"So... what else do you do when you come here?" Luca asked.
The question was simple, yet it followed one of the most unexpected confessions Sasha had ever heard.
She returned a smile, a complex mix of amusement and a lingering shock.
Did she need to smile at the man who was so perfectly handsome and successful, yet so utterly innocent in the world of dating? Or should she simply sympathize with his lack of personal experience? The pride in his eyes after leveraging his "no ex-girlfriend" status as a positive assurance was touchingly absurd.
"Oh yeah..." she said, relieved to pivot to a safer topic.
"Actually, I just mindlessly walk through that underwater walkway to cross this water to reach there" she said, pointing across the wide expanse of the creek to the other shore.
The underwater walkway was a pedestrian tunnel that dove beneath the water to connect the two sides of Al Ghubaiba.
Luca followed her gaze across the dark water, then looked back at her.
"Okay... so let's go?" he asked.
The suggestion was made in a casual, matter of fact tone, as if asking if she wanted coffee.
"Huh?" Sasha looked at him, confused.
She was perfectly fine with the walk, but she knew Luca's lifestyle involved private cars and high rise offices. What if he found the long, slightly claustrophobic tunnel boring, or what if he thought the way was too long for an evening stroll?
He picked up on her hesitation immediately.
"I mean, if you are okay, I would like to walk over there with you" he clarified.
This time, the words felt entirely his own. It wasn't something Ayaan had taught him. It was a simple thought.. a feeling he had acted on, a desire to experience the place that had been her comfort spot.
"Oh... okay... Sure then.." she agreed, her lingering caution softened by his spontaneous request. The idea of walking beside him, sharing a small piece of her history, was suddenly very appealing.
They walked forward, leaving the open park behind and heading toward the inconspicuous entrance of the tunnel. The transition was abrupt. As they descended the ramp, the lively sounds of the creek, the lapping water, the distant city hum and the chatter of couples are all began to fade.
Around them were well built walls of smooth, pale concrete forming a long curving pathway illuminated by clear, practical fluorescent lights. The atmosphere was sterile, functional, and quiet. The only decorations were practical signposts and a few stiffly stickered warnings about pedestrian rules.
It was the complete opposite of the breezy, natural park, a stark contrast that felt almost like stepping into the controlled corridors of a corporate building, despite the water above them.
They had already walked for a few minutes and had taken three wide, downward turns. The path seemed to stretch endlessly ahead. Luca paused briefly, glancing up at the distant entrance they had left behind.
"There is a lot more to walk?" he asked. His tone wasn't complaining, but it held the slight measure of a man checking a timeline.
Sasha's anxiety instantly spiked, confirming her earlier fears.
"Yeah... But if you don't want, we can go back" she said quickly, ready to apologize for suggesting a long walk.
"No, no." he assured her, immediately sensing her worry. His voice was calm and steady.
"I just thought about how you used to walk through here alone." His casual tone, tinged with a moment of gentle contemplation, settled her nerves instantly.
He wasn't focused on the length of the walk. He was focused on her memory, on her experience. The awkwardness she had carried throughout the date slowly started to dissipate, replaced by a sense of ease.
"You like to walk?" Sasha asked, seizing the moment of relaxed conversation. Her interest in knowing the man behind the CEO title was rapidly growing.
"I do. Going for a run or a walk is the one thing that keeps me calm" he replied. For a man whose life seemed to be governed by logic and schedules, the admission of needing a physical outlet for peace was surprisingly human.
As they walked, Luca checked his phone. As he had expected, the mobile network signal was completely absent underground. He knew it would return once they started ascending the path to the other side.
He then turned his head slightly toward her, his tone dropping to something more direct, more like a CEO addressing a delicate but crucial business point.
"Sasha... I know you are still awkward and hesitant."
Immediately, Sasha fiddled with the strap of her shoulder bag, her fingers anxiously gripping the canvas. She offered him a small, sheepish smile..her signature deflection.
Luca stopped walking and gently turned to face her fully, his body still and his gaze entirely focused.
"But it's fine. We have time to work on this. I hope I won't make you feel down, and I would love if you just say that to my face whenever my behavior won't reach your expectations."
The words hit her with the force of an emotional tsunami. It was a contract of trust, a formal agreement to be vulnerable, delivered with the absolute and unwavering seriousness of a boardroom negotiation.
This man, who was a relationship novice, was asking for direct feedback on his dating performance. It was perfect, logical, and incredibly sincere.
This man.. oh god... why is he so perfect? His flaws were endearing, his efforts were tangible, and his honesty was absolute.
She took a deep, steadying breath. She had stopped fiddling with her bag. She looked straight into his clear, earnest eyes.
"And I want you to do the same" she said.
It was her own contract, her reciprocal condition, spoken with newfound confidence.
Luca looked at her for a moment, and his lips curved upward. It wasn't the coached, stiff smile he had attempted in the office. It was a rare, genuine and profoundly beautiful smile that reached his eyes.. softening the sharp angles of his face.
Sasha smiled back, her awkwardness finally melting away under the genuine warmth of the moment.
They resumed walking together. The air between them was no longer charged with professional protocol or nervous uncertainty, but with a quiet, shared understanding.
"Actually, there's a bakery right there" Sasha said, her voice now light and enthusiastic.
"I love the cream bun they make. That's why I walk here. Burning calories and feeding my sugar cravings at the same time."
"Let's try it then" he said simply. The decision was immediate, without hesitation or overthinking.
They were already nearing the end of the tunnel. The dim, uniform lighting gave way to a welcoming burst of natural light, and the lightly arranged, small part of the beautiful creek on the opposite side came into view.
She pointed toward the bakery. A humble storefront that was the first shop right after crossing the road. They waited for the pedestrian signal, crossing the road side by side.
Inside the small cozy bakery, they ordered the prized cream bun and a few other snacks to sample along with two coffees. Sasha felt a genuine ripple of excitement waiting for his opinion on the food.
When he finally took a bite, his comment was not a formality, but a genuine thoughtful observation about the texture and flavor.
He liked it.
Sitting across from him in the tiny booth, sharing coffee and simple pastries, Sasha felt a calm steady happiness settle over her. It was easy to talk now.
They discussed random things. The complexity of interior design briefs, the history of the old buildings along the creek. They weren't performing.. they were simply connecting.
After finishing the snacks, they decided to return. Sasha suggested taking a taxi if he didn't want to repeat the long walk, but he said he was "totally fine" with it.
The return journey through the tunnel felt strikingly different. The tunnel felt less long this time. They were so engrossed in their conversation, a flow of easy dialogue punctuated by laughter that they didn't feel the passage of time. They were surprised by how easily they returned, clocking significantly less time than they had taken on the way over.
They both smiled, acknowledging the simple magic of good company, and walked toward the Abra Park entrance where they had met.
"So... can I drop you now?" he asked.
The question was slightly formal, a return to polite procedure, but his eyes held the shared intimacy of their walk.
Sasha smiled, a genuine, relaxed smile this time.. not the awkward one.
[To be continued]