the fire between us

chapter 32

After a long 19 hours in the air, we finally landed in Bali, a bit weary but still buzzing with excitement. As the plane taxied toward the gate, I could already feel the tropical warmth waiting for us outside the cabin doors. The thought of stepping off the plane into paradise filled me with a rush of anticipation.

Nora stretched in her seat beside me, a sleepy smile on her face. "I can't believe we're finally here."

"I know," I said, glancing out the window. The lush greenery and distant mountains in the horizon already made it clear that Bali was going to be every bit as beautiful as we'd imagined.

As we made our way through the bustling airport, the energy of Bali surrounded us—the vibrant colors, the rhythmic hum of local chatter, and the scent of fresh tropical flowers filling the air. After a quick stop to gather our luggage, we headed toward the taxi stand, eager to find a ride to our Airbnb.

"I hope it's as close to the beach as the listing said," Nora mused, pulling out her phone to double-check the address.

"I'm sure it will be," Martinus reassured her. "A beach house in Bali? It can't go wrong."

We spotted a friendly-looking taxi driver leaning against his vehicle, a wide smile on his face as we approached. "Where to?" he asked in a warm accent, his voice full of hospitality.

I handed him the printed address of our beach house, and his eyes lit up. "Ah, very nice! Beach house near Seminyak. Perfect spot for your stay. Hop in, I'll get you there in no time."

We loaded our bags into the taxi, the warm breeze a constant reminder of the paradise we had arrived in. The drive was a pleasant one, and as we moved farther away from the airport, the scenery transformed into coastal beauty. Palm trees lined the streets, the scent of saltwater grew stronger, and the sound of distant waves crashing against the shore became more distinct.

"Look!" Nora pointed out the window as we passed a stunning view of the beach, the golden sand stretching out toward the turquoise ocean.

"That's going to be us soon," Marcus said, leaning forward in his seat, a grin spreading across his face. "I can't wait to check out the water."

After about 30 minutes, the taxi slowed as we turned down a quiet road lined with beach houses, each more beautiful than the last. Finally, we pulled up to our destination—a charming, modern beach house with large windows that framed a stunning view of the ocean beyond.

"This is it!" Martinus said, his voice full of excitement.

We thanked the driver, gathered our bags, and stepped out of the taxi. The soft sound of waves greeted us as we stood in awe of our surroundings. The beach house was everything we had hoped for and more, with a private path leading directly to the beach, where the sun was just beginning to set over the horizon, painting the sky in shades of pink and orange.

"Welcome to paradise," Marcus said with a grin. And he was right—it truly felt like paradise.

As we walked inside the beach house, we were greeted by a spacious, open-plan living area with large windows that showcased the breathtaking view of the ocean. The interior was decorated with a blend of modern and tropical elements, creating a cozy yet elegant atmosphere.

Martinus and I headed down a hallway to find our room, which was located at the back of the house. We opened the door to reveal a beautifully appointed bedroom with a king-sized bed, adorned with crisp white linens and colorful throw pillows. The room also had its own private balcony overlooking the beach, offering a perfect spot to unwind and enjoy the view.

I plopped down onto the bed with a sigh of relief, feeling the soft mattress embrace me after the long journey. The gentle sound of the waves crashing outside was incredibly soothing.