129 CHAPTER 129: FAMILY PICNIC

"You're really serious about the picnic?" Aisha smiled as she looked at Ethan who was holding a basket of snacks.

"Yes! do you think I would joke about this?" he grinned.

"But why do you have a lot of snacks out there? are you going to feed all the children in the park?"

Ethan stared at her sheepishly.

"Ethan, what are you planning?"

"Nothing." he smirked as if he was hiding something. "Come on, let's go." he opened the door to the passenger seat then Aisha entered.

Ethan smiled at the woman beside him before starting the engine.

"Ethan…" Aisha faced him who was busily looking at the road.

"Yes?"

"Can I work at your company?"

"No." he was direct.

"Eh?" she pouted. "But I just can't sit in the house doing nothing."

"No you can't. I have already given your position to Larry because you can't go back the company for now." Ethan explained.

"But why?" Aisha asked.

"It's too much of a workload for you. But don't worry, I'll be assigning you some work soon."

"What is it?" Aisha was curious.

"I'll tell you soon." Ethan smirked. "Anyway, you'll start next week."

"Yah! What's the use of keeping it a secret now when you're going to reveal it soon?" Aisha jokingly glared at him.

"Ha-ha. Just be patient, you'll know it soon. And I know you'll love your new work for sure."

After a few minutes, Aisha and Ethan reached the national park. They searched for a vacant parking space but looks like it was all full so they waited until one spot was emptied.

Ethan lead the way. If this is a restaurant, then Aisha would think that Ethan made a reservation for them since it looks like he already knew a spot where they could spend the day.

Ethan laid the picnic blanket then placed the snack basket on the ground. Aisha was loving his gestures. He is pampering her so much.

"Don't you think we need to have picnic every day?" Aisha joked as soon as she sat down.

"Why not? I would love that too." Ethan's eyes shone.

"Yah! I'm just kidding, ha-ha." Aisha chuckled. "But thank you for sparing some time for me." She lovingly smiled.

"I will do everything for you, sweetheart." Ethan captured her lips. "I love you like crazy, you should know that."

"I love you more." Aisha whispered as she receives Ethan's advances.

"So what do you want to do now?" Ethan smiled.

"Uhm, I want to try the swing, then the bar, then the seesaw then the horse, the boat and---''

"Why do I feel like you want to try everything?" Ethan laughed.

"Basically… Yes!" She giggled.

"Have you never been into a park when you were young?"

"Unfortunately I can't remember anything, ha-ha. Weird right?"

"Somewhat. But it's okay, we will do everything that you want to do today." he smiled

"Yehey!" Aisha rejoiced like a child.

"Can I join you too?" a tiny voice came from behind her.

Aisha immediately turned around when she heard of a familiar voice.

"Eli!" she jumped to her feet and embraced the young child.

"Mom, I can't breathe." Eli stated.

"Sorry sweetheart!" she released him. "But how come you're here? You didn't tell me you were coming!"

"Dad wants me to surprise you so he sent uncle Larry to pick me up." Young Eli explained.

Aisha glared at Ethan, then lightly slapped him in the arm.

"You! I hate you!" but Ethan laughed to his heart's content.

"I thought you would want to see Eli so I called grandpa. Don't you like it?" Ethan teased.

"Of course I love it!" then they all chuckled.

Everyone who passes by can't help but looked at them. They look good together and seems like they are a happy family. So cute. Some couples would drop by to pinch Eli's cute cheeks and sometimes, Eli would hide at his mother's back just so the people wouldn't pinch him. then Ethan and Aisha would laugh.

They are enjoying their family time. Eli would sit on the swing while Aisha and Ethan would push him. sometimes, Eli and Ethan would push Aisha on the swing. They also tried the seesaw but Aisha would be lifted high unable to get down because of the double weight of the father and son duo.

"Yah! That's not fair!" She pouted and the two gals would laugh at her.

They also tried horseback riding however Ethan didn't ride one. He only guided Aisha and Eli and served as their tour guide.

"You sure you won't ride one?" Aisha asked. "or could it be that you are afraid?" she was teasing him.

"Tease me all you want but it won't change my mind." Ethan spoke with finality.

"Fine, fine…" she waved her hands.

Eli and Aisha was enjoying their horseback riding moment but Ethan was already perspiring. His been walking them off for about 30 minutes.

"I told you, you should have taken the other horse. Look at you now." she teases. "You should have stayed since one of the staffs could accompany us."

"I can't risk that. you're too pretty for any staff to notice."

"Ahh… that's sweet of you. but you know I can handle myself, right?"

"Oh yeah, I totally forgot about that. then should I go back first?" Ethan joked.

"You're planning to abandon us in the middle of this forest?" her voice was threatening.

"I dare not, your majesty. Please forgive this humble servant for offending you." Ethan kowtowed like a servant to the princess.

"You're forgiven." Eli interrupted, then everyone chuckled. they decided to rest for a while as they both cast their eyes on the vast horizon before them. It's too beautiful to behold.

After a few minutes, they continued on their journey. They arrived at the stable after an hour. They return the horse then went back to their spot. They just want to rest for a while. Aisha saw Eli yawning. He must have been tired since it is already three in the afternoon.

"Eli, do you want to sleep for a while?" Aisha asked. Eli seemed to be thinking.

"But mom I don't want to go home yet. I want to play more." Eli pleaded.

"Don't worry, we won't go home yet. you can sleep for an hour then I'll make sure to wake you up so we can continue our adventure, okay?"

"Okay." Eli laid his head on Aisha's lap as she dozed off to sleep.

"Looks like his very tired." Ethan uttered. "How about you? would you like to sleep for some hours?" He tapped his lap mischievously.

Aisha smiled, "I'm not sleepy yet."

"Okay." Ethan stood up. "I'll just go and buy some mango. I feel like eating some." He drooled while looking at the people passing by.

"ha-ha! Okay! take your time." Aisha chuckled.

As soon as Ethan left to buy food, Aisha inhaled while closing her eyes. she tried to listen not just to the people's laughter but as well as the birds chirping. The wind is blowing mildly. She felt relax and for the first time in a week, she felt an unexplainable peace within her.

Then she looked at the blue sky with a smile.

"Mom, how are you doing out there?" she whispered. "I can't hardly remember your face now but I miss you so much." A tear escaped her eyes but she wiped it immediately.

"I'm sorry that I lost Emily and until now I haven't seen her yet. I want to see her but not now. not until I make sure that it would be safe for her. mom, I'm still facing a lot of things right now. please watch over us from there." she smiled sadly.

"Emily…" she whispered. "I will see you soon. Very soon."

As soon as she opened her eyes, she landed her gaze to an old man who was looking at her with confusion.

"Grandpa, are you okay?" she asked.

"I'm sure I saw you earlier, with your mother somewhere in the west side." The old man was still looking at her. "But you're wearing a workout outfit. I thought you were wearing a dress."

"Ha-ha, grandpa I think you saw it wrong. I haven't been there in the west part and I'm with my fiancée all the time." Aisha chuckled.

"That's weird. I'm sure I saw." he mumbled. "Ah, I'm sorry for disturbing your peace young lady. You must have a doppelganger." The old man laughs while walking away from her.

"Doppelganger?" the woman traces her jaw. "Couldn't it be… Wait!" she wants to chase after the old man but Eli is on her lap. "Did he say he saw her at the West part?!" Aisha exclaimed.