Chapter 526 - Perfect date - day 4 (4)

When they freshened up, Aiden asked Sarah how she is feeling.

"Our dinner is about half an hour hike away. Do you think you can do it? Or should I arrange transportation?", Aiden clarified.

Sarah listened, and her mind heard what she wanted. 'Hike? Birds!' She nodded enthusiastically. "I am totally fine with birds! I mean… with hike…"

Aiden laughed.

They walked through the jungle, making a stop occasionally for Sarah to try getting any of numerous birds to get on her hand, unsuccessfully. With her delays, that half an hour hike lasted more than one hour. Sarah was busy going from one bird to another and didn't notice that they are going uphill.

Only on the last stretch when they walked out of tropical foliage and faced stone steps which spiraled around a mountain-like-rock, she noticed that they are quite high up, treetops were below them, and they were still climbing.

At the summit, there was a table set up for a dinner for two. Sarah looked around and observed that the summit is massive. Trees around them, lake in the back, and in front expansive views of the ocean. As sun was going lower, Sarah could imagine that they will have great sunset views. She made a 360-degree turn slowly to take in the surroundings.

"Do you like it?", Aiden smiled.

Sarah's lips were stretched into a smile as far as they go. "Yes. I like it very much."

Close by, spare footwear was waiting for them, and they replaced hiking boots for light summer shoes.

Aiden waited for Sarah to finish observing surrounding so that they can get seated.

She was focused on the lake.

Aiden explained. "Natural spring pushes water up here. On the other side is the waterfall which we saw from the bottom…" He saw that Sarah didn't understand. "Lake with the gazebo."

"Oh…", Sarah indicated that she remembered. 'So, this is on the other side of that cliff with the waterfall.'

The food was great, and they enjoyed breathtaking views of the sunset, ocean and the jungle below.

"I gave you the promise ring at the sight of the best sunset in Greece… My intention was to propose to you, and to give you the engagement ring with the best sunset on Pacific.", he admitted.

Sarah smiled and kissed him. "Thank you."

She was grateful that he thought of this romantic ambience, but she would not trade the image of her Greek God proposing naked for anything in the world. Not even for this super-romantic sunset view of the ocean and jungle below them.

Sarah observed the table and frowned. "You promised that we get to drink something of your preference… I see only sparkling water here."

"We will have my drink after dinner.", he mysteriously smiled.

Not long after they finished with food and Sarah saw that dusk is gradually turning into twilight and fidgeted nervously. "Isn't it getting dark? We should go back. Right?"

Aiden nodded. "In a bit."

Sarah could only relax in the chair and sip her sparkling water while that 'bit' passes. But she was uneasy thinking that those stone steps are steep and going back in the dark will be dangerous.

As soon as dark covered the sky, Aiden stood up and extended his arm to Sarah. "Come, let me serve you that drink."

Sarah stood up and took his hand.

It was dark, but their eyes were used to the dark, so they could roughly see where they are going.

At the edge of the cliff Aiden lifted his arm and made a movement as if he is wrapping it around something. With his other arm he held Sarah around her waist and pulled her close to him.

"Hold on tightly.", he said and kissed her on the lips.

Sarah was not sure what he has on his mind, but he lifted her and walked toward the edge. She swiftly wrapped her arms around his neck and held tightly just in time when he walked off the cliff.

Sarah screamed as they flew through the air, and it took her a moment to realize that they are not falling down but gliding on something like zipline. She looked down, but it was dark, and they were moving fast, everything looked like a black blur. Swooshing sounds of treetops they were passing by made her hair stand on ends.

Aiden looked at her petrified expression and laughed. He was happy that he managed to surprise her.

To Sarah's shock, he let go of whatever he was holding onto and they started falling down! She screamed again. Sarah heard few tree branches swooshing so close to her, that she was sure she will get smacked.

While falling Aiden lifted her legs, and he landed softly while holding her princess style.

Sarah's eyes were tightly shut. She opened her eyes slowly and was surprised that they are on a structure like a large wooden deck which is suspended in the air. Deck surface was covered with seating cushions.

"Did we reach our destination?", Sarah weakly asked.

Aiden nodded. "Yes."

She shifted her legs and found that as she stood on the deck, it swayed slightly. She was sure that it didn't move when he landed on it. Sarah could only praise his balance, and aiming… in the dark, while carrying her… but she didn't say that at loud. She didn't want to praise him for him to hear because he made her scream, twice.

"Come." He patted a pillow next to him and extended his other arm, removing covers which revealed large glass jars filled with fireflies.

Sarah was impressed, again. The fireflies gave dim light, and everything looked very romantic. She looked down, and besides dark, she could not see anything else. It was scary that she didn't know how high in the air they are, or what is below.

From the corner of the suspended deck, Aiden pulled a thermos with a previously made cocktail and two glasses. He explained that this was his usual drink when he would go out. He also gave a warning that he would change his drink every few months or so, but since she asked what he would have one year ago, this was his favorite drink from that period.

Sarah tasted it and her face contorted how bitter it was. She gave it few sips explaining that she needs to try few times before deciding, but her opinion was not getting any better. "How can anyone drink this? I can taste rum and vodka, but this is so bitter that my body refuses to drink it." She complained while gulping orange juice he gave her.

Aiden also didn't finish his glass. "It seems that next to you, I got used to sweet drinks.", he laughed and finished her orange juice.

"Hey… don't blame me for making your life sweet!", Sarah faked that she was hurt. "You said that you changed drinks… how about next time you introduce me to another drink of your choice?"

"Not a problem."

Sarah was happy that he agreed. Part of her hoped that he will show her a drink that is more… drinkable.

Aiden hesitated before asking: "At the risk of spoiling the mood, I need to ask you a question."

Sarah looked at him apprehensively.

He took a deep breath and asked: "Why did you assume that I brought a girl here before you?"

Sarah was embarrassed to talk about it, but she forced herself to speak up. She told herself that the only way to go through a sticky situation is to communicate clearly. And if she does not clarify it, there is a chance that it will come back.

"Because of two things." She started explaining. "First thing is that I noticed that this is not your first time here. And second thing is that this is a clearly very romantic place, designed for couples. Putting those two together, I assumed… you know…"

Aiden smiled, "Romantic place? Can you tell me which parts you find romantic?"

Sarah didn't hesitate to explain her observations. "Which parts? Everything! The bedrooms are just right for… couple's activities, views are breathtaking, chairs in the media room are perfect for snuggling, gazebo which is reachable only by skinny dipping, beach with glowing ocean, and even this suspended deck... Why are you grinning?"

Aiden laughed and pulled her in his embrace. He held her tightly while explaining, "The bedrooms are normal suites, views are natural as well as the glowing beach, chairs in the media room are oversized for comfort not for snuggling, there is a boat for reaching the gazebo but I got it removed for this occasion because I wanted to go skinny dipping with you, and this deck was set up less than two weeks ago, because I wanted to do this with you…" He kissed her gently few times before deepening the kiss.