The wedding festivities had finally come to a close, but for Ethan and Olivia, the night was only beginning. After what felt like a whirlwind of emotions, from Olivia's dramatic entrance to the unexpected announcement of their merger brand, Eva, the couple was ready for something quieter, more intimate.
As they drove through the moonlit countryside, Ethan kept his hand on Olivia's, gently squeezing it as they neared their destination. The city lights faded behind them, replaced by the soft, natural beauty of cherry blossom trees lining the road. Their petals fluttered gently in the cool breeze, illuminated by the glow of the car's headlights.
"We're almost there," Ethan whispered, his voice filled with excitement and anticipation. "I've been waiting to show you this."
Olivia turned to him, a curious smile tugging at her lips. "What are you up to, Mr. Pierce?"
Ethan only smiled in response, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
A few minutes later, they pulled up to a grand, sprawling mansion nestled among the cherry blossoms. It was breathtaking—an elegant mix of modern architecture and classic charm. The exterior was bathed in soft light, casting a golden glow over the white stone walls. Large windows revealed the cozy, warmly lit interior, and Olivia could already see the soft flicker of candles through the panes.
Her eyes widened in awe. "Ethan… this is… stunning."
He smiled, stepping out of the car and walking over to open her door. "Welcome to our new home."
"Our home?" Olivia blinked, her heart fluttering.
Ethan took her hand and led her up the stone path. "I bought this place for us. It's tucked away from the chaos of the city, surrounded by these beautiful cherry blossoms… I thought it would be the perfect place for us to start our new life together."
Olivia's breath caught in her throat as they stepped into the foyer. The interior was just as magnificent as the exterior—high ceilings, polished wooden floors, and elegant furnishings filled the space. Candles were scattered throughout, casting a warm, romantic glow over the room. There were delicate flower arrangements in every corner, and soft music played in the background, setting the perfect mood.
"I don't even know what to say," Olivia whispered, turning to look at Ethan. "This is… everything."
He smiled, pulling her close. "I wanted our first night as husband and wife to be special. I wanted it to be just us."
As they stood together in the middle of the grand foyer, Olivia could feel the tension of the day slowly melting away. She wrapped her arms around Ethan's neck, pressing her forehead to his.
"It's perfect," she murmured. "You're perfect."
Ethan chuckled softly. "I don't know about perfect, but I'll take it."
He led her through the mansion, showing her the various rooms—the expansive kitchen with marble countertops, the cozy living room with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the cherry blossom grove, and finally, the master bedroom.
The bedroom was a dream. The large bed was draped in soft white linens, and more candles lined the windowsills, their flickering flames casting shadows across the room. French doors led out to a private balcony, where the cherry blossoms seemed to glow under the moonlight.
"I thought we could spend the night here," Ethan said softly, leading Olivia out onto the balcony.
The view was breathtaking. The cherry blossoms surrounded them, their pale pink petals swaying gently in the breeze. The scent of the blossoms filled the air, mixing with the crisp, cool night.
Olivia leaned against the railing, taking in the peaceful scene. "This is like something out of a dream."
Ethan wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder. "It's real," he whispered. "And it's ours."
They stood there in silence for a moment, simply enjoying the tranquility of the night. For the first time in what felt like forever, everything was quiet. No drama, no media, no business—just them, beneath the stars and the cherry blossoms.
"I'm so glad we made it through everything," Olivia said softly, leaning back into Ethan's chest. "It feels like we can finally breathe."
Ethan pressed a kiss to her hair. "We've only just begun, Liv. This is our future now—no more chaos, no more interruptions. Just us."
They stayed on the balcony for a while longer, wrapped in each other's arms, the gentle rustling of the cherry blossoms and the soft glow of the moonlight their only companions.
As the night deepened and the warmth of their new home wrapped around them, Ethan and Olivia found themselves closer than ever. They lay side by side on the soft, luxurious bed, the glow from the candles on the balcony casting a gentle light over the room.
Ethan turned to Olivia, his hand gently brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice soft and tender.
Olivia bit her lip, a mixture of excitement and nervousness in her eyes. She had always known this moment would come, but the reality of it made her heart race. "I'm just… a little scared," she admitted quietly, her gaze dropping to her hands. "I've never—"
Ethan's heart softened as he realized what she was saying. He cupped her face gently, his thumb brushing her cheek. "Olivia," he whispered, his voice filled with love and reassurance. "We don't have to rush anything. Tonight is about us, and I want you to feel safe and comfortable."
She looked up into his eyes, seeing nothing but love and patience. His calm demeanor eased her fears. "I trust you," she said softly, her voice steadying as she found comfort in his presence.
Ethan smiled warmly and kissed her forehead. "I'll take care of you, always."
They shared a few moments in silence, their connection deepening with every heartbeat. Slowly, the initial tension melted away as they let themselves get lost in the closeness of the moment. Ethan moved with such care and gentleness, and Olivia felt safe in his arms.
As the night unfolded, any fear or nervousness Olivia had slowly faded, replaced by a sense of wonder and love. Ethan was there with her, guiding her through every step, making sure she felt cherished and understood.
By the time the night came to an end, they had created something more than just physical intimacy—it was a deeper connection, the kind that only happens when two people trust each other completely. Olivia realized that she had never felt closer to Ethan, and as she rested in his arms, she knew that this was the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.
"I love you," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
"I love you more," Ethan replied, pulling her closer as they drifted off into a peaceful sleep, wrapped in each other's warmth.