Desiree's POV
With Aizen now fully settled into the Estate since we committed to being 'husband and wife,' I find myself caught in a whirlwind of emotions. Confessing my feelings and taking this leap with him happened in a heartbeat, yet it feels like a lifetime in the making. Though I can't shake the feeling that there are still secrets he's keeping, I'm choosing to trust him.
We've been sharing the same bed for quite some time now. I'm grateful that Aizen has respected my boundaries and refrained from crossing certain lines. It must be difficult for him, being a man with desires, but he's shown understanding and restraint. I appreciate his willingness to simply hold me close.
As much as I care for him, I can't fully commit myself until after the contract is void. It's not just about us; it's about our future and the family we may one day have. I refuse to bring children into a situation where uncertainty looms. I want them to have the stability and security that was lacking in both our childhoods. Until we're both certain about our path forward, I'll hold off on taking that next step.
The soft glow of my phone's screen illuminated the dim room as its familiar ringtone cut through the silence, announcing an incoming video call from my dad. With a quick glance, I saw his name flashing on the display.
"Dad," I greeted warmly, accepting the call. "What's up?"
"Desiree, my child," Dad's voice filled the screen, his face lighting up with a smile. "How are you doing in there? Are you still upset because I couldn't attend your wedding?"
Of course, I am. Regardless if it was fake, you should've been there for me.
Despite my attempts to hide it, a pang of disappointment flickered within me. But I pushed it aside. "No, Dad," I reassured him, waving at the figures beside him. "Hello, everyone."
Dad scratched his head, his concern evident. "I just wanted to see if you're doing well," he said. "Have you eaten yet? You look quite thin. Is your husband treating you right?"
You would know what he's like had you chosen to attend the wedding.
"Yes, Dad," I replied, nodding. "My husband is quite pleasant, actually. Have you eaten?"
As Dad continued to chat, a gentle tap on my shoulder drew my attention. I turned to find Aizen standing there, his presence filling the room with warmth and charm.
"Who's that?" Aunt Jess's voice echoed from the screen, her eyes widening with excitement. "He's so handsome!"
Heat rushed to my cheeks as I felt a blush spread across my face. "Hi!" Aizen greeted them with a gracious bow. "I'm Aizen, Desiree's husband. It's a pleasure to meet you all."
I felt embarrassed. Really embarrassed.
"You didn't tell us her husband was that handsome!" Aunt Jess exclaimed, playfully scolding my dad.
With a sheepish grin, Dad chuckled, acknowledging their remarks. "Hello," he greeted Aizen. "Please take care of my daughter."
"I always do," Aizen replied, his voice filled with warmth as he planted a tender kiss on my cheek. "We're heading to the Naruto Park, so I'm afraid we have to end the call here. It was wonderful meeting you all!"
"Enjoy!" echoed the chorus of voices from the screen.
"Bye, Dad," I bid, my heart swelling with affection.
"Love you, my daughter," Dad said softly before the call ended, leaving behind a lingering warmth in the room.
I sighed exasperatedly, the warmth of Aizen's embrace offering solace in the midst of my frustration. As I turned to face him, my breath caught in my throat. I hadn't gotten a good look at him earlier, but now, the sight before me was undeniably striking. He appeared every bit the epitome of rugged charm, his usual suit replaced by a simple yet effortlessly stylish ensemble—a crisp white button-up shirt unbuttoned at the collar, revealing a glimpse of his toned chest beneath a black jacket with a relaxed fit. Around his neck hung a sleek silver chain, catching the light and accentuating his chiseled features, while a single silver earring adorned his right ear, adding a touch of edgy allure to his look. Paired with perfectly fitted black jeans and boots that accentuated his height, he exuded an irresistible aura of confidence and undeniable attractiveness.
A playful smirk danced on Aizen's lips as he met my gaze, his expression a mixture of amusement and curiosity. "Is something wrong?" he inquired, a hint of concern lacing his words.
"Not at all," I reassured him, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips as I waved off his concern with a casual flick of my hand. "You look... different," I remarked, unable to suppress a soft chuckle at the sight of his transformed appearance.
So this is what 'normal' Aizen looks like.
"Pft," he scoffed playfully, his smirk widening as he leaned in to plant a gentle kiss on my cheek. "You could've just told me how handsome I looked," he teased, his voice laced with mock indignation as he brushed off my attempt at subtlety with effortless charm. He looked at me from head to toe, smile widening. "You look very beautiful today," he says, squeezing my waist.
A faint blush crept onto my cheeks at the warmth of his touch, a subtle reaction to his affectionate gesture. Before our marriage, Aizen had requested that I adhere to his standards of attire, prompting me to abandon my previous style in favor of a more polished look. However, today was different. Today, I had the opportunity to embrace the essence of who I was before I entered Aizen's world.
I adorned myself in a cream semi-cropped lettuce-trim shirt, the delicate fabric skimming my frame with a sense of effortless elegance. Paired with a beige pleated mini skirt and sleek black knee-high boots, my ensemble exuded a blend of sophistication and youthful charm. Cream socks peeked out from beneath the hem of my skirt, adding a playful touch to the overall look, while a khaki cardigan draped casually over my shoulders offered both warmth and style.
With my long black hair pinned up in a whimsical cream bow claw clip, tendrils of hair framed my face in soft layers, enhancing my features with a touch of femininity. Today, I opted to forgo my usual grey lenses in favor of my silver circle glasses, a subtle nod to my own sense of identity and personal style.
Aizen's fingers gently squeezed my blushing cheeks as he reiterated his admiration. "You look so beautiful," he remarked, his tone filled with genuine appreciation. "Did you put in a lot of effort because it's our first date?" His playful tease drew a smirk from me.
I shot him a playful glare, pointing an accusatory finger in his direction. "You're the one who looks all dressed up!" I countered, a hint of amusement evident in my voice.
"Of course," he responded with a smile, his eyes sparkling with affection. "I'm about to take out the love of my life! I want to make it as memorable as possible."
The Aizen standing before me was a far cry from the one I married, and yet, in this moment, he felt more real than ever. With a smile, I pulled him into a kiss, feeling his hands find their place on my waist and thigh. My fingers tangled in his hair as our embrace deepened, a rush of warmth and longing enveloping us both. When we finally parted, a grin danced on my lips.
"I love you," he murmured, his voice soft yet filled with conviction. "Shall we?"
As we hopped onto the train, a sense of exhilaration washed over me at the novelty of experiencing public transport with Aizen by my side. The journey was a delightful mix of adventure and picturesque sights, our hands intertwined as we chatted animatedly. With each passing moment, Aizen shared his dreams of exploring new places and embarking on thrilling adventures together, filling me with a sense of anticipation for the journey ahead.
Finally, we arrived at our destination and made our way to the entrance of the theme park, our hearts racing with excitement as we prepared to immerse ourselves in the wonders that awaited us.
As Aizen and I wandered through the vibrant landscape of the theme park, I couldn't help but feel a sense of wonderment at every turn, and it seemed that Aizen shared in my awe. We strolled leisurely, pausing at each statue and attraction to capture the magic of the moment.
Suddenly, a friendly voice interrupted our reverie, drawing our attention to a blonde-haired woman who approached us with a warm smile. "Excuse me," she said kindly, "You two look like a lovely couple. Would you like me to take your picture for you?"
Aizen's arm tightened around me as he nodded eagerly. "Yes, please," he replied, drawing me closer to him.
With a nod of gratitude, the woman accepted the phone from Aizen and skillfully snapped numerous photos of us amidst the enchanting backdrop. Each image captured a different facet of our bond—from moments of tender affection to playful exchanges—resulting in a collection of cherished memories frozen in time.
"Thank you so much!" I exclaimed gratefully as I retrieved the phone from her. "We really appreciate it."
"The woman's smile widened. "Any time," she replied warmly. "Enjoy your day!"
As Aizen and I gazed at the photos on my phone, laughter bubbled between us, mingling with the joy reflected in each captured moment. With each swipe through the gallery, we relived the magic of our time together, our smiles growing wider with each passing image.
Eventually, we tore ourselves away from the photos and resumed our date with renewed enthusiasm. We embarked on a whirlwind adventure, exploring every corner of the theme park and partaking in all the exhilarating activities it had to offer. From thrilling sports to indulging in delicious fare at the iconic Ichiraku Ramen Shop, every moment was filled with laughter, excitement, and a sense of shared joy.
As the day drew to a close, I found myself filled with gratitude for the unforgettable memories we had created together, and with Aizen by my side, I knew that the adventure was far from over.
The thrill of the roller coasters sent exhilaration coursing through my veins, despite my lingering fear of heights. With each twist and turn, I found myself embracing the rush of adrenaline, relishing every moment of the heart-pounding adventure. Beside me, Aizen valiantly attempted to maintain his composure, though the flicker of fear in his eyes betrayed his facade of calm.
As the day drew to a close and we found ourselves wrapped in a warm embrace, I couldn't help but express my gratitude for the unforgettable experience. "I had so much fun today," I murmured, holding him tightly. "Thank you for making it happen."
Returning my embrace, Aizen pressed a tender kiss to the crown of my head. "I had fun too," he replied, his voice filled with warmth and sincerity. "We should definitely do this again sometime. Where would you like to go next? France, perhaps? Or maybe the USA? China?"
The playful banter between us continued, punctuated by laughter and affectionate gestures. As I teased him about his uncontainable excitement, I couldn't help but admire the endearing way he wore his emotions on his sleeve.
"You're more excited than I am," I said, grinning at him. "You're so adorable."
He sighed, hugging me tighter. "Only you could make me this way," he confessed. "No one else."
No one else, huh?
"Not even Rize Yamaha?" I arched my brow.
But then, a name from the past slipped from my lips, casting a shadow over our lighthearted exchange. The mention of Rize Yamaha sparked a flicker of unease in Aizen's eyes, a subtle shift in his demeanor that didn't escape my notice. "Rize?" Aizen's voice wavered, a hint of tension lacing his words.
"I remember how much you liked her back in the day," I said, my tone belying the jealousy simmering beneath the surface. Memories of their past closeness resurfaced, stirring a tinge of jealousy within me. Despite my attempts to mask it with a smile, the knot of insecurity tightened in my chest, betraying my true feelings.
"No," Aizen's response was swift, his hands finding their way to my shoulders. "There was never other girls."
"Yeah, right," I retorted, disbelief coloring my words.
"Why did you mention her name?" Aizen's grip on my wrist tightened, his gaze searching mine. "Are you jealous?"
The sudden accusation stung, and without thinking, I lashed out, landing a blow to his gut that nearly sent him stumbling.
"I don't know, Aizen," I replied, my voice tinged with frustration. "You said no one else, so I suddenly remembered how close you were. And no, I'm not jealous."
His embrace from behind softened the tension between us, his laughter echoing in my ears as he showered me with kisses.
"Believe me when I say that it's always only been you," he said, his lips finding mine in a tender kiss. "I love you. So, don't be jealous, alright?"
"Fine," I relented, the icy barrier between us thawing. "Okay, I'm not mad, alright?" I chuckled as his kisses tickled my skin, my grip on his jacket loosening.
"You make me the happiest person, Desiree Gotz," Aizen whispered, his cheeks tinted with a blush.
"Nara," I corrected gently, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "Desiree Nara."
His nod of acknowledgment marked the end of our first date, a perfect day tinged with moments of insecurity and reassurance, ultimately strengthening the bond between us.