, holding Matthew's hand.
"This is just the beginning," he replied, pulling her closer.
They stopped, and he kissed her under the starry sky, while the sea breeze enveloped them. In that moment, everything seemed exactly where it should be.
The next day...
As soon as they left the hotel, Emily adjusted the straw hat she had chosen. It was a little bigger than necessary, but she thought it went perfectly with the floral dress she was wearing.
"Are you telling me I'm going to walk around in the tropical version of Audrey Hepburn?" Matthew joked, adjusting his sunglasses as he carried a light backpack.
"I wish! I don't know if I'm up to it," Emily replied, doing a pirouette to show off the look. "But if you say so, I won't disagree."
Matthew laughed, holding out his hand to her. "You look wonderful. Now come on, the driver is waiting."
The car took them through even narrower streets, with a vibrant mix of colors and cultures at every turn. The walls of the buildings were covered with murals, depicting local scenes and legends of the region. Emily pressed her face against the glass, enchanted.
"Look at that!" she exclaimed every few minutes, pointing to something new. "Are those flowers real? And that blue house with the red door? How charming!"
Matthew watched her, smiling. He loved the way she got carried away by the little details, as if she were seeing the world for the first time. To him, this moment was as special as the landscape around them.
Their first stop was a local market, a maze of colorful stalls filled with fruits, spices, and crafts. The aroma of spices filled the air, mixed with the sweet smell of ripe tropical fruits.
Emily held Matthew's arm, looking around with shining eyes. "Can we try something?"
"Sure, that's what we're here for," he said, laughing. "Just don't overdo it, or I'll have to carry you back home."
"Are you really going? Because I'm hungry," she replied, already heading towards a fruit stand.
The vendor, a friendly gentleman with a huge mustache, offered a freshly cut piece of mango. Emily took it carefully and took a bite.
"Oh my God!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide. "This is incredibly good! Matthew, you have to try it."
She practically shoved a piece into his mouth. He chewed slowly, nodding. "It's great, but I think you're more impressed than I am."
"You just don't know how to appreciate the simple things in life," she teased, taking another slice.
As they explored the market, Emily stopped at almost every stall, admiring handmade necklaces, straw hats, and even small wooden sculptures.
"Look at this," she said, holding up a bracelet with colorful beads. "I think it suits me."
"It does," Matthew agreed. "How much does it cost?" he asked the vendor, already pulling out his wallet.
Emily tried to protest. "Hey, I was going to pay!"
"I got it," he said, winking. "Consider it a gift."
She smiled, slipping the bracelet on her wrist. "Thank you, sir."
Their next stop was an open-air restaurant, where they could watch the ocean while they ate. Emily insisted on trying a local dish that came with grilled shrimp and coconut rice.
"I'm officially in love with this cuisine," she said, putting a fork in her mouth. "Matthew, you have to try this too."
"I'm already full of the fruit you made me eat at the market," he replied, but eventually gave in.
They laughed and talked about everything and nothing at the same time, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere. When they were done, they decided to take a walk along the beach before heading back to the hotel.
The beach was practically deserted. The sand was so fine and white it looked like sugar, and the sea was a turquoise blue that seemed unreal. Emily took off her sandals, sinking her feet into the warm sand.
"This is surreal," she said, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. "If I ever decide to give it all up, you can look for me on an island like this."
"I doubt you'll be able to give it all up," Matthew replied, walking beside her. "You love what you do so much."
"Yeah, maybe you're right," she admitted. "But wouldn't it be amazing to spend a few months here, without any worries?"
"As long as you bring me along, I'm in," he said, holding her hand.
Emily stopped and looked at him, smiling. "I think we're a good match. You don't complain about my crazy ideas."
"I don't complain because I love them all," Matthew replied.
When they got back to the hotel, the sun was already starting to set. The suite was lit by a golden light that came through the windows, creating a magical atmosphere. Emily took off her hat and flopped down on the bed, sighing.
"I could live like this every day," she said, staring at the ceiling.
"Traveling and eating all day?" Matthew asked, sitting in the armchair.
"Exactly," she replied, laughing. "But only if it's with you."
He came closer, lying down next to her. "Then I guess we'll have to make it happen."
She smiled, turning to him. "You always know what to say, don't you?"
"I only tell the truth," he replied, kissing her on the forehead.
Later that night, they decided to enjoy the hot tub on the balcony. Emily got in first, breathing a sigh of relief at the warm water.
"This is life," she said, tilting her head back.
Matthew got in soon after, pulling her closer. They lay there, watching the starry sky and listening to the sound of the waves.
"Thank you for bringing me here," Emily said, looking up at him.
"You deserve the world, Emily," he replied, touching her face. "And I'm going to do my best to give it to you."
She smiled, leaning in to kiss him. "You already give me everything I need."