Gentle Forest

Chapter 41

We decided to have our meal outside, just as we discussed. Aiden, holding a hefty sandwich basket in one hand, led the way and kindly held the front door open.

Wearing leisurely slippers, I grabbed his hand as soon as he closed the door. Slowly walking, a senseless laughter kept surfacing.

Our destination was a fairly deep forest. The path wasn't too challenging, but it was far from any populated area.

Walking through the knee-high bushes, my calves exposed beneath shorts were ticklish. Aiden persistently observed only my face, wondering about if I would catch my breath.

"Out of breath?"

A slow start, but it didn't take long for my breath to catch up. Aiden, noticing my gradually slowing steps, pressed his upper body against mine with a playful grin.

"Seems like someone was waiting for me to catch my breath?"

"I can't wait to lift you up quickly"

"There are many things I can't resist" I replied, secretly hoping he would suggest lifting me first. Even if he could read my thoughts, uttering such words might not come easy. As a guy, asking for help often felt awkward due to prideful stubbornness.

"With luggage and all, is it okay?"

Aiden gave his sturdy shoulders a reassuring pat. "I can handle a collision with a man like me. Compared to that, you're a featherweight."

I let out a sarcastic laugh as Aiden urged, "Quickly" motioning for me to climb onto his lowered back. Supporting my hips with one hand, he wasted no time in adjusting his posture and started walking with wide strides.

Without resistance, I perched on Aiden's back. During the journey, I could only guess how patiently he had taken those occasional steps.

"Is it dazzling?"

I shielded my eyes from the sunlight filtering through the trees with my palm. Despite the deepening forest, the fragmented sunlight retained its warmth, creating an atmosphere that wasn't too gloomy or eerie. Aiden frequently looked back, seemingly concerned about my well-being, but being carried on his back wasn't as effortless as it appeared.

"It's nice here"

He said, pointing to a flat, sunny spot with trees around it. After putting me down safely, Aiden spread a large blanket over the bushes lying along the grain. Although it was still a bit damp, it wasn't moist enough to seep through the blanket.

Casually discarding my slippers, I sat down on the blanket. Aiden, in a somewhat mysterious manner, pulled out sandwiches.

"Why the hesitation? Acting like a puppy desperate to relieve itself"

"No, it's nothing,"

I felt even more suspicious of those words, so I narrowed my eyes as I peeled off the plastic covering the sandwich. The sandwich was made by Aiden himself, so it felt like a waste to eat it. He stared at me with a nervous look as I just sniffed the food and barely took a bite.

"Not because I think it's tasteless, but because it seems too precious to devour quickly"

"I'll make more, so eat up" Aiden urged, his use of 'quickly' carrying a subtle accent. Ignoring the lingering suspicion, I finally managed to open my mouth. Eating quickly might have been polite, but my naturally slow pace turned even a half sandwich into a lengthy endeavor.

Eventually, Aiden took the sandwich from my trembling hand. He didn't insist on feeding me, but his discomfort was palpable, as if he thought I would choke.