During dinner time, Jayson's friend came over to greet them, introducing the special dishes while arranging for a tour guide to be found.
"I'm a bit busy these days, so I'll find someone to guide you. Just tell him where you want to go," Jayson's friend said warmly.
A man walked over from a distance, greeting everyone lively as he introduced himself. "I'm Michael Bowman, the manager here. If you need anything over the next few days, feel free to reach out to me."
"Then leave us your number! Can we contact you anytime?" Jayson asked.
Michael left his number and then sat down as the four of them ate while enjoying a great view of the performance.
Sidney was already curious about food, and now that she was here, she wanted to try everything. She couldn't help but eat quite a bit.
Jayson watched her eat while chatting and laughing with his friend. Since he also ran a resort, they exchanged experiences, discussing matters back home. Sidney, who wasn't interested in those topics, focused completely on eating.
Seeing her enjoy the food so much, Michael had someone bring her juice to soothe her throat.
"This is a juice made from local fruits. Try it," Michael said.
Sidney eagerly ate, taking bites from here and there, though deep down she still felt a vague sense of unease. But she temporarily pushed aside the troubling matters back home. She thought, "I'll deal with that when I get back. Besides, I still have Jayson! He promised to help me! He even handled the police, so what's left that he can't take care of?"
After finishing their late dinner, Jayson's friend mentioned a fireworks show later and told them to head to a designated spot to wait. Then, the two of them left.
Jayson and Sidney sat close together on the stone bench, his arm around her shoulders. They both gazed up at the starry sky, where the Milky Way shimmered brightly against the deep black canvas of the night. It was beautiful, but no view could compare to the warmth of their own little nest.
"I kind of miss the starry sky back home," Sidney said.
"We just got here! Don't you think it's fun?"
"No, the food here is great and the scenery is beautiful, but thinking about it, I can't help but worry about home."
"There's nothing to worry about. Just enjoy your vacation here, and I'll handle everything back there so you can return without worries."
"Mm. Anyway, can you have someone send a basket of flowers over for me first?"
"Alright."
Before long, brilliant colors exploded in the sky as fireworks bloomed in the pitch-black night. Sidney watched in awe, mesmerized by how close the fireworks were. The perfect weather made them even more dazzling—there were flower-shaped bursts, Ferris wheel-like patterns, and even heart-shaped explosions. The heart-shaped fireworks lingered in the sky for an unusually long time, and Sidney noticed a line of words appearing within the shape.
Jayson&Sidney
Sidney turned to him, overwhelmed with emotion and speechless.
He turned to smile at her, and his smile was as gentle as it could be. Sidney felt like his smile was as sweet as sugar, almost melting her. He'd do anything to make her happy, just so she'd stop worrying. In his own way, he wanted her to feel at peace.
"I told you, as long as I'm here, I can shield you from everything. Don't think about anything else—just focus on loving me."
He gently kissed her lips, still carrying the scent of juice. The kiss was a perfect blend of passion and tenderness, set against the backdrop of fireworks and his whispered vows. The two lovers held each other tightly, lost in the moment, their bodies entwined, unwilling to break the connection.
The next morning, Jayson contacted Michael, planning to visit a nearby private beach with his friend. While they were on the road, Sidney suddenly mentioned wanting to find a mall to buy flip-flops. She wasn't used to wearing thong sandals, and her toes were sore.
Michael dropped them off at a medium-sized grocery mall, letting them shop at their own pace.
As soon as they entered the store, Jayson was drawn to some wooden carvings. Sidney told him to take his time while she went inside to pick out some shoes. Jayson nodded and let her go, but as he waited by the entrance, something didn't feel right. She'd been inside for over fifteen minutes—how long could it really take to choose a pair of flip-flops? He walked into the store, checking every aisle, but Sidney was nowhere to be found. Panic rose in his chest, and he quickly called Michael, who was nearby.
"My wife is missing!" He had already asked the young female clerk at the counter if she had seen where Sidney went, but she shook her head and said she hadn't noticed.
"How is that possible? Didn't you both enter the store together?"
"I was right at the entrance. She went in by herself, and after fifteen minutes, she disappeared!" Jayson asked the clerk in English if there was a back door.
The clerk pointed in a direction, and Jayson and Michael rushed towards it. They found the back door slightly ajar, but there was no sign of anyone.
