Chapter 155 CHAPTER 154: DRESSED FOR FOREVER
~Elara's Pov~
Elara stood in front of the mirror for the fifth time in ten minutes.
She adjusted the strap of her dress. Then readjusted it again.
It was a deep wine-colored satin dress simple, elegant, hugging her figure in a way that made her feel both confident and exposed at the same time. The fabric caught the light every time she moved.
Behind her, the bedroom door creaked open.
“You’re still getting ready?” Wayne’s voice floated in, amused.
She didn’t turn around. “Don’t come in.”
He paused. “Why?”
“Because I’m not ready.”
“You’ve been saying that for twenty minutes.”
She narrowed her eyes at her reflection. “Exactly. So don’t ruin it.”
He laughed softly but obeyed, leaning casually against the doorframe instead of entering.
“I just wanted to say,” he began, “that our reservation is in forty minutes, and if you take any longer, I’m coming in whether you’re dressed or not.”
Her heart skipped.
“Wayne!”
He chuckled again.
Elara finally turned toward him but only halfway. “You better be dressed properly too.”
He looked down at himself dramatically. “I’m offended. I look amazing.”
She rolled her eyes. “You always think you look amazing.”
“Because I do.”
She shook her head but smiled despite herself.
“Close your eyes,” she ordered suddenly.
He blinked. “What?”
“Just close them.”
He raised his brows but did as she said.
“Closed.”
She took a breath, smoothed down her dress, checked her hair one final time, then opened the door fully.
“Okay,” she said softly.
He opened his eyes.
And went completely silent.
Wayne stood frozen.
His black suit fit him perfectly tailored to his broad shoulders, crisp white shirt underneath, the top two buttons undone just slightly. His hair was styled neatly, but still carried that effortless look.
But the way he was looking at her?
It made her feel like the only woman in the world.
“Say something,” she whispered nervously.
He stepped toward her slowly.
“You’re…” He swallowed. “You’re unreal.”
Her cheeks warmed instantly.
“You’re exaggerating.”
“I’m not.”
He reached out, gently brushing his fingers over the fabric at her waist not crossing boundaries, just appreciating.
“You look like you belong on a red carpet,” he murmured. “Or ruling a kingdom.”
She laughed softly. “It’s just dinner.”
“No,” he said, shaking his head. “It’s our first date as husband and wife. That makes it important.”
Her breath caught.
He held out his hand.
“Ready?”
She placed her hand in his.
“Ready.”
The Drive
The city lights flickered to life as evening settled around them.
Wayne drove with one hand on the steering wheel, the other resting loosely over her fingers.
Soft music played in the background something slow and romantic.
Elara watched the passing lights through the window.
“This feels different,” she said quietly.
“How?”
“I don’t know… it feels calmer. But also… more intense.”
He glanced at her briefly. “Because we’re not pretending anymore.”
She turned to him.
“We don’t have to hold back. We don’t have to be cautious. You’re my wife. I’m your husband.
That changes things.”
Her heart fluttered at the word wife again.
She leaned her head gently against the seat.
“I like how it sounds when you say it.”
He smirked. “Mrs. Wayne?”
She smiled shyly. “Stop.”
He squeezed her hand lightly.
The Restaurant
Wayne pulled up in front of a rooftop restaurant overlooking the city skyline. Soft golden lights wrapped around the railing. The atmosphere was intimate but elegant.
Elara’s eyes widened.
“Wayne…”
“What?”
“This place is expensive.”
He shrugged casually. “You’re worth it.”
He stepped out first and walked around to open her door. She placed her hand in his as she stepped out, the cool evening air brushing against her skin.
As they entered, a hostess led them to a private table near the edge of the rooftop candlelight flickering between them.
The view was breathtaking.
The city stretched endlessly below, lights glittering like fallen stars.
Elara exhaled slowly. “This is beautiful.”
He didn’t look at the skyline.
He was looking at her.
“You’re more beautiful.”
She rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide her smile.
They sat down, their knees brushing lightly under the table.
“Tell me something,” Wayne said once the waiter left.
“What?”
“Are you still shy?”
She pretended to think. “Maybe a little.”
He leaned forward slightly. “About what?”
“About… everything.”
He smiled gently. “You don’t have to be.”
“I know. But I like that you make me feel safe enough to be shy.”
His expression softened.
“I’ll always protect that,” he said quietly.
The conversation flowed easily after that.
They talked about childhood memories, embarrassing teenage moments, dreams for the future.
“Three kids,” Wayne said confidently at one point.
She nearly choked on her drink. “Three?”
“Yes.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Why?”
“Do you know how much work that is?”
He leaned back in his chair dramatically. “Fine.
Two and a dog.”
She laughed. “We’ll negotiate later.”
Dinner arrived beautifully plated dishes, soft music in the background.
At one point, Wayne reached across the table and wiped a tiny smudge of sauce from the corner of her lips with his thumb.
Her breath hitched.
He held her gaze a second too long.
“You’re staring again,” she whispered.
“Can you blame me?”
Her cheeks warmed.
Halfway through dessert, a slow romantic song began playing softer than the others.
Wayne stood up suddenly.
She blinked. “What are you doing?”
He held out his hand.
“Dance with me.”
She looked around. “Here?”
“Yes.”
“There’s barely anyone dancing.”
“So? Let them watch.”
Her heart thudded as she slowly stood.
He led her toward a small open space near the railing.
The city wind brushed lightly against her dress.
He placed one hand on her waist, the other holding her hand gently. She rested her free hand against his shoulder.
They began to sway slowly.
It wasn’t perfect.
It wasn’t rehearsed.
But it felt intimate.
“You’re nervous,” he noticed.
“I’m not used to people looking at us.”
“Then don’t look at them.”
She lifted her eyes to his.
“Look at me instead.”
So she did.
The world around them seemed to blur.
The lights.
The music.
The faint chatter.
It all faded.
“You know,” he said softly, “I almost ruined this.”
Her brows furrowed. “Ruined what?”
“Us. In the beginning. I was scared of how much I felt for you.”
Her heart tightened.
“But you didn’t,” she said.
He shook his head slightly. “Because you stayed.”
She swallowed.
“I stayed because I knew you were worth it.”
His grip tightened slightly protective, grateful.
“I’ll spend the rest of my life proving you right.”
Her eyes shimmered faintly under the lights.
They continued swaying, slower now.
He leaned closer.
“Are you happy?” he asked quietly.
She didn’t hesitate.
“Yes.”
Not because everything was perfect.
Not because life was flawless.
But because in that moment in his arms she felt chosen.
After dinner, they decided to walk instead of driving immediately.
The night air was cool and refreshing.
Wayne removed his suit jacket and gently draped it over her shoulders without saying a word.
She smiled softly. “Thank you.”
He laced their fingers together.
They walked along the quiet street, city lights glowing around them.
At one point, Elara stopped walking.
“What?” he asked.
She looked at him seriously.
“Promise me something.”
“Anything.”
“If things ever get hard… if we argue or misunderstand each other… don’t shut me out.”
He didn’t joke this time.
“I won’t.”
“I mean it.”
He stepped closer, cupping her face gently.
“I choose you. Every day. Even when it’s hard.
Especially when it’s hard.”
Her chest tightened with emotion.
She leaned into him, resting her forehead against his.
“Then I choose you too,” she whispered.
A car passed slowly down the street.
Somewhere in the distance, laughter echoed.
But for them, it was just silence.
Comfortable silence.
He kissed her forehead softly not rushed, not demanding. Just reassurance.
As they approached the car, Wayne paused.
“I have one more thing.”
She blinked. “There’s more?”
He walked to the trunk and opened it.
Inside was a small picnic basket.
She stared at him.
“You already fed me.”
“I know. But I wanted dessert somewhere quieter.”
Her heart melted all over again.
He drove them to a nearby hill overlooking the city.
They spread a blanket out under the open sky.
Stars were faint but visible.
He pulled out chocolate-covered strawberries from the basket.
“You really planned all this?” she asked softly.
“For weeks.”
She shook her head in disbelief.
“You’re unbelievable.”
“I try.”
They sat close together, sharing strawberries, laughing quietly.
At one point, she rested her head against his chest again.
His heartbeat was steady.
Strong.
Safe.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“For what?”
“For loving me gently.”
He wrapped his arm tighter around her.
“Always.”
They stayed there longer than planned.
Talking.
Dreaming.
Planning little future vacations.
Arguing playfully about baby names again.
And as the night grew deeper, Wayne looked down at her.
“Ready to go home?”
She smiled knowingly.
“Home sounds perfect.”
He stood and helped her up carefully.
As they walked back to the car, Elara felt something shift inside her.
Last night had been passion.
This morning had been laughter.
But tonight?
Tonight was commitment.
Steady.
Intentional.
And as Wayne opened her car door once more, she realized something powerful—
She wasn’t just in love with him.
She felt safe building a life with him.
And that was deeper than anything el