A Taste of Sin... And Heaven

Deswany greeted Marissa with warm air, scattered sunshine, and the quiet hum of life at a slower pace. She stepped off the plane, instantly aware of how different it felt from Bustrov. Bustrov was noisy-cars honking, lights flashing, people rushing. Deswany by contrast, moved like a Sunday afternoon even though it was 1pm. The air smelled like sea salt and hibiscus, and even the airport felt relaxed, almost sleepy.

She had left the house by 9am as her flight was scheduled for departure by 10. The flight had been delayed by an hour, by the time they took off and landed forty-five minutes later in Deswany, she was already drained.

Thankfully, the cab she had booked before getting on that flight had arrived and the driver was waiting for her at the airport with her name on a placard.

The drive from the airport to Bevin Island took just over thirty minutes, winding through lush countryside, modest villages, and long stretches of greenery. Marissa kept her face close to the window, absorbing the contrast: palm-lined roads, children chasing dogs barefoot, fruit stands at every corner, sun-washed homes in pastel colors.

She was grateful that the driver was not trying to engage her in any form of conversation.

She looked at the brown leather wrist watch she wore-- they've been driving for about twenty minutes or so. They were getting closer. She could tell as the roads got quieter.

Still looking out the window, she closed her eyes briefly to brace herself for the new experience that lay ahead as the cab turned onto a long, curved road bordered with flowering shrubs and coconut trees.

Would it proffer the peace and quiet they offered?

Or would it end in the same chaos that was her life.

LA VIV RESORTS – BEVIN ISLAND

The name was boldly written and planted on one side of the drive way. She had particularly opted for this resort because it was about ten-minute walk to the beach. She would need that lazy exercise to and fro.

But looking at it now, the resort looked like something from a dream-whitewashed buildings with terracotta roofs, lanterns strung across stone paths, and soft music floating in the air. It looked simple, yet lavish.

"We're here at La Viv Resorts. Welcome to Bevin island." The chubby cab man told her and got out of the car without waiting for a response.

She gathered her hand luggage and got out of the car. Seeing that there was already a bellboy getting out her suitcases from the boot, she fetched out a few notes and handed the driver.

"Thank you for driving me here."

The man smiled softly and declined, saying she already paid upfront for his services. When the suitcases were all out and loaded on the luggage trolley, he got in his car and drove off, but not without waving at her.

"This way, ma'am." The bellboy pushed the trolley towards the entrance while she trailed behind, feeling her nerves getting up.

She suddenly turned cold.

Dragging her feet behind her, she took her time to look around the resort. It was indeed a beautiful place, surrounded with trees and nature.

After she was checked in at the reception, she was handed a key and a welcome packet-maps, brochures, a list of events and local sights, a menu of their special meals and drinks and a telephone directory. The receptionist– her name read Maryann in her tag– was probably in her mid-twenties and wore a really charming smile that put Marissa to ease. She was escorted to her villa by the bellboy and another uniformed colleague, whom she later found out her name to be Lilian.

Her room was at the far end of the villa wing, and the moment she stepped inside, she forgot everything. It was breathtaking. The room was really wide. It was a blessing that every other thing had been perfect, except for getting delayed at the airport.

The room opened up in clean, minimal elegance. White walls glowed with the fading light, accented by dark wooden beams. The floor was polished brown porcelain tiles that gave off a gentle earthy shine.

At the center stood a large four-poster bed, draped in sheer white curtains. As the bellboy took her bags off the trolley and the girl asking her permission to raise the bed curtains, she slowly crossed the spacious room to take in the setting.

Standing briefly by the floor-to-ceiling window, she saw there was actually a private veranda, where a soft cream couch and a small table overlooked a breathtaking view of the resort's pool and sprawling garden. Sliding the window to the side, she stepped out and was amazed at the view. From where she stood, leaning on the rail, she let the warm air kiss her skin.

Regina was right about the place. It really is refreshing.

Wrapping her arms around herself, she turned towards the room and saw the girl was standing and looking. Moving back into the room, she realized the guy had left and the bed curtains were drawn.

"I see you're enjoying the view." Lilian started, giving her a slow smile and putting her palms together. "Well, I am Lilian and I am in charge of whatever you need to have a comfortable and enjoyable experience here. If you need anything at all-spa bookings, transportations, meals-I'll take care of it," Marissa liked how she spoke swiftly. "We hope this room met your expectations and if you want a tour of the La Viv Resort, please let me know as I would be glad to oblige you."

Marissa was certain she won't be up for that so she shook her head. "No, it's fine. I'm sure I can find my way around."

Lilian gave a nod, her hands still the same way. "Alright then. In that packet you were handed earlier you will find everything that you need to enjoy your stay here in Bevin Island and Deswany as well." Pausing briefly, she straightened up. "Furthermore, there are rules and guidelines that are put in place here, you'll find them in the manual among the others." Giving Marissa a dashing smile, she went on, "Please, if you need anything do not hesitate to reach out as we are really concerned about you having a great stay in Bevin island and our resort."

Marissa could only nod. That was a lot to take in and she really needed to dip herself in a bath then sleep.

"Alright then ma'am. I'll leave you to settle in." she started retreating towards the door, then halted and turned on her heels. The smile reappearing on her face. "We're having a buffet style dinner tonight by 7pm. Please do join us."

Marissa nodded and saw how her eyes shadowed and she let herself out quietly.

She gave a sigh of relief when she left and dropped heavily on the bed-plush pillows and crisp white linens waited like an embrace. It was comfy and smelled so fresh and of flowers. The sheets were perfumed when they were being washed, she could tell.

She just loved the place already.

For the next few minutes she was on a solo tour around the room, loving even what they did to the bathroom. Everything was just lovely. Then she went into unpacking and arranging her stuff in the wardrobes and drawers and making it her home till it wasn't.

By the time she was done, all she wanted to do was to dip herself into the bathtub and soak away all the day's stress.

She got round to finally using that bathtub and in the next few minutes, she was having a much needed sleep.

The alarm clock rang, jarring Marissa awake from sleep. She reached out a hand towards the bedside table, trying to silence the alarm clock she had placed there earlier, but it went on and on. Groaning, she sat up from the bed and pulled apart the bed curtains to look around the room.

That was when she saw the mid-sized clock hung on the wall opposite the poster bed. Marissa didn't even notice the clock.

She staggered off the bed to the clock and took it off the wall, looking around it frantically to see if there was a button or something to pull that would stop it from ringing.

As she perused the clock, she saw that it was already 7:56pm. Wait! She had slept for over three hours?

What about the buffet?

Turning the clock, she pulled out the batteries and set it down on a table. She drew her robe tighter around her and disappeared into the bathroom. When she came out, she went over to the wardrobe and pulled out a loose evening gown. This time it wasn't a totally black gown. It had red flowery prints on one side of it.

Getting out of the robe, she wore it over her head and slipped on sandals. She ran a comb through her hair, then took a quick look in the mirror.

Marissa took the key from the table, her eyes landing on the packet that she hadn't opened. She would go through it when she gets back from dinner, she thought to herself and left the room. As she pocketed the key, she walked through the hallway and down the stairs. There were direction markers in the hallway and she followed it, rounding corners and straight down till she was there in the dining hall.

There were about three people there, that is, if you count the couple eating at a table. The other lady was sipping a drinking from a cup.

She liked how simple it was. The hall was flooded with light but not too much decoration was thrown around. She liked it though, that is the brown and cream colored paints that was used on the walls. The furniture matched the paints too. There were upholstery rattan cane chairs around round tables.

"Did you sleep well?"

Marissa turned sharply to find Lilian standing a few feet behind her and looking cheerfully at her. She also saw Lilian had gotten out of her uniform. She was now dressed in a black jean trousers and a short sleeved red polo. She just looked so casual. "I –" she started, "I didn't realize how tired I was." Dragging her eyes away from her, she glanced nervously around the room and quickly added. "So sorry I'm late."

Lilian smiled, giving her a warm stare. "Jet lag," she nodded knowingly. "I totally understand and it's fine. There's still so much left if you don't mind eating late."

Marissa shook her head, in fact, she could already feel the pangs of hunger setting in. "I don't mind." as Lilian started to speak, she remembered something. "And please, could you change the clock in my room? I couldn't find a way to turn it off."

Lilian sighed and gave a simple nod of the head. "Of course. Is there anything else that is not to your taste?"

Marissa shook her head and Lilian mouthed okay to her and gestured towards the buffet table. Rows of warm trays held different meals-grilled seafood, spiced meats, tropical fruit salads, and local dishes whose aromas made her stomach grumble. It had been a long day, so she deserved a good meal.

"We prepare a dinner buffet every Friday and our customers love it." Lilian informed and Marissa couldn't agree more.

Lilian handed her a flat porcelain tray-like plate, motioning her to go ahead and fill the plate. Going around she carefully filled her plate with a mini caprese skewers, quinoa salad with cherry tomatoes, the she decided whether she should go for vegetarian lasagna or grilled chicken with lemon herbs marinade. Well, she chose baked salmon with Dil sauce. When she got to the dessert table she paused.

Three different cakes, small lemon tarts, and something that looked like roasted pineapple over ice cream.

She stared, unsure. Then a voice behind her broke the silence.

"I think the lemon and vanilla cream parfait would just be perfect for you."

Marissa raised her eyes to find herself staring back into really dark ocean gray eyes. The man who had spoken stood in front of her and picked up a tall mug of the parfait and handed it to her.

For a moment, she lost the capacity to speak. Reaching out her other hand, she took it from him while still locking eyes with him.

This man had a quiet confidence about him. The kind that didn't try too hard but still drew attention. His eyes were sharp and unsmiling but she didn't find herself running for cover or cowering, instead her heart jumped. She let her eyes dart over his face, noticing how his really dark hair was ruffled as though he just ran his ten fingers through them. This man that stood before her looked so enthralling that she was transfixed. He was all man and Marissa couldn't understand why she was noticing all that.

Shaking herself back to reality, she felt her face burning a pale red and prayed he didn't notice that she was drooling.

"You'll love it," he added, "and it's surprisingly addictive."

"Thank you." She bit out and flashed a smile at Lilian who stood on the other side staring at her. Making her escape, she darted to the farthest table in the hall. She had earlier noticed a table with just two chairs at a corner. It was positioned away from the light and that was just the perfect place for her.

Quietly, she dropped her full plate and the parfait on the table then settled into the chair that had its back rest against the rest of the hall.

Marissa took in a sharp breath and tried to figure out what that was all about.

When was the last time she had spared a man a second glance or a moment of her thoughts?

But the moment she had locked gaze with this man, the wheels in her head had started spinning leaving her dazed and all bothered. Marissa tried to steady her breath and just focus on eating.

When her eyes landed on the tray, she realized she hadn't taken the cutlery to eat with. Now, she would need to muster all the courage she can to get up and return to that stand.

Jolting up, she found herself standing toe-to-toe with him. Again?

He carried the same parfait in a tray- it also had a can of iced tea and a bottled water- on one hand, and had a napkin wrapped cutlery in the other.

"You forgot to pick out the cutlery." He said and thrusted it towards her.

Marissa's eyes travelled down his face to his hand. Oh! He had brought them to her.

Hesitantly, she took it from him and watched speechlessly as he pulled out the other chair and sank into it.

Marissa frowned at that. "What are you doing? You can't sit here!" that last statement was rather a cry for help.

He looked up at her and she realized that looking down at him from that height gave her a better view of the man.

She shouldn't be thinking it, but he was indeed a handsome man. His straight pointed nose and thin fine lips were in perfect harmony with his oval face. His defined brows and lashes were long and full, accentuating his dark gaze.

"Are you new here?"

Marissa heard him alright, but wondered if he didn't hear her at all. Then she noticed a glint in his eyes and the smile that subtly danced at the corner of his lips.

Pinning him with her own stubborn gaze, she sat back down.

This man was going to be trouble.