Chapter Nine
Isabel
Itell the maid to tell Dad that I'm going away for the weekend, as I need to think about things. I take the bare minimum and my laptop and go to Nate.
* Sure, see you at the track in 20 minutes. Thank you, I owe you a favor. *
"Are you ready?" he asks, smiling, putting an end to his phone call.
"Yes," I answer. I stop in front of him and he smiles at me. "Where are we going?"
"It's a surprise," he says, kissing my forehead and taking my suitcase.
We arrive at the airport, where a friend of his is waiting for us. We get on a military chopper. After a while, we arrive at our destination.
"Now, close your eyes," Nathan says.
"Don't kiss me, or I'll slap you."
"That wasn't my intention. But it would be an idea."
"Nate, I'm not in the mood to joke."
"I know. Sorry. No kiss. Cross my heart."
I close my eyes, and after what seems like an eternity, we arrive. When he takes off the blindfold, the landscape in front of me is breathtaking. The wind rises, and I hug myself. Nate gets behind me and hugs me in turn, warming me with his body. I relax as we watch the sunset.
"Thanks, it's a wonderful place. Where are we?"
"Inverness, in the Highlands."
"I've never been here. I've never actually gone anywhere on vacation."
"You were in Melbourne,” he tells me as we enter the cabin he rented.
"I was there for work."
"When did you take your last trip? The last vacation, I mean."
"I was eight, I think. We went to Italy."
"And then?"
"And then they sent me to boarding school and from there to study around the world. What about you? Your last vacation."
"I can't answer you,” he whispers thoughtfully.
"Are you serious?" I ask him.
"So, you don't remember our trip to Bath?"
"It was the most magical Christmas ever,” he replies with a smile. "I could never forget those wonderful markets." Nathan seems lost in his memories. I sit next to him, closing my eyes, remembering those magical and happy moments.
"Do you remember that funny Santa Claus?"
"How can I forget him? I got in trouble because of you. You dared me to take off his beard."
I burst out laughing. "Too bad the beard was real. I can still see your father's face, Nathan."
