Vanessa smiled at me when I agreed, and for a moment, it felt like my heart might actually jump out of my chest.

This was getting dangerous.

In the best way possible.

“I’ll go look for somewhere we can go,” I said softly. “You get ready… or rest until I come back.”

Vanessa nodded, her smile gentle and trusting.

I held her gaze for a second longer than I should have before turning away and walking out of the bedroom, pulling my phone from my pocket.

Where do couples even go on dates?

The thought felt unfamiliar.

Unnecessary.

And yet—

Here I was.

Thinking about it.

For her.

Vanessa didn’t need anything extravagant.

She needed something quiet.

Something simple.

Somewhere she could breathe without being watched… questioned… pressured.

Before I could even sit down in the living room, I saw Jake standing in the doorway, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. Emily stood beside him, her expression smug, like she had been waiting for this moment.

“What?” I asked, my tone rough.

“Emily told me you’re taking Vanessa on a date,” Jake said, his voice tight with barely controlled jealousy.

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose.

“Emily,” I said flatly, letting the irritation show clearly, “you really need to stop stalking us. It’s getting embarrassing.”

Her expression darkened instantly, her eyes narrowing with anger.

I smirked.

“We’re going with you,” Jake said.

I let out a quiet scoff.

“No.”

The word came out sharp.

Final.

Jake’s eyebrows lifted, anger flashing across his face.

“Excuse me?” he snapped. “What do you mean no?”

“I mean no,” I repeated calmly, though my tone had gone colder. “Vanessa and I are going alone.”

My gaze hardened slightly.

“She wants to relax. And with your constant jealousy—and Emily making her uncomfortable—she won’t be able to do that if you’re anywhere near us.”

I kept my voice steady, but irritation burned beneath it.

Jake had no right.

Not when he was betraying her behind her back.

“You just want to fuck her, Kay,” he shot back harshly.

I scoffed, unimpressed.

“I’m her fiancé right now,” I said simply. “If I wanted to sleep with Vanessa, I would have done it already.”

His jaw clenched.

“Don’t try to follow us,” I added coldly, sitting down and returning to my phone. “Because I’ll make sure you stay right here—with your slut girlfriend… or whatever the hell this is.”

Silence filled the room.

Heavy.

Tense.

I could hear Jake’s breathing—slow, controlled, like he was forcing himself not to react.

Emily stood beside him, trying to look innocent.

But I knew better.

I always did.

And honestly…

I couldn’t wait to get out of here with Vanessa.

I stood up after a moment.

“I’m going to help my fiancée get ready,” I said, knowing exactly how much that would get under Jake’s skin.

Then I pushed past him without another glance and walked toward the bedroom.

When I stepped inside and closed the door behind me, Vanessa stood near the mirror, gently drying her hair with a towel.

“Want some help, sweetheart?” I asked as I moved closer.

“I think I’m okay,” she replied with a soft, innocent smile.

I nodded.

“Alright. Do you want me to pick something out for you to wear?”

Her smile brightened slightly.

“Yes, please.”

Something about the way she said that—

Trusting me so easily—

Did something to me.

I turned toward the closet, scanning through her clothes.

It was warm outside.

A dress would be perfect.

My hand paused when I saw it.

The dress.

Soft.

Light.

The kind of dress that looked like it belonged in sunlight.

A short white piece—delicate and airy—with a fitted bodice that hugged her shape just enough before flowing into a gentle skirt. The fabric looked almost weightless, like it would move with the slightest breeze.

Simple.

But not plain.

There was something about it.

Something effortless.

Something that felt like her.

I imagined it on Vanessa—

The way the white would contrast against her skin.

The way the skirt would sway when she walked.

The way it would make her look even more—

I stopped myself.

Clearing my throat, I reached for it anyway.

It didn’t demand attention.

It didn’t need to.

Because she wouldn’t need to try.

She would walk into a place wearing this—

And people would look.

Not because of the dress.

But because it was her.

“How about this?” I said, turning back to her with the dress in one hand and a pair of light pastel boots in the other. “I know you’re not really into pastel colors, but I think this will look good on you.”

Vanessa looked at it for a moment, thoughtful.

Then she nodded.

“Yeah… I like it. I’ll wear it.”

I smiled, placing the dress on the bed beside her and setting the boots neatly on the floor, adding a pair of white socks.

“I’ll go change too,” I said.

She tilted her head slightly.

“Why? You look good already.”

A quiet grin tugged at my lips.

“I want to match you.”

Her cheeks turned pink instantly.

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

Inside the closet, I paused again.

This was ridiculous.

Since when did I care about matching outfits?

Since when did I care how I looked—

For someone?

My jaw tightened before I exhaled.

Then I reached for something simple.

A black linen shirt.

Light enough for the heat.

Dark enough to ground everything.

I slipped it on, leaving the top buttons undone without thinking.

Then I grabbed a pair of light beige trousers—clean, fitted just right.

Effortless.

I rolled the sleeves up to my forearms and glanced at my reflection.

Simple.

Sharp.

The kind of look that didn’t try too hard…

Yet still held attention.

For a moment, I just stood there.

Then I imagined her beside me.

White.

Soft.

Light.

And me—

Dark.

Steady.

The contrast made something shift inside my chest.

Something I didn’t want to name.

I ran a hand through my hair and stepped out.

Vanessa was already dressed.

And for a second—

I forgot how to breathe.

The dress fit her exactly the way I imagined.

No.

Better.

The fabric hugged her just enough before falling into that soft, airy skirt, moving gently as she shifted. Her hair framed her face, still slightly damp, giving her that effortless, untouched look.

She looked…

Dangerously beautiful.

Like something people would stare at without meaning to.

Like something people would want.

My jaw tightened at the thought.

Mine.

The word came too easily.

Too naturally.

“You look…” I paused, my voice lower than I expected.

“Perfect.”

Her cheeks flushed instantly as she looked down.

Then her eyes lifted again—

And this time, she really looked at me.

I saw it.

That pause.

That flicker.

Her gaze moved slowly over me—

Taking everything in.

And for the first time…

She looked affected too.

“You said you wanted to match…” she murmured softly.

A small smile formed on my lips.

“Yeah.”

“I did.”

And somehow…

It felt like more than just matching outfits.

“Come,” I said softly, taking her hand in mine.

We walked out together.

Jake and Emily were still in the living room, their glares sharp and heavy.

I ignored them.

Vanessa didn’t even notice.

She was practically glowing with excitement.

And something in my chest tightened.

She had been stuck inside for three days.

I should have taken her out sooner.

We left without a word.

I opened the car door for her, helping her inside and fastening her seatbelt.

Then I walked around, got in, and started the car.

Before driving, I pulled out my phone and sent a quick message to my bodyguards.

Make sure Jake and Emily don’t leave.

Then I tossed my phone aside and drove out.

The drive was quiet.

But not uncomfortable.

Vanessa watched the world outside like it was something new.

Every now and then, she glanced at me.

Quick.

Shy.

I pretended not to notice.

But I noticed everything.

When I turned onto a quieter road, the city noise faded.

Then—

Lights.

Soft.

Golden.

Warm.

Vanessa straightened slightly.

“What is that?” she asked softly.

I didn’t answer.

I just stopped the car.

Right in front of it.

A small carnival.

Empty.

Silent.

Perfect.

“It’s… empty?” she murmured.

“Not empty,” I said, stepping out and opening her door.

“Reserved.”

Her eyes widened.

“For us?”

“Yes.”

She placed her hand in mine.

And it didn’t feel small.

Not to me.

“It’s beautiful…” she whispered.

And for the first time—

She looked completely at peace.

And that—

That did something to me.

“Come,” I said softly, not letting go.

Her laughter on the carousel…

The way her hand stayed in mine…

The way she looked at me like she trusted me—

It all felt…

Too real.

Too dangerous.

“What next?” she asked, looking at me instead of around.

Trusting me.

I glanced toward the Ferris wheel.

Then back at her.

“That.”

Her eyes followed mine.

The Ferris wheel.

Tall.

Slow.

Private.

Perfect.

Her lips parted slightly.

“Okay,” she said softly.

And still—

She didn’t let go of my hand.

Not once.