Chapter 354: SS4 01: The Honeymoon Couple Package

Eve snuggled her head on Ambryan's shoulder. Eyes closed, her lips wore a small smile. Exhaustion weighed her down despite being conscious. A soft hum rose above the quiet atmosphere. The sound tempted her to go back to sleep.

"Are you awake?" A deep voice whispered.

"Not until I opened my eyes." Eve yawned, moaning as she exhaled..

"We're landing soon."

"Just carry me out of the plane," she mumbled.

Ambryan chuckled. He set his red wine down and brushed his fingers through his wife's hair. "I told you we should have skipped the wedding party. We could have found another place to hide where mother couldn't reach us."

Eve snorted at his words. She tightened her grip around his torso. The scent of his cologne tickled her nose. "If that was true, we should have gone there in the first place."

"Well, I was curious if anyone would guess where we were."

"And are you happy with the result?"

"I have my share of regrets."

A scowl appeared between her eyebrows. "What's on the itinerary today again? Tell me that it's lounging at the hotel. I don't think I can move. Why is our honeymoon so full of activity anyway?"

"Because you said it's boring not to have activities." Ambryan traced her facial features, starting with the crease lines on her forehead. He smoothed them one by one until her frown relaxed.

"There goes my share of regrets." Eve yawned for a second time. Her husband continued his exploration. The lightest touch brushed her eyelashes and trailed down her nose. She puckered up her lips to kiss his fingers.

Their plane soon landed in New Zealand—the country near the eastern edge of the map, if not the actual one. The day proceeded as Eve feared. After their hotel check-in, their tour guide had called to confirm their meetup at the lobby. 

They only had 3 days to stay.

That meant 3 days to cram as much adventure as they could!

Their first stop was at a local cafe. They obtained a table that overlooked the lake. Eve ordered a hot cup of coffee. Electric energy surged her veins the moment the beverage hit her tongue.

"This coffee tastes so good," she moaned, taking another sip.

Ambryan drew out a tissue from the box of table napkins. He reached out to wipe off the milk foam on the corner of his wife's lips. "Then, will you let me have a taste?"

Eve blinked up at him. "You're interested in coffee now—?"

The question died on her lips when Ambryan stole a kiss.

He curled his own lips inward and licked them. "It is tasty."

"... You've become more shameless now that we're married."

"I have to use it to my full advantage, of course."

Since it was almost lunch, the couple had a quick brunch meal. They ordered poached eggs on potato breads for appetizers, lamb burgers for the main course and sticky buns for desserts. A full stomach always left Eve drowsy. 

offee would only be enough to keep her brain awake but not her body.

It was a good thing their first full stop after this would pump out the adrenaline in her.

The tour guide drove them around town, pointing to tourist attractions and more food destinations. He did this to kill time and let their food digest. After all, the string of activities ahead could make someone puke. 

But it wasn't like he'd let them starve until the end of the day.

Soon, they reached a cliffside.

Fresh air filled Eve's lungs. It also felt cool to cheek from this height. A giant hut had been built along the edge of the cliff where a bridge connected it to the other side.The sound of running water could be heard nearby. Screams in different volumes echoed above it. 

"Mr. and Mrs. Hathaway…" their tour guide said. He threw his arms out towards the giant hut. "Welcome to the highest bungee jump in the world!"

Was it too late to have regrets? Probably not.

To this day, Eve wondered how she convinced Ambryan to try this. 

She sneaked a peek at him while the tour guide introduced a staff member. His face remained composed and his violet eyes stayed calm. This right here… this was exactly her reason for their trip to this place.

This had to faze Ambryan. No one was immune to the thrill of bungee jumping.

Excitement bundled up inside Eve. She couldn't wait to see more sides to her husband!

They had moved closer to the cliff's edge. They stood over a vast river and observed the people ahead of them in line. The ropes were tied to the harness around their hips. All of them jumped with their arms spread like an eagle. 

Eve didn't find the activity intimidating at first glance. Not until she realized how long it took before the people reached bottom. Then, she saw how many times they 'jumped' because of the rope. Their screams rang loud in her ears.

Her blood ran cold.

She'd be dead before she hit the first drop!

"Who would like to go first?" The staff member encouraged. 

Eve wrapped her arms around her stomach, parting her lips open. "I think I ate too fast. I don't think I can get through it. I'm sorry you brought us out here all this way."

"Oh, Mrs. Hathaway…" the tour guide sympathized. He shook his head in comfort. "It's okay. We can adjust the itinerary and switch this time slot for another. I should have known better when I had taken you to the cafe."

"Is it possible to switch?" Eve questioned. Her brown eyes drooped at the corners. "Most of it was booked through appointments. It might not be possible since it's last minute."

She flickered her gaze in Ambryan's direction. "I'm sorry, Ambee. I thought I could do it."

Ambryan knew this would happen but Eve had insisted. He came to the conclusion that she had to see it for herself before she changed her mind. If only she listened to him in the first place, they would have saved time from the drive.

"Come on." He grabbed her hand and stepped towards the car. "Let's go."

"No!" Eve protested.

He glanced back at her, his eyebrow raised. "You want to try it?"

"No, I mean…" Eve began to say. Then, she cleared her throat. She had come here for one goal and one goal only. She had endured a long flight for this and she was not about to leave empty-handed! "I mean, it would be a waste if neither of us try it out."

Ambryan narrowed her gaze. "What are you trying to say…?"

"Do you also feel sick?"

"I'm fine."

"Then, give it a shot!" Eve nudged him. "At least, one of us could enjoy the experience on behalf of the other. Also! This way no one has wasted their time! It's a win-win situation!"

'What win-win situation???' Ambryan mulled over his head. He never planned to jump from the beginning. How was he supposed to get out of this? The thought soon left his mind. 

It was a ridiculous question.

The answer was simple. He had to be firm—

"Please, Ambee?" Eve attempted again, trying her best for a puppy pout.

When his wife stared at him like that… Ambryan closed his eyes briefly. He covered his upper face with his hand, considering the idea. It both delighted and pained him that Eve liked to use her influence on him for things he didn't particularly like.

Except, that was part of the reason why she acted in such a way.

His reluctance amused her.

'Oh, how I love this woman,' he groaned silently, opening his eyes. He stomped towards the tour guide and the staff. "I have to wear a harness first, right?"

Eve contained her squeal as she and Ambryan stood on the bridge. She checked her phone battery, happy to see it was still almost full. She had asked the tour guide for the best place to film this experience. He suggested two spots, one for close up and one for a fuller shot. 

The latter offered a more beautiful scenery but she also wanted the close up shot.

In the end, the tour guide offered to film one for her and promised to send it.

Ambryan listened to the instructions while the crew strapped him in. He chose to wear protective gear though they informed him that not everyone used them. This was the highest bungee jump experience in the world.

He wasn't taking any chances.

"Oh, could you please take a picture of us before he jumps?" Eve asked a staff member.

Ambryan frowned but stood still. Eve skipped over to his side and hugged him around the waist. "Have I ever told you that you are the best husband anyone could ever have?"

"From what I've been told, most women say that when their husbands give them their favorite things or do favors on their behalf," Ambryan replied, his face remained stoic. "Not when they're asked to do ridiculous stuff."

"That's just what you heard. Who said they'd confessed to doing the ridiculous stuff?"

"..." This time, he chose to stay silent. 

She had a valid point that he didn't want to admit.

Eve squeezed tighter and beamed. The photo turned out to be a comical one where the couple both wore opposite expressions. The bright smile on her face almost shone as bright as the sun. On the other hand, Ambryan's scowl invited gloomy skies and storm clouds.

Close family and friends would soon attest that this described their personalities perfectly.

"You can do it, Ambee! You're the man for me!" Eve cheered him on.

He faced the long river, one hand on either side of the railing. The crew gave him the go signal and left him to decide when to jump. The river rushed below him in raging waves. He bent his knees to gain momentum.

'Here goes nothing...'

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Ambryan glanced over his shoulder. "This has a couple package, right?"