RECKLESS AUDACITY

CHAPTER 2: The Bait

Jade Mountain Resort, Saint Lucia, July 2011

Edward and Frank couldn't believe they were in Saint Lucia, the island of endless parties and exotic pleasures. It had been a dream of theirs since their college days at Yale to party in the Caribbean, but back then they were broke students, barely scraping by. Now, with their successful startup and a six-figure deal under their belt, they could finally afford to live it up in style.

The travel arrangements were very favorable for Edward and Frank. They arrived in the late afternoon of the 8th, which meant they had about half a day to themselves before the meeting officially started on the morning of the 9th.

After they checked in, they headed straight to the beach to soak up the sun and cool off in the crystal-clear waters. They rented a couple of surfboards and hit the waves, taking in the beautiful scenery and enjoying the thrill of the waves. Everywhere they looked, there were sun-kissed bodies and glittering bars, a paradise for two fun-loving adults with a streak of naughtiness in them.

As the sun started to set, they made their way to a nearby beach bar to try some of St. Lucia’s famous cocktails. They ordered the classic piña coladas and mojitos, sipping their drinks while watching the stunning sunset over the ocean. They ended their night with a delicious dinner of traditional saltfish and green figs, and a spread of huge grilled lobsters. These were washed down with Piton rum and rum punch.

"This is how life should be lived," Edward intoned, "in perfect bliss."

And they partied hard that night.

They danced the night away with beautiful strangers whose names they couldn't even remember. But that didn't matter, not in this world of pure hedonistic pleasures, where the only thing that counted was how much money you could spend.

The first meeting was hectic and stressful, with lots of speeches and presentations. But luckily, no meeting had been scheduled for the evening, giving the overworked executives some respite, and an opportunity to get naughty.

Frank and Edward got to meet the men and women who made Silvergate Investment turn on its wheels, and had a glimpse into their mammoth plans for the next decade. Unfortunately, all the new contractors were not allowed to participate in the key break-out sessions where the details of the plans were discussed. But what they garnered from the opening sessions was enough to whet their appetites, and for them to decide to hitch their wagon onto the bandwagon of Silvergate. If they dutifully follow Silvergate for the next five years, they may reach the promised land.

Together with the other new contractors who had been “banned” from the ongoing sessions, they hit the sprawling, magnificent beaches. Since the rest of the programme was solely for break-out sessions, that meant their work here was officially over. They were assured that they were welcome to stay the entire period, and that rooms and every available service for the three days had been generously paid. They could also attend the evening soirees that would be held in any of the beach hang-outs. Details would be shoved under their doors in the mornings.

Life could not get any better.

They explored the island, indulging in spa treatments with some of the new contractors, walking the narrow streets, and enjoyed motor bike rides. As they lounged on the beach, watching the waves roll in, and sipped the exquisite drinks, a whirly, red-haired man, named Steve, suggested they take a boat ride to the Pitons, St. Lucia’s iconic twin peak. The beaches there were crazier, he added, as a sweetener.

Frank and the others opted to spend the rest of the afternoon in the bars lined up on the beach, leaving Edward and Steve to go on their exploration. The beach was, as Steve had implied - a haven for lovers. After a couple of rum punches, the excitement was beginning to have its toll on Edward. Steve was sandwiched between three gorgeous, bright-eyed angels, who were soaking not only the tales he spurned, but also the drinks he generously ordered for the table.

Edward sought solace by the beach, searching for the perfect spot to soak the sun's rays. He took off his shirt, exposing his perfectly toned body. His long steely legs, jutting out of the pale blue beach shorts, looked like the chiselled figures of the Greek gods. Everywhere he looked, he was surrounded by toned and tanned beachgoers. He made a mental note to get out more often to catch a tan. The constant stream of bronzed, chiselled men and goddess-shaped women who emerged from the water tickled his blood. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to have one of those goddesses hooked onto his arm.

After walking for about an hour, he found a spot on the beach deck and lay down, throwing off his shirt to soak up some rays. The warmth of the sun felt good on his skin, and he closed his eyes, letting the gentle sound of the waves wash over him.

The Ladera, Saint Lucia

Alice cussed!

The private plane that should have left San Francisco that morning, took off, but the pilot noticed a mechanical challenge when they were only about an hour out, and had to fly back. They hoped to change planes. That meant their guest would arrive later in the evening.

As with all perfectly hatched plans, there was always the need for a back up, and she found herself placed on the sacrificial altar. This moment was pivotal to her plan, but now the bait was thousands of miles away, and the fish had landed. She put down the binoculars. She put on a sheer yellow beach slip that hung loosely around her shoulders, grabbed a tanning lotion, and hurried out of her room. Timing was everything!

Edward must have drifted off to sleep because he was jolted back to reality by the scent of flowery lotion. He opened his eyes to see a beautiful brunette applying sunscreen to her long, shapely legs. He struggled to sit up, feeling awkward, but she just smiled at him.

"Not a beach person, I guess?" she said teasingly.

Edward managed a weak smile, feeling a bit embarrassed. They were the only two people around, at least for a hundred metres, and he felt like he was being judged for his lack of a tan. As if reading his mind, the woman offered the lotion, which Edward declined.

“Well, you are going to need that if you don’t want to look like a grilled lobster. The sun here can be merciless even if its heavenly”

“I believe I have had enough for the day”, he said, slipping into his shirt.

“Alice”, she introduced herself, extending her hand. Soft and dainty.

“Edward”

He tried not to stare at the stunning brunette sitting at arm’s length from him. Her striking features were accentuated by her perfectly sculpted eyebrows, full lips, and mesmerising brown eyes that seemed to sparkle in the sunlight. Her voice was smooth and melodic, like a soft breeze that danced along the beach. Every word she spoke seemed to carry a musical quality that drew him in, leaving him lost in the silkiness of her sound. Her laughter was infectious, a warm and inviting sound that made Edward feel at ease in her presence. It was the kind of laugh that could light up a room and bring joy to anyone who heard it, and he found himself falling under her spell with each peal of laughter that escaped her lips.

His scalp began to tingle, an alarm was going off in his head. He knew that Saint Lucia was a hub for expensive prostitutes who catered to the rich and powerful patrons who throng the havens hidden on the exotic islands, and he didn't want to risk blowing his budget on a wild night. He and Frank had agreed to avoid any temptations that would put them in financial peril. However, she was warm and friendly, and she didn't look like the typical hustlers he had seen hanging around the beaches. She handed him the lotion again, urging him to use it if he wanted to sunbathe. They shared a laugh, and Edward felt the tension in his head start to dissipate.

"So, what brings you to Saint Lucia?" she asked.

"Here for a three-day business meeting."

She mockingly looked around her. "I don’t see any business around here.”

They burst out laughing.

"Ah, I guess it’s the classic Lucia getaway," she said with a grin. "Well, you've certainly picked the right place for it. There's no shortage of fun to be had here."

He chuckled. "That's for sure. No wonder all the tech wizzes are milling around here, escaping the suffocating offices and deadline pressures. All places should look like this."

She gave him a sympathetic smile. "Well, you can make any shithole look like heaven if you really want to.”

“That is a comely philosophical motivation. You have not seen my shithole - nothing on earth will transform it”. They burst out laughing.

“What about you? Are you from around here?"

She shook her head. "No, and it will surprise you to know that I am also here for a meeting.” Actually, I come to Saint Lucia pretty often."

"I can see why," he said, looking out at the crystal-clear water. "It's absolutely beautiful here."

As they talked, two strangers on an exotic beach, he found himself drawn to her easy laughter and quick wit. They had a natural chemistry that felt both exciting and comforting. They spent the next hour talking about everything and at the same time about nothing. Just meaningless conversation that is used as a cover to spend more together. From favourite travel destinations, and hobbies, to interests and politics.

"Speaking of food, have you tried any of the local dishes yet?" she asked.

"We had a taste of the saltfish and grilled lobster yesternight.

"You have to try the grilled octopus at this little place down the road," she said, pointing in the direction of the restaurant. "It's one of my favourites."

"I'll have to check it out," Edward said, smiling.

“I want to take a dip, care to join me?”

Without waiting for a reply, she gracefully rose to her feet, allowing the delicate slip covering to fall off her smooth shoulders onto the sand. Edward felt a rush of desire as he took in the sight of her youthful curves, perfectly sculpted and glowing in the sun's warm light. He admired the way her body moved, as if it were a dance to the rhythm of the waves crashing on the shore. She was a vision of beauty that left him breathless, his heart racing as he felt an overwhelming urge to reach out and touch her.

He saw the ring.

She followed his gaze, smiled, and also let her eyes linger on his ring. They both got the message loud and clear. It now remained what they would do about it. This was a make or break moment. Alice’s mind started to race, and silently cussed the pilot again.

“Sure, why not?”

Bingo!

With the waves crashing onto the shore, they broke into a run towards the water, their laughter ringing through the air. The cool water welcomed them, caressing their skins as they splashed around like carefree teenagers. Her hair whipped around her face as she twirled and jumped, completely uninhibited. The water was alive around them, a magical playground inviting them to let go of all their worries and just be present in the moment. They finally slowed down and stood in the waist-deep water. .

The setting sun cast a golden glow over the beach as they made their way back towards the bar. Steve was nowhere to be found, and the boat services had closed for the night, leaving Edward to utilise the services of a taxi. Alice’s hotel, The Ladera, captured the stunning beach.

“There is a jamboree bar just three blocks from here, the Night Stand. If you get bored you can try it”, she told him as she alighted from the taxi.