They slept late next morning, and Jay was awoken by the cool Pacific morning breeze that blew in through an open window. They ate a light breakfast before swimming in one of the many pools at their disposal. Rio found a small, artificial waterfall in one of the pools and he sat on the rocks underneath it, letting the water flow over his head and body. He looked up at the sun and smiled. If he was a billionaire, he'd stay here forever.
They rummaged through the toybox next to the pool and found the plastic football they'd tossed to each other a couple of days ago. They drenched themselves in the cool warmth of the tropical water, and Jay flicked the stray water out of his hair as he surfaced. The morning sun warmed their skins as they threw the fake football back and forth.
Jay noticed two women by the side of the pool. They were pointing at Rio and checking their phones. 'Here we go,' he thought. He recognised one of them.
The obnoxious Australian cougar with the big fake tits waded into the water, cell phone held aloft in one hand. She didn't bother introducing herself. "I was right, wasn't I? You're a pawnstaaaah," she said, showing Rio a picture of his naked self, cum dripping from the tip of his cock. "You got a nice dick." Her other hand dipped beneath the surface of the water, trying to cop a feel of Rio's meat. Rio stepped backwards, eluding her brazen move.
Jay was repelled, but if Rio needed to appease his international fanbase, it was none of his business.
Rio looked at the photo the cashed-up Australian bogan flashed at him. "Yeah, that's me, but to be truthful, I'm here to relax with my colleague."
Her jaw dropped. She glanced across to her female friend, lying on a sunbed near the water's edge. "Oh my gawwwd, he's a real life pawnstaaah," she yelled. Jay couldn't hear her friend's response.
Rio wasn't sure what to say, but from Jay's perspective, he found exactly the right words. "I'm off-duty, ma'am," Rio smiled. "I'm on vacation. Thank you for appreciating my work." The Australian tourist waded away nonplussed, leaving Rio alone. Jay was glad she'd gone.
The plastic football bobbed up and down in front of Rio's muscled torso. He spiralled it towards Jay, who caught it in his fingertips, inches above the surface of the water. He threw it back.
"Hey, you wanna check out that Hindu temple today?"
Rio shrugged. He recalled Jay's suggestion from a couple of days ago. "Yeah, sure. Why not?" He passed the ball back towards Jay.
"Cool. But wear long pants," Jay advised.
Rio assumed this was for cultural reasons. He was glad he'd packed a pair.
They threw the ball back and forth a little longer. A little later, Jay left the pool and after flashing his US drivers' licence, proving to the hotel that he knew how to drive, he ordered a hire car. After lunch, Jay sat behind the wheel and they headed off in the direction of Nadi.
It wasn't a long drive from paradise, maybe about fifteen minutes, before they arrived at the temple. They removed their shoes at the door, made a small donation towards the temple's upkeep, and quietly walked around inside.
As Jay had warned Rio earlier, the temple wasn't airconditioned, though electric fans circulated the humid, sweet-smelling incensed air. Rio didn't know much about Hinduism -- his spirituality was found inside his bank account -- but he appreciated the design of the temple and he loved its bright, vibrant colours. He also appreciated the beliefs of the temple's devotees, even though he didn't understand them himself.
Rio didn't quite know why, but he was glad he was having this experience. As he left the building, he felt a little closer to humanity, but again he didn't know why. A 'live and let live' philosophy, which was a million miles away from the tough ghetto life he grew up inside, was slowly finding its way into his heart.
After leaving the temple, they drove into central Nadi and found a place to park. They quietly wandered around the central shopping precinct for a while. Central Nadi felt to Rio like some of the rough places he grew up in, though with a distinctive Pacific flavour. He felt a strong sense of desperation. Some of the locals looked threateningly at Rio and Jay as if to say 'you're not from around here, are you', but Rio felt confident, and if there was any suggestion of violence, Jay felt well protected.
They walked back to their car, and Jay sat behind the wheel. "Come on," he said. "I want to show you my favourite restaurant in Fiji. I've been to Nadi twice before, but who knows when I'll ever come back again, so what do you say to an early dinner?"
Rio patted his stomach. "You're the chauffeur."
Jay grinned. He turned the ignition, and ten minutes later, Jay turned off the main road before parking behind an Indian restaurant. They walked inside, and Jay requested a table for two. They were the only customers dining in-house, though drivers frequently showed up to collect orders for delivery.
Rio glanced at the decorations adorning the restaurant wall. It was a mix of Pacific and subcontinental art he'd never seen before.
They were presented with menus. "I already know what I'm getting, Rio," said Jay. "Pick whatever you want."
Rio looked up. "What are you ordering?"
"The spicy chickpeas." Jay's mouth was already salivating. "They cook it ... just right. Cumin, cinnamon, cardamom pods, cloves, chilli ... and then chickpeas, obviously."
Rio looked at the menu. He squinted a little, and wished he'd brought his reading glasses. "OK, I'm ready."
Their order was taken. Jay ordered the chickpeas dish he'd been craving, Rio ordered the fish vindaloo, and they asked for a beer each. Jay knew he was driving a rental, but one beer was OK, and they didn't have far to drive.
Fifteen minutes later, their food and beers arrived, along with a huge quantity of fragrant jasmine rice.
Rio scooped some rice onto his plate and dropped some thick spoonfuls of vindaloo on top. He took a bite. "Fuck!"
Jay smiled slyly. "It grows on you, hey?"
"That's fucking hot, dude."
"Yeah," replied Jay, "but you can taste the spices, right? Like, it's not just chilli heat melting your face?"
Rio ate some more, deep in thought. "Yeah, I think I can see what you mean. It's fucking intense, but at the same time, delicious. I know how to cook, but not like this. I've never eaten anything like this before."
Jay smiled as he smashed into his spicy chickpeas. "This is such a good restaurant," he mumbled between mouthfuls.
"Mmm," replied Rio as he ate his vindaloo.
After eating, Jay settled the check and they drove back to their island. Jay left the keys to their rental with the valet, and they headed back to their room.
Rio kicked his sneakers off and flopped down onto the couch. "I'm so fucking full, Jay. I can't move."
"There's a reason we had an early dinner, man. Don't fall into a fuckin' food coma on me."
