She lives in the jewel that people call “paradise.”

Her home rests on top of a large cliff and surrounded by the ocean and local flora. Two simple paths emerge from her property: one leading towards the lush green jungles, the other down a long winding dusty road through the cliff to her own private beach. With the warm summer sun beading down on her, it would be a crime to let it go unused on a day like today.

July was one of her favourite times of the year, for it brought some of the best kinds of weather. It wasn’t overly humid and with the breeze always light enough, the idea of staying indoors was a blasphemous thought. With a massive white beach umbrella above, Seychelles rests comfortably in a turquoise lounge chair while enjoying a fruity orange drink. Next to her was a plastic white table with a phone and Spanish novel that belonged to her sweetheart spread across. To her other side: an empty chair, two pairs of shoes, and Seychelles’s baby blue bikini top. In the distance a tanned man wearing red swimming trunks emerged from the water and onto the shore. The sun’s rays reflected off the man’s golden cross necklace as he walked, a symbol of his faith to God. He crept ever so closer to her lips and firmly holding the wooden arms of the chair, he stole a kiss from her. Though she knew he was trying to surprise her, it couldn’t stop Seychelles from erupting into a fit of giggles.

“Oh, so you were awake!” Spain chuckled.

“It’s hard to rest when I’ve got a cute Spaniard with me,” she winked as she lifted her red heart-shaped sunglasses and rested them on top of her head. “I’m glad you could come.”

“You didn’t need to ask. I was so desperate to get out of the city. I hadn’t slept in days because of the heat!”

“And yet, here you are still in hot weather!”

“I don’t ever say no from an invite by you. Besides this is perfect, nothing like what I was experiencing at home.” Spain gently tugged on Seychelles’s hand. “C'mon! The water’s warm!”

The two of them ran together as Seychelles let herself be taken to the ocean. She had forgotten all about her sunglasses and they fell off somewhere in the sand. The water had never felt so good against her skin. She felt at home here in the sea and to have the one she loved here with her was a bonus. Amongst the excitement, a water fight ensued as the two battled it out and splashed each other continuously. To Spain’s surprise, she ended their match by taking him underwater. They swam together holding hands as she showed him what the sea had to offer. Coral reefs and marine life roamed freely and were unafraid of the couple who danced curiously around them. They made several trips under as Spain couldn’t hold his breath as long as she could.

When night had fallen, they had enjoyed a delicious meal cooked by Spain himself. Nearby on the same plastic table laid a portable music player belting out familiar and upbeat tunes. They sang and danced together in loose-fitted clothing within the gardens of her home. With the laughter and joy that filled the air, it was easy to forget that their time together was limited. But with an incoming rain storm in just a few days, Spain wondered if he could pull a few strings with his bosses to stay just a little longer.