The first thing Lucy noticed when she stepped off the plane was the heat.
It wrapped around her like a living thing, warm, thick and unmistakably alive. It was nothing like the dry, predictable weather she'd left behind.
This heat smelled like salt and flowers and something earthy she couldn't name. For a moment, it stole her breath.
Lila inhaled deeply beside her. " Okay," she said grinning. " I officially refuse to ever go home."
Lucy managed a small smile, though her body still felt stiff from the long flight. Her emotions hadn't caught up to the scenery yet. Everything was beautiful, almost painfully so, but beauty didn't automatically undo heartbreak.
They collected their bags and followed the signs towards the resort transport. Outside, palm trees swayed lazily against a sky so blue it looked unreal. Lucy felt like she had stepped into a postcard, or maybe a dream she hadn't earned yet.
The drive to the resort was quiet at first. Lucy watched the scenery roll past, small villages, children laughing near the roadside, bursts of green so vibrant they made her chest ache. Lila chatted with the driver, asking questions, already absorbing the place with her whole heart.
"You okay?" Lila asked gently, glancing at her.
Lucy nodded. " Yeah. Just…taking it in."
That wasn't a lie. She just wasn't ready to admit how strange it felt to be somewhere so alive when she still felt so hollow.
The resort entrance was breathtaking.
White stone pillars framed the driveway, and beyond them stretched manicured gardens, infinity pools, and open air buildings that blended effortlessly into the landscape.
Everything gleamed, effortlessly luxurious, like it had never known stress or sorrow.
Lucy's stomach tightened.
This was where guests stayed. Where weddings happened. Where people came to celebrate love.
They were led away from the main entrance, past the grand lobby and toward a quieter path tucked behind the resort. The scenery shifted subtly.
The landscaping became simpler. The buildings, smaller.
"This is the staff quarters," the Manager explained carefully. " You'll be staying here during your engagement."
Lucy nodded, absorbing the information without comment.
Her room was modest but clean. A neatly made bed, a small desk, a closet and a window that overlooked a stretch of greenery leading towards the ocean. It wasn't luxury, but it wasn't bad either.
Lila dropped her bag on the bed and spun around. " Okay but listen, this place still beats my apartment by a mile."
Lucy laughed softly, the sound surprising her. "Same."
Once alone, Lucy sat at the edge of the bed and exhaled. The silence felt different here. Not heavy. Just…open.
She unpacked slowly, folding clothes she wasn't sure she'd even wear. Her swimsuit sat on top of the pile, bright and untouched.
After a moment's hesitation, she picked it up.
She changed quickly and stepped outside, following the sound of water and distant laughter.
The main hotel pool came into view, wide, sparkling, lined with loungers and umbrellas.
Guests floated lazily, drinks in hand, carefree.
Lucy approached the edge, toes curling against the warm stone.
" Excuse me."
She turned to see the manager standing nearby, polite but firm.
"I'm sorry," she said, glancing at her wrist. " This pool is reserved for guests only."
"Oh," Lucy replied, heat rushing to her face. "I didn't realize."
She gestured towards another path. "Staff usually gather down by the beach bar. It's just past the west side of the resort."
"Right. Thank you."
She stepped away quickly, embarrassment prickling her skin.
It shouldn't have mattered. She knew that. But something about the moment landed deeper than she expected. A reminder.
You're not the bride.
You're not the guest.
You're here to perform.
Lucy followed the path, the sound of waves growing louder with every step.
The staff bar was nothing like the main hotel.
It was open, casual, alive. Live music played softly, laughter carried easily on the breeze, and the ocean stretched endlessly beyond the railing. Staff and locals lounged on benches, some barefoot, some already in the water, drinks balanced loosely in their hands.
Lucy paused, taking it in.
This felt real.
Lila appeared beside her, eyes shining. " See this is way better."
Lucy nodded slowly. She slipped her sandals off and walked toward the water, letting the waves wash over her ankles. The Ocean was cool and grounding, tugging gently at her like it was inviting her in.
For a brief moment, everything went quiet.
No Marcus
No ring
No memories
When she surfaced, she gasped, laughing softly despite herself.
Maybe Lila had been right.
Lucy floated on her back, staring up at the sky, the weight on her chest loosening just a little. She wasn't healed. Not even close.
But she was here.
And for now, that was enough.
Lucy returned to her room with sand still clinging to her skin and her hair damp from the ocean. She showered quickly, letting the warm water rinse away the sand and something heavier she hadn't been able to name before coming here.
When she changed into dry clothes, simple short dress, she caught her reflection into the mirror.
She looked…lighter.
Not healed. But not drowning either.
By the time she stepped back out, the sky had deepened into shades of pink and violet, the sun dipping low over the horizon. The beach bar was already alive again, music louder now, laughter easier, the smell of grilled food drifting through the air.
Lila waved at her from the bar, two drinks already waiting.
"Look who finally decided to rejoin civilization," she teased.
Lucy smiled as she took the glass."I needed the ocean first."
They clinked glasses, and Lucy took a slow dip, the cool sweetness settling easily in her chest. This drink didn't feel like an escape. It felt like permission.
A familiar voice interrupted them.
"Hey! You made it."
Lucy turned to see the driver who had brought them from the airport earlier that day. He grinned warmly, clearly pleased to see familiar faces.
"Small island," Lila laughed. " We were just talking about you."
He pulled up a chair, introducing himself properly this time, and soon they were deep in conversation. He talked about the resort, the weddings, the performers who came and went, the long nights when staff became family because most of them were far from home.
"It's not just work," he said, gesturing around them. "Out here, we look out for each other."
A woman approached them, sliding easily into the circle. She smiled brightly and he introduced her as his girlfriend. She worked at the resort too, spa services, and she welcomed Lucy and Lila like they'd known each other longer than a few hours.
"You'll love it here," she said sincerely. " Fiji has a way of softening people."
Lucy felt that already.
The music shifted, becoming louder, more rhythmic, and someone pulled the driver's girlfriend up to dance. Soon others joined, laughter spilling freely into the night. Lila didn't hesitate, she grabbed Lucy's hand and pulled her into the small crowd.
Lucy laughed as she moved, awkward at first, then later freer. Her body remembered joy before her mind could argue against it. For the first time in months, she wasn't thinking about Marcus. She wasn't replaying texts or imagining conversations that would never happen.
She was just there.
At some point, the music slowed, and someone tapped the microphone near the small stage.
"Karaoke's open tonight!" a voice announced.
Groans and cheers followed.
Lucy froze slightly.
Lila's eyes lit up instantly. "Oh no," she said, smiling too wide. " You didn't tell them yet, did you?"
"Tell them what?" the driver asked.
Lila leaned forward eagerly. "Lucy's a performer. A singer. She's actually here to perform for the resort this week."
A few heads turned toward Lucy.
"Oh," she said quickly, heat creeping up her neck. "It's nothing fancy."
The driver laughed. " Nothing fancy? You don't come all the way out here for nothing."
Someone handed Lucy the microphone before she could refuse.
" Just one song," Lila urged softly. " No pressure."
Lucy hesitated, fingers tightening around the mic. It had been months since she'd sung in front of anyone. Since she'd let herself feel music without trying it to memory.
But the crowd was small. Friendly. Expectant.
She took a breath.
The music started softly, soft, familiar, comforting. Lucy closed her eyes and let her voice find its way back to her. The sound carried easily over the ocean, blending with the waves and the night air.
She didn't sing for Marcus.
She sang for herself.
When the song ended, applause rose around her, genuine and warm. Lucy smiled, breathless, emotion swelling unexpectedly in her chest.
The applause faded slowly, replaced by laughter and chatter as Lucy stepped away from the small stage. Her heart was still racing, not from nerves this time, but from the quiet thrill of having done something just for herself.
"Told you," Lila said proudly.
Lucy laughed, her heart full in a way it hadn't been in a long time.
"I need a drink," Lucy said, leaning toward Lila.
She made her way to the bar, shoulders relaxed, and ordered a drink. The glass was cool in her hand and she took a sip, leaning against the counter and letting the moment settle.
"You were really good," a voice says beside her.
Lucy turned to see a man standing a little too close, his smile lingering longer than necessary.
"Thanks ," she replied politely, already turning back toward the bar.
He didn't take the hint.
"So, are you here alone?" he asked, his eyes roaming in a way that made her shift uncomfortably.
"I'm here with friends," she said, keeping her tone neutral.
He laughed lightly, as if that were an invitation. "Maybe I could join you then."
Lucy took another sip, avoiding his gaze. "I'm actually not interested."
Instead of stepping back, he leaned in further. "Come on, just one drink. No harm in getting to know each other."
Her chest tightened. She glanced around for Lila, but the crowd had thickened, bodies moving to music.
"I said no," she repeated, firmer now.
Before the man could respond, another voice cut in calmly.
"Is there a reason you're bothering my girlfriend?"
Lucy blinked.
The man stiffened, clearly caught off guard. "Girlfriend?"
The newcomer stepped closer, placing himself easily between Lucy and the stranger. His press was steady, unthreatening, but unmistakably firm.
"Yeah," he said smoothly. " You've been making her uncomfortable."
The man scoffed, eyes flicking between them, then muttered something under his breath before backing away. "Didn't know," he said, already retreating. "My mistake."
Lucy exhaled slowly, tension draining from her shoulders.
Lila appeared at her side, eyebrows raised. " Let's just go with it," she murmured, suppressing a smile.
Lucy nodded, still processing what had just happened.
When she turned back, the man who had stepped in was watching her with a gentle, apologetic expression.
"Sorry about that," he said " I hope that was okay."
Lucy studied him, calm eyes, an easy posture, nothing forced about him at all.
"It was more than okay," she replied softly. "Thank you."
He smiled then, genuine and warm. "I'm glad I could help. I'm…"
"Hi," she interrupted, extending her hand. I'm Lucy."
He took it, his grip light but sure.
"Nice to meet you, Lucy,"
And just like that, something shifted.