Altezza shrugged. "Yes, you're right. If only she was willing to marry me officially, we would have had a celebration like earlier. We might even have more guests, considering her profession.
"But what she wanted wasn't the same as what I wanted.
"She didn't want anyone else to know about our marriage. Not until she felt ready. She didn't even tell her parents. She didn't want our marriage to hinder her dreams and career." Altezza answered honestly again. "And we divorced three months ago. Because of the choices she made, which didn't align with mine. She chose to leave me."
"D-do you still love her?" Adaline asked again, still looking at Altezza, seeking honesty.
"To be honest, I don't know," he replied with a thin smile. "Do you think love can just disappear like that?" He asked back. Adaline bit her lip.
"I don't know."
"Have you never been in love?" Altezza asked, surprised. While Adaline shook her head softly.
"I'm not that brave, Sir. I'm even afraid he might pull away if I confess my feelings," Adaline replied softly.
"Alright, forget about that unimportant love," Altezza responded again in his casual manner. "What I want to say here is, I want to have a child with her. But she never wanted to give it to me.
"I don't want you to think that I'm a bad guy who's just being picky. But I can't wait any longer to have children, and I'm not sure if she will ever be willing to give me a child like I want.
"Because all this time she's always had reasons to postpone it. So instead of hoping for something uncertain, I chose to step back. You understand that, right?"
Once again, Adaline nodded. "And about the child, this is also an important matter to discuss. I know you're still inexperienced in this regard. I'm not rejecting the idea of intimacy or trying to insult you. I'm just trying to find a middle ground for both of us.
"I intend to undergo in vitro fertilization," he said to the point. Once again, the statement made the beautiful face look up. "You know about IVF, right?" Adaline nodded.
"On Monday, we will go to my friend's place who works as an obstetrician for consultation. You don't mind, do you?" Once again, Adaline nodded.
"Really, I don't mean to insult you by avoiding conventional baby-making. It's just that, from what I know, women usually prefer to make love with men they love. And we know that there's no love between us.
"And I'm trying to respect you. Respect your body. Because as you know, I'm someone who enjoys physical contact. So I'm afraid that if I try once, I won't be able to stop and will want it again and again.
"Even though it's normal, especially because we're husband and wife now. But still, I don't want to be seen as seeking opportunities. Well, except if you're willing and don't mind if I touch, explore, kiss your body..."
"Stop stop stop." The girl ordered, raising both hands and her face now beet red. "W-we'll go to the obstetrician. Monday." She said stuttering.
"Sure? You won't be afraid? Or do you prefer I just..."
"Sir!" She exclaimed loudly, making Altezza laugh.
"To be honest, it feels really good, Adaline. I'm sure you'll get addicted..." Adaline chose to rise from her seat and cover her ears as she walked towards the bed. Altezza just laughed at the sight.
"A virgin wife indeed reacts like this when teased... Cute," the man said again.
"Your face is as red as a tomato now, do you realize that?" He teased, while Adaline blushed even more.
"Alright, alright. I won't tease you anymore. And yes, one more thing. After this, we will stay in my apartment, we'll have separate rooms to maintain privacy. So if my mother insists you stay at home, you must be able to refuse her.
"It will be difficult if we have to stay at my parents' place. Unless you don't mind continuing to sleep in the same bed as me. And I also can't promise not to touch you. Come on, no cat rejects fish. Even though at first it may seem shy, eventually the cat devours the fish in silence.
"So let's play it safe. Unless, of course, you're willing..." Adaline once again covered her ears as she lay down on the bed. "Well, besides, it's not a sin, we're already married. So technically, I have the right to..."
"Stop stop, Sir. It's late, I want to sleep." The girl covered herself with a blanket, ignoring the flower petals she had admired now scattered on the floor.
Altezza walked slowly towards the bed. He climbed onto the bed and slipped under the covers. He knew Adaline's back tensed, especially since she was facing away from him, but he didn't care. Or more accurately, he wanted to tease her.
"S-Sir?"
"Hmm..."
"Why are you sleeping here?"
"Then where should I sleep? You said the other rooms were locked."
"T-There's the sofa?"
"Come on, Madam, are you really going to let your husband's first night be spent on the sofa? My back will hurt, then tomorrow I'll have trouble walking and people will think I've been exercising all night with my wife in my efforts to get you pregnant quickly.
"You must know how passionate newlyweds are? Their desire can't be contained."
"The passionate first night." With each word, Altezza could feel the girl's body stiffening even more. He tried not to laugh too loudly because of it. Before long, he saw Adaline getting up from her bed, her face flushed. "Where are you going, Madam?"
"Moving to the sofa."
"Well well well, why so? Am I really that bad that you don't want to lie next to me? Are you afraid I'll make advances?" The girl turned and glared at him. "Alright, I'm sorry, I won't tease you anymore. Come here."
Altezza patted the bed in a sensual manner, like a woman enticing a man to sleep, his eyes mischievously blinking, which made Adaline shiver with amusement. Altezza laughed and sat up straight.
"Come on, go back to sleep, here. I promise I won't misbehave. If necessary, you can tie my hands and feet." Altezza extended his hands as if they were shackled, making Adaline pout in annoyance.
She lay back down and covered herself up to her neck. Altezza also lay back down and tried to close his eyes. His married life was certainly going to be interesting.