Is this destiny?

~ Island, somewhere in Pacific Ocean ~

Sarah was resting in Aiden\'s embrace, enjoying the sounds of the waterfall and tropical birds. Everything was perfect… except that about half of the ice cream melted, and the fact that Aiden didn\'t let her touch him.

"Later…", he would say while putting her arms around him and holding her in his embrace every time her hands wondered below his navel, like there is a mystery border she should not cross.

Sarah knows that Aiden made plans, so she should obey. There must be a reason for his behavior. But what is with this that he can do things to her, and she can\'t do to him? The fact that he is not allowing her to take initiative is only firing her up more, and now she found herself plotting how she will catch him off-guard and have her way with him.

After spending some time in the gazebo, they swam back to the shore, toweled off and headed back to the villa where they enjoyed fresh fruits and chatted casually. Aiden didn\'t miss any opportunity to show his affection, which caused Sarah to be dazed more times than she wanted to admit.

Sarah was surprised with herself that this is their second day on the island, and she still didn\'t use her phone. It was still in her bag. And she didn\'t use her laptop either.

"There is wi-fi.", Aiden reminded her when he heard her comment on it.

She shook her head, dismissing the idea. "I don\'t have any need to connect to the outside world… right here, with you, it\'s perfect."

Aiden liked what he heard. "Yes, perfect.", he confirmed.

Later in the afternoon, they went to the ocean for snorkeling. The coral reef provided a visual feast with its explosion of colors. Corals were mostly white, decorated with mix of orange, red, and green.

Many schools of different tropical fish were swimming and twirling, unafraid of approaching people. Maybe they thought of Sarah and Aiden as additions to the reef. Only when Sarah reached to touch the fish would they move away. Aiden was entertained with her persistence and wondered why does Sarah have a need to touch animals. First birds, and now fish. She was obviously putting extra effort to touch these creatures.

Before seeing this coral reef, Sarah thought that such a diversity of colors and life could be seen, in one place, only in an aquarium.

After snorkeling they freshened up and had dinner on the rooftop terrace. The ambience was great, few tiki torches surrounded the walls of the terrace, star filled sky above them, ocean provided sounds, and of course, the food was amazing, as usual. Aiden was happy to hear Sarah (finally!) praise the food.

When they finished main course, soft music started and Aiden extended his arm, inviting her to dance. They danced with their eyes locked on each other, smiling, and inching closer with every step until their lips connected. They danced while exchanging light kisses and Sarah was sure that they are dancing on clouds, because she was flying.

Aiden was happy with her expressions and how she reacted to everything so far. He was sure she is ready, and that if he proposes now, she will be dazed for a bit, shocked maybe, because of course she does not see it coming… she is the most intelligent girl he ever met, but she always fails to see things which are right in front of her. But after she gets out of her shock, she will say \'yes\'. He regretted that he left the ring in the room, but it\'s OK. He was planning to leave that for tomorrow: \'Day 3.\' He planned everything, and it will be perfect: evening, the mood, the location, fireflies… and she will remember it forever like the most romantic thing that ever happened in her life, so far. He noticed his palms sweating and acknowledged that he is nervous. Because she is right in front of him, perfect, and he does not want to mess this up.

The music faded, and Sarah was surprised when she saw that table was cleaned from their plates and dessert was served. \'When did that happen? Truly well-trained staff…\' She thought how she should find out who hired and trained this staff, so that they use services of the same person, or agency, for their house in California.

The chocolate cake was delicious; soft, and moist, and light, and it went really well with fresh pineapples which were served next to it.

After cake, they danced some more. This time Sarah was cautious not to get lost in the moment, and to catch staff if they show up. To her disappointed, they didn\'t come. But she said that she will stay vigilant and catch them. And she still didn\'t figure out how do they know when and what they need.

After dance, they finished evening holding each other in the oversized hammock, looking at the stars.

He was holding her with one arm, and with his other he played with a strand of her hair.

Sarah inhaled deeply his wooden-flowery fragrance which she loves.

"What are you thinking?", his voice broke the silence.

"You have put a lot of effort into this… It makes me wonder why."

"Do you think I have some ulterior motive?", he was curious to hear what she thinks.

"Oh, I know you do.", she giggled. "But I\'m drawing blanks in figuring out what the motive is."

"You will find out… soon.", he leaned in and kissed her.

Sarah wanted to say that she can see he is romancing her, but she does not understand what is the point, if she is already his; completely. But she feared that if she says that, it might hurt his feelings. He might see it like she does not appreciate all the time and efforts he put into this date. So, she decided to keep that for herself and to enjoy the kiss.

~ Paris, France ~

While Aiden and Sarah are enjoying in the hammock, on the other side of the world, JoAnna and Jeff are having a breakfast on the balcony of their hotel suite.

JoAnna\'s phone rang.

"It\'s Sophia.", she glanced at Jeff and answered video chat. "Hi big sis!"

"Hi, Anna… sorry to bother you…"

"Not a bother. It\'s early evening for you… What\'s up?", it was obvious that JoAnna is in a good mood.

"Did you hear from Sarah?", Sophia was concerned.

JoAnna shook her head. "No. She is on a da-te with her ho-ney, why would she call me?"

"I know she is on a date. But she promised that she will keep in touch, and she didn\'t contact me either. It\'s already two days, right?" Sophia was slightly irritated that JoAnna is not worried.

"You worry too much. She is just enjoying."

"Do you know where they are?" Sophia was not satisfied with JoAnna\'s answer.

"Nope… maybe Jeff knows?", JoAnna tilted her phone so that Jeff comes into view.

Jeff was about to bite a pastry but seeing that he is in the view he just stuffed it in his mouth, without thinking. He waved to Sophia in greeting before swallowing and answering: "Island in Pacific."

"Can\'t you be more specific?" Sophia ignored that he swallowed a big bite and was reaching for the juice to wash it down.

After gulping the juice and clearing his throat, Jeff answered. "It\'s a private island, at most you will get coordinates."

Sophia\'s disappointment was obvious. "I see… I will wait until tomorrow before calling her. Again."

"If the calls are going through, her phone is on, and she if fine… busy, but fine.", JoAnna comforted Sophia.

They didn\'t chat long, Sophia apologized for disturbing their breakfast before ending the call.

"Private island?", JoAnna looked at Jeff and raised her eyebrows, obviously curious to find out more.

He laughed, entertained by her expression and nodded. "This one is closer to Hawaii. We will go there, if you want."

"Yours?", JoAnna had to confirm.

Jeff paused for a second before responding. "It\'s on my name. But Aiden handled most of the managing after purchase, from buildings to landscaping and hiring staff, so I\'m not comfortable saying that it\'s mine."

JoAnna nodded in understanding and then got lost in her thoughts for some time. "Hawaii… We can go and spend part of our honeymoon there."

Jeff showed a big smile. \'Honeymoon!\' He liked the sound of that. The day when this wonderful woman becomes Mrs. Jeffrey White is getting closer! His heart swelled from excitement, and he pulled JoAnna in his lap, holding her tightly while showering kisses on her.

Jeff ignored JoAnna\'s protests that she didn\'t finish her breakfast and that he will be late for his meetings while carrying her to the bedroom.