BEYOND EXPECTATIONS

“…You are missing the point! Stop teasing me!” I cried out before I laughed.

“Hahaha! You’re really fun to tease,” Edward said as he started laughing along with me.

“Stop it, Edward!” I yelled at him jokingly.

“My work is fine. I can manage. There is nothing for you to worry about. If I’m required to be there in

person; then I will be. Just trust my judgement, ok?” Edward explained. For once since this

conversation started, he was answering me seriously.

“Ok…if you say so…” I mumbled, only half convinced.

However, I had to take his word for it and leave it at that. I admit it still felt weird knowing what Edward

was doing and where he was all the time and not learning about his wild adventures from the news.

After a while of driving, we seemed to have arrived at our destination as the car came to a stop.

“We’re here,” Edward announced as he got out of the car and came to my side.

He opened the car door for me in one swift motion before bowing. For a moment, I was reminded of

Reiner, and I cursed myself for it. That thought was gone as suddenly as it came when Edward’s

handsome face smiled up at me. Wow…he looks just like a prince.

A slightly twisted and evil one…but still a prince.

Placing my hand in his awaiting one, Edward got up and helped me out of the car. I thanked him

politely as I made sure that I didn’t fall flat on my face and ruin this magical moment.

“Ok…where are we?” I asked in confusion as I looked around at where we were.

Seriously, where are we?

It was dark pretty much all around us and I wasn’t sure where we were. One thing was for sure,

darkness separated us from the city that was far beyond. I could see city light from the buildings in the

far distance.

“Come…” Edward said as he tugged my hand, urging me to follow him.

After a short walk, I realized that we were at a harbor and what seemed like darkness was actually

water. We were at a harbor and this body mass must be a large lake of some sort. I never knew a lake

this big existed this close to the city.

“Well, surprise…” Edward said non-ceremoniously.

Oh my…

I gasped at a loss for words at the sight before me. Suddenly, the void of darkness before us lit up with

so many golden lights. Where there was nothing, I could see a large white ship lit up by countless

golden lights.

I turned to Edward in shock with my eyes wide open and my mouth hanging open. Edward just

shrugged wordlessly as if this was nothing on his scale of surprises.

“Welcome onboard Master Edward and Miss Natalia,” said a voice I was sure I had heard before.

“Oh…Ralph!” I exclaimed in surprise as Ralph appeared to welcome us.

His face as old but as friendly as the first time that I had met him at one of Edward’s estate.

“It is an honor to serve you on such an important day,” Ralph said as he bowed deeply.

“Important day?” I said cluelessly.

Ralph seemed to realize his slip of tongue while Edward cleared his throat awkwardly. I couldn’t read

the message that flew between the gaze of these two men and decided to let it go.

“Let’s go. I’m hungry,” Edward said gruffly as he tugged my hand.

I followed Edward’s lead and boarded the ship. The ship was empty as expected save for a dining table

set at the top of the deck. No one had to educate me for me to realize that that was where we were

going to have our dinner. Impressive.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Edward owned the ship and perhaps the lake as well. I didn’t want to know

and so I didn’t ask for confirmation.

Ralph led us to the dining table where Edward and I took our seats opposite each other and waited to

be serve. Looking around, I was truly awestruck by the panoramic view of the city lights in the distance

and how it reflected on the surface of the lake. This was a romantic dinner with a view indeed.

“Liking what you see?” Edward asked as he sipped a little on his wine.

“Yes. Frankly, this is all so amazing!” I cried out in excitement.

“Glad you’re easy to please,” Edward mumbled.

“What did you say?!” I exclaimed in shock. I didn’t think this whole cruise ship business would classify

as being ‘easy to please’.

“I’m just joking…” he replied with a chuckle. It was clear that Edward was also enjoying himself

immensely…at my expense.

The dinner that Ralph and other members of the staff served looked amazing. Maybe it was my own

imagination at play, but the food seemed very healthy and well-balanced. Is Edward focusing more on

his health nowadays? I didn’t even realize…

“The food looks amazing…and seems healthy too,” I complimented as I started eating.

“Yeah…” Edward replied vaguely as he too started eating.

The food tasted as amazing as it looked, and I was happy that it was healthy too. I tried my best to eat

healthy food since I found out that I was pregnant. I found dinner with Edward super relaxing as we

made small talk about random topics that crossed our mind. The conversation flowed very naturally,

and I felt at ease.

The wind blowing fluttered my hair. I cannot recall or imagine a date so perfect as the date that day.

Everything about the evening was perfect down to the man that was sitting opposite me.

“Follow me,” Edward said as he stood up and extended a hand towards me.

I reached out my hand and placed it in his larger one without hesitation. Slowly Edward pulled me to

my feet and led me to the side of the ship. He continued to hold my hand as we stood close to the

ship’s railing.

“The view here really is breathtaking,” I said softly as I stared at the city night lights in awe.

“It’s about to get better,” Edward whispered softly close to my ear.

--To be continued…

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