"Is there any other city you'd like to visit besides Liverpool?" Cater asked as he sliced some fruit. He was preparing breakfast this morning.
Sian appeared to ponder for a moment, as if she was about to say something but then changed her mind. This only piqued Cater's curiosity.
"Why? Just say it, it's your opinion. I never stop you from expressing your desires," Cater said.
"It seems there's no other place I'd like to visit. Being with you is more than enough for me to not think about other places besides you. You are my home, my safe haven," Sian replied with a smile.
"Is that so?" Cater looked at the neatly arranged fruit slices in the bowl. Sian's words made him feel guilty but also nauseated at the same time. "What if, hypothetically, the comfortable home you think you have isn't actually your home?" The question slipped out of Cater's mouth.
"That's impossible. I have chosen the right home and feel comfortable in it. I am right, aren't I?"
Naive, Cater thought.
"Yes, that's right. If it makes you comfortable, then believe in it. Comfort is the most important thing, isn't it?"
Sian wanted to protest; the words sounded like a slight against her. But before she could voice her disagreement, Cater popped a piece of fruit into his mouth, silencing her instantly.
"It's not good to grumble in the morning. We'll start our journey soon, so let's keep the atmosphere as pleasant as possible." Cater smiled and sat next to his wife, enjoying their breakfast together.
"You're impossible." Sian playfully hit Cater's shoulder. Her feelings were strange this morning. She should be happy because they were about to embark on a trip to her husband's dream destination. However, for some reason, her heart felt unprepared. It was as if she was about to lose something she couldn't quite grasp or understand.
***
"Get me some Liverpool gingerbread," Jamie ordered via a video call with Sian.
"Is there anything else? Hey... you can ask for something more expensive. You sell gingerbread in your own café. Don't you want something else? This is your chance," Sian chided.
"Ugh, actually, it's not my request. It's San's. She forced me to ask for that souvenir. She threatened to replace you while you're on vacation. I don't want a repeat of what happened last time. So, I have to do as she says. Anyway, Sian, just comply. I'm not asking you to buy anything weird. This is your precious vacation with your husband. I shouldn't be rude. Just enjoy your trip and come back happy. I'll be waiting here. Okay. Sorry, I have to end the call; I'm in a hurry," Jamie said abruptly before ending the call.
Sian felt a bit disappointed that Jamie abruptly ended the call. Her face soured. Not only was she disappointed by Jamie's response, but she also felt disappointed that San didn't even answer her call. It made her even more annoyed with that young man. Now all she knew was that San asked Jamie to order Liverpool gingerbread. She found it odd. Why didn't San ask her directly but instead asked Jamie?
"Ridiculous, just ridiculous," Sian muttered, frustrated with her friends' behavior.
"Why?" Cater, noticing his wife's change in mood, was a little puzzled.
Sian, reluctant to dwell on her friends' strange behavior, especially San's, didn't want to explain it, as it only made her more upset.
Cater, knowing his wife was sulking, then took her to a café. Their flight was still a bit far off, so perhaps he was trying to lift Sian's spirits.
As Cater and Sian left the previous place for the café at the airport, someone with a black hat and black jacket, who had been sitting not far from the couple, began following them discreetly from behind.
After leaving Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Sian and Cater headed to the hotel they had booked. The couple had booked the hotel beforehand, and their choice fell on the 30 James Street hotel, located in the heart of Liverpool, England.
Sian deliberately chose the 30 James Street hotel because it had a unique and interesting maritime theme, honoring the historical legacy of the RMS Titanic. Her choice was based on Cater's love for all things related to the sea. Of course, her husband agreed with her choice without making any strange comments.
In their hotel room, Sian immediately lay down on the soft hotel bed. Her body felt tired, and she could almost fall asleep at any moment. However, when she looked at her husband, she noticed that he seemed to be lost in thought.
"Darling, are you okay? Rest if you're tired," Sian said, still enjoying her comfortable bed.
Cater, as usual, gave her a smile and just said, "I'm fine," although his face looked pained.
Seeing her husband like this, Sian suddenly thought of doing something fun. But she immediately dismissed the idea when she saw Cater heading to the bathroom, looking tired and as if he didn't want to be disturbed.
***
The Marlboro Ice Burst cigarette that Cater was now puffing created a sensation of coldness with its distinctive menthol aroma. He took a drag and quickly exhaled the smoke. It had been a long time since he had smoked, and he had almost given up this habit, especially after getting married.
But there were times when this habit never left him. Two women had tried to stop this habit: first Erina and then Sian. Erina had once taken the cigarette from his mouth and replaced it with a lollipop. While Sian replaced it with something equally sweet but more moist and watery than a lollipop.
Cater chuckled at the memory of both women's actions. Though they were different, they had a similar trait. Despite their different approaches, he still couldn't kick the habit.
Perhaps cigarettes were the third party in his relationship.
"So here you are, going on vacation with your partner but looking like a beggar," someone suddenly said, seemingly appearing out of nowhere.
"Heh... the stalker finally shows himself openly." Cater laughed, extinguishing his cigarette and offering it to the person.
"Your taste is poor." Despite the insult, the person still took the cigarette. "Want to bet? If in the end, you're sure you'll quit, give it up to me. I can't stand seeing something beautiful neglected as if it has no rightful owner." The person took off his hat and ruffled his hair. It felt stifling to cover his scalp for quite a while.
"What if I don't want to? What will you do?" Cater asked as he lit his new cigarette.
"Nothing will happen. Because I'm not demanding; I'm just inviting you to bet. I really leave everything to fate. But I can give you a little warning: you'll never be happy if you live in doubt like this. Especially when you can't choose, you'll lose both if you keep hesitating like this," the person replied in a tone that sounded mocking.
"Your words sound like those of an experienced person." But Cater quietly acknowledged those words. Although he hated to admit it, he felt slighted because, as a man, he was considered indecisive by another man.
The person chuckled. "Still interested in betting?"
Pushed by some unknown force, Cater finally agreed to the offer. "Alright," he said shortly.