Is this destiny?

Aiden kissed her gently for a long time, he wanted her to know how special she is. How different from any girl he met before.

Aiden remembered Sarah's question which implied that he brought another girl here, and he broke the kiss abruptly.

He held Sarah tightly, wishing to stop his thoughts which drifted many years into the past… image of the girl from his middle school flashed in his mind, the one who he asked if she will be his girlfriend. He was so nervous that he thought he will pass out. And when she said 'yes', he already planned their next five dates, how he will swoop her off her feet, just how people do in movies and he will get to kiss her. Before any of that happened… he overheard that girl talk with her girlfriends how she got her hands on the hottest boy in school. He didn't dislike that part. A second later, he heard her talk about his money and family and status, and his heart dropped.

That was the time when he started paying attention to girls, what they talk about, how they act… His stomach twisted when he realized that they only care about money, status, branded clothes, makeup, whose boyfriend gives pricier presents… and his heart hardened.

He confirmed that girls are after him because of the things he has… and his good looks didn't hurt either… He decided to use that to his advantage. He would set his eyes on a girl, take whatever she is willing to give, and move on to next one. At first it was only kisses, but soon it progressed, and it didn't take long to meet a girl willing to go all the way. And he didn't feel guilty at all. He didn't use any underhanded methods, he didn't force them… he used his charm and unspoken promise of giving them what they want. He thought of that as a hobby where he is teaching them a lesson.

And then he met Sarah… the girl who he needed to approach for work… the girl who didn't respond to his smile, she even frowned a little, as if insulted that he dares to direct his smile at her… the girl who kept silent when everyone else talked… the girl who helped others resolve their problems and didn't ask for anything in return… the girl who preferred to sit by herself, and didn't want him close because he attracts attention… the girl who accepted him without asking about his background, but she praised his cooking, and said that he makes her feel comfortable, and that she trusts him… the girl who is right now in his arms.

Her question if he ever brought a girl here made him think about his past. Aiden hopes that Sarah never thinks that he would put her in the same category with any of those girls. He is aware that there is a high chance that she will find out about fragments from his past, and he can only hope that she is confident enough to know that she is different.

He took a deep breath and locked his eyes with hers.

"Sarah, my love… I designed this place, but not for romance… In last few months, several changes were made, because you inspired me. The clearing which I showed you as an inspiration for your VR room; the truth is that your VR room inspired me to make that clearing. The rooms, and views, and chairs, and everything else, is romantic only because the two of us are together. Do you understand that?"

"Yes…" Sarah nodded, oblivious to the whirlwind of emotions hidden behind his smile.

She believes him, because she knows what he is talking about. "I remember how Paris and Athens were so much better when you were with me." She also remembered how he changed her boring daily routine at the university into something exciting. With him around she looks forward to every day, because all the colors are much brighter than before.

Aiden held her tightly and his heart was full knowing that she feels the same. He needs to fill her with confidence so that if ever she finds out about what he did in the past she has strength to brush it off and leave it where it belongs, in the past. "Exactly! The bloody bathroom in your family home, the dark alley in Athens full of unconscious troublemakers, smelly storage room in the back of the party on Lake Tahoe… Do you believe me that some of my best memories are from those types of places? Only because we were together…"

Aiden placed her palm on his chest. His deep voice full of love shook her heart. "This here… beats for you. I know that we belong together because when I am with you the world is… better. And I believe that I affect your perception of the world in a similar way."

Sarah weakly nodded and sniffled.

Aiden tilted his head to see her face. "Why are you crying?"

She turned her head to hide her face in his chest. "I'm happy."

"You cry a lot lately…", he voiced his thoughts in a serious manner.

She could not deny the obvious. "This time is different… now I'm happy."

"I prefer you laughing when you are happy. It's less confusing."

Sarah laughed hearing his words.

"That's better.", he kissed her forehead and leaned back on the pillows, pulling her down with him.

Sarah looked at the jars with fireflies. "Is it safe to keep them inside jar for too long?"

Aiden glanced at the jars and then at Sarah. "You have a point." He reached with his hand behind one pillow and jar lids opened.

Sarah watched as fireflies left the jar one by one, vanishing in all directions.

"We will be left in the dark…", Sarah was not successful in hiding panic from her voice as last few fireflies found their way out of the jars.

"Are you afraid of the dark?"

"No." She was not afraid of the dark, especially not with him around. But the fact that they are on a deck suspended in the air, and that she does not know how high or what is below them, was unsettling.

Her uneasiness disappeared as he ran his hand through her hair gently.

They were in the dark, on a deck, suspended within tropical treetops which blocked any light that might come from the stars in the moonless night. Weather was very pleasant. Warm tropical breeze caressed the foliage providing light swooshing sounds which were the only noise the jungle made. It seems that every creature was sleeping, including the birds.

Sarah was listening to Aiden's heartbeat while drawing invisible designs with her finger on his abdomen. He was holding her and caressing her hair. It was quiet… it was perfect.

Aiden felt that the hand which moved on his abdomen stopped. "Don't sleep off… I have one more thing to show you."

"Then hurry up.", Sarah mumbled. He was not able to see that she smiled.

Sarah felt him shift a bit and through her closed eyelids she could see that light replaced darkness.

She opened her eyes and held her breath. Sarah slowly moved into a seating position and was amazed by thousands of lights that flickered all around them… up, on each side, even below them… she could see based on the lights that they are high in the air, very high… and that those lights are candles.

'Flameless candles, remote controlled', she assumed.

Sarah was confident that this is how it looks if you are in outer space, surrounded by the stars.

She exhaled and looked at Aiden who was smiling at her. "Thank you. It's really beautiful."

"Romantic?", he lifted one eyebrow.

"Very much.", she admitted and embraced him.

They were back down on the pillows, she was resting her head on his chest, admiring the surroundings, enjoying the company… basking in all the love and care he showers her with.

Sarah remembered that she said they will tell their parents about their engagement. "From here… can we go to Reno first?"

"For?", he had a good idea, but wanted to confirm.

"To tell your parents that we are engaged."

He smiled. "Yes."

Sarah hesitated before speaking. "I am nervous about telling my parents… so I'm leaving them last."

"Why are you nervous?"

Sarah propped herself on her elbow so that she can face Aiden. "Did you forget how my dad reacted when he found out that we are dating?"

"No, I didn't… but you will see that things are different now.", he was confident.

Sarah saw that there is more to it. "Explain, please."

He paused for few seconds, enjoying her expression which showed how impatient she is. "I spoke to your father before coming here… and asked for his blessings." Aiden did his best to keep his expression neutral.

"Oh…", Sarah was not able to hide her surprise. She wanted to pinch his handsome cheeks as a punishment for having a good poker face which she can't read. She had to ask: "How did that go?"

"Better than expected." His poker face broke and he smiled.

Sarah held her breath and looked at him expectantly.

Aiden tapped her nose. "If you want to know the details, I'm sure Eve can show you what happened. Evening before we left, your father's study room."

Sarah was still looking at him expectantly. She was not willing to wait for later to find out how exactly it went. It's not easy to believe that her father didn't throw a fit. And if it really went 'better than expected', it means that Aiden did something amazing.

He pulled her back down on him refusing to talk about that further. "Read the mood… romance… I don't want to have your father on my mind at this moment."

Sarah giggled.. "OK."