As soon as Sophia touched down, the heat of the Caribbean sun wrapped around her, the humid air settling over her like a warm cocoon. That flight had felt endless, yet she hadn't been on the island for more than an hour, and already her fatigue was fading. The island was hard to miss; the green palms fluttered thick on every side, the turquoise water glistened and splashed with the dancing sun, the smooth lapping of water on shore drew the ear from a distance. It was paradise, exactly as Olivia had promised.
With her camera ready, Sophia stood at the end of the tarmac, breathing it all in. She had arrived. She had chosen to give up her quiet life for something larger, something more. The choice hung heavy, yet as she took in the splendor she found herself with a feeling of fear that felt like a flurry of butterflies fluttering through her as they tickled her impatience.
"Welcome to paradise!" A happy voice pulled her out of her thoughts.
Sophia glanced around to see a girl in a neon green uniform approaching her. The woman smiled broadly, dark eyes gleaming with warmth.
"Are you Ms. Sophia Carter?" the woman asked.
"Yeah, that's me," Sophia said, returning a polite smile while adjusting the strap of her camera bag.
"I'm Emma," the woman said, "and I'll be your guide while you're here with us. Let's see if I can take you to the resort. We've been waiting for you."
As Emma guided her through the buzzing airport terminal, Sophia noticed with surprise how naturally the locals flowed through their day—smiling, small-talking with each other, utterly comfortable in their habitat. There was an imperturbability to this place, a wonderfulness Sophia felt not much a part of. She had always been a pilgrim, a visitor, never a settler. But something about the island, about the individual, about the cadence of life there, made her wonder: Was it possible that maybe, just maybe, she could alter that?
Emma led her over to the waiting car, a black sedan with tinted and reflective windows. As they worked their way out of the airport, the island opened up to her — beautiful beaches, rugged hills and small towns that dotted the coast. With colorful buildings lining the thoroughfares, it felt as if the entire island was painted in strokes of various colored hues just waiting to be appreciated.
"How long will I be staying?" Can you take some pictures?" she asked, her fingers itching to shoot something as they passed the picturesque scenery.
"A week, maybe," Emma said, looking at her. "You'll spend the day with your new friends, your resort will be your home, but there will be free time for laying low and exploration. We really want you to be true to the spirit of the island here."
Sophia nodded. She liked the idea — seeing the island in her own way, discovering the secret spots that tourists didn't know about. She was not one to visit the tourist sites; she preferred the quiet corners of a locale, where a place's spirit was still palpable.
The car made a great turn down a narrow road with thick trees potted on either side. Sophia's heartbeat raced in excitement. As they turned a corner, she spotted it — the resort.
It was everything Olivia had said it would be: a rustic but luxurious abode, its structure incorporating its natural surroundings into the design. The very walls of these new buildings were coated with vines and flowers, making them look almost organically beautiful, as they were made from reusable materials. Solar panels shimmered in the sun, the whole place exuded a sense of serenity, as if the resort had been chiseled into the island's natural ochre.
Sophia felt her breath stick in her throat. This was more than a resort — this was a piece of art. And this became her canvas for the following week.
Emma ushered her into the cool, airy lobby. The ceiling was lofty, supported by wooden beams that lent the space a rustic charm and the floor was polished stone. Fresh flowers occupied vases on every surface, their scent mingling with the salt-drenched air streaming in from the ocean.
"Well, here we are," Emma said with a smile. "This is where you will be sleeping. But, before we get you to your beautiful suite, let me show you around the property, so you can see what the place is like."
Sophia nodded respectfully, thankful for the hearty welcome. As Emma walked her around the resort, she couldn't help but be in awe. Everything, from the open-air dining spaces to lush gardens, from an infinity pool that spilled into the ocean to quiet corners nestled in the surrounding greenery, was beautifully curated. It was a place that had clearly been created with love, consideration for every detail. It was clear why the company had enlisted her to shoot it.
Emma turned to her, the sunlight glinting on her coppery hair, sparkling with curiosity as they strolled down a pathway lined with fragrant flowers in the garden.
And so, Ms. Carter, your first thought? Does it live up to the hype?"
Sophia smiled and held up her camera, snapping a couple shots of the bright flowers edging the sidewalk. "It's beautiful," she blurted out. "I'm going to definitely get a lot of nice pictures here.
"I'm sure you will," Emma replied. "But we also want you to take pictures of the people here. The staff, the locals, the rhythm of life on this island. It's not just about buildings and scenery. It has to do with the soul of the place."
Sophia hesitated, her fingers freezing on her camera. The soul of the place. She liked that. Stories had always spoken to her — the unheard stories that others missed. It was clear that she had a gift, a way of seeing what was beneath the surface, a way of capturing moments that people might overlook. And judging from what Emma had told her, that was precisely what they wanted her to do.
"I'll note that," Sophia said, a new sense of purpose washing over her. "I'm looking forward to it."
They made their way through the tour, and by the time they were done the sun had started to float lower in the sky. Emma ushered her to her suite — a large room with a stunning view of the ocean. The bed was covered in white linens, and a private balcony opened to the beach. It was the kind of room that could tempt you to forget the rest of the world, but Sophia had work to do.
"I'll let you get settled in," Emma said, smiling. "Dinner's in seven, but if you need anything before then, just holler."
Sophia closed the door behind her and stepped out onto the balcony with her. Her eyes followed the line where the sky met the sea as she leaned against the railing. It was warm outside, the soft sound of the waves soothed her racing mind. She had made the right decision. This was all she needed: something new, something different. That would make her start seeing the worlding a new way.
Her phone vibrated again, and she looked at the screen. It was a text from Olivia.
Olivia Bennett: "So, how are things on the island? And don't forget about Ethan.
Sophia laughed and shook her head. She was not looking to meet anyone on this trip. She was here to concentrate on her work, not periphery." But she couldn't stop wondering about Ethan Walker. Olivia had been adamant, after all.
She sighed, stowed the phone in her pocket and returned her gaze to the view. Whatever lay ahead, she was prepared to meet it. After all, this was only the beginning.