Derek stands from the stoney bench and pulls on Mirabelle's hand, bringing her to stand as well. he then circles his arms around Mirabelle, holding her tight against his chest, wanting to feel more of her body without inappropriately touching her.
anyone could be watching them, but that isn't the only thing he's worried about. she could find it odd and very uncomfortable if he did. The last thing he wants is for her to leave out of frustration.
Mirabelle stands frozen in place as she stares into his shirt, knowing she's too short to have her head lean over his shoulder. the sudden embrace takes makes her unable to think as she remains in his warm arms.
"you're so short." Derek chuckles out as he brings his hand up her back, feeling the slight curve of her spine, careful not to go any lower and annoy her. "I would have pictured you being a little taller, since they said you used to model just a year ago."
Mirabelle widens her eyes in shock at the news, knowing she clearly doesn't have the body fit for a model and wouldn't think of it in the slightest.
he moves his hand up to her shoulders, getting Mirabelle to take in a deep breath as she can feel his wide masculine hand reach up to her shoulder, caressing his fingers around the shape of her shoulders before trailing up to her neck, getting Mirabelle to blush when it's always been her most sensitive spot.
she tries to hide her gasp but with his sharp hearing, he can tell just exactly what is going on. with his other hand, he brushes his hand against her ear, feeling how warm they have gotten, confirming his suspicions.
he deliberately leans down to her neck, getting her to freeze as his hot breath brushes against her skin, bringing goosebumps. despite wanting to move, she remain in his arms as his lips press against her skin, making her voice come out chirping like a bird, which makes him smirk slightly before he leans back and chuckles.
"Found your weakness." he whispers as he leans into her ear and brings his fingers into her hair, slightly dragging his finger through the thick and heavy locks of dark hair. "This will make things easier for me."
the chuckle rumbling out of his throat makes her ears turn redder as she remains frozen in place. unmoving with a fast-beating heart that is about to jump out of her chest.
"Your hair feels heavy." he says as he runs his hand through her hair, taking a mental note of how long it is as he combs his fingers through it, stopping at her upper back. "And smells very nice..."
"T-Thanks." she stammers, unable to control herself as she watches him lean back from her and brings both his hands up to her cheeks, caressing them with his thumbs. "P-Please don't do that again..."
"I will have to apologize in advance. the doctors said I was getting my blindfold removed in two days, and after that... I'll get to see your reaction every time." he smiles, getting Mirabelle's to turn as she stares at him mesmerized. forgetting how much he actually despises the real her and is in love with Serena.
he could be telling her all this, but he isn't telling Mirabelle any of it.
he is telling Serena. the woman he's loved since he was ten. the day before the fatal injury that took his eyes.
"Tell me you love me... Serena." he says as he moves a hand to her lips, gently brushing his thumb against her lower lip. "I want to hear it... I know you feel that way... but I want to hear it..."
Mirabelle remains unsure if she should lie about it, unsure if she is doing the right thing making him think Serena is really in love with him, taking care of him like this.
The real Serena is nowhere to be seen, barely interested in him because he is blind. even though he is rich and handsome, Serena can't look past the blindness, irritated that she would have to take care of a man who needs to take care of her instead.
though Derek barely needs any attention, even when alone, he still needs someone around if he goes in unfamiliar places. but that never stopped him from becoming rich and successful. his eyes never stopped him from making money.
after all, he didn't need his eyes, all he needed was his brain.
"I..." she hesitates as she stares at his bandage, where his eyes would be. "I love you... Derek."
she doesn't mean it, but she had to say it to put his heart at ease, for the sake of Serena's image in him. she knows he'll suffer a great deal of mental torment after the realization hits him, but she only does as she is told.
A smile spreads on his face as she frowns instead, now feeling more pity for him.
her eyes slowly trace the outline of his bandage only to freeze when she notices a small red stain at the edge of his left eye. she reaches up to his head, taking him aback a bit but he calms down as the warmth of her palms covers his face.
"Does your eye hurt?" she asks as he wraps his arms around her waist more, bringing her closer to him to the point there is no space between them.
"no." he points out. "But it did sometime at night, it hurt just a little, for a brief moment."
"it's bleeding a little." she points out in worry. "We should get it checked out, I'm getting kind of worried."
"It doesn't hurt, it's not an issue." he says with a reassuring smile. "let's stay a moment longer, here."
"let's get it checked out and we can come back." she explains as she steps back while he reluctantly lets the cold air fill the space her body was pressing against.
"Alright." he nods his head in agreement, and she takes his hand, leading him out of the garden as a small frown makes its way to his lips, feeling a slight knot fill his stomach.
the pain was unbearable the other night, but it was short-lived. he didn't want to alert anyone or face a horrible truth to what it could actually mean.
all the more reason he had to propose sooner...
"If anything were to happen..., would you... still..." he fails to finish and simply squeezes her hand, getting her to glance over her shoulder to him. "Would you still..."
"I don't care if you can see or not." Mirabelle says honestly, feeling more as though he can see when he really can't. "It feels like you can really see me... so I don't mind. I would still love you."
Derek's heart leaps into his chest, envisioning her walking in front of him with her hand holding his makes him ache to see her. to see what kind of beauty hides behind her angelic manners.
he knows she could be a very beautiful woman, her voice is soft and nearly like a siren to his ears. either that or he was just deeply in love with her that everything about her made him fall in love.
"Even if you are blind for the rest of your life, I will be your eyes." she continues, getting him to slowly bite down to his lower lip. "I wouldn't love you any less, because I've loved you for so long, right? but... would you love me if I'm not what you think I would look like?"
"I wouldn't care." he chuckles out slightly. "I've also loved you for too long to care about what you look like."