Chapter 402 - Sarah's birthday (2)

Next morning, Sarah's phone woke Aiden up. Sarah was in deep sleep and didn't react to the phone. He saw that it's a video call from JoAnna and picked it up.

"Why are you answering Sarah's phone?" JoAnna frowned immediately.

Aiden was still drowsy from sleep, so he answered without thinking. "She drank last night, so she needs rest."

JoAnna widened her eyes in surprise, and Jeff could be seen peeking behind her. "Sarah drank? How is she when she drinks?"

"Not good." Aiden vaguely responded.

"Must be in the family..." Jeff looked at JoAnna and chuckled.

JoAnna was in shock. 'Did he remember when he found me at the fountain? I ended up puking on him and passed out... and I woke up in his hotel room! Will he ever forget about that?' Her expression was pleading him not to talk about that.

Jeff didn't see her expression, or maybe he did but decided to ignore it. He was smiling in reminiscence of some of his sweetest early memories with JoAnna: when he found out her name. "Do you remember when I found you that evening in front of a club in Seattle? You were..."

JoAnna was petrified. 'He is thinking about that!' The only thing on her mind was to end the call as soon as possible. "I will call later!" She ended the call.

Aiden was staring at the screen with message 'disconnected' for some time. "So... she just woke me up for no reason..." he mumbled as he kept the phone back.

Soon Sarah started stirring. She opened her eyes and met Aiden's.

"Good morning." He smiled while remembering her words from last night, before she crashed.

"Good morning..." Sarah grumbled. She didn't feel well. "I have a headache."

"That's your punishment for drinking so much." Aiden frowned at the thought how he found her with those two men around her, and she was having fun and drinking without a care in the world. "If I was not there, who knows where you would end up?"

"If you are not here, I would not be drinking." Sarah stuck her tongue out. "What's the time? We should go..."

They swiftly packed their things and took the cab to next destination. They were heading to Venice where they will take ferry to Pula which is their first stop in Croatia.

On the way to Venice they made a stop for lunch. They didn't linger much, as Sarah wanted to catch an afternoon ferry so that they can be in Pula on time for dinner.

In Pula they reached a hostel, and Aiden was intrigued by the fact that owners recognized her. They greeted her warmly and showed interest in Aiden. When she told them that he is her boyfriend they gave him warm approving looks. They spoke in broken English, but it was more than enough for him to talk to them. He found a relief in speaking with locals. In Italy they didn't find many people who spoke English, and he was relying on Sarah to translate. Soon he confirmed that this town is a popular tourist destination compared to a small town in Italy where they stayed.

She knew exactly where they are going for dinner. It was a restaurant with an open-air seating which offered great choices and variety of cuisines.

Aiden let Sarah lead the way and didn't ask many questions. He knows that this is something she usually does by herself, every year, and he enjoyed the thought that she is sharing this experience with him. But he could not avoid the feeling that grew stronger in him, feeling that he is missing something important.

"What is the plan for tomorrow?" Aiden looked at Sarah over a bowl of seafood pasta dish.

"We rest here tonight, then we go to Plitvice National Park. By evening we should reach our destination." She vaguely explained.

Aiden's ears perked up. "There is a destination?"

"Yes. It's a small city where... " Sarah paused and smiled. "You will see." She lowered her head and didn't speak while keeping busy with her plate.

When Sarah lifted her head and met Aiden's gaze, she could see that he is still expecting her to talk about their destination. Sarah cleared her throat and gestured to his plate. "Finish that, and we can head to the promenade before sleeping."

After dinner, they went toward the sea and held hands while strolling on a wide paved walk, full of people who were doing the same thing: walking. On their right was the beach and the sea, on their left numerous stores and shops lined up along the promenade.

"You know?" Sarah looked at Aiden. "Every summer, for years, I'm coming to Croatia... and I look at the people strolling on the promenades through various towns. I wondered how it would feel to have someone walk by my side and hold my hand... someone special."

Aiden smiled, happy that he is here with her. "And? How does it feel?"

"Better than what I imagined!"

Next day they woke up, and everything went how Sarah planned. They went to Plitvice National Park. The scenery was beautiful, and the lake system created an amazing sight. They also saw variety of animals living in the wild.

But Aiden's mind was on the place she called 'destination'. Based on her tone and expression, he understood that it's a place of importance for her.

Aiden was guessing what that place could be. He knows that she loves Greek culture, so it must be something related to that, right? But if it's that, then shouldn't it be logical to go to Greece? And based on his knowledge, Greek culture didn't expand to this area. He was not sure, and he did his best to stop himself from guessing. He wished that time can go faster, so that they reach that place she mentioned sooner.

He was giddy from excitement when she finally said that they are done with National Park and heading to... 'destination'. Sarah didn't say where they are going. She spoke with a cab driver and they left. Even if he heard name of the place, it would not mean much to him. His excitement was rising with every passing minute.

Cab stopped in a small coastal town, in front of an inconspicuous hostel. They went in and got their room key. The older lady who runs the place greeted Sarah in a very friendly manner, and Aiden could guess that they know each other from before.

Their room was small with one full size bed, and a wooden closet. There is an attached bathroom with only restroom and a sink.

Sarah saw him looking through the room. "It's small, but clean. Showers are down the hall."

Aiden wondered why did she pick such a small and shabby place to stay in? He saw a perfectly good (at least) 4 or 5-star hotel just few minutes ago. He did his best to be sensitive. "Why did you pick this place to stay in?" He also wanted to say that from few lodgings they switched in last few days, each next one is worse than the previous one. What happened with huge, comfortable suites with jacuzzi tubs and 24-hour room service? But he didn't say this. Not at loud.

Sarah smiled. "Here I'm not Sarah Hill. Everything I am back home is left there. Right now, I am an average girl who likes to travel, and visits in June."

He didn't understand. "Why?" Even if she wants to act like an average girl, does it need to be an average girl without money?

Sarah thought for some time. "There is a reason. But let's just say that I want to keep a low profile. You will find out more tomorrow. OK?" She saw that his expression didn't soften and thought how to coax him. She remembered that food always does wonders for improving his mood. "Let's go down and have dinner. The place downstairs has great food… And then we can have a walk before we go to sleep."

Aiden saw that she is not going to explain anymore and decided to give up. For now. He told himself that if he is not satisfied with her explanation tomorrow, they are going to that much-better-looking-than-this hotel. Period. He took a deep breath. "Promenade?"

"Yes, promenade." Sarah smiled.