Catching up with her, Felix asked "Can I take you to one last place?"
"Uhhh... I guess" she shrugged although a slight smile formed on her.
"Why don't you join me in mine," she asked, gesturing to her sedan.
"Sure." He smiled.
He stepped past her, gallantly opening the door so she could slide into the backseat.
Before getting in himself, Felix walked up to Aurora's driver, Thomas, and quietly passed him the directions to the surprise location. He then quickly texted his own driver to follow their vehicle from a distance.
...
Forty five minutes into the drive, the suspense finally got to her.
Aurora turned to him, jokingly complaining, "Where at all are you taking me?"
"Shh." Felix placed his index finger gently against his lips, closed his eyes then leaning his head back against the headrest, pretended to sleep.
Aurora rolled her eyes at his antics, turning to face her side window with a playful huff.
...
Another thirty minutes flew by.
Realizing they were finally drawing close to the destination, Felix turned, fully planning to ask Aurora if he could blindfold her so as not to ruin the surprise.
But the words caught in his throat.
Aurora had fallen fast asleep, her face completely at peace.
Looking at her, a soft, tender smile formed on his lips.
He couldn't help but think of how incredibly gracious she looked, even in her sleep.
Carefully shifting his weight, he gently guided her head to rest against his shoulder. She didn't wake.
And that was exactly how they stayed until the sedan finally rolled to a stop.
"We are here, sir," Thomas murmured softly from the front.
Felix tapped her shoulder gently, whispering, "Rora. Wake up. We've arrived."
Aurora stirred, her long eyelashes fluttering open.
"Wait here," Felix instructed softly.
He slid out of his side, walked around the back of the luxury sedan, and opened her door. He extended a hand to help her step down.
"Where are we?" she asked, blinking at the dark, unfamiliar surroundings.
"Let's move forward a bit. I'm sure you'll be able to tell in a few seconds."
They had barely taken a few steps before the crisp, salty scent of the ocean air hit her nose. The rhythmic, sound of crashing waves echoed in the distance, and Aurora's face instantly lit up.
She squealed, her eyes widening. " Oh my goodness, hurry!"
Before Felix could even reply, she grabbed the hem of her dress and ran ahead.
Reaching the edge of the shoreline, she kicked off her designer heels and dashed straight into the cool, dark water.
Feeling the water on her feet, Aurora closed her eyes. A sense of calm wrapped around her as the cold breeze brushed past her skin.
Seeing how peaceful she looked, Felix kicked off his shoes as well, rolled up his trousers and joined her.
Together, they stood in absolute, beautiful silence.
...
After a while, they began to stroll hand in hand along the shoreline, sharing simple, quiet chatter here and there.
Exhausted, Aurora sank down onto the dry sand, laying flat on her back to look up at the vast canopy of stars.
Felix immediately joined her.
Staring at the glittering night sky, Aurora exhaled a long, content breath. She turned her head to look at him, her voice dropping to a soft whisper. "Thank you, Felix."
"For what?" He asked.
"It's been so long since I just sat on a beach, looking at the stars. Until tonight, I never realized how desperately I missed it."
Felix chuckled softly, his gaze locked onto her profile.
Reminiscing, she said, "I actually haven't done this since my dad died," Aurora continued, her tone turning nostalgic.
"We lived near the sea and we'd come out almost every single night just to look up at the stars."
"Oh... I'm so sorry about your dad, Rora," Felix consoled her. He shifted closer, gently placing a reassuring arm around her shoulder.
"It's fine." She offered a warm, genuine smile to assure him she was okay.
"I've had years to fully accept it."
Felix smiled back, his heart swelling.
…
As they lay side by side, gazing intensely at one another, the ambient noise of the ocean seemed to fade.
The romantic tension between them gradually became heavy.
Felix moved even closer, his eyes completely locked onto Aurora's.
Slowly, he reached out, his fingers trembling slightly as he gently tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear.
Her heart skipped a dangerous beat.
A fierce blush creeping up her cheeks as she tilted her head slightly, melting into his touch.
Encouraged, Felix slid his palm down, his fingers lightly brushing against the soft skin of her cheek.
The sudden, intimate warmth sent a rush of shivers straight down her spine.
With his eyes still fiercely locked onto hers, he leaned in closer.
His face was now mere inches from hers and she could feel his breath warm against her lips.
Then...
His voice dropped to a low, husky whisper.
"Look at me."