"To narrow down what I wanted to do, I started looking at really positive workplace cultures and asking, 'That sounds great, but how did you get there?' Then I realized, that's about building relationships. I really wanted to be able to contribute."
The next morning, Sophia woke up with a refresh, energized by the soft hum of the ocean breeze coming through the favorite window of her room. It was as if the island had rocked her into the finest sleep she'd had in weeks. A whole day lay ahead, and she wanted to get to it. Today she was scheduled to do a photoshoot at the resort's private beach, which she had been dying to explore.
She was in awe when she got to the beach. The countless azure waves glittered below the early morning sun, and the powdery white sand caressed her feet like silk. Palm trees swayed in the tar out, providing a picture-perfect view of the beach. Sophia had the urge to grab her camera and immortalize the beauty.
It was Ethan, standing at the water's edge, blithely handsome in his aviators and flowy man clothes, a beach towel thrown over one shoulder. It made Sophia's heart stutter to see him against the background of paradise — but she so all but dismissed the thought.
"Good morning," he said, his voice friendly and warm.
"Morning," said Sophia, tugging at the strap of her camera bag. "This place is stunning."
Ethan smiled and looked at her for a beat. "I thought you'd like it. Ready to work your magic?"
Sophia nodded, absentmindedly tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Absolutely. This is an opportunity to seize this opportunity, and choose the light."
As they finished, Sophia felt herself more comfortable around Ethan. He had a way of putting people at ease, his sense of humor and patience making the session feel less like work and more like a partnership.
At times, she'd glimpse him watching her, the corners of his eyes crinkling in a smile as she again adjusted her angles or collaborated in the shoot. The intensity of his focus didn't go unappreciated, and for the second time, Sophia found it difficult to dismiss the magnetic connection between them. But she told herself that it was work, just work. Her role there was a job, not to cloud anything with feelings that had no place in her work.
Toward the end of the session, as she photographed the resort's signature cabanas, with the shimmering waves behind them, Ethan turned to her, his smile soft and genuine.
"You're such an amazing photographer," he said, with a hint of admiration in his voice. "I'm very glad we are working together."
Sophia felt her heart beat with gladness at his words, some other word she didn't want to name. "Oh, thank you," she said, smiling in return. "This has been a really wonderful experience so far."
They rolled up their gear and headed back to the resort, the morning sun pooling long shadows on the sand. Their easy banter filled the silence but Sophocles found herself wondering what the rest of the day was like. Would they see more of each other, or would they return to their separate corners, making it all professional?
As they neared the resort, the familiar ping of her phone interrupted her thoughts. She looked at the screen, and her stomach dropped.
It was a text from Andrew.
"Hey, Sophia. I hope you're doing well. I had considered going to the resort to see you. Let me know if that works!"
Sophia felt her heart flutter as she read the message. Andrew — her stalwart, reliable friend and occasional more-than-a-friend. She hadn't mentioned Ethan or the subtle changes going on in her life since she'd come to the island." And now the prospect of Andrew coming here loomed like a storm cloud on the horizon.
"Everything okay?" Ethan's voice broke through her reverie.
Sophia hastily locked her phone and plastered on a smile. "Oh just, a message from a friend.
Ethan lifted an eyebrow, but didn't push it. "Well, just tell me if you need time. We've talked about a lot today already."
"Thanks," she said, her voice brighter than her mood.
The remainder of the walk passed in silence but Sophia felt her mind whirring. What would she say to Andrew? Would she let him in on the Ethan news? And, even more important, how would Ethan respond if Andrew appeared?
She attempted to dismiss the thoughts, concentrating rather on the tasks that lay ahead, but the uneasiness remained. For the first time since arriving on the island she felt straddled, suspended, between two worlds — the one she had thrown away and the one she was gradually, warily constructing here.
The day went on as usual, but Sophia was unable to focus. At lunchtime Emma had seen her distracted air.
"Earth to Sophia," Emma said, waving a hand in front of her face. "Where'd you go?"
Sophia shook her head, flashing a sheepish grin. "Sorry. Just thinking about some things back home."
Emma looked her up and down, then shrugged. "Well, whatever it is, you'll do something with it. You always seem to have it all together."
Sophia felt like laughing at that. How tangled Emma's thoughts were right now, if only she knew.
That night, with a golden pink sunset bathing the beach below, Sophia found herself alone on her balcony. The camera she didn't touch next to her.
She scrolled back up to Andrew's text, her thumb hovering over reply. She knew she wouldn't be able to avoid him for good, but this felt too soon. The island, Ethan, her work — it was all too new, too fragile.
A gentle knock on her door jarred her back to reality.
"Sophia?" Ethan's voice came from the other side.
When she opened the door, there he was, standing, his expression impossible to read.
"I just wanted to see how you're doing," he said. "You seemed... off earlier."
Sophia paused, then moved aside so he could enter. "It's nothing, really. Just something personal."
Ethan nodded and leaned against the wall. "I'm here if you ever want to chat."
"Thanks," she said quietly, startled by the sincerity in his voice.
As he departed, Sophia had a feeling that her time on the island was about to become a more complicated one. With Ethan's quiet concern and Andrew's oncoming arrival, the equanumity she had been trying to preserve felt more precarious than ever.
And whenever she found herself alone on her balcony, watching the waves roll in under the moonlight, she couldn't help but wonder: Was that all she had to do? juggled it all without losing herself — or her heart?