MY BEST ADDICTION

Chapter 35

“You are finally here?”, mom asked as we entered the house.
“Some thing came up at school so I had to wait a bit”, I lied not about to tire her out with my shenanigans. After I ‘helped’ Seth in the car, we found a hotel to freshen up and make ourselves presentable before arriving at home, hence the lateness.
She hummed and continued what she was doing not realizing we had a guest.
“Get comfortable. I need to check if there is anything I can help her with”, I addressed Seth and he nodded.
“Is there anything I can help with?”, I asked but she shooed me away claiming she had everything under control and I needed to rest.
“There is something I haven’t told you yet”, I muttered bringing her attention to me. She looked worried and I felt guilty knowing my choice of words weren’t the best.
“Anything happened in school? You know you can tell me anything, right?”, she asked extremely concerned.
“No everything is alright. It’s just that I came home with Seth and he’s right outside this room”, I explained and she looked like she could kill me. It wasn’t the first time she had heard Seth’s name and neither was it the first time she knew about him, she was upset because I hadn’t informed her he was coming along. They sometimes spoke on the phone and were familiar with each other, it’s just that this was their first meeting with each other. She practically ran out of the kitchen to meet him and I shook my head at her eagerness.
“I’m your daughter, you know”, I shouted at her retreating figure hoping she heard me clearly.
I changed into more comfortable clothes and joined them at the table.
“Did you come to visit me or him?”, I whined but they both ignored me and continued their chatter.
‘At least they’re comfortable and getting along with each other’, I thought paying attention to my meal.  
“Do you want to stay over?”, I asked Seth while doing the dishes.
“As much as I would like to stay, I would have to decline. I have a meeting early tomorrow and I do not want to inconvenience you”, he explained. 
I nodded making sure I was convincing enough to him though I was reluctant to separate from him.
“Let’s talk later”, I requested when I saw him off at the entrance. He pulled me into an embrace and I relished it to my heart’s content. He placed a kiss on my forehead and pulled away from me.
“Goodnight”, he whispered to me and walked to his car.
I stood in a daze looking at his retreating car until it disappeared into the night.
The rest of the days at home were uneventful as I had to keep mom company throughout her stay. On some days, we had Seth or Haven come visit or plan outings for us making the stay a little lively. On rare occasions we had Ezra and Marcus visiting too, or the whole group assembling at my home. Already feeling bored about being cooped up at home, I felt very excited when I received a message from Seth about our trip. He managed to find some days off from his schedule and requested we traveled during those days.
The sun was just beginning to dip below the horizon as we landed in Montego Bay, and I couldn’t help but smile. Seth squeezed my hand, his excitement matching my own. The flight had been smooth, but the real adventure was just beginning.
“Look at that,” I said, pointing out the window at the vibrant colors of the Caribbean Sea. “Isn’t it beautiful?”, I queried.
Seth leaned closer, peering at the view. “It’s even more stunning than I imagined. I think we’ve hit the jackpot with this place.”
The airport was bustling but had a laid-back vibe, and soon we were on our way to the resort. As we stepped out of the cab and felt the warm, salty breeze, it was like all the stress and tension from our daily lives just melted away.
Our room was everything I’d hoped for—bright and airy with a view that was almost too perfect to be real. I let out a happy sigh as I stepped onto the balcony and saw the golden sands stretching out before me.
“This is incredible,” Seth said, joining me on the balcony. “Let’s hit the beach before it gets too dark.”
“Absolutely,” I agreed. “I’m dying to feel the sand between my toes.”
We made our way down to the beach, and the soft, powdery sand felt amazing underfoot. The water was warm and inviting, and we waded in, laughing as the waves playfully tugged at us.
“Race you to the water!” Seth challenged, and before I could even respond, he was off.
I chased after him, our laughter mingling with the sound of the waves. When I finally caught up, we both collapsed into the water, floating and soaking in the serenity. I turned to Seth and grinned.
“This is exactly what we needed,” I said, splashing him gently.
“Agreed,” he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. “I could get used to this.”
After a refreshing swim, we decided to grab some dinner. We’d heard about a local jerk chicken joint, so we ventured over there. The place was lively, with the smell of grilled meat wafting through the air. I couldn’t wait to taste it.
“This place looks amazing,” I said, surveying the bustling scene.
Seth nodded, already eyeing the menu. “I’m going for the jerk chicken. I’ve heard it’s legendary.”
We ordered, and when the food arrived, it lived up to the hype. The jerk chicken was spicy, smoky, and incredibly flavorful. I took a bite and closed my eyes, savoring the taste.
“This is out of this world,” I said, mouth full. “You have to try this.”
Seth took a bite of his own, nodding in agreement. “Wow, this is something else. I’m so glad we came here.”
Over dinner, we chatted with the locals who shared tips on the best spots to visit. They recommended a trip to Dunn’s River Falls and a plantation tour. We were excited and made plans for the next day.
The following morning, we set out for Dunn’s River Falls. The climb was both challenging and exhilarating. Holding hands for support, we laughed as we slipped and splashed our way up the waterfall.
“Be careful, don’t let go!” I called out as we navigated a particularly slippery section.
“I’ve got you!” Seth replied, his grip reassuring. “This is so much fun!”
Reaching the top, we were both breathless but thrilled. We rewarded ourselves with a relaxing lunch at a nearby plantation, learning about Jamaica’s history and sampling some local rum.
As the sun began to set on our second evening, we decided to explore Montego Bay’s nightlife. We found a lively street party where reggae music filled the air. The rhythm was infectious, and soon we were dancing together under the stars.
“I didn’t know you were such a dancer,” I teased Seth, noticing his impressive moves.
“I’ve been practicing,” he said with a wink. “And I have an amazing partner.”
We spent the night dancing and laughing, savoring every moment. The vibrant energy of the party and the warmth of the evening made it a night to remember.
We had spent the day exploring Montego Bay—swimming in the warm, turquoise waters, climbing Dunn’s River Falls, and savoring the vibrant local cuisine. The evening had drawn in, and the beach was bathed in the soft, golden glow of the setting sun. As we returned to our resort, I could feel the day’s adventures catching up with me, the weight of them settling into a deep, pleasant fatigue.
Our room was dimly lit, with the gentle sound of waves outside mingling with the soft strains of a distant reggae tune. Seth had already drawn the curtains back to reveal the starlit sky, and as he looked out, I took a moment to just watch him. His silhouette against the night was both calming and exhilarating. The way he stood there, looking out over the water, made my heart swell with affection.
I slipped up behind him, wrapping my arms around his waist. He turned his head, catching my reflection in the glass. A smile spread across his face as he leaned back into my embrace.
“This view never gets old,” he murmured, his voice low and husky.
“No, it doesn’t,” I agreed, resting my chin on his shoulder. “But I think this moment might be my favorite.”
He turned in my arms, his hands gently cupping my face as he looked into my eyes. The softness in his gaze was almost overwhelming. I could feel the warmth of his touch even through the slight chill of the evening air.
“Penny,” he said softly, brushing a strand of hair away from my face. “This trip has been perfect. But moments like this, with you… they’re what I cherish the most.”
I felt a shiver run through me at his words. “Me too,” I whispered, my heart racing. “I feel so close to you here. It’s like everything else just fades away.”
Seth’s lips curved into a tender smile, and he leaned in, his forehead resting gently against mine. The world seemed to pause around us, leaving only the two of us in this intimate bubble. His breath was warm against my skin, and I closed my eyes, letting the sensation wash over me.
“I love you,” he said, his voice barely more than a breath. “More than anything.”
“I love you too,” I whispered back, my voice catching slightly as emotion swelled inside me.
His lips met mine in a soft, lingering kiss. It was gentle, exploratory, filled with the kind of sweetness that spoke of deep, unspoken emotions. I responded eagerly, wrapping my arms tighter around him, pulling him closer. The kiss deepened, growing more passionate, yet still tender. Each touch, each caress felt like a promise of forever.
When we finally broke apart, our breaths mingling in the cool night air, I looked into his eyes and saw the same love reflected back at me.
“Let’s stay like this forever,” I said, my voice trembling with emotion.
Seth’s fingers traced my cheek, his touch light and soothing. “I’d like that,” he said softly. “But for now, let’s just enjoy this moment.”
We moved to the bed, the soft sheets feeling cool and inviting. As we settled in, wrapped in each other’s arms, I felt a profound sense of peace and contentment. The world outside was distant, and all that mattered was the warmth of Seth’s embrace and the gentle rhythm of his breathing beside me.
In the quiet of the room, with only the sounds of the sea and the faint murmur of music from the resort below, we drifted into a peaceful sleep, knowing that this was one of those moments we’d treasure forever.
On our last day, we took a final stroll along the beach, holding hands and reflecting on our trip. The sunset was a perfect end to our perfect vacation.
“I can’t believe it’s already time to go home,” I said, feeling a pang of sadness.
“Me neither,” Seth said, squeezing my hand. “But we’ve got so many great memories. And who knows? Maybe we’ll come back someday.”
I smiled, feeling content. “I hope so. This trip has been amazing.”
As we boarded our flight home, I looked out the window one last time, feeling grateful for the time we’d spent in Montego Bay. It had been a trip filled with laughter, adventure, and beautiful moments exactly what we needed.
“Love there is something I need to tell you”, Seth confessed alerting me.
“What is it?”
“My mom wants to meet you”, he announced leaving me dumbfounded.