Chapter 1: Chapter 1
"You're next!" someone shouted from the crowd.
Layla looked up sharply and gasped. It was the man from the beach she had seen earlier in the day running towards her with a smile on his face. He was shirtless and tan from head to toe as he ran towards her waving his hands in the air.He stopped a few feet away from her and smiled again.
"You're looking well today, Miss Carter," he said, his English accent strong despite the fact that he was from Jamaica. "How about a hug for your first day?"
A hug? That was unexpected. But why was he dressed like he was heading to a party?Was it a party? Or was he just that happy to be in paradise?
"Thank you, but I don't need a hug," she said with a smile. "Good day, sir." She turned to leave but he grabbed her arm and shook it vigorously. "Wait! One more hug, just for good luck!You'll need it, I promise!"
"Thank you, sir," she said, hugging him back. "Good day, everyone!" She turned and there he was, still smiling and waving energetically at the crowd even as they stared at him in wonder. "Bye Felipe!" she shouted over the sound of the crowd cheering her departure. "See you tomorrow!I'm going to go check out the beach now!"
"The beach? You're going to the wrong place, Miss Carter," he said, shouting over the music and the shouts of the crowd. "This way!" He pulled her towards a path that seemed to have no end."I've marked it with a flag so you won't get lost."
The path was indeed marked with a small blue flag, the kind that €™s used to mark tennis courts and other such things. It was a small thing, but it made her feel safe. She knew this place.It was the same place her father had taken her when she was younger. This place was special.
"You know, I've been to the Carribean once or twice before, but I never actually been to Puerto Rico. I hear it is beautiful this time of year. Do you know where we are going to eat this evening?I don't know any of the restaurants here, so I am going to have to rely on your expertise.
"I don't know yet, she said truthfully. "I was planning on spending the day exploring the island, but I might have to change my plans depending on where we end up eating. What about you? Any recommendations?I hear the food is amazing here!"
"I'm from Jamaica, so I'm not exactly sure what you mean by 'Carribean' but I will take your word for it. As for recommendations, I would have to say my favorite place to eat is back home. In Jamaica, there is this place called Jerk City.They have the best jerk chicken in the whole world. I would have to say that is my absolute favorite place to eat. I am going to have to agree with you on that one, my love. It is hard to beat home, is it not?I'm sure we will find something delicious here in Puerto Rico."
"Yes, of course," she said, agreeing with him. "And I l be sure to let you know what my favorite place is once I find it. Now, where was I? Oh, yes, I was going to spend the day exploring before we head back home.That is, if my father doesn't drag me back to the hotel before I am ready. He is always eager to return home, even though he s never actually been there. Home is where the heart is, after all." They say everything is bigger in Texas, and it certainly seemed that way as they flew over the state on their way to Puerto Rico.