Episode 28 Celeste
The roar of helicopter blades thrums through the soles of my feet, opposite of the quiet camp we left behind. Outside the round acrylic window, the open ocean stretches for miles. I tap Paya’s knee and point toward the sea life. A group of dolphins leap out of the water.
I keep my back pressed against the cloth seat, letting the draft hit the back of my neck.
Across the narrow cabin, Paya sits directly in my line of sight.
Her hair is in a ponytail, stray dark pieces whipping against her temples from the wind.
Every few minutes, she catches me looking and our eyes hold with a smile.
Across from us, Arlie and Beya are buckled into the side seats, their shoulders brushing with every tilt of the nose.
Our faces instantly illuminate when Beya points toward a whale breaching, its massive body creating a giant ripple in the sapphire water below.
It still feels entirely surreal that we are up here at all.
Just hours ago, I was pushing through the final seconds of the reward challenge, my muscles locking up as I secured the win.
The prize was a single night of absolute luxury.
An escape to a private villa on Sapphire Isle, complete with a full spa day.
When Steph told me I could choose one person to bring along, I didn’t hesitate.
I chose Paya. Then Paya was given the opportunity to invite the next player.
She chose Arlie. Arlie chose Beya. Saffron and Lex were left standing on the mats, watching us go.
Beya leans forward against her safety harness, her voice barely carrying over the dull whine of the motor.
“Thanks for picking us. Now we all get to have a honeymoon. Let’s hope we don’t have a mix-up.
” She peeks out the window and winces, then grabs Arlies’s hand. “Unlike my cats, I don’t like heights.”
Arlie keeps her eyes fixed on the instrument panel up front, but the corner of her mouth twitches. How protective she is of Beya makes me laugh to myself.
Paya shifts in her seat, squinting through her window before looking at me. “What exactly is Sapphire Isle? It sounds familiar. Steph mentioned it, but everything out here starts blending together after three weeks.”
“It’s a private resort island. Despite its name, it’s like a small beach town.
” I call back, leaning slightly closer so she can hear me.
“Specifically for queer women. Exclusive and fun. There’s a honeymoon resort on one side and vacation home on the other.
The last time I went, they had the Sapphic Olympics. ”
“I think we’re almost there.” Beya tenses at the slight change in direction. “Or at least I hope.”
Right on cue, the helicopter dips its nose, banking hard to the left as the pilot begins our descent.
The gradual drop in altitude brings the shoreline into focus.
The deep blue of the ocean melts into a vibrant, crystal turquoise, revealing the pale sand of the reef below.
I’ve been here twice before and it takes my breath away every time.
Along the edge of the shore a flock of tropical birds race, their bright red, yellow and green feathers catching the sun as they coast over the surf.
I find my smile widening to its further point, a wave of gratitude and joy washing over me.
Winning this reward challenge is exactly what I needed.
After weeks of sleeping on the hard ground and rationing rice, the sight of a real roof feels like a miracle.
Sharing a room with Paya isn’t so bad either.
The blades slowly begin to track down as we land, their roar fading into a slow chop before turning into a quiet whine.
The side door slides open, and the thick, humid air of the island rushes into the cabin, carrying the scent of wild hibiscus and saltwater.
I unbuckle my harness, my joints popping as I exit.
Beya tumbles out right behind me and shouts, “Sweet civilization!” She drops to her knees and kisses the ground.
Waiting at the edge of the grass are two women, Steph told me we’d be greeted by the resort owners, Lynn and Mae Blakeman.
“Welcome to Sapphire Isle!” Lynn shouts, louder than the helicopter I was in minutes ago. “You made it!”
Mae steps forward, offering a much warmer, grounded smile as she looks at each of us. “We are so glad to have you here. You’ve had a long few weeks, and you’ve earned this rest.”
We exchange smiles and hugs, demanded by Lynn.
Lynn radiates more sunshine energy than Beya if that was ever possible, wearing a bright orange tropical shirt, the same color as her hat covering her short shaggy hair.
There’s a hint of red on her sun-kissed skin.
I swear she’s Beya, thirty years from now.
Around Lynn’s neck hangs a fleece scarf pouch and when she catches me staring—because why in the world would she be wearing a scarf in this weather?
She lifts the small weight around her neck and unzips the top.
I lean in and see a tiny nose poke out from the fabric.
We’re introduced to a spikey, yet adorable hedgehog.
Lynn tilts her pouch showing it sniffing the air.
Lynn bounces on her heels. “And of course, you must meet the real boss of the operation. This is Quilliam.”
Arlie stares at the creature, intently, a tiny curl forms at the corner of her lips. “It has spikes. I respect that.”
Paya lets out a soft chuckle, shaking her head as she adjusts her wrap. “He’s definitely running the place.”
Paya and Beya coo toward Lynn’s stomach as if it were an actual baby.
Mae is standing beside her wife in a red sundress with perfect posture complimenting her cool brown complexion.
A long black braid down her back. Quite the contrast of quiet elegance against her partner’s larger than life, infectious enthusiasm.
Mae briefly tells us about her Thai family roots and what Sapphire Isle means to her and Lynn since they’ve opened the first sapphic honeymoon getaway, Goddess Lagoon Resort.
“Let’s get you settled before your spa appointments.
The layout is simple.” She points toward a string of luxury overwater bungalows branching across from the lagoon.
Celeste and Paya, you will be sharing the primary eastern villa.
Arlie and Beya, your quarters are just across in the western wing. ”
Lynn turns to me, her expression surprisingly sweet beneath all the energy. “Congratulations on the win, Celeste. I’ll be seeing a lot more of you, I’m sure. Welcome to Sapphire Isle.” She winks.
I’m not sure what she means, but I shake her hand again anyway.
Mae cuts in, sliding her glasses down the bridge of her nose. “Don’t get overly excited, Dear. It’s a timeshare.”
I’m still confused, but carry on. Mae ushers our group forward toward the spa, the four of us walking together along the path. I hang back slightly with Beya as we walk.
“Remember. They’re the enemy,” I whisper to her.
“Yep.” She lets out a nervous laugh. Her attention bounces back and forth between me and Arlie.
Who knows what will happen while she’s off playing love shake with Arlie. I give her a look. “No telling industry secrets.”
“Right.” Her head bobbles up and down and she faces forward, mumbling to herself on repeat as we walk toward the villas. “They’re the enemy. They’re the enemy. They’re the enemy.”
* * *
I slide the key into the lock and push the heavy wood open. The sudden change of scenery catches in my throat. Paya is right on my heels, her breath hitching as she takes it all in.
The space is more beautiful than I ever could have imagined.
Nothing like the vacation home I had previously rented on the East side.
Hardwood floors reflect the warm glow of low lamps, and a wall of floor to ceiling glass looks out over the bright beautiful swell of the ocean.
The space smells like fresh green tea and clean linen.
My nose definitely appreciates the change in scenery.
I beam with Paya as we geek out and point at the glass square in the floor with a view of the ocean underneath.
I smile toward the tiny orange and white fish swimming.
My eyes drift across the kitchen counter, mapping the smooth marble until they land on a small, pineapple upside-down cake sitting beneath a glass dome.
Right next to it on the side table rests two candy bars.
My favorite kind. It's the exact brand of milk chocolate and toffee I always grab at the grocery store check out when my day is going sideways.
That’s interesting. I blink and my brows scrunch at the oddly specific additions.
Before my curious thought develops into something I can fully explain, warm arms slide around my waist from behind.
“Look at this.” I gesture toward the counter.
“What is it?” she asks softly, her chin resting near my shoulder as she peers over at the layout.
“They left my favorite dessert. And my candy bar.” I whisper, a smile tugging at my lips as I relax into the hold. “I don’t remember mentioning that to production. Maybe it slips out during a confessional.” I’ve been practically dreaming about food every night.
“Wow,” her voice jumps up. “Do you like it?”
I carefully lift the lid and pull two forks from the drawer. I scoop a small bite and slip the buttery brown sugar smelling cake into her mouth and smile when her eyes roll back. I try it next. “Oh my goodness.” I’m floored at the soft pineapple flavored cake. “This is delicious.”
“I’m glad you like it.” She kisses my chipmunk cheek full of cake. “You deserve all the nice things.
I finish chewing. “What’d they leave you?”
“Oh, uh...” She peers around the open space, lips pursed. “A candy bar as well. I already ate mine.
“This place is unbelievable. And look. A real bed. First a real shower and now a bed. I almost forgot that they exist.” Nevermind my surprise when I first looked into the mirror and saw what over thirty days on a remote island did to me.