Chapter 409 - Sarahs birthday (9) (1/2)

Aiden didn't respond. He stood up and started the powerboat with a mysterious smile lingering on his face.

Sarah watched without a word as they slowly moved around the large island. Behind the lighthouse was a row of trees and bushes which hid three buildings nestled just beyond the cove.

Aiden tied up the boat, and stepped on a berth, extending his arm, palm up toward Sarah.

Sarah was not sure what to think. 'Did he really buy an island? He just rented this, right? Or maybe we are here only to see the lighthouse...' As they walked on the berth, she looked at him apprehensively.

He smiled and started explaining. ”Lighthouse keeper lives in the lighthouse with his family. They maintain other buildings. That smaller, house closest to the lighthouse is home to lighthouse keeper's brother, Toma.”

”Toma from earlier?” Sarah remembered Toma, crew member with knowledge of history and ancient Greece.

”Yes.” He confirmed. ”Main castle has six bedrooms, and it was refurbished last year. The building on the right has four bedrooms, and a sizeable flex space.”

He stopped and faced her. ”What do you want to see first?”

She looked at him, her eyes open wide in disbelief. ”You really bought an island?”

Aiden smiled. ”Happy birthday!” He saw that Sarah is frozen and pinched her nose. ”You need to work on your gift-receiving skills.”

”What?” Sarah frowned.

He rolled his eyes. ”It's not 'what', you should say 'thank you'. Come on, let's go to the lighthouse first and meet the people who will take care of the place when you are not here.” Aiden pulled her hand.

”When WE are not here.” Sarah corrected him.

Aiden paused and smiled. ”Yes. When we are not here.” He pulled her close to him and they walked to the lighthouse.

At the lighthouse, they met the keeper, Matija (Toma's older brother), Matija's wife Lidija and their two teenage daughters. They were all very friendly and Sarah liked them, especially when she realized that they didn't follow them to show other buildings. They were courteous and gave them privacy.

When Sarah and Aiden entered main building, or castle how Aiden called it, Sarah realized what he meant when he said that it's refurbished. When looking at the building from outside, you see the old architecture, white stone, typical for coastal towns of Adriatic Sea. However, inside is total opposite. Everything is modern and spotless. High-end kitchen, open living area, spacious bedrooms with attached bathrooms. There was water, electricity, internet, and temperature is regulated with air conditioner. ”This does not feel like a remote island at all.” Sarah voiced her thoughts.

”There are two great beaches, the ones that you like, with round pebbles.” Aiden pointed to the back of the house from the balcony on the second floor. ”Beyond this garden and lawn area, is a forest which extends all the way to the opposite shore of the island. It's all yours to use however you want.”

Sarah was overwhelmed. She was not sure how to respond. She faintly smiled and checked time. ”Why is Mishi not texting me the address of the party?”

Aiden was not happy. ”With all this happening, you are thinking about a party?”

”Don't think that I'm not liking this... it's just that I see them few days a year. And I promised that we will be there at six.”

”AFTER six.” Aiden corrected her.

”Well, yeah...” Sarah knows that he is right, but it's already after five. They should go back and get ready. That is more than one hour, easily.

It seemed that Aiden does not care about the party. ”Come, let's see the last building.”

Sarah would rather head back to be at the party on time, but she told Aiden that he can organize this day. At least until six in the afternoon.