Chapter 834 - An enchanted apartment (1/2)
~ Fairfield ~
Sarah and Aiden reached the apartment just before sunrise.
Sarah looked around and everything was in its place, just how she remembers it. She thought how that apartment is like a time capsule, never changing while preserving happy memories. Everywhere she looks, she can see flashes of images which warm her heart… two of them sitting on the sofa and working on their laptops, two of them at the desk in the corner looking at the PC screen and discussing some designs, two of them at the dining table and sharing a meal he cooked, two of them…
”What do you want to do?”, Aiden asked after keeping the suitcase in the closet.
”How about we sleep? I slept in the plane, but I know you didn't. And based on your look, it seems you are not sleeping well for a while.”
He scratched his head shyly like a kid who was caught in a mischief. ”That obvious?”
Sarah bit her lower lip nervously and nodded. She knows that he didn't sleep well because of their situation. But she does not want to feel guilty. They came here to fix things… and fixing they will do.
…
Aiden was so happy about the fact that they are holding each other in the bed, that he had difficulty calming down his restless heart in order to sleep. It seems like forever since they did that last time. There is a small difference: they are fully clothed, but that does not matter. He gets to hug Sarah and she is hugging him back, and that is a big progress.
”I am glad that you think of this apartment as our happy place.”, he said before placing a kiss on her forehead.
”When did I say that?” It's not that it's not true, but she does not remember saying it.
”Just before you slept off in the plane.”
”Oh…”, she didn't know that she is talking when half-asleep. Who knows what else she told him, and she does not remember? ”It's true. I find this place to be full of positive energy, and it's helping me recharge.”
Sarah knows that it's not just the place. The thing that makes this place magically-healing is a combination of good memories and Aiden's presence. Without him in her life, nothing works.
Within seconds, Sarah felt that Aiden's hold on her loosened, and his arm on her rested limply. She observed that his breathing is steady and when she looked up she could see that his eyes are closed… he slept off. His expression was relaxed and there was a faint smile lingering on his handsome face.
'Poor thing, he is truly exhausted.'
Sarah slowly scooted higher and placed a gentle kiss on his lips.
She felt guilty at the thought that it's technically September 22, and that last time she kissed him was one week ago. And now she did it while he is sleeping… stealing a kiss so that he does not know about it.
”I'm sorry for blaming you…”, she whispered. ”It was my choice, and you ended up suffering because of that. I'm sorry for forgetting what is important… I will fix it, I promise. Thank you for not giving up on us.”
Sarah settled in his arms and slept off.
She didn't see that he smiled when she turned around.
Aiden struggled not to tighten his hold on her. If he does that, she will know that he is awake. And he knows that she said those words only because she thinks that he is sleeping, at least the blaming part.
…
Aiden woke up and found that he is alone in the bed. That is unusual… he almost always wakes up before Sarah, no matter how much he likes to sleep in.
It is afternoon.