chapter-38: Perfect Date

Aria Anastasia
I smiled looking at myself in the mirror. I was wearing a light pink off-shoulder dress that reached up to my knees. I touched up my light make-up and was ready to go.
Today I was going to spend the whole day with Zaiden outside. We were supposed to do that last week, but I had to turn him down because I had to spend time with Freja, that's why he has been sulking the whole week. She went back to New York three days ago.
I went to open the door and grinned seeing my handsome boyfriend at the doorstep with flowers in his hands. He seemed embarrassed about it.
I arched an eyebrow teasingly and said, ��What's this about, Mr. Storm?��
��I knew it was a bad idea. Ash told me that bringing flowers was a good idea���� I stopped him speaking and pecked his lips.
��Thanks, babe. I love them. How did you know that this is my favorite flower?�� I took the Iris flower bouquet from his hand and inhaled their scent.
��You told me once that you liked Irises,�� he simply said.
I remembered telling that to a client when he was flirting with me and said that he would bring roses for me. That's when I had said that I preferred irises. I couldn't believe that Zaiden heard that and even remembered it.
��I didn't think you would do such a sweet thing.�� I opened the door wider for him and he went inside.
Zaiden breathed an air of relief and came inside after closing the door. ��Thank goodness. I have been standing outside for ten minutes, wondering if I should actually give these to you or not.��
I chuckled and said, ��You must have gotten hungry with all that thinking. Breakfast is ready.��
He had made a request to me last night that he wanted to eat breakfast made by me today, so I woke up early to fulfill his wish.
I was placing the flowers on top of a shelf when he said, ��I am going to make you breakfast someday too.��
��It's okay. You don't have to,�� I told him politely. The only things he could make good were noodles and vegetable soup. As much as I loved Zaiden, I hated those two things, even if they were made by him.
��Don't worry. I will try learning the dishes that you like,�� he said and pulled out two chairs for both of us at the dining table in the kitchen.
My heart melted at his determination. He was such a sweetheart.
As we were having breakfast while having small talks, he asked, ��What do you want to do today? We will do whatever you want.��
I thought about it for a while and answered, ��You know, I love watching movies.��
��You want to watch movies at home?��
��I love watching them more on the big screen. Let's go to the theater,�� I suggested excitedly.
His smile dropped slightly as he said, ��Why movie theater? There are a lot of people there, Aria.��
��What's wrong with people? They will enjoy themselves while we do the same. Also, we rarely go to crowded places. It's fun to venture among people,�� I chimed.
��But����
��No, Zaiden. You said we will do whatever I want. I want to watch movies at the theater,�� I declared.
He sighed. ��Fine.�� He started playing with the remainder of his pancake and said after a moment, ��Did I say you look absolutely gorgeous today?��
��Thanks, but flattering will get you nowhere, babe.�� I rolled my eyes.
He gave me a flat look. ��I was just being honest.��
I cleared my throat and said, ��Let's finish up fast.��
After finishing our breakfast at my place, Zaiden drove us to the movie theater nearby. Yet, he was hesitating outside the hall after buying the tickets in the crowded line.
��I have got a bad feeling about this,�� he said.
I huffed and pulled him inside. ��What can happen inside a movie theater?�� I looked for our seats and found them in the middle row corner.
��Many things can happen.��
��The most that can happen between us is, we start making out. Nothing else,�� I stated and sat on my seat.
��Why would we make out here, in this uncomfortable place with people around us? We have got a bed at your place and mine too.�� He frowned.
I rolled my eyes and started eating the popcorn while waiting for the movie to start. Halfway through the movie, while I was engrossed in the movie, there was a gunshot that made me drop my soda on the ground.
��God, that gunshot sounded so real,�� I breathed out. ��The scene didn't even show any gun firing���� I trailed off, realizing that the gunshot I heard was a real one.
��That was a real one, Aria,�� Zaiden whispered to me and held my hand. ��Don't worry. I have texted my men to get here.��
I looked over my shoulder at the five men covered with masks. ��Who are they?��
��They must be from another gang or some random muggers,�� he responded. ��That's why I didn't want to come here. There are so many risks of coming to a crowded place.��
��Why?��
��You know my secret, Aria.��
I became quiet. I felt guilty for bringing him here. What if something happens to him or anyone else here? I would never forgive myself for putting anyone's life in danger. No guards were following him today either.
��I'm sorry,�� I mumbled quietly. Our date went wrong because of me. I shouldn't have insisted on coming here.
Zaiden stopped looking out for the masked man and turned his attention to me. ��Hey, you don't have to feel responsible for it. It's okay. No one will be hurt. My men will be here anytime soon and take them away.��
��No, I should have understood why you can't come to a crowded place with no protection.��
Some sacrifices needed to be made in order to get something precious. In my case, I was willing to sacrifice my favorite thing to do in my free time, which was watching movies on the big screen, for Zaiden's safety.
��Don't worry. I will never bring you to the movie theater or any other crowded places with no protection,�� I informed him.
��Thank you for understanding.�� He made me rest my head on his shoulder until the other gang members were taken away by his men who were pretending to be the rescue force.
After that, Zaiden and I left the cinema hall and got into his car. ��Where to now?�� I asked.
He smiled and said, ��I have got a place in mind.��
After a while, he brought me to his mansion.
��What, are we going to spend the rest of the day in your bedroom?�� I asked.
��If that's what you want, I don't mind.�� He winked at me and continued walking in the opposite direction to his bedroom.
I wondered where he was taking me until he opened a white door and motioned me to enter. As I stepped in, a gasp escaped my lips when I saw the big screen and comfortable seats inside. It was his private movie theater. I didn't know he had one.
��You like it?�� he asked.
��I love it.�� I kissed his cheek and ran inside. I plopped down on the soft seat. I could almost fall asleep here. ��We can always watch movies here then.��
��Yes, in that way, you don't have to sacrifice what you love to do for me,�� he simply said and started setting up the movie player.
��What did I ever do to deserve you?�� I breathed out in awe.
��You were just you,�� he replied sweetly. ��Also, I won't have to worry about people if I get turned on by you in the middle of the movie.��
I blushed hard. I waited for him to be done with setting the movie up, then I could cuddle with him.
I was really so lucky to have Zaiden in my life. A date can never go wrong with him. My dates would always be perfect as long as it was with him.