Is this destiny?

~ Switzerland, the Grindelwald villa ~

June 11

12:22 PM

Sarah and Aiden are having lunch on the terrace. 

The food is delicious, freshly made. 

Earlier that morning, Sarah got a chance to meet their four staff members (two full time and two part timers). They all look like friendly people.

She was super-embarrassed with all the mess Aiden and she made since they arrived at the villa, but the staff was courteous and professional. After introductions, the four of them started with cleaning up the kitchen (the cake-mess was everywhere). Once the kitchen was back to the squeaky clean, the cook started with lunch preparations and other three moved to clean up the master bedroom and the living area.

Sarah was impressed how they worked swiftly while avoiding to disturb them, it was almost like they are not there. Somehow, Sarah knows that Aiden trained them even though she has no idea how he did that without coming here in person, but he is amazing like that. 

When the lunch was ready, they told Sarah and Aiden that all four of them will be in the building for staff unless they are summoned in order not to intrude on their time.

They are aware that Sarah and Aiden are leaving soon, and they will resume cleanup after that.

The terrace provides an amazing view of the property's grounds from the East side of the villa.

The landscape is minimalistic, and it takes advantage of the natural beauty of Swiss Alps. The grass around the villa is neatly trimmed, there is a fire pit with circular seating arrangement around it and pebble paths are leading toward other three buildings which are partially obstructed by the tall pine trees.

There are several mature pine trees speckled over the neatly trimmed lawn, with a circle of colorful flowers around each of them. 

Aiden explained to Sarah that all this was part of the pine forest when he got the property, and they removed only the trees to make room for the buildings and to have enough clearing for the helicopters to land safely, while the rest of the trees is left intact.

Helicopter landings fit in the surroundings seamlessly with a layer of lawn on top, and they are barely visible when the hatches to the underground garage are closed.

The lovely weather is enhancing enjoyment of the view. The sun in the cloudless sky is warming up the air and the fresh alpine breeze is bringing the balance for a perfect outdoor experience. 

Birds hidden in the trees are chirping. There is nothing to dislike.

Aiden saw Sarah dreamily looking at the view and he told her that the last few days of their vacation (aka honeymoon) are open, so they can return here if Sarah wishes, or go to another place.

"If you presented me with this offer before we came here, I would definitely say that I want us to go to the private island in the Pacific where you proposed to me the first time, but now… it's a tough decision to make.", Sarah admitted. She closed her eyes and drifted into memories before speaking. "Actually, there are many places that I like, but my top three are: that island, and the one in the Adriatic Sea and our home. Those three places have good memories and when I am there I'm happy. And now this place is a contender, but I'm not sure if it's in the top three, or it will be the fourth one."

"I am glad to hear that.", Aiden said smugly. He loves when Sarah acknowledges his efforts. He knows that those are places where they can relax and be themselves, and neither of those places was tainted by the presence of her maternal family (aka King). That is why she likes them.

"How about you? What are your favorites?", Sarah asked.

Aiden inched closer and kissed her softly on the lips before answering: "My favorite place is by your side." 

Sarah exhaled. "That does not count. You are using your sweettalking again."

Aiden laughed. "But it's the truth. I don't care where I am, as long as I am with you I am happy."

"Ah, now you are making me feel bad.", Sarah pouted.

Aiden didn't understand. How can his words make her feel bad? "Why?"

"For the places that make me happy I named locations, and you named me."

"True. But… did you realize that your favorite places are directly connected to me? Those are places that I picked or arranged with you on my mind, so when you named them as your favorites, I knew that I did good and it filled me with joy."

Sarah sighed helplessly. "I… really don't know what to say to this. You managed to turn my responses into you sweeping me off my feet."

"While on the topic of sweeping you off your feet, eat up.", he urged her to hurry up with lunch.

Sarah missed his mischievous grin.

"When are we heading to the Chateau?", Sarah asked Aiden before putting a piece of potato in her mouth. She assumed that he is reminding her to eat because they need to leave soon.

"There is time...", Aiden responded with a smile. "We still have few rooms in the villa to check out."

Sarah swallowed hard while looking at Aiden's eyes full of fire and that devilish smile plastered on his face and she understood that he is using 'check out' as a codeword for making love. She remembers clearly that he used the same codeword when they moved into the apartment in Los Angeles, and then when they moved into the Cliffside villa. 

Ah! He is not urging her to eat because they need to leave! He wants to eat her up again!

Since they woke up yesterday, Aiden is giving her a tour of the villa, and every room they visit needs to be 'checked out' (aka they make love). And it's not just making love in a quick way… He makes sure she gets the full service, starting with his hands and then mouth before they move onto the real thing! She didn't know that the villa has so many rooms! Was there a need to check out the pantry, the storage room, and the linen closet?

She cleared her throat awkwardly. "The trip is more than seven hours if we don't make any stops."

Aiden shook his head. "We are going with a helicopter. It will be an hour and a half at most. That leaves us at least five hours to spare on the rest of the tour." He looked into her plate and winked playfully. "Eat up. You will need the energy."

Seeing her reluctance to finish the lunch, Aiden offered an encouragement: "You still didn't see the central room and the basement here. I left one large space empty, I think that it would be great for you to use as a VR room. But if you don't like it, we can always repurpose it as storage."

Just as he thought, Sarah's eyes lit up and she resumed her meal with haste. 

"It would be great to have a VR room here.", she said between bites. "You know, this is now the closest place we have to the base of Lebedevs."

Aiden nodded in agreement. "Until Ceresc Solutions kicks off."

Aiden didn't want to talk about Lebedev or Voronin families, but since Sarah brought them up… "What did Owen want, when he invited you for a dance?"

Sarah paused. She forgot about that. "He told me that he's got Stella's and Edward's backs and that I can count on him to keep them safe."

Aiden's eyebrow arched suspiciously. "What can he do?"

Sarah stifled a laugh. "I had the same question. He said that his strength is information gathering."

"Will he help us?"

Sarah was not sure where Aiden is going with this, so she asked reluctantly: "Related to what?"

"We still don't know much about Voronins. With Owen and your parents there, we have access to Lebedev family. Can't we use that to find out more about Voronins? They are enemies, so it is logical to assume that they are gathering information about each other."

Sarah agreed with this. "I will talk to him."

Sarah wanted to make a note and was frustrated (again) that she has no Eve-lens on. "Love, when we leave this place, I want to use lenses." She saw that Aiden was about to refuse and she quickly added: "I know that I said how I will not wear them during the next few days, but… I promise not to work. I am missing my favorite features and right now I'm feeling like some of my senses are cut off."

"Sure…", Aiden gave in. "When we leave this place."

Sarah smiled brightly and didn't notice that she almost finished her meal.

"Do you want to check out first the remaining four bedrooms on the second floor, or the basement?"

Aiden's question made Sarah freeze. 

"How much energy do you have?", she asked.

Aiden laughed. "I want us to mark every area of this villa with our presence. Do you dislike it?"

Sarah exhaled. No matter what she says, he will turn it around. He is the sweet talker. And she does not dislike it. "Basement first."

Aiden grinned. "As you wish."

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