A beautiful promise

The Old Bund

The old bund was famous for its night scenery. A river was flowing there, which was full of water cruises and at both sides of the river, there were many bars and restaurants. In fact, this place was also known as 'the bar street'. Many parties held on those luxurious cruises and many young men and women spend their time on those bars. The night here was very lively and charming.

Oliver booked a luxurious cruise just for themselves and took Ava to enjoy the night under the open sky and light breeze. The sky was full of stars and in the dark night the river was glazing by the moonlight, it was beautiful and romantic.

Ava was standing on the deck enjoying the scene and the breeze holding a glass of champagne in her hand. The cruise ship was moving forward at a constant speed. A waiter brought up two more glasses of champagne for Oliver and Ava.

Ava took that glass and put her empty glass on the tray. "Oliver, I think I am already drunk." This was Ava's 3rd glass, she felt her head was getting a little heavy.

Oliver took Ava in his arm and looked at her affectionately, his handsome face was looking even more charming when the moonlight created a shadow on it. He said softly, "No problem, you can get drunk, I am here to keep you safe."

Ava put her head on Oliver's chest and felt she has found her safe home. She didn't want anything else, she just wanted to be in his arm forever. It's the happiest and peaceful thing for her.

"It's beautiful here." Ava looked at the river and smiled softly. Suddenly she noticed a bright place by the riverside she asked curiously, "What is that place?"

"It's a bar, do you want to go?" Oliver asked in a spoiled voice.

"Absolutely not, those places always smell like alcohol and tobacco, I hate it." Rather than going to a bar, she would prefer to stay in bed in Oliver's arm.

"Ok." Oliver smiled and held her close to him.

"Oliver, did you quit smoking?" Ava suddenly asked realizing she hadn't seen him smoking for a while and neither had she smelled tobacco on him when he was with her.

"Well I have quit smoking a long time ago, you just noticed?" Oliver frowned. In fact, he never liked to smoke, it was just an old habit but when he found out Ava hated the smell of tobacco he just quit it.

"Yeah, I didn't realize it before," Ava said with an embarrassed smile.

"When did you last smell smoke on me?"

"I don't really remember, probably a long time ago."

"Silly woman, when I found out you don't like the smell, I quit."

Ava was surprised to hear that. She never thought Oliver would be so considerate toward her that for her he would quit smoking.

"Really? It was for me or you are afraid..." Ava stopped in a mid-sentence and looked at Oliver playfully.

"Afraid of what?"

"I heard that smoking can cause erectile dysfunction in men," Ava said with a mischievous smile.

"Are you telling me you are not satisfied with my performance?" Oliver narrowed his eyes dangerously as he asked.

Ava shook her head immediately and said, "No... no that's not what I meant."

Ava was afraid if she said something like that he would take her to their cabin right now and bang her all night to prove he doesn't have any dysfunction. Not that Ava had any doubt, in fact, every night she has to beg Oliver to let her go. He was an unsatisfied beast.

"You are satisfied then." Oliver smiled happily.

"I think you know that better than me!"

"Cheers to that." Oliver raised the glass and clink it to Ava's, and then drank all the champagne in one gulp. Oliver took Ava's empty glass and put them aside then held her from behind as they looked into the night.

"The stars are very bright tonight, it's beautiful." Oliver looked at the sky and said softly.

"Yes, it's beautiful." Ava also looked at the sky and keep staring at the twinkling stars. However every time Oliver mentioned stars in front of her she would remember his unpleasant words and her heart would be uncomfortable.

"Oliver, do you like stars?" Ava asked quietly.

Oliver nodded and said, "Yes. I like it."

"Then why did you got angry the first time I ask you to see stars with me?" Ava asked cautiously, it has been bothering her for a while but she never had the courage to ask him.

"That was once, and it's all in the past now." Oliver hugged Ava more tightly and gently kissed her hair. Oliver had a relaxed expression on his face. He realized watching the stars with Ava wasn't bothering him at all, which meant he has finally put down the past and accepted that Melody was gone forever and it's time for him to let go and move on.

Ava didn't know what to say. She just smiled and looked at the sky again. Although Oliver didn't say why he reacted like that but she still felt relieved knowing that he has let go of the reason. She once wished on the wishing tree on the fragrant hill that Oliver would put away his past and live a happy life with her. Looks like her wish came true, what else she could ask.

"Baby, do you remember, once you asked me how long I will love me?" Oliver looked ahead and said softly in Ava's ear.

Ava was surprised that Oliver remembered it. "Yes, but you didn't answer at that time."

Oliver turned Ava and looked her in the eye then said sincerely, "I will love you as long as my heart beats."

Hearing Oliver's answer Ava's heart couldn't hold the happiness anymore. Oliver's way of expressing his love was not comparable to any ordinary people. This was the best answer she has ever heard and she also promised herself that she will also love him as long as her heartbeats.

"Oliver." Ava stood on her tiptoe, put her arms on Oliver's neck, and kissed him pouring all the emotion she felt at that moment for him.

Oliver also returned the kiss passionately. The two stood there in the deck kissing each other under the starry night and making a promise to love each other until the day they died. It was a beautiful promise on a beautiful night.