Episode 5
Part 27: The Final Hours
Jadon and Mya spent the next 48 hours together, cherishing every moment as if time itself had slowed for them. Their connection felt effortless, unspoken yet undeniable. No plans were made; they simply followed their instincts, savoring the beauty of Barbados and each other’s company.
They wandered down Drill Hall Beach, where the gentle sound of waves blended with the rustling of leaves above. Native green monkeys darted through the trees, stopping occasionally to inspect the curious humans below.
"Monkeys? Really?” Jadon said, his face lighting up with amusement.
“Yup, they’re a thing here,” Mya replied with a smile. “They’re adorable, but don’t leave your food lying around. They’ll snatch it without a second thought.”
They continued walking until they reached Carlisle Bay. The stretch of powdery white sand and crystal-clear water seemed endless. Jadon marveled at its beauty, the vivid turquoise of the sea contrasting against the deepening orange sky.
“This is the best beach in Barbados,” he declared confidently.
“Oh really?” Mya teased, raising an eyebrow. “And how would you know that, Mr. Expert?”
“Because everyone’s here, and you just can’t beat this vibe,” he said, gesturing to the mix of locals and tourists lounging, laughing, and playing nearby. “Plus, I said so.”
Mya laughed, shaking her head at his playful arrogance. “Well, if you said so, I guess it must be true.”
They swam in the warm, calm waters, occasionally stopping at different points along the expansive bay. Jadon took note of the sections; Browne’s Beach, Peebles Beach and others, realizing the names often shifted depending on the adjacent restaurants or landmarks.
As evening approached, more people began to gather on the beach. Music drifted from a nearby bar, and the air buzzed with the energy of a community coming together to watch the sunset.
Jadon and Mya stayed in the water, floating lazily as the sun sank lower, painting the sky in hues of gold, pink, and lavender. Jadon wrapped his arms around her from behind, and they watched in silence, knowing it was their last sunset together but unwilling to say the words aloud.
The sky darkened, and the stars began to appear. Finally, they pulled themselves from the water, dripping and reluctant, and made their way back to the hotel.
Mya headed to her room to freshen up while Jadon did the same in his. Though they had been inseparable, the brief time apart felt oddly significant. They both knew the hours were slipping away, and they wanted to make the most of the night.
Jadon called ahead and secured a reservation at Champers, a high-end restaurant perched on the south coast. It was renowned for its exquisite cuisine and stunning ocean views, a perfect backdrop for their final evening together.
When they met in the hotel lobby, Mya took his breath away. She wore a sleek, emerald green dress that complemented her glowing skin, her hair flowing effortlessly. Jadon, in a crisp linen shirt and tailored pants, looked equally striking.
“You clean up nice,” she said with a smirk, her eyes sweeping over him.
“So do you,” he replied, offering his arm. “Shall we?”
Together, they stepped into the night, ready to create one last unforgettable memory.
Part 28: A Perfect Farewell
Jadon and Mya arrived at Champers on time for their reservation. Securing a spot at such a sought-after restaurant on short notice felt like a stroke of luck. The entrance and waiting area were stunning, with decor that begged to be captured in photographs. Naturally, Mya paused to snap a few, and when a staff member noticed, they kindly offered to take a picture of the two of them together.
Once seated, they found themselves perfectly positioned at the end of the terrace, where the view was breathtaking. Below them, the moonlight danced across the waves of Accra Beach, one of Barbados' many gems. The gentle sound of the sea and the soft hum of conversations around them created an ambiance that was nothing short of magical.
They started with drinks and shared an appetizer of coconut shrimp, the largest either of them had ever seen. Jadon took a bite and raised his eyebrows in delight. “I’m not sure if it’s the shrimp or the setting, but this is amazing.”
Mya laughed. “Maybe it’s both.”
When it was time to order the main course, Jadon turned to the waiter with a mischievous grin. “Surprise me.”
Mya, intrigued by his boldness, followed suit. “Me too.”
Their dishes arrived, and the waiter revealed the selections: Jadon had been given a perfectly grilled barracuda filet topped with a tangy mango salsa, while Mya’s plate held a tender pan-seared lamb chop glazed with a sweet tamarind reduction. Both came with a side of creamy mashed breadfruit and roasted seasonal vegetables.
“This is incredible,” Jadon said after his first bite.
Mya nodded in agreement. “I think we made the right choice letting him decide.”
After sharing a decadent Bajan rum cake for dessert, they lingered at their table, taking in the atmosphere. The sound of laughter and clinking glasses mixed with the rhythmic crash of waves.
“This place really is a masterpiece,” Jadon said, gazing out at the shimmering sea.
Mya reached across the table to take his hand. “It is. And tonight…it feels perfect.”
When they left the restaurant, they found themselves drawn to the nearby darkened beach. Jadon parked the SUV, and they both ran toward the shore, their laughter carried by the warm night breeze. The tide was low, revealing the ocean in all its moonlit splendor. Shades of blue and turquoise shimmered even in the darkness, creating a surreal, almost magical scene.
“Look at this,” Jadon marveled. “I can’t believe we can see all the colors at night.”
Mya grabbed his hand and pulled him along. “Come on,” she said with a grin, nodding toward the boardwalk in the distance.
They strolled hand in hand along the half-mile stretch, the sea on one side and an array of lively bars and restaurants on the other. They stopped to admire the unique charm of the area, even stumbling across a KFC.
Jadon laughed in amazement. “This has to be the nicest KFC in the world. It’s on the beach!”
Mya chuckled. “Only in Barbados.”
As they made their way back to the car, Mya spotted a brightly lit Chefette restaurant down the street. Her eyes lit up. “I feel like ice cream!”
Jadon groaned playfully. “Mya, we just ate!”
She grabbed his hand and dragged him across the busy street. Inside, she ordered two cones, pistachio for herself and rum and raisin for Jadon.
“Try this,” she said, holding her cone out to him.
He took a bite and nodded in approval. “Hmmm. You’re right. This is good.”
They sat outside the bustling restaurant at a small circular table, enjoying the warm night air and the steady stream of people passing by. For a while, they were content just to people-watch, sharing smiles and quiet laughter between bites of their cones.
Back at Jadon’s suite, they settled on the balcony overlooking the bayside of the island. The view was mesmerizing; city lights twinkling in the distance, the hills softly illuminated under the moonlight. Jadon pulled Mya close, and they kissed passionately, the world around them fading away.
As Jadon led her inside, she paused in the doorway. Turning to him, she hesitated before speaking.
“Jadon,” she began softly, “if I stay with you tonight…I may not leave this place.”
He looked at her, confused but silent.
“So let me savor this moment,” she continued, her voice steady but filled with emotion. “Because right now…it feels perfect.”
Jadon swallowed hard, searching for words. “Okay,” he finally said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I’ll meet you in the morning before you leave.”
She smiled and touched his cheek. “Yeah…I’ll call you.”
Mya walked out of the room, leaving Jadon standing in the doorway, the weight of her absence settling over him as the sound of her footsteps faded down the hall.
Part 29: The Morning After
Sunlight pierced through a crease in the blinds, cutting across Jadon's face like a sharp blade. He bolted upright, disoriented. “Mya,” he murmured, her name escaping his lips like a reflex.
Grabbing his phone, he checked for a message or missed call. Nothing. His heart sank.
Jadon threw on a T-shirt and jeans, rushing down to the hotel lobby. His slides slapped against the tiled floors, his urgency drawing glances from staff and guests alike. He scanned the space frantically, his eyes darting to every corner. But there was no sign of her.
He approached the concierge, breathless. “Excuse me. Mya Lathan, she was staying here. Did she check out?”
The concierge checked the computer and then nodded politely. “Yes, sir. Ms. Lathan left for the airport about three hours ago.”
Jadon froze. “Three hours ago?” he repeated, his voice barely above a whisper. A wave of dismay washed over him, his chest tightening.
“Thank you,” he muttered before walking away, his steps slow and heavy.
Inside the elevator, Jadon leaned against the wall, gripping the railing as a storm of emotions threatened to break him. Why didn’t she call? Why didn’t she say goodbye?
Back in his suite, he sank onto the edge of the bed, his head falling into his hands. Frustration and disappointment boiled inside him, twisting his thoughts into a tangle of confusion and sadness.
The past few days had felt like a dream; Mya’s laughter, her presence, her energy. She had brought him back to life without even knowing it. She had been his lifeline, pulling him from the depths of grief and despair.
And now she was gone.
Jadon looked around the room, its silence now deafening. The scent of her perfume lingered faintly in the air, teasing him with memories that were already slipping through his fingers.
He whispered to himself, “I should’ve said something. I should’ve made her stay.”
But deep down, Jadon knew she had made her choice, and perhaps leaving without saying goodbye was her way of keeping their time together perfect…untarnished by the heaviness of parting words.
With a deep, shuddering breath, Jadon stood and walked to the window. He pushed the blinds aside, staring out at the sparkling waters of Carlisle Bay.
Thank you, Mya, he thought silently. For everything.
For the first time in a long time, Jadon felt a flicker of hope, a sense that life could still hold moments of beauty, even amidst its inevitable loss.
