Is this destiny?

~ Somewhere above Pacific Ocean ~

Sarah woke up as jet started descending.

She looked at her side and saw Aiden sleeping next to her. She smiled.

Sarah could look at him all day, and it would not be enough. She observed his handsome face for a minute before reaching out her hand and gently traced with her fingers starting from his forehead, over temple, and then over cheek going toward his lips. When she was close to his lips, she cupped his cheek with her palm and kissed him gently.

As she inched away, his lips stretched into a smile. "Last time you touched my face like that in a plane, you were too shy to kiss me."

"I'm fixing that mistake now…" She knew that he is referring to their trip to Paris. She found it amazing how he remembers every little detail about them. "It seems we reached our mystery destination."

He checked time and nodded.

Sarah observed through the window that they are approaching a small, lonely, island which is covered with lush vegetation. Only when jet took a turn did she see a runway reveal itself. As they descended, she realized that the island is not so small.

She looked at Aiden with a bit of horror in her face. "Please, tell me you didn't buy an island!"

He laughed. "I didn't buy an island."

She exhaled in relief and smiled. "Sorry, I had to check."

They landed and a person in a tan uniform, obviously staff member, greeted them, helped with suitcases and onto the golf cart. They took about ten-minute drive on a newly paved road through lush tropical vegetation until they reached a villa.

Sarah was excited to see various tropical birds as they traveled. Colorful birds were not afraid of them as they stood low on branches very close to the road. Sarah was sure that if she extends her arm, she will touch them. She hoped that while they are here she can come back down this road, walking, and try to touch a bird, or two.

They took a small bridge over a large lotus pond to access the villa. Expansive two-story high living area welcomed them, and Sarah could tell immediately that this villa has luxury finishes. There was a booklet on the entry table, and Sarah glanced through it. It was a description of the villa: eight bedrooms, nine bathrooms, gym, media room, game room, wi-fi, two swimming pools, hot tub, poolside bar, outdoor showers, sauna, beachfront… She kept the booklet down. "How many people are staying here?"

"I thought I told you, just the two of us. Staff is well trained; they will not be in the way." He smiled when he saw that he managed to impress her. "Let's go find master bedroom and freshen up… or do you want to eat first?"

"Freshen up, then eat.", She confirmed.

…

"Waaah! This is truly beautiful!", she exclaimed from the balcony which extends from the master bedroom. When looking down, Sarah observed swimming pool with a poolside bar, manicured garden speckled with tropical flowers of vibrant colors extends to the white sand beach and perfectly blue, calm ocean. 'Postcard-perfect!' She took a deep breath inhaling the ocean mixed with some unknown sweet scent, she assumed flowers.

Aiden watched Sarah from the room. Her hair and summer white dress were fluttering in the warm breeze. "Yes, truly beautiful…"

Sarah turned around at the sound of his voice and met his gaze. She realized that he was talking about her, not about the view. Sarah smiled and felt that she is blushing. She turned back to look at the ocean, hoping that he didn't notice, because he likes to tease her whenever she blushes. But she did like the compliment.

Aiden stood right behind her; she could feel his firm chest on her back. His left arm went around her waist, and his right one extended to the front and pointed toward the large rock which is partially on the beach and the rest of it is in the ocean. "From there to the left is the lagoon. Good for swimming and snorkeling. To the right, is good for surfing, scuba diving, and we can even get a submarine if you want to get deeper." His right arm went around her waist as well and he kissed her neck before continuing. "There are few lakes, waterfalls, we can go hiking, whatever you want…"

Sarah turned to face him. "This is perfect."

He lifted her chin and kissed her gently on the lips. "For me, you are the only perfection in this world."

Sarah held her breath and blinked few times while staring at his handsome face which had an irresistible smile on. His eyes told her that he means what he said.

Her cheeks were burning. She was sure that her whole face is red like a ripe tomato.

He laughed, kissed each of her cheeks and embraced her. He was happy. "Yes, this is perfect.", he whispered while tightening his hug.

…

They enjoyed food, freshly prepared.

Sarah was not sure how did staff got the timing right. When they came downstairs, dining room was arranged with a meal for two. Food was hot, definitely set up no more than few minutes before they arrived. She didn't see any chef or other staff member. 'Definitely well-trained staff…'

Double-height glass wall was opened, and it created a seamless indoor-outdoor space.

The view of the ocean between palm trees was great, freshly prepared fish was delicious… but Sarah liked Aiden's company the most. She knows that nothing would be this good if he is not with her, sharing the experience, enhancing it.

Sarah took the grape and bit it. "Mmm… very sweet…" She closed her eyes, enjoying the sweet juice that fruit released.

She was shocked when Aiden's mouth covered hers, and his tongue scooped the half eaten grape, stealing it from her mouth.

"Not bad…", he analyzed taste of the grape and kissed her again. "But you are much sweeter."

Sarah stared at him, shocked by his action, flattered by the compliment, stunned by his mesmerizing smile. And she blushed again.

'Third time! This is the third time that he got me flustered since we reached here. And we just arrived!' Sarah was trying to calm her emotions. She could tell that Aiden is much more… intense than usual.

…

After food, Aiden asked if she wants to go for a swim.

Sarah looked up. "The sun is high… we can go swimming later. How about a drink at that poolside bar? It provides shade."

They changed into swimwear and headed to the bar.

Bartender was there, waiting to serve them. Sarah was sure that he was not there when she looked earlier. She gave herself a task to figure out how do these people know what service they need.

They took seats on barstools which are submerged in the pool, they were waist-deep into the water while sitting. The pool was heated, and temperature was perfect.

"What will you have?", Aiden asked.

Sarah smiled and shook her head. "You always let me pick… how about now you order something." Sarah is aware that she always gets to choose drinks and Aiden only says: 'I will have the same.' Because of that, she has no idea what his favorite beverage is.

Seeing him give a small nod in agreement, she was curious to see what he will order.

Sarah was stunned when he ordered two 'True love' cocktails. She raised her eyebrows indicating that she needs an explanation. That is the cocktail she brought from her trip to Mexico and perfected it. How come this local bartender knows how to make it?

Aiden didn't respond, pretending not to see her obvious signals.

And sure enough, the two cocktails were served with sparkling water on the side… and they tasted just right.

Sarah pointed at the glass in front of her. "How is this possible?"

Aiden finally explained, "I got the recipe from Black Rose. Kai learned how to make it. For you."

"Kai?", she glanced at the bartender who nodded in greeting.

Sarah looked at Aiden not sure how to respond while his words 'for you' rang in her ears.

"I hope you like it." Aiden feared that Sarah is upset that he went ahead and asked for recipe of her cocktail without checking with her first.

"I love it!", she honestly responded while huge smile bloomed on her face.

Aiden exhaled in relief and smiled. 'So far, things are going well…' In the next moment, he saw that her smile was gone, and she looked troubled. "Is something wrong?"

"I was hoping to find out what you would drink, your favorite beverage… and you ended up getting this.", Sarah voiced her thoughts.

Aiden stood up and cupped Sarah's cheeks with his palms, lifting her head so that she looks at him. "Since I've met you, my favorites are anything that is related to you."

"Oh…", was the only thing she could say. Sarah felt her cheeks burning, again. She was happy that he kissed her.. Because kiss was more than nice, and she hoped that it prevented him from seeing her blush.

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