Episode 11
Part 53: No Turning Back
The sharp buzz of Jadon’s phone broke the stillness of the night, jolting him awake. He glanced at the screen: Cyrus. His chest pounded as he answered.
“Jadon, it’s Roach,” Cyrus’s voice was low, almost a growl. “They got to him.”
Jadon swung his legs over the edge of the bed, already reaching for his clothes. “What’d you mean? Who? Where are you?”
Cyrus gave him an address, and Jadon responded, “Be right there.”
“What’s wrong?” Nadia asked, her voice thick with concern.
Jadon hesitated, then said, “It’s Roach. Something’s happened.” Without waiting for her reply, he bolted out the door.
The drive to the address Cyrus had given was a blur, Jadon’s mind racing with worst-case scenarios. He arrived at a small, dimly lit restaurant that was clearly closed for the night. The back door was ajar, and he stepped inside, his stomach churning.
In the kitchen, he found Cyrus standing like a sentinel, his face grim. Roach was slumped in a chair, his head in his hands, his body visibly trembling. His jaw was swollen, and the bruises on his arms and body told a story Jadon wasn’t ready to hear.
“What happened?” Jadon asked, his voice firm but laced with unease.
Roach looked up, his eyes red and wild. “They pulled me over, man. Said I was speeding, but I wasn’t. Then they searched my car, and that’s when they planted the weed. Next thing I know, they’re arresting me.”
Jadon felt a cold wave wash over him. “What? Are you serious?”
“They held me for hours,” Roach continued, his voice cracking. “No food, no water, no phone call. Then they dragged me into some room and told me to strip. I refused. And that’s when he came in.”
“Who?” Jadon asked, though he dreaded the answer.
“The guy from the bar…the one who punched me. He’s a policeman!” Roach’s voice rose, and Jadon could hear the fury and humiliation behind it. “He hit me, hard, in the stomach. Twice. Told me I wasn’t ‘all that.’ He said he wanted to see how much of a man I really was. They did a cavity search all while they mocked me. They humiliated me! They laughed while I begged them to stop.”
Roach’s hands balled into fists as his voice dropped to a whisper. “Then they dumped me in the middle of nowhere. Said to tell you…” He glanced at Cyrus, his voice trembling, “that you’re next.”
Jadon turned to Cyrus, who had remained silent, his gaze fixed on some invisible point in the room. Slowly, Cyrus stood, his movements deliberate and heavy with purpose. He turned to Jadon and Roach, his face hard as stone.
“Whatever happens next,” Cyrus began, his voice low and venomous, “you keep your mouths shut. There’s no turning back now.”
The words hung in the air like a death sentence, the implications chilling Jadon to his core. He felt the weight of Cyrus’s anger, his resolve, and the promise of retaliation brewing beneath his calm exterior.
Jadon wanted to argue, to plead for a different path, but he knew it would fall on deaf ears. Cyrus was a man of action, and his mind was already made up.
Roach looked up at Cyrus, his eyes a mix of fear and gratitude. Jadon, however, felt a deep unease. He had stepped into a world he barely understood, and now there was no way out.
Part 54: Repercussions
The air was heavy with silence as Cyrus made the call. His voice was calm, almost unnervingly so, as he relayed the details of Roach’s ordeal to the person on the other end. The conversation was brief, ending with a simple acknowledgment: “We’ll handle it.”
Cyrus hung up and turned to Roach, who sat quietly in the corner of the room, staring at the floor. “You good?” Cyrus asked, though his tone left no room for refusal.
Roach nodded, though the tremor in his hands betrayed him. Jadon stood nearby, his arms crossed, struggling to process what was unfolding. He didn’t agree with Cyrus’s methods, but this wasn’t a world he could navigate alone.
*****
The next night, under the cover of darkness, two police jeeps pulled up to a desolate stretch of North Point in St. Lucy. The ocean below roared, its waves violently crashing against the jagged rocks. The moonlight illuminated the scene, casting eerie shadows on the cliffs that overlooked the shark-infested waters.
Cyrus arrived moments later, pulling up in his black Range Rover. He rolled down his window, his expression unreadable as he addressed the inspector waiting beside the police vehicles.
“Inspector,” Cyrus greeted coolly. “What you got for me?”
The inspector, a stout man with a hardened face, responded curtly, “A peace offering.”
At his signal, two officers opened the rear doors of one of the jeeps, dragging out two men. Their faces were bruised and bloodied, and their mouths were gagged. One of them, Jadon in the front passenger seat immediately recognized, it was the man from the bar who had assaulted Roach.
Cyrus stepped out of his vehicle, his presence commanding the attention of everyone present. He approached the first man, crouching to meet his terrified gaze.
“You had a message for me, didn’t you?” Cyrus asked quietly, his voice carrying a deadly edge.
The man whimpered, his eyes darting around as if searching for an escape.
Cyrus smirked, leaning in closer. “I warned you. But no…you’re the big bad police, right? Thought you could mess with me and my people?” His tone was mocking, laced with venom. “Well, here’s the thing…the police work for me.”
The man’s eyes widened in shock, and his muffled cries grew louder.
Cyrus straightened and nodded at the officers. Without hesitation, they dragged the man to the edge of the cliff and tossed him into the tumultuous waters below. His screams were swallowed by the crashing waves.
Jadon winced, his stomach churning. He turned away, unable to watch.
Cyrus moved to the second man, who was visibly trembling. This one hadn’t been at the bar, but he had played a part in Roach’s torment. The man’s eyes pleaded for mercy, but Cyrus’s expression remained cold.
Leaning in, Cyrus spoke softly, his words dripping with menace. “You’ve got two choices. I know who you are, where you work, and where you live. Hell, I even know about your mother, your wife, and those adorable little kids of yours.” He said, while calmly cutting away the man’s bonds from his hands and feet.
The man’s breath hitched as Cyrus continued, “So, you decide who dies tonight. Them…or you.”
Without hesitation, the man broke free from the officers holding him and ran toward the cliff’s edge. Jadon’s breath caught as the man leapt into the air, his body disappearing into the choppy waters below.
Cyrus straightened, brushing imaginary dust from his pants. He turned back to the Inspector. “Thank you, Inspector. Let’s hope we don’t have to feed the sharks again.”
The Inspector nodded grimly. “Understood. I’ll clean up any loose ends at the station.”
Cyrus gave him a curt nod, then walked back to his Range Rover. The vehicles dispersed into the night, leaving behind only the echoes of the waves and the chilling reminder of what power truly meant.
Jadon rode in silence as Cyrus drove him back to the villa. The weight of what he had just witnessed pressed heavily in his mind. This was a side of Cyrus he hadn’t fully understood until now, a man who wielded power with ruthless precision.
Cyrus glanced at Jadon as they pulled up to the villa. “This isn’t your world, Jadon. It’s mine. And anytime you have a problem you let me handle it. I’m leaving the island tomorrow. Got some business to attend to in New York. Hit me up when you get back there.”
Jadon nodded stiffly, unsure of what else to say. As he stepped out of the car, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was standing on the edge of a precipice; one wrong move, and he’d be the one plunging into the abyss.
*****
The drive away from the hillside retreat was quiet, with the weight of departure settling over Jadon and Nadia. The villa disappeared in the rearview mirror, but not from their hearts. Nadia looked over her shoulder one last time.
“I’ll never forget this place,” she said softly.
Jadon nodded, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. “Yeah, felt like we were there for a lifetime.”
Nadia studied his face, noticing how unusually quiet he was. She reached over and rested a hand on his arm. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” he replied with a quick glance her way.
But Nadia knew better. The weight of everything; their time together, Roach’s ordeal, and the looming departure from the island, seemed to press on him.
Part 55: Back to Reality
Back in his suite at the Hilton, the bright sunlight poured through the windows, but Jadon felt far from its warmth. He sat at his desk, headphones on, reviewing and editing the recordings of Nikki, Lyric, and Marcus. Their raw performances were impressive, and polishing them gave him some measure of focus. But no matter how hard he tried to stay in the moment, the memories of that night refused to leave him.
The crash of waves against the jagged cliffs. The muffled cries of the men. The sickening certainty of what Cyrus had done and Jadon’s own presence at the scene.
He shook his head, gripping the desk’s edge. Focus. He couldn’t afford to unravel now. He had to push it all aside, at least for the time being.
Jadon leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples as he tried to ground himself. You didn’t get out the car. You didn’t throw them off that cliff. You’re not him. But the thought offered little solace. The implications of being there, of knowing what Cyrus was capable of, were suffocating.
A knock on the door startled him. He blinked, taking a deep breath. “Probably Nadia,” he muttered, forcing himself to his feet. “She probably forgot her key card.”
But when he opened the door, it wasn’t Nadia.
“Nikki,” he said, surprise coloring his voice.
“Hiya, handsome,” she said with a smirk, glancing into the suite behind him. “Or am I not allowed to call you that anymore?”
Jadon forced a smile. “What’s up?”
“I have a few questions.”
“Okay,” he said, stepping aside to let her in. “Like what?”
Nikki entered, looking around the room. She turned back to him, her tone more serious now. “So... what happens next?”
Jadon exhaled, folding his arms as he leaned against the desk. “Alright,” he began, “here’s how it works. I’ll take your recordings back to the agency in New York. The team will listen, review the edits, and discuss potential fits for each of you. It’s not just about talent; it’s also about marketability, timing, and whether you’re ready to work on a bigger stage.”
“Sounds... intense,” Nikki said, crossing her arms.
“It is,” Jadon admitted. “But you’ve already made it farther than most. Once the agency decides to move forward with someone, we assign a talent manager to develop their brand, book gigs, and get them in front of the right people…producers, sponsors, labels. It’s a grind, but it’s how careers are built.”
“And if the agency doesn’t like what they hear?”
Jadon’s expression softened. “If that happens, it’s not the end. It just means we’ll give you feedback and let you know what areas to work on. Sometimes, it’s about timing…you can always come back stronger.”
Nikki nodded, a flicker of determination in her eyes. “So you think I have a shot?”
Jadon smiled. “Nikki, you’ve got the voice, the presence, and the drive. You just need to trust the process and keep doing what you do best.”
Nikki’s lips curled into a small smile. “Thanks, Jadon. That means a lot.”
She hesitated for a moment, then asked, “And what about…you and her?”
Jadon raised an eyebrow. “Her?”
“Nadia.” Nikki’s tone was light, but her eyes betrayed her curiosity.
Jadon sighed. “What about her?”
Nikki shrugged, her smirk returning. “Nothing... just wondering how much she’ll miss you when you leave.”
Jadon chuckled softly, shaking his head. “Goodbye, Nikki.”
Taking the hint, she headed for the door. But before she left, she turned back and said, “For what it’s worth, Jadon…I hope it works out for you. Both professionally... and personally.”
He nodded, closing the door behind her. Alone again, Jadon leaned against the door, letting out a deep breath. He glanced back at his desk, at the recordings waiting for his final touches, and then to the window where the sun cast its golden glow over the coastline.
He had so much to juggle: the careers of these artists, the lingering shadows of Cyrus’s actions, and his growing attachment to Nadia. But right now, more than anything, he needed to clear his mind and take the next step forward.
Part 56: Discovery
Jadon’s thoughts were a storm as he paced around his suite. He needed to clear his head, but no amount of distraction could silence the questions piling up in his mind. The events with Cyrus were haunting him, the violent scene at North Point replaying like a dark film in his head. He couldn’t afford to lose focus now. He had work to do and decisions to make.
Deciding he needed a break, Jadon grabbed a towel and headed toward the pool. As he walked down the hallway of his floor, he heard it, a voice.
It was faint at first, but as he drew closer, it became unmistakable.
“All at once, I finally took a moment and I’m realizing that…”
The voice was rich, powerful, and raw with emotion. Jadon’s heart quickened, his steps unconsciously quickening toward the sound.
He stopped outside one of the guest rooms, where a housekeeping trolley was parked. Peering inside, he saw her: a young maid cleaning the bathroom, utterly unaware of her audience. Her voice filled the air, hitting every note of Whitney Houston’s “All At Once” with precision and soul.
Jadon stepped into the open doorway, unable to stop himself. “You’re doing Whitney justice,” he said, his voice breaking the moment like a sudden clap of thunder.
The young woman gasped and spun around, startled. “Oh! I’m so sorry, sir!” she said, frantic and embarrassed.
Jadon held up his hands, smiling. “No, no, I’m the one who should apologize. I didn’t mean to scare you. But your voice… it’s incredible.”
The girl looked down, her cheeks flushing. “Thank you, sir. I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. I’m sorry.”
Jadon shook his head. “You didn’t disturb me. You stunned me. What’s your name?”
She hesitated, then said, “Crystal. My name is Crystal.”
Jadon took a step closer, his excitement building. “How old are you, Crystal?”
“Eighteen,” she replied softly, still unsure how to respond to his enthusiasm.
Jadon’s expression shifted into one of inspiration and awe. He felt as though lightning had struck, the intangible he’d been searching for suddenly within his grasp.
“You have no idea what you just did,” Jadon said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Crystal looked at him, puzzled. “I don’t understand.”
“I’ve been all over this island looking for something I couldn’t describe,” Jadon explained. “And here you are, singing in this room, like it’s nothing. But it’s not nothing, it’s everything. Crystal, your voice is a gift.”
She blushed deeply. “I just like to sing while I work. It helps pass the time.”
Jadon smiled. “I know talent when I hear it. When I see it. And you have it! The kind of talent that could change your life.”
Crystal looked skeptical. “You’re serious?”
Jadon nodded. “Completely. Do you have any idea how rare a voice like yours is? You could be a star, Crystal. Trust me.”
She stared at him, wide-eyed. “I don’t know... I mean, I never sang in front of people before.”
Jadon’s tone softened. “I know this is overwhelming, but I see something in you. Let me help you. I can get you in front of people who can make this happen. No pressure, I’ll train you first, just think about it. Okay?”
Crystal nodded slowly, still processing what had just happened. “Okay,” she said quietly.
Jadon reached into his pocket and handed her his business card. “My name is Jadon Jarvis. I’m an entertainment agent. I will help you change your life. Call me when you’re ready to talk. And Crystal...I’m serious!”
He turned and walked back down the hall toward his suite, his heart racing with excitement. He felt a surge of renewed energy and got back to work.
Crystal was the missing piece, the intangible he’d been searching for. He knew exactly what this discovery meant.
Part 57: New Beginnings
The warm glow of Naru’s lanterns danced across Jadon and Nadia’s table as the sea breeze drifted in. Jadon’s energy was infectious, and Nadia noticed immediately. She leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand, a playful smile on her lips.
“You seem to be excited about leaving this place,” she teased.
Jadon shook his head. “No, babe, that’s not it. I met someone today.”
Her smile faltered slightly until Jadon quickly clarified, “I found it. That transformational talent I’ve been searching for!”
Nadia’s face lit up, her joy mirroring his. “Jadon, are you serious?!”
Jadon grinned. “I was on my way to the pool earlier, and I heard this voice. She’s a young girl, just eighteen, and she was cleaning rooms at the hotel. But her voice… Nadia, it’s like nothing I’ve ever heard. It’s raw, emotional... it’s everything. I know she’s the one.”
Nadia reached across the table and took his hand. “I knew you’d find it. I’m so proud of you.”
Jadon’s gaze softened. “None of this is possible without you. You’ve been my anchor, my compass through all this.”
The tender moment hung between them until Jadon’s phone buzzed on the table. He glanced at the screen and answered.
“Hello, Crystal? Yes, I can talk... I’m at Naru’s with my girlfriend right now. Do you know where it is? Great, I’ll wait for you. Bye.”
He hung up and turned to Nadia, a spark of excitement in his eyes. “You get to meet her. She’s on her way here.”
“Really? I can’t wait,” Nadia replied, her smile warm but her mind buzzing. My girlfriend, he’d said. The words replayed in her head, making her heart flutter.
About thirty minutes later, Crystal appeared at the entrance, her timid frame silhouetted against the backdrop of the restaurant’s lights. Jadon stood to greet her and led her to the table.
“Crystal, this is my girlfriend, Nadia.”
Crystal offered a shy smile. “Hi, Nadia. It’s nice to meet you.”
Nadia’s eyes softened, and she smiled back. “It’s nice to meet you too, Crystal. Jadon’s been telling me all about you. You must have an incredible voice.”
Crystal blushed. “Thank you. I just... I don’t know if it’s all that, but Jadon seems to believe so.”
“I don’t just believe,” Jadon interjected. “I know. And tonight, we’re going to prove it.”
Crystal nodded eagerly, her initial shyness giving way to excitement.
After they finished dinner, the trio left and went straight to a nearby recording studio Jadon had rented for such moments. The air was charged with anticipation as they entered the small, soundproof room. Jadon gestured for Crystal to take her place at the microphone.
“Sing something you’re comfortable with,” he said gently, his voice calm but brimming with encouragement.
Crystal thought for a moment, then nodded. “I’ll sing ‘Jealous’ by Labrinth.”
Jadon blinked in surprise. That song, it hit him like a wave. He didn’t expect her to choose something so poignant, something that resonated with the emotions. Not an easy tune to pull off.
Crystal took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and began.
“I’m jealous of the rain...
That falls upon your skin...”
Her voice, rich and soulful, filled the room, weaving its way into Jadon’s heart. Her rendition was raw, full of emotion and vulnerability, as if every note carried a piece of her soul.
Jadon leaned back in his chair, filled with emotion. The song, the moment, it all felt divine. A culmination of everything he’d been searching for, everything he’d endured, all rolled into this discovery.
By the time Crystal finished, Jadon sat motionless, eyes wide with awe, a grin spreading across his face. He rose to his feet and began to clap, slow at first, then with growing enthusiasm as he walked toward her.
Jadon“Crystal,” he said, his voice heavy with sincerity, “you’re not just good. You’re extraordinary.”
She smiled shyly, still clutching the microphone. “You really think so?”
“I know so,” Jadon replied. “This is just the beginning. You’re about to change your life.”
Crystal beamed, and Nadia, standing in the corner, couldn’t help but smile as she watched Jadon come alive.
Jadon turned to Nadia, who gave him a nod of approval. This trip had given him redemption through her love, and now it offered the promise of an extraordinary career path.
He was certain: Crystal was the one, his intangible.
Part 58: A Quiet Confession
The night outside was still, the soft hum of the sea breeze wafting through the open balcony door. Jadon and Nadia lay side by side in bed, their bodies tangled together, the sheets loosely draped around them. Neither spoke for a long time, both lost in their thoughts, staring at the ceiling.
Jadon broke the silence, his voice low and uncertain. “So… what now?”
Nadia sighed softly. “I don’t even know.” She paused, as if gathering the courage to continue. “I wasn’t expecting this. Any of it. You came down here, and… Jadon, you turned my world upside down. And now you’re leaving.” Her voice cracked slightly. “I honestly don’t know what I’ll do without you. You’ve become my new normal and I don’t want to go back.”
He gently brushed the tear away. A tear slipped down her cheek, glistening in the dim light. Jadon turned to her, a pang of concern washing over him at her vulnerability.
“I’ll come back,” he said, his voice steady. “In a few weeks. We can keep this going, okay?”
Nadia’s eyes searched his, her voice trembling. “Tonight, at dinner… you called me your girlfriend. Is that how you really feel?”
Jadon didn’t hesitate. “Yes,” he said simply. “I love you, Nadia.”
Her breath caught, and she pressed her hand to her mouth as tears began to fall freely. She turned to him, her voice thick with emotion. “You don’t know how much I wanted to hear that. Because I loved you from the moment I first set eyes on you.”
Jadon pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly, his face buried in her hair. “I mean it,” he whispered. “This isn’t just a fling or a passing thing. You’re it for me.”
Nadia clung to him, her tears soaking his chest, but she didn’t care. In his arms, she felt safe, cherished, and most importantly, loved.
For the rest of the night, they lay together, whispering promises, their hearts entwined in a way that felt unshakable. The uncertainty of the future no longer seemed as daunting with those three words anchoring them: I love you.
The waves outside continued their rhythmic dance, as if echoing their connection, a love forged in paradise, now ready to face whatever came next.
Part 59: Goodbye
Nadia and Jadon arrived at Grantley Adams International Airport, the bustling gateway of the island. For such a small country, the airport was alive with energy. Taxi drivers unloaded suitcases, families said tearful goodbyes, and tourists snapped last-minute photos before disappearing into the sliding glass doors of the departure area.
Jadon rolled his suitcase toward the check-in desk, and Nadia lingered a few steps behind, her arms crossed tightly over her chest as though holding herself together. Her mind raced with unspoken thoughts, her heart aching at the sight of him preparing to leave.
Jadon finished checking in and turned toward her. He paused when he saw her expression, her usual confident demeanor was replaced with something raw and vulnerable. He walked over to her, his steps slow and deliberate, as if trying to delay the inevitable.
“I guess this is it,” he said, his voice soft but steady.
“Yep,” Nadia replied, her voice breaking slightly. She forced a small smile and reached into her bag. “Here, take these.”
Jadon raised an eyebrow as she handed him a familiar purple, white and yellow Chefette bag.
“All beef and all chicken rotis,” she said playfully, her voice quivering with emotion.
“No potatoes,” they sang together in unison, the way they had many times before.
The laughter that followed was bittersweet, and before long, it dissolved into tears. Jadon pulled her into a tight embrace, holding her as if letting go would shatter them both.
“I love you,” she whispered against his chest.
“Love you more,” he replied, his voice thick with emotion.
When their hug ended, it felt too soon. Jadon slung his carry-on bag over his shoulder, his eyes lingering on hers as he took a step toward security. Then he stopped and turned back, his signature smirk softening the weight of the moment.
“I’m just going down the road,” he said with a wink. “Be back soon.”
Nadia nodded, tears in her eyes as she smiled through the pain.
And then, just like that, Jadon Jarvis was gone, disappearing into the sea of travelers.
Nadia stood there for a moment, watching the spot where he had vanished. The airport’s chaos continued around her, but in her mind, everything was still. She turned and walked toward the parking lot, the Caribbean sun blinding her momentarily. As she stepped into her car, she whispered softly to herself, “See you soon.”
For now, all she could do was wait, and hope that “soon” wasn’t too far away.
