Breakfast was served on the slim stretch of grass that served as a lawn, a barrier, really, between the warm, powdery sand of the beach and the resort grounds. Here, under a grove of coconut trees, whose clutch of ponytail-like branches and leaves rustled, bent and swayed in the wind, the kitchen staff had prepared a long, buffet table groaning with an assortment of different kinds of juice, breads, all manner of fruit, nuts, cheeses, yogurts, ham and other cuts of meat, milk, cereal. Behind a shorter table that had been set up at the edge of the buffet table, perpendicular to it, was a cheerful man in a white paper top hat whipping up made-to-order omelets and waffles. Despite the relatively early hour, a line was beginning to form in front of him. Soon, another chef was being summoned from the main kitchen to double capacity at the popular omelet and waffle station.

The food here was excellent, that was one thing. So the line beginning to form at the station would not have been a surprise to anyone who’d sampled it. Rian, critical of everything lately, was over the moon about the food. Jade could only exhale with relief on hearing of her girlfriend’s unreserved approval about the food, and many other things about the relatively new resort.   As early as the moment when they’d arrived here the day before, and walked past the glass doors to search for the check-counter, Rian had murmured appreciatively now and then about various things.

“This is nice,” she’d said under her breath as the bracing cool air, perfumed with a pleasing citrusy scent, welcomed them into the understated, luxe, cocoon-like environment of the resort. Everything had been pain-free from that moment on. Instead of the usual hassle that accompanied check-in, like registering their names, producing a credit card for expenses, and other tedious routines, especially in busy hotels, they’d been ushered to their suite by the friendly guest relations manager who’d greeted them at the foyer beyond the glass doors. He’d completed check-in with Jade in the suite, chatting with her about possible activities that she and Rian could enjoy over the course of their week-long vacation. As they’d talked, a porter had shown Rian around the suite.   Every comfort had been attended to; no detail had been too small. Before he left, he gave Jade his card and assured her that he could be reached anytime, day or night, in case the couple needed anything the resort could provide.