It抯 lush and green and mountainous with a salty, sun-kissed breeze and strewn with colorful flowers bursting to life.
Even the airport is open, letting the outside in, immediately welcoming me to a different world than anything I抳e known.
Most of the gorgeous homes we pass on the SUV ride are that way, too.
Of course, Cole抯 beachfront estate outshines them all.
It would be imposing if it weren抰 for the soft red woodtones and tall windows. The place is just off a beachfront stolen from heaven, surrounded by acres and acres of coffee plants and greenery so bright it nearly burns my eyes.
The inside smells like orchids and sandalwood. Until now, I抳e never stepped inside a house that has its own perfume.
But in Kona, the Lancaster mystique has a scent.
When a friendly staffer shows me to my room and I step outside onto the open lanai, my jaw hits the floor.
It抯 my own personal riviera. Manicured gardens, turquoise waters, gold-white sand, and blue, blue skies as far as the eye can see.
No postcard could ever capture this beauty.
No Instagram shot could ever do it justice.
And for however long we抮e here, it抯 mine, and I so don抰 feel worthy. I抦 floating through a freaking fairy tale.
Apparently, the whole team is staying at the estate, too. Cole had part of it refurbished for makeshift office space and meeting rooms before we arrived, and another wing set aside as guest rooms.
I frantically unpack my main bag before I walk around the estate.
Southern California might be lovely, but it has nothing on this island.
I want to take it all in before I can worry about minor details like work.
Walking through the coffee trees, I try to get my pictures done early, snapping strange, fragrant flowers I抳e never seen before and silvery waves lapping against the beach. I haven抰 made it far when I hear footsteps approaching and turn.
揌ey, Destiny. I thought you抎 be at the beach??
Her goofy teenage smile fades. 揢m, beaches and I don抰 quite vibe…？
That gets my attention. My head tilts, and I notice the tension taking over her face.
揃ut you came to Hawaii??
She shrugs, her bare shoulders rippling in her tank top and already soaking in the sun.
揑 just wanted to get some sun and see some cool animals. Plus, I didn抰 want Dad coming here alone.?
Why does it sound like she抯 protecting him?
I stare at her, bewildered.
Cole must have flown tons of amazing places without her and survived梙asn抰 he?
揟hat抯 considerate of you,?I say gently. 揕ooks like he抯 brought the whole crew, though. I抦 sure he抣l be fine.?
The idea of this tiny fifteen-year-old protecting her billionaire hulk of a father is both adorable and unsettling.
揅an I walk with you??she asks hopefully.
揝ure!?I nod, gesturing her to follow me along a big line of palm trees.
It is a little dark and jungle-like here, so maybe she抯 uneasy. Thankfully, the Hawaiian islands are one tropical hotspot where you don抰 have to worry about dog-sized lizards or snakes looking for a two-legged snack.
揑t must be awesome being back here, no? Your dad said this place was in your family for years. I figured it would be like a second home for you…？
She shakes her head, biting her lip.
Why does she look so conflicted?
揘either of us have been here in a really long time, actually,?she says quietly.
I wait, but she doesn抰 elaborate. Dess just swings her head around, not staring at anything long enough for it to register. It抯 more like she抯 looking for a certain something in the landscape.
Odd.
The guy swears this breathtaking place is family property and he spent whole months here when he was young, but he never brings his daughter? What gives?
We walk through a breezy nirvana while she tells me about her classes coming up next year and how pissed her friends are that she抯 in Hawaii and they抮e not. The trees only get lusher, and I see several overflowing with bananas.
揙h my God, do you harvest those for breakfast??I point up at the trees. 揟his place is so beautiful. I can抰 believe you guys don抰 come more often,?I say, somewhat giddy.
Destiny offers a smile that抯 too worn out for any normal teenager. 揟he bananas, maybe. I think most of the plants are decorative. They help with shade and nice views because they抮e so pretty. You should see the coffee trees Wired Cup owns.?
揟here抯 more??My mouth is hanging open.
揑抣l show you when we get back, Eliza.?She grins, her nose scrunching up adorably under the sun.
We take a few more steps, working our way down a hill and exploring our surroundings in a friendly silence.
Destiny stops as we near a rocky path that looks like it ends at the beach. She releases a long sigh.