Sea, Sun, and Chocolate
Diana
I never imagined I would one day experience something so surreal. It seemed like a scene from a movie, one of those you watch sighing and thinking, "This will never happen to me." But it was happening. Ethan and I were holding hands, inside a luxurious boat, gliding through the calm, blue waters as if time had stopped just for us to enjoy.
The wind whipped against my face and made my hair fly wildly, but I didn't care. I opened my arms and closed my eyes for a moment, just to feel that absurd freedom. It was as if all the weight of the last few months had stayed on solid ground.
"Are you happy?" his voice came softly, close to my ear.
I opened my eyes and smiled. "I am. Much more than I imagined I would be."
He pulled me by the waist and kissed me suddenly, in that way that always makes me forget the world. For a few seconds, the boat, the sea, the sky… nothing mattered except his lips on mine. When we stopped, I laughed, a little awkwardly. "Careful, if the captain looks back, he'll think we're using the wrong boat."
Ethan shrugged, seriously. "Let him think that. You deserve all the kisses in the world, anywhere."
I rolled my eyes, but inside I was melting. This man knew exactly how to disarm me.
After sailing for a while, the boat stopped near a cove where there was a famous restaurant. Of course, the kind only very rich people go to. If I had come alone, I wouldn't even have dared to go in. But with Ethan, it seemed natural.
We sat at a table overlooking the sea and they immediately served fresh lobster. I had never eaten lobster in my life. I only saw it on TV shows. When the waiter placed the plate in front of me, I stared at the delicacy as if it were a challenge.
"What's wrong?" Ethan asked, laughing. "Are you going to tell me you've never eaten lobster?"
"Of course not!" “— I said, my eyes widening. — In my life, the fanciest thing I’ve ever eaten was shrimp on a skewer at the beach.
He shook his head, amused. — Then today you’re going to try something new.
He himself took a piece, dipped it in the buttery sauce and put it near my mouth. I, embarrassed but curious, tried it. And, my God, it was good. Very good.
— Wow… — I said with my mouth still full. — This is perfect.
Ethan smiled, satisfied, as if he had earned extra points just for introducing me to that. — I knew you’d like it.
We ate laughing, exchanging playful banter, and I realized how easy it was to forget about problems when I was with him. At that moment, only we, the food, and that postcard-perfect setting existed.
When we returned to the hotel, the room was already prepared in a way that looked like a staged scene. There was a tray with strawberries dipped in chocolate, a bottle of chilled champagne, and glasses waiting on the balcony.
I almost couldn’t believe it.” —Did you plan all this?
—Of course.— he replied simply, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. —I wanted this night to be unforgettable for you.
We went to the balcony and settled there, overlooking the sea. The sun was beginning to set, tinging the sky orange and pink, and I swear I had never seen anything so beautiful.
I picked up a chocolate-covered strawberry and tasted it. The mixture of sweetness and the fruit's tartness exploded in my mouth, and I closed my eyes, satisfied. —Heavens, this is almost better than sex.
Ethan laughed loudly. —Almost?
—Yeah… almost.— I replied teasingly. —But you're still winning.
He shook his head, picked up another strawberry and pressed it to my mouth, making me bite. Soon after, he kissed me passionately, mixing the chocolate between us. The heat that rose through my body was immediate.
—You have no idea how much I wanted this.— he said against my lips. — Strawberries and chocolate? — I joked, trying to hide how completely smitten I was.
— You. — he replied seriously, and my heart almost burst in my chest.
I took a sip of champagne to disguise how emotional I was. The light, bubbly flavor perfectly matched the atmosphere. There, with him, with the sunset in front of me, it felt like I had finally found a piece of paradise.
I leaned back in my chair, watching the horizon, and let out a sigh that seemed laden with everything. — I never thought I'd have this one day. I always thought happiness like this was something from soap operas, from books.
Ethan held my hand firmly. — Then get used to it. Because I'm going to make you experience this many times.
I remained silent, absorbing those words. He had always been intense, but now he seemed different. More certain, more willing to show me that I truly belonged in his world.
As the sun disappeared into the sea, I realized that moment would be forever etched in my memory. The strawberries, the chocolate, the champagne, the warmth of his body so close… It was proof that, even after everything, we could still find each other amidst the chaos.
And I knew, deep down, that no matter what came after, I...
Ethan. And that, at that moment, was all I needed.