Is this destiny?

The man saw that Sarah is not looking at him and he was not willing to give up easily. "Are you sure you are not trying to avoid me?"

"Why would I avoid you? I don't know who you are.", Sarah responded dryly.

He chuckled. "Oh, that's right. I'm Maksim. And you are…?"

"Married."

Maksim clutched his chest dramatically. "An instant rejection without giving me a name. I don't know if I can recuperate from this. You might need to hold my hand and tell me that you are joking… and kiss me to make it better."

Sarah thought that he is silly. He is a grown-up man, wearing an expensive suit, and acting like a child. She was confident that numerous women fell for this act where he would lower himself in order to woo a lady, but she is different. "I believe you will manage."

He exhaled. "You are a cruel woman. Beautiful, but cruel."

"And married.", Sarah reminded him.

"How can a woman as gorgeous as you be married? Are you sure you got the right man and that there is no one better out there?", he said with a sly smile while gesturing toward himself.

Sarah stifled a laugh and decided not to respond. It seems that whatever she says, he is not willing to give up and she does not want to cause a scene. Aiden will come soon, and they will leave, and she will never see this Maksim person again.

Maksim looked at Sarah with amusement in his eyes. It was a long time since a woman rejected him.

He was not sure if she is telling the truth that she does not know him. Every girl knows that he is the most eligible bachelor in the area, maybe even in Russia. He doubted that she is married. Where is her wedding band? She has one ring with diamonds and another black one and neither of those two rings look like a wedding band. Maksim suspected that Sarah is playing a game to get his attention.

But no matter what, he was confident that they never met in person because he would remember a stunning girl like her. Her perfect features were emphasized by her sparkling green eyes, and he was willing to drown in them.

"Since you won't tell me your name, I will give you one. You are… Divna. It suits you well."

Sarah snorted and focused her attention on the waiter who brought her the sparkling water she ordered previously. "Thank you…"

"You are welcome.", Maksim grinned. "I knew you will like it, Divna."

Sarah looked at Maksim and she wanted to say that the 'thank you' was not for him, but Aiden made his appearance, and she lost the ability to talk as everything faded other than a hunk (aka Aiden) who was walking toward her without breaking the eye contact.

Sarah was dazed by the sight of her husband who was dashing in a well-fitting black suit with green details. Super-handsome and… couple's outfits!

"Ready?", Aiden asked while extending his hand toward Sarah, palm up.

Sarah put her hand in Aiden's and smiled. "Yes."

"You are beautiful."

"Thank you. And you are very handsome.", Sarah responded as she stood next to Aiden.

"I am being ignored.", Maksim said in disbelief.

Aiden's entrance was unexpected, but not out of Maksim's prediction. After all, why would a stunning beauty like Sarah be on her own? However, that never stopped Maksim from trying his luck. And he usually succeeded.

Aiden shot Maksim a side-glance and wrapped his arm around Sarah's waist. Of course, he noticed Maksim gaping at Sarah, but Aiden knows that the outsider does not have a chance and Aiden does not want to risk a conflict (and a fight) tonight. Not on Sarah's birthday. It seems like forever since the two of them relaxed and Aiden does not want to spoil it, if possible.

"Is he a problem?", Aiden asked Sarah.

Sarah shook her head in response and gestured toward the exit. "I assume we didn't dress up so that we have drinks here."

Aiden hummed in confirmation and led the way out.

Maksim pursed his lips and looked after Sarah and Aiden as they left the lounge.

…

Ten minutes later…

"We are here for the show?", Sarah asked as she walked with Aiden toward the Bolshoi Theater.

Aiden smiled slyly and pulled two tickets from his inner pocket.

"Swan Lake…", Sarah said under her breath. They went to many events, but this will be her first ballet performance… with Aiden. And it will be at the world-famous Bolshoi Theater!

Sarah was amazed that after so much time and so many adventures, Aiden is able to give her more firsts.

"Swan Lake for my Lebedev…", Aiden murmured only for Sarah to hear. "I think it's… fitting."

Sarah smiled. "If you say so."

They had VIP balcony seats next to the stage and Sarah observed that the whole place is packed.

"Do I need to ask how you got these tickets?", Sarah asked in a whisper.

Aiden leaned closer and gave her a quick kiss. "For you, my love… I will fetch you the moon if you wish."

"Sweet talker."

"Your sweet talker.", Aiden said with a sly smile and handed her opera glasses that look like small binoculars on a stick. "I've got you this…"

"You think of everything."

"I am thinking only of you."

Sarah thought that she will melt away from his sweet-talking.

The show started and Sarah and Aiden held hands and enjoyed the performance and each other's company.

About halfway into the show, there was a twenty-minute long intermission.

"Let's stretch our legs.", Aiden suggested.

Sarah approved the idea. Not so much because of leg-stretching, but she wanted to see the building. The architecture and details are amazing.

Sarah loves structures that are hundreds of years old because they have a lot of history that allows her imagination to run wild. She would imagine that there are secret passages and that statues have some mysterious functions. Her favorite architecture is Greek, but she will not miss exploring any old building, and this one is a gem with three centuries rich history of hosting various performances for the imperial family, the commoners, and anyone in-between with a love for art.

After a few twists and turns down the hallways, Sarah and Aiden found themselves in the massive lounge.

They ordered drinks and stood next to the bar counter. Aiden wanted to find seats, but Sarah said that standing is fine. "We are sitting for a long time…"

Aiden felt his phone vibrating and he checked the notification. "Jeff wants to talk to me." He started typing a reply. "It's noisy here. I will call him after the ballet is over."

Sarah exhaled. "Call him now. It's quiet in the hallway. After this, we are going for dinner, and now you have a time limit. Make sure not to take more than ten minutes because we need to go back and not miss the second half of the show."

Aiden gave her a quick kiss. "I will be back in three minutes or less."

"I am timing you."

Sarah got her phone and decided to check her messages. She had numerous wishes for happy birthday, and she smiled while typing responses.

"Divna, are you following me?"

Sarah paused. There is only one guy who calls her 'Divna' but… what are the chances to bump into him here? 

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