Chapter 108 Date Part 4

Chapter 108 Date Part 4

Just as they were settling back into a more relaxed conversation, the waiter returned to their table, this time carrying a small leather folder. "I hope everything was to your satisfaction," he said, placing the folder down in front of Richard.

"Everything was excellent, thank you," Richard replied, picking up the folder to examine the bill inside.

The total came to 800 units. Richard raised his eyebrows slightly, but he didn't show any other signs of surprise. He knew that the currency system in the camp had been established to facilitate trade and transactions, given that the traditional currency had become obsolete.

In the camp, the currency was simplified into units, with denominations of 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1000 units. The average salary for a worker in the camp was around 500 units, though this could increase if the individual took on additional jobs or responsibilities within the camp. The system was designed to be straightforward, making it easy for everyone to understand and use. n--O).v//e/(L/.b/(1-.n

Considering his and Sara's positions and responsibilities within the camp, the amount on the bill wasn't exorbitant for them, but Richard was aware that it could be quite steep for others. He pulled out a 1000-unit bill from his wallet, handed it to the waiter, and told him to keep the change.

Sara noticed this and gave Richard a small smile, "Generous as always."

Richard just shrugged, "The staff here work hard, especially given the circumstances. It's the least I can do."

With the bill settled, Richard and Sara decided to leave the restaurant, both feeling content with their meal and the brief respite from their responsibilities. They stepped out into the cool night on the rooftop, and Richard stole a glance at Sara, his hands in the pocket of his jeans.

He glanced again at her, this time at her shoulder. He wanted to wrap his arm around her, to bring her closer, but he hesitated, unsure of how she would react. Gathering his courage, Richard decided to take the risk and gently placed an arm around Sara's shoulder. To his surprise, she didn't protest or stiffen; instead, she leaned into him, resting her head on his chest and snuggling fitly against him.

His heart fluttered at the contact, and a wave of warmth and confidence washed over him. She smelled like a subtle blend of vanilla and lavender, a scent that Richard found comforting. He could feel her steady breathing as they walked, and it brought a sense of calmness to him.

Meanwhile, the VH-60N Whitehawk crew that was waiting for them inside, couldn't help but feel happy and proud of their commanding officer. They clapped, whistled, and gave each other knowing smiles, trying to keep their reactions low-key to respect the privacy of the moment. They understood the significance of what they were witnessing and appreciated the humanity of their leaders.

As Richard and Sara approached, the crew straightened up, returning to their professional demeanor. One of the crew opened the door for them while the pilot and the co-pilot began their pre-flight checklist, ensuring everything was ready for takeoff. Richard nodded his thanks to the crew member holding the door, leading Sara inside before following her.

"Where to sir?"

"Take us to Ayala Exchange Tower 1 to drop Sara off, and after that, we go to Oriental—"

"Actually, it won't be necessary, just take both of us to Oriental," Sara interjected and there were surprised glances between the crews and their commanding officer.

Sara wants to get off the helicopter with Richard in the same location. What could that mean? The crew knew, and so they grinned and winked at each other discreetly, sensing that something more personal was developing between their commanding officer and Sara.

"Understood," one of the crew members responded, hiding his amusement while maintaining a professional tone.

"Wa-wa-wait, Sara? What are you doing? Don't you need to get off at Ayala Exchange Tower?" Richard asked, slightly taken aback by her sudden change of plans.

Sara smiled gently, her eyes meeting him with a softness that made his heart skip a beat. "I thought it might be nice to spend a little more time together if that's okay with you," she said, her voice just above a whisper. "But if you don't want it, you can drop me off at Ayala Exchange Tower..."

Before Richard could give his response, the pilot chimed in.

"I think our commanding officer would prefer you to drop in the Oriental," the pilot said, a hint of a teasing tone in his voice. He shot a quick glance toward Richard, giving him a subtle wink before turning his attention back to flying the helicopter.

Richard, slightly embarrassed but amused at the same time, responded with a smirk. "Yeah, Oriental will be just fine," he confirmed, his eyes meeting Sara's.

She smiled in response, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of happiness and relief. It was clear that she had been worried about how he might react to her decision, but his response had put her at ease.

The rest of the flight was smooth, with the crew maintaining their professionalism, though there were occasional glances and exchanged smiles when they thought Richard and Sara weren't looking. They were happy to see their commanding officer finding some personal happiness, especially considering the high-stress environment they all worked in.

As the helicopter touched down at the Oriental destination, the crew quickly got to work securing the aircraft and preparing for Richard and Sara to disembark. Richard once again offered his hand to help Sara out of the helicopter.

"Thanks for the ride," Sara said to the crew.

"Anytime, ma'am," one of the crew members replied, a respectful nod in her direction.

Richard and Sara then made their way away from the helicopter. Richard made another bold attempt by holding her hand as they walked, intertwining his fingers with hers. She responded positively, squeezing his hand gently in return.

"So, what's the plan now?" Napoleon asked, looking down at Sara with a curious expression.

"I don't know but can I use your bathroom first in your room?"

Richard tilted his head to the size, surprised at her request but quickly nodded in agreement. "Of course, feel free."

They continued walking, hand in hand, toward Richard's unit. As he closed the door behind him—he spoke.

"Okay, you can go the bathroom I'll wai—" Before Richard could finish his sentence, Sara suddenly turned towards him and pressed her lips against his in a swift, unexpected kiss.