Episode 28 Celeste #2
Paya lets out a delighted giggle, her grip tightening in a warm hug before she presses a lingering kiss against my neck. “This is amazing. Thank you for choosing me to join. Let’s check it out.”
Hand in hand, she leads me toward the king-sized bed, and we collapse onto the mattress together.
My body melts with a loud sigh. The feeling of crisp, cool sheets wrapping around my bare skin after weeks of dirty bamboo and banana leaves is pure heaven.
We pull each other close, tangling our legs together, trading slow, deep kisses that promise more.
I peer into her dark eyes, drinking her in.
When I twist my body toward her, something pokes my side.
I glance around. I was so excited about the bed that I jumped on it without looking. There’s a turtle shaped from white towels, similar to the one on the talisman. A card pokes out.
“It's so sweet that the staff leaves notes. They are so fun. I remember when I was a kid, when we went to Barcelona, the staff gave me a handwritten letter and I asked my parents to take me there every year for the next five years.” Paya laughs as she sits up.
Curious, I lean my back against the headboard and pull the card from the envelope and read the card out loud.
Congratulations, Celeste!
You’ve conquered The Final Summit thus far, and now, our paradise belongs to you.
You can keep this key. We won’t be needing it back because this villa isn't just yours for the night. It is yours forever. Consider it a permanent sanctuary for dominating our favorite reward challenge. The honor is ours.
Welcome home,
—Lynn and Mae
Eyes as big as saucers, I slowly turn to Paya and she looks just as surprised as I am.
We stare at each speechless registering the cards words.
I think I’m going to pass out. Paya jolts up first then it hits me.
I leap out of the bed and we throw our hands into the air screaming.
At this moment, the chaos of my life subsides and I’m left with joy I haven’t felt in years.
All because I balanced ping pong balls on a flat round piece of wood for forty-five minutes, persisting against everyone else.
I’m grateful beyond words. A surge of something I can’t explain goes through me.
I kiss Paya until I can’t breathe and we fall onto the bed.
My bed. I can’t believe my life right now.
How did I get so damn lucky? Paya. The villa. I feel unstoppable.
* * *
We join Beya and Arlie for dinner out by the ocean.
The private patio is lit by a string of warm bulbs, the heavy crash of the tide echoing below the iron railing as the four of us sit around a delicious dinner spread.
Summer, the head chef with long red hair checked on us earlier to make sure the plates were to our liking.
If only she knew what we’ve been eating before this five star meal.
Summer returns toward the end of our meal and reaches for Beya’s soup dish with only a few bites left. “I can take your plate if your finished—”
Arlie jams the steak knife tip side down into the table, barely missing Summer’s fingers. “She’s not done,” she growls.
Paya and I freeze. To my surprise, the chef doesn’t flinch, instead she arches a brow toward Arlie, meanwhile the rest of us are too afraid to move.
I watch as Summer tilts her head, her long crimson hair falling to one side.
Then Arlie matches. It’s as if they’re speaking the same unspoken language.
After communication in whatever form she just did with Arlie, Summer straightens her back and she’s back to her peppy professional demeanor. “Enjoy your food.” She’s gone.
Paya breaks the awkward silence with a nervous laugh. “Grandma GG always told me to never mess with the chef.” She takes a bite of her braised chicken and changes the subject. “Are we going to pretend we are not all completely obsessed with real seasoning?”
“I’m currently having an out-of-body experience with this steak,” Beya says. Her voice jumps slightly when Arlie’s hand goes under the table, then a silly smile crosses her face.
I watch the shift in the air between them, the subtle power dynamic that always hums beneath the surface of their conversations.
Arlie doesn’t look away from her camp wife.
Her fingers slide up to the nape of Beya’s neck in a way that makes me glance toward the ocean.
Then she slowly runs her nails along the base of Beya’s neck, giving her gentle scratches.
Beya’s posture melts instantly. Her eyes half-closed.
She drops her shoulders and leans into the touch. Paya and I share a giggle.
Arlie sets her wine glass down and rises from her chair, her hand sliding down to catch Beya’s fingers. “Come Pet. It’s bedtime.”
Beya does not hesitate, not even at my raised brow and teasing grin. She practically jumps up, smoothing down her robe and falling into step against Arlie’s side.
Arlie looks over at us, her expression unbothered. “Goodnight.”
Paya and I watch them disappear down the dark walkway toward their villa. The second they are out of sight, I look across the table and catch Paya’s open mouth expression.
“Well.” Paya laughs and leans back in her chair. “That was interesting.”
“I think Arlie is going to make a woman out of Beya, tonight.” I crack a laugh. “And here I was thinking she was the big cat.”
Paya giggles for a long moment and I stare, appreciating that she’s on this Island with me.
She then reaches across the table, her fingers intertwining with mine.
Her eyes darken into something more devious in the candlelight, the unspoken invitation clear between us.
She wets her lips. “I think we should go back to our room, too.”