Episode 7
Part 37: Rhythms and Connections
A week later, Jadon found himself back downstairs at the Careenage Rum Stop for another Open Mic Night. The bartenders and staff greeted him like a regular, and Marcus and Lyric, the show’s charismatic MCs, nodded in acknowledgment from the stage.
Jadon grabbed a table near the front, settling into the lively atmosphere. It wasn’t long before Nikki appeared, her energy lighting up the room. She walked over, her stride confident as always, and Jadon stood to greet her with a hug.
“Hey, mister,” she said with a wide smile. “How you been?”
“Good, I’ve been good,” Jadon replied. “You?”
“Living my best life, as always,” she said, sliding into the seat beside him. “Been to any other shows lately?”
Jadon shook his head. “Nah, not shows per se. Checked out a few secondary school performances, but nothing major.”
Nikki raised an eyebrow. “You’ve got to stick around for Crop Over and the Jazz Festival. That’s where the magic happens. But, honestly,” she added with a devilish smile and a playful wink, “we both know your search is over.”
Jadon chuckled, shaking his head. He liked her more than he cared to admit. There was something irresistible about her confidence and charm.
The night unfolded with Marcus and Lyric taking the stage to thunderous applause. “Those are my boys,” Nikki said proudly, clapping and cheering.
This week, the duo switched things up with a reggae-Afrobeats fusion. The crowd erupted in cheers, their energy contagious. Jadon leaned forward, taking mental notes. These two weren’t just performers, they were crowd magnets.
Midway through the set, Roach arrived and slid into the seat next to Jadon. Without missing a beat, Jadon shot him a pointed look.
“I’ll introduce you after the show,” Roach said with a grin, knowing exactly what Jadon was thinking.
Jadon nodded and gave him a thumbs-up.
Nikki leaned over, wrapping an arm around Roach and planting a playful kiss on his cheek. “I’m up next,” she announced, flashing a peace sign as she headed backstage.
When Nikki took the stage, the atmosphere shifted. She delivered a heartfelt ballad, her voice raw and soulful. The crowd fell silent, captivated by her performance. By the time she hit the final note, the audience erupted into applause. Nikki beamed, her smile radiating gratitude and pride.
Roach leaned toward Jadon and whispered, “I’m gonna marry that girl.”
Jadon smirked. “She’s definitely something.”
After the show, Roach brought Marcus and Lyric over to Jadon’s table. Nikki had already returned, sitting close beside him.
“Nikki, my girl, you killed it tonight,” Marcus said, giving her a fist bump.
Lyric pulled her into a hug. “You had the crowd in the palm of your hand.”
They turned their attention to Jadon.
“Fellas, this is Jadon,” Roach said.
Marcus nodded. “Saw you last week. Nice to meet you, bro. You from the States?”
Jadon nodded. “Yeah, here for a little vacay.”
“Cool. Hope you’re enjoying your stay,” Lyric said with an easy smile.
“It’s been cool so far,” Jadon replied, gesturing to the server. “Grab some food. Let’s talk.”
The group settled in, ordering wings and rum cocktails. They talked about music, culture, and the pulse of Barbados’ creative scene. Jadon felt a growing sense of connection with the island and its people, the night reinforcing the potential he saw in the talent here.
As the evening wrapped up, Nikki slipped her hand into Roach’s as they left the bar. Jadon watched them walk outside together, a flicker of curiosity crossing his mind.
Then, Nikki broke away, jogging back to Jadon.
“I almost forgot,” she said, leaning in close. “We’re having a social at my place this Saturday. I’d love for you to come. It’ll be fun, I promise.”
Before Jadon could respond, she gave him a dazzling smile and hurried back to Roach. They waved goodbye as Jadon lingered by the door, the night’s events swirling in his thoughts.
He smiled to himself. Saturday could be interesting.
Part 38: Revelations and Rendezvous
Jadon adjusted his GPS as he drove toward Ape’s Hill, unsure what to expect. Nikki’s invitation had been casual, but as he approached the destination, the sheer grandeur of the estate left him speechless. Ape’s Hill, perched in the rolling hills of Barbados, was an oasis of opulence. The lush greenery of the surrounding golf course stretched endlessly, dotted with pristine fairways and luxury villas that gleamed under the Caribbean sun. The view from the hilltop overlooked the island’s eastern and western coastlines.
Jadon pulled up to a circular driveway lined with high-end cars, marveling at the sophistication of the event. Waitstaff moved gracefully among the crowd of well-dressed guests, offering trays of hors d'oeuvres and champagne flutes. This was no ordinary gathering; this was a glimpse into a world of wealth and influence.
Nikki appeared out of the crowd, radiant in a fitted teal dress that complemented her effortless beauty. “Glad you made it,” she greeted, leaning in for a hug. “Come on, let me introduce you to my parents.”
“Your parents?” Jadon asked, taken aback.
“Yes, my parents. Come on!” she urged, grabbing his arm and guiding him toward a distinguished older couple.
“Daddy, this is my friend from the States, Jadon,” Nikki said with her signature charm.
John Griffith, a tall man with graying hair and an air of authority, extended his hand. “Nice to meet you, Jadon. Which part of the States are you from?”
“New York, sir,” Jadon replied, shaking his hand.
John smiled warmly. “No need to be so formal. Call me John. And this is my wife, Yvette.”
Yvette offered a polite nod. “Pleased to meet you. You’re in good company with Nicole.”
“It’s a pleasure,” Jadon replied, trying to hide his surprise at the Griffiths’ polished demeanor.
“Please, enjoy the evening,” John added before Jadon was whisked away by Nikki.
As they walked arm in arm, Jadon whispered, “Some house, Nicole.”
“First of all, don’t call me that,” she laughed, playfully swatting his arm. “Second, you can’t tell anyone I live here.”
Jadon smirked. “Seriously?”
“Yes. Promise me,” she insisted, her tone suddenly serious.
“Alright, alright. I promise,” he said with a chuckle.
The evening continued with speeches from her father, who announced his retirement from politics, drawing polite applause from the crowd. Nikki and Jadon slipped away to find a quieter corner walking towards the garden out back, their conversation flowing easily.
“I think my dad likes you,” Nikki teased.
“Why do you say that?” Jadon asked.
“You’re his type,” she quipped.
Jadon raised an eyebrow. “And how should I take that?”
“Just shut up,” she laughed, lightly hitting his arm. “You know what I mean.”
Jadon grinned but grew thoughtful. “This place is incredible. I didn’t know you came from money.”
Nikki sighed. “I try to keep it that way. Barbados is all about a caste system, and I hate it. My dad was a lawyer before politics. He worked for the big shots and then decided to become one. Now he owns gas stations and real estate all over the Caribbean and South America. He’s content. But me? I want something different. I want my own honest path.”
Jadon looked at her with newfound admiration. “There’s way more to you than I thought.”
Nikki shrugged. “That’s my front. Can’t let everyone in.”
“So why let me in?” Jadon asked, his voice low.
Nikki paused, looking up at him. “I don’t know,” she said softly before leaning in and kissing him.
The moment lingered until she pulled back, smiling. “We should get back before my mom sends a search party.”
The festivities continued, and Nikki was soon swept away by her mother to mingle with guests. Jadon wandered toward the edge of the property, where the view of the rugged eastern coast caught his attention. He stood there, lost in thought, until a familiar voice interrupted.
“A penny for your thoughts.”
He turned to see Nadia standing behind him, her presence striking in an elegant white pantsuit that hugged her figure. Her natural hair framed her face beautifully, and her confident smile lit up the dimming evening.
“Nadia,” he said, genuinely surprised. “You look amazing. You here with Cyrus?”
She laughed softly. “No, I don’t follow my cousin everywhere. I do freelance work for the Griffiths.”
“What kind of work?”
“Marketing, photography, that sort of thing,” she said casually.
Jadon nodded. “Photographer? Nice. Some place they have here, huh?”
Nadia’s gaze swept over the estate. “Yeah, it’s nice to see how the other half lives.”
Jadon chuckled but said nothing, unsure how to respond.
“So, you here alone?” she asked, her tone teasing.
“Looks that way, doesn’t it?” Jadon replied with a grin.
Nadia tilted her head. “Seems like you’re a hot item around here,” she teased.
Jadon laughed, feeling a little flustered. “Well, looks can be deceiving.”
They shared a laugh before Nadia said, “Anyway, I don’t want to keep you. Nice seeing you again.”
“Same here,” Jadon said, reaching for her hand. Their handshake lingered before she turned and walked away, just as Nikki returned.
Nikki glanced over her shoulder, watching Nadia leave. “She’s pretty,” Nikki said, “but I’m prettier.”
Jadon smirked. “Indeed.”
They walked off together, arm in arm, but Jadon couldn’t shake the encounter from his mind.
At the end of the night, Jadon said his goodbyes to Nikki and waited in his SUV as the other guests cleared out. As he noticed Nadia walking down the driveway alone, he drove up to her and rolled down his window.
“Where’d you park?” he called out.
“Just outside the gates,” she replied.
“Hop in. I’ll give you a lift,” he offered.
They rode in silence for the brief drive, tension thick in the air. When they reached her car, Nadia opened the door but paused before stepping out.
“Nadia,” Jadon blurted, “late-night coffee?”
She turned back, her smile slow and deliberate. “Yeah. Follow me.”
Part 39: Late-Night Coffee
Jadon followed Nadia’s car down the winding road leading away from Ape’s Hill. The night air was warm, and the gentle hum of the SUV filled the quiet moments as he processed the unexpected turn his evening had taken.
They arrived at a small café tucked away in a quiet corner near Holetown, its glowing sign reading Café Bleu. Jadon parked beside Nadia’s car and stepped out, inhaling the faint aroma of fresh coffee wafting through the air.
“You weren’t kidding about late-night spots,” he said as they walked toward the entrance.
She smiled. “This one’s special; small, quiet, and they make a perfect espresso.”
The interior was cozy, with wooden tables, soft yellow lights, and a few patrons scattered about. A gentle reggae tune played in the background, adding to the relaxed atmosphere. Jadon and Nadia ordered their drinks; an espresso for her, a cappuccino for him and…took a table by the window.
For a moment, neither spoke. Jadon stirred his cappuccino, glancing at Nadia. Finally, he broke the silence.
“So, you and Cyrus are cousins?”
“Distant cousins,” she clarified. “Our families don’t see each other often, but we bump into each other at events or when someone’s hosting something like tonight.”
Jadon nodded. “Small world. You mentioned earlier you work for Nikki’s family?”
“Freelance, yeah,” Nadia said. “I mostly do photography; events, promotional shoots, that sort of thing. I help them with marketing when they need it. It’s steady work.”
Jadon tilted his head, intrigued. “Have you always been into photography?”
She smiled, sipping her espresso. “Since I was a teenager. It started as a hobby, just borrowing my dad’s old camera. Then I realized I had a good eye for it. People started asking me to take pictures for them, and I thought, ‘Why not turn it into a job?’”
“Have you traveled much for it?” he asked, curious.
Nadia hesitated, her expression dimming slightly. “Not really. The farthest I’ve been is Canada. I’ve always wanted to visit the U.S., but... visas aren’t easy to come by.”
Jadon raised an eyebrow. “Really? I didn’t know it was that hard.”
“It can be,” she said with a shrug, trying to sound nonchalant. “But it’s okay. I’ll figure it out eventually. For now, I’m focused on building my portfolio. Actually, I have a shoot tomorrow morning. You should come by.”
Jadon blinked, surprised. “You want me to watch?”
“Why not? You’ll get to see me in action,” she said with a playful grin. “It’s at Bathsheba Beach. Ever been?”
“Not yet,” he admitted.
“Then it’s settled. Be there around nine.”
Jadon chuckled, shaking his head. “Alright, you’ve got yourself an audience.”
The conversation shifted to lighter topics after that; favorite foods, island quirks, and stories about their families. Jadon found himself enjoying her company more than he expected, drawn in by her candor and subtle humor.
As the café began to wind down for the night, Nadia checked her phone and sighed. “I should head home. Early start tomorrow.”
Jadon nodded, though he felt a flicker of disappointment. “Thanks for the coffee invite. This was nice.”
“Nice,” she repeated with a smirk. “I’ll take that.”
They walked out to the parking lot, the night cooler now but still pleasant. Before getting into her car, Nadia turned to Jadon.
“Don’t flake on me tomorrow. Bathsheba. Nine o’clock.”
He smiled. “I’ll be there.”
With a nod, she climbed into her car and drove off, her taillights disappearing down the road. Jadon leaned against his SUV for a moment, staring up at the sky. Tonight had been unexpected, and something about Nadia’s invitation stirred his curiosity.
With a deep breath, he got into his car and headed back to his hotel, already setting an alarm for the morning.
