Secrets We Keep

The resort's airport was busy with activity, bright against the clear blue sky as five women, friends since college, disembarked together. As they passed through baggage claim and stepped into the tropical air, a sweet floral scent surrounded them. Soon, a chauffeur-driven limousine arrived, waiting to whisk them to the main villa where they'd spend their two-week reunion.

"Ladies, we have arrived," the chauffeur announced, holding open the door.Emma Powers stepped out first, a poised and successful high-profile divorce lawyer, hailed from Chicago. College days had seen her driven, balancing it all—until stress had seeped in. She valued loyalty above all else and was protective of her friends. Her biggest flaw was her workaholism.Next came Sarah Solas, a successful artist living in Los Angeles. Her vibrant energy instantly filling the surrounding air. Her camera was already in hand. College had seen her as the free spirit, the one others counted on for laughter and adventure. She valued freedom and creativity, but her biggest flaw was her lack of responsibility.Stella Adkins stepped forward with her usual confidence. Back in college, she had been the one balancing projects and ambitions, and now, as a tech entrepreneur in Santa Cruz, her drive had yet to diminish. Her relentless drive sometimes caused her to neglect her personal life. She valued innovation and success, but often found herself caught in the struggle to balance work and relationships.Lily Stamos exited with her sharp gaze, observant. In college, she had been the passionate activist, leading protests and organizing events for various causes. However, her uncompromising nature often led to conflicts with those who didn't share her passion. I must remember compromises without sacrificing my values. That's always the challenge. She valued integrity and justice but found it hard to navigate compromises.Finally, Ava Tahlos stepped out, bringing a soft tranquility to the group. In college, Ava had been the listener, the one who brought everyone together. Now, a social worker in Houston, her compassion had only deepened. However, her inability to set boundaries often left her emotionally exhausted. She valued compassion and empathy, but struggled with finding time for self-care.The villa was a gorgeous mix of modern style and tropical charm. You could see the amazing ocean from the floor-to-ceiling windows. Plush furnishings, vibrant artwork, and a spacious terrace adorned the interior. They settled into their rooms and freshened up before returning to the terrace an hour later.In college, they had been a diverse group of individuals brought together by chance, each navigating their own path through the difficulties of young adulthood. But over the years, their friendship had blossomed into something deeper, a sisterhood forged in the fires of shared triumphs and tribulations.Over glasses of wine and fine food, they reminisced, swapping stories of late-night cramming, wild road trips, and memories only they could understand."Do you remember that time we all got lost in the woods during the camping trip?" asked Sarah. I'll never forget that trip!"How could I forget? Emma insisted on reading the map, and we ended up walking in circles for hours!" said Lily. I was so scared."Hey, it was dark, and those trails were poorly marked!" Emma said as she rolled her eyes. I was terrified we would never find our way out."Hey, do you remember Ed Carlson?" asked Stella. That guy was a real pest!"How could I not remember him? He asked all of us out on a date, and when we turned him down, he looked like he was going to cry," said Emma. He was such a skinny guy."I didn't think he would ever leave us alone! Every time I turned around, he'd be standing a few feet away, staring. Sometimes, he was a little creepy," said Sarah."I told him to take a hike," said Lily. He was so persistent."Well, he didn't. When he approached me, I felt sorry for him," said Ava."I never thought he would stop following us. But then he just stopped. I always wonder why," said Stella."Yeah, Lilly, what did you do? Please tell me you didn't hurt him," said Emma. There was no telling what she did to him.I told him that if he didn't leave us alone that I would send my 6-foot 4-inch brother, who was in the Marines, over to take care of him! You should have seen his face go pale!" said Lily. He just would not leave me alone!"Lily, you don't have a brother. You're an only child!" said Emma."But he didn't know that!" said Lily."Lily, shame on you," said Ava, and broke out laughing."Wow, Ava! What's so funny?" asked Sarah."Well, I was tired of him following me everywhere I went, so I told him to leave me alone or I would send my boyfriend to deal with him, and kind of mentioned he was a black belt karate instructor," said Ava."Ava, you weren't even dating anyone at that time!" said Emma."But he didn't know that!" said Ava. I was praying he wouldn't call my bluff."Ava, I'm impressed," said Sarah. Who knew? Ava must have had enough of him."Don't you remember I started taking self-defense classes? All of you joined me," said Ava."We had some weird things happen to us during our college days," said Lily."We've come a long way since then, haven't we?" asked Stella. I sometimes wonder if the price of success was too high."And yet, we made it through together. Just like we always do," said Ava. I hope we always find our way back.Later that evening, the conversation took a more serious turn as they discussed their current lives."Work has been incredibly demanding. Sometimes I feel like I'm losing myself in it," said Emma."I get that. I've been so consumed with my art that I've neglected my relationships. It's hard to find a balance," said Sarah. I need to reconnect with the people I love."I've been so focused on my startup that I've forgotten what it's like to relax. It's always work, work, work," said Stella. Is this what success looks like?"I'm passionate about my causes, but sometimes I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle. It's overwhelming, but I keep pushing," said Lily. Can one person really make a difference?"Lily, once you make up your mind, watch out!" said Sarah. No telling what she did!"I give so much to my clients that I often forget to take care of myself. It's draining," said Ava. How can I help others if I'm not okay?"We all have our struggles, but we're here for each other. We need to support one another, just like we did in college," said Emma. Hope we're always there for each other.The women sat in silence for a moment, the sound of the waves providing a soothing backdrop. Sarah broke the silence with a laugh."Remember that time in college when we pulled an all-nighter to finish that group project?" asked Sarah."We ended up falling asleep in the classroom and missed the presentation. Professor Thompson was so mad, but he let us present it later because he knew how hard we worked. And we had the best presentation of all!" said Stella. Our hard work paid off!"Those were crazy days. We were so carefree and full of energy," said Lily. Wow, I miss them sometimes."We've had some amazing times together. And we'll have many more," said Ava. I'm sure of that!They continued laughing and reminiscing about their college days for another hour before retiring to their rooms early for the night. As the sun set, the women felt a renewed sense of connection and support. They knew no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.The next morning, the women gathered for brunch on the villa's terrace; their conversation turning towards their relationships. The terrace offered a stunning view of the ocean, with the morning sun casting a golden glow over the water.Emma took a sip of her coffee, her eyes scanning the horizon. "Daniel and I have been arguing a lot lately. He thinks I'm too focused on my career." I don't know how to slow down."I get that. It's hard to find a balance," said Sarah. I need to show him I love him."Ethan is always so laid back, and it drives me crazy. I wish he would take things more seriously," said Stella. I need him to understand the pressure I'm under."Jack and I clash a lot because of our different outlooks. He's so practical, and sometimes I feel like he doesn't understand my passion for activism," said Lily. I need him to support me more."Ben and I have been struggling, too. He doesn't open up to me, and sometimes I feel like there's this wall between us," said Ava. I want to help him, but I don't know how.The women sat in silence for a moment, each lost in their own thoughts."We need to make things work. We've come too far to give up now," said Sarah. Way too far.We need to support each other and work on our relationships," said Emma. Thank goodness I have all of your support!"And we need to remember to take care of ourselves, too," said Ava. I've got to figure this out.To prepare for the men's arrival, the women booked a luxurious spa day the next afternoon, anticipating a rejuvenating experience.The group spent a relaxing afternoon at the pool of the villa, basking in the warm sun and indulging in refreshing dips in the crystal-clear water. After some time, they gathered together to talk about the activities and excursions catered specifically to tourists on the island."Why don't we take a walk on the beach? The front desk said they have a bonfire every night and serve delicious à la carte fresh seafood, beer, and wine; it's just about a quarter mile west of the villa. How about it?" asked Sarah. This would be a great way to finish our second day."I think that's a great idea," said Ava."That's a great way to see the sunset, and I bet the stars are bright," said Stella."What are we waiting for? Let's go!" said Sarah.After taking a leisurely stroll to the bonfire, they gazed at the sunset and admired the twinkling stars in the sky. They were ready for whatever was coming their way. What adventures await them? During every reunion, mischief always made an appearance, becoming an ongoing joke among the couples. Tomorrow, their other halves arrive, and the unknown begins.As they walked back to the villa, none of them noticed the man in the shadows, watching intently. Ava lingered as others left for the night. The wind carried a faint, unfamiliar sound. She paused, listening, but only silence followed. Shaking her head, she turned toward the villa. The night, as always, kept its secrets. That was strange...