Chapter 402 - Sarahs birthday (2) (1/2)

Next morning, Sarah's phone woke Aiden up. Sarah was in deep sleep and didn't react to the phone. He saw that it's a video call from JoAnna and picked it up.

”Why are you answering Sarah's phone?” JoAnna frowned immediately.

Aiden was still drowsy from sleep, so he answered without thinking. ”She drank last night, so she needs rest.”

JoAnna widened her eyes in surprise, and Jeff could be seen peeking behind her. ”Sarah drank? How is she when she drinks?”

”Not good.” Aiden vaguely responded.

”Must be in the family...” Jeff looked at JoAnna and chuckled.

JoAnna was in shock. 'Did he remember when he found me at the fountain? I ended up puking on him and passed out... and I woke up in his hotel room! Will he ever forget about that?' Her expression was pleading him not to talk about that.

Jeff didn't see her expression, or maybe he did but decided to ignore it. He was smiling in reminiscence of some of his sweetest early memories with JoAnna: when he found out her name. ”Do you remember when I found you that evening in front of a club in Seattle? You were...”

JoAnna was petrified. 'He is thinking about that!' The only thing on her mind was to end the call as soon as possible. ”I will call later!” She ended the call.

Aiden was staring at the screen with message 'disconnected' for some time. ”So... she just woke me up for no reason...” he mumbled as he kept the phone back.

Soon Sarah started stirring. She opened her eyes and met Aiden's.

”Good morning.” He smiled while remembering her words from last night, before she crashed.

”Good morning...” Sarah grumbled. She didn't feel well. ”I have a headache.”

”That's your punishment for drinking so much.” Aiden frowned at the thought how he found her with those two men around her, and she was having fun and drinking without a care in the world. ”If I was not there, who knows where you would end up?”

”If you are not here, I would not be drinking.” Sarah stuck her tongue out. ”What's the time? We should go...”

They swiftly packed their things and took the cab to next destination. They were heading to Venice where they will take ferry to Pula which is their first stop in Croatia.

On the way to Venice they made a stop for lunch. They didn't linger much, as Sarah wanted to catch an afternoon ferry so that they can be in Pula on time for dinner.

In Pula they reached a hostel, and Aiden was intrigued by the fact that owners recognized her. They greeted her warmly and showed interest in Aiden. When she told them that he is her boyfriend they gave him warm approving looks. They spoke in broken English, but it was more than enough for him to talk to them. He found a relief in speaking with locals. In Italy they didn't find many people who spoke English, and he was relying on Sarah to translate. Soon he confirmed that this town is a popular tourist destination compared to a small town in Italy where they stayed.

She knew exactly where they are going for dinner. It was a restaurant with an open-air seating which offered great choices and variety of cuisines.

Aiden let Sarah lead the way and didn't ask many questions. He knows that this is something she usually does by herself, every year, and he enjoyed the thought that she is sharing this experience with him. But he could not avoid the feeling that grew stronger in him, feeling that he is missing something important.

”What is the plan for tomorrow?” Aiden looked at Sarah over a bowl of seafood pasta dish.