LIVELY POV

Keenan had been driving us around the city since morning given his fixation on Aaron's safety, but still, we'd stopped at some landmarks at my interest to physically experience being in places I'd only seen pictures of, like the Eiffel Tower, which gave me so much excitement I snapped selfies to keep.

A clicking sound caught my attention, and I glanced over to see Aaron holding up his phone camera, smiling admiringly at me. My face heated up, and I slid my phone back into my coat pocket, turning to admire the attraction towering before us. I wish I'd have a change of shoes, the heels were challenging, being one of the reasons I was in accord with Keenan's choice of a car tour.

I caught the hint of Aaron's scent, figuring out he was near, and then his arm cuddled my waist, drawing me closer. He sighs softly.

"Wanna walk?" He asked.

"Keenan seems protective of you." I mean the man is literally standing behind us, tailing us anywhere we go. "And I wouldn't blame him, those reporters out there must be looking for you by now."

"He is but he also wants me to be happy. He's not like my parents, I can guarantee you that." He joked.

"No, he is not." I laugh, looping my arms around him and locking my fingers in the embrace. After comfortable silence settled between us for a while, and we had to continue watching the tower, I sighed, "I'd like to walk but I am not used to—to walk in this kind of shoes for a long time. My heels hurt already." I nervously and mortifyingly laugh. I am sure all the women he had been with knew how to wear fancy shoes properly.

"Take them off then," He simply said and I looked up at him. Has he gone mad?

"And walk barefoot?" I will pass. Since I had my first toe injury from my natural clumsiness, I know better than to be careless.

"No." He let go of me and squatted, unlacing his white shoes he had a change of together with his outfit.

I didn't comprehend what he was doing until he grabbed my legs and took off my shoes. I almost lost my balance and needed to rest my hands on his head for support. He helped me into his sneakers, which were so large my feet were dancing inside them.

"What are you doing? What will you wear?" I gasped while he tied the laces that didn't really help in holding my feet in place. But I must confess, the shoes felt like a warm hug from the softest cushion. It felt good.

"I've always wanted to walk barefoot outside," He tilted his head with a smirk and I couldn't stay serious, laughter gushed from me when he got back on his feet, holding the high heels in his hand.

I only stopped when Keenan came rushing, worriedly holding out a pair of shoes to Aaron, "Sir, here are my shoes until we find you one."

"Keenan put back your shoes, we do not have the same size—Let me be chivalrous to my woman," he muttered the last part, but I could hear, my laughter keep returning.

"Perhaps we do not have to walk." I muffledly suggest. I don't want him stepping on something anyway and the pavement over there might be heated, although the weather wasn't, but still, I do not feel relaxed in shoes when he has none. We can continue our car tour, I just want him near me in any order, that's only it. Walking, driving, it doesn't matter, honestly.

"You want to walk. We will walk." He ascertained just as my phone went off. I pulled it out and saw it was Dad, I was supposed to call them and let them know we'd landed safely. What got into me and I got preoccupied.

"I will take this," I tell Aaron and he nods before I take some steps, leaving him to sort things with uneasy Keenan.

"Hello, Dad?" I shuffle in the oversized shoes on the grass.

"Bug, you've gotten there?" He asked, sounding curious.

"Yes. I was going to call you, but I had to prepare for Aaron's event." I murmured apologetically.

"You could have called while we were asleep, so it is okay." He assured and I smiled relievedly with my head down, "I bet you're already having fun."

"Yes, Aaron is showing me Paris." I blush to myself when I glance back to Aaron, chewing my nails. That I should stop.

"Sounds like a lot of fun even," Dad said.

"It is." The chatter, happy people having picnics, everything just feels refreshing.

"You have her on the phone?" I heard Mom's asking in the background.

"Yes, honey. Here." Dad answered, and then informed me, "Your mom will be on the phone. Bug, look after yourself for me. Okay? I love you."

"Okay. I will. I love you."

"Hey? We have to be quick because these international calls are costly." She came across as overwhelmed when she let me know.

It was apparently having to do everything by herself now that I was not there to help, which was burdensome.

"Maybe it's time you download a social media app. There are call options using only wifi." I once again suggested.

She heaves a sigh in the receiver, "What app is it?"

Okay, that's unexpected.

"On your phone tap on Google Play," I told her, and the redirection took a while. I do not know how Aaron convinced Keenan, but while I was on the phone directing Mom on how to get WhatsApp, barefoot Aaron was holding me in his arms, and we strolled down the street with Keenan escorting us discreetly from a distance.

"Goodness. I have a lot of contacts there. I can't believe even John the farmer and his wife Eren are involved in these things. The woman advocates for natural living and was preaching in the community about how civilization ruined us and how we should physically visit each other more often." She said after she had successfully logged in.

Aaron and I stopped in a commercial street, as it was getting windy out here and the clouds grew dark and ominous.

"Of course, Mom. Everyone has WhatsApp, even John the farmer, and his wife. That's why I told you not to always listen to what people say."

"Wow." She gasped still in disbelief.

"I will hang this up and call you over there on the data plan so Dad doesn't run out of minutes," I suggested and she agreed.

"Your mom does not have a WhatsApp?" Aaron asked as I searched through new contacts.

I glance up at him with a smile, "She wanted to be as organic as possible."

"Ahh." He nodded like it now dawned on him.

"Do you have a WhatsApp?" I curiously asked.

A muscle in his jaw twitched as he sharply inhaled and exhaled through his perfectly defined nose, staring straight across the road, seemingly pondering if he had WhatsApp. "I think do. I do yeah." He looks over at me with furrowed brows.

"You think?" I swear I struggle so hard not to laugh at his uncertainty.

"The last time I was there, I only had about ten people on it and I didn't check anymore." He explained further and I contained a serious face.

"Ten? And how many contacts of people do you have?"
"Probably a few hundred."

My brows arched. "Wow. And over ninety percent do not have WhatsApp?"

"They are clearly all organic." His straight-faced remark finally busted my composure, and an outright laugh broke out of me.

He smiles calmly, his gaze fixed on me as his tongue slowly sweeps over his lips. I avert my eyes from his sensual gaze and smooth down my wind-blown hair, feeling something flip in the pit of my stomach at the unholy thought he was silently initiating in my mind.

"You must be getting calls by now." I clear my throat, attempting to steer the conversation away from the tension building between us. My cheeks flush with embarrassment, and I struggle to meet his gaze, feeling increasingly awkward.

"I've turned it on airplane mode." He straightforwardly says. I guess that's why our time hadn't been interrupted. I wonder if they have Keenan's phone, or if he also had his on airplane mode. "That looks good," Aaron says diverting my thoughts and I look to where his eyes are focused on, across the street.

"That?" I confusingly asked to confirm.

He looks over at me with a worried expression.

"I will take you to a fancy restaurant,"

"What?"

"If you do not like it there." He started concernedly and turned to Keenan. "Can you get the car and get us somewhere for lunch?"

"I didn't mean that," I blurted out hastily, realizing he misunderstood my reaction. "Keenan, please don't," I implore as he begins to steer, following Aaron's directive. He halts at my plea. "I don't have any issue with it, Aaron. Do you want to go there?" I inquire, meeting his gaze to clarify my stance.

"I've never been to places like that." He smiles somewhat embarrassedly.

"Why?"

"I am always in suits." He jokes and it is somehow sad, but I laugh instead.

"Okay, we gotta go." I check up and down the street for cars and when it's clear, I grab his hand, dragging him across it to the shaded cafe terrace, sitting along the bustling street as it has begun sprinkling.

We got a table far from where the wind would blow in the rain, Keenan found a different table and opened a newspaper, acting incognito, but it was weird. In that suit and how uptight he looks, everyone can tell he is safeguarding someone.

Aaron looks anxiously excited, looking around the place like a kid at an amusement park. It clearly amazes him more than the Eiffel Tower did.

He waves over the waitress.

"I will have anything you are having," I told him to save myself the embarrassment of choosing foreign food and he nodded. Not seeming to care.

While he was being assisted by the waitress, I dialed Mom's on WhatsApp. She picked on the first ring. She must have been waiting for the call.

"Where have you been?"

"It was starting to rain, had to find a shade. How are you finding the app?"

"Not bad. I mean the neighbors might be weird here. So I would be low-key for a while." She says.

"Why?"

"The news is everywhere, Livy. We are the newest gossip. I was at the grocery store last night and the people on the line were obviously talking about me being a dumb mother."

"Seriously?" I scoffed, and Aaron peeked at me from under his lashes before returning to his menu to place the order.

"No, I actually turned to them and told their jealous asses that you have a ring of that young man so they better shut up."

"I am sorry Mom, you had to go through that." With the news now fully out, I can imagine how everyone is taking it. Ever since last week when the first rumors were published, it hasn't been easy for us in the neighborhood, the only reason it hasn't gone worse was because they were sympathizing with Bubble's health, but I could see the judgment in their eyes, questioning my innocence whenever I was on a walk.

"Do not worry, I can handle any bitch that dares to say a word."

"I do not doubt." I laugh.

"How is Aaron?" she asked.

"Good."

"I am happy for you." She lets out, and I shyly chew my lip, watching Aaron being carried away. This Aaron Wallace was the embodiment of all I ever wanted. I know I shouldn't want him after everything he put me through, but I do, and there's nothing I can do about it.

"I know." I mumbled, "How is Bubble." I changed the subject.

"He slept with me in the room." Mom excitedly says. It has always been what she wanted.

"You three?" I surprisedly blurt.

"Your dad slept on the couch in the living room. We sent him out." she amusedly explained and I laughed quietly at Mom's obsession with Bubble.

"What time is it? Is he awake?" I asked her as Aaron handed back the menu to the woman and brought his attention to me.

"Seven. He's up for breakfast so he can take his medication. He was crying last night, not wanting to take them, and now we're about to go another round. Apparently, he only listens to you," she said exhaustingly.

I sigh, blankly staring at the flower vase in the middle of the table. It's been tiring for him. He has been on medication almost all his life.

"Bubble come talk with Livy," Mom called him over. It was thoughtful.

An idea came to my mind. "Mom, I will request a video call, I need you to accept it?" I said and made the switch.

"What do I need to do." She cluelessly asked.

"Just tap on anything that says accept."

"Oh!"

And then her face pops up on the screen. She returned my smile.

"Okay here." she set the device in front of Bubble on the table and his sleepy face appeared on my screen. He's wearing his favorite blue pajamas and holding one of the toys Aaron got for him.

"Hey, love." I started while he adorably yawned. "You look good in the morning. I am jealous, these new medications are making you glow. What?"

"I do no one tem." He whines, dragging a breath in the small pipes supporting him with oxygen.

"Come one. But they make you look even more handsome,"

"I don one tem." He wobbly opposes again, wanting to start crying.

"Bubble if you do not take your medication how will you be fine? How will we go on bicycle rides together on the sidewalks like the other neighbors?" I lured him, given he had always wanted to do that, but his immune system wouldn't endure things of that sort.

"Am fine." he blurted disagreeing, and I rubbed my forehead, thinking of what could be convincing enough.

Aaron signaled for me to hand over the phone when our eyes met. My heart raced. I hesitated for a moment, but eventually handed it over, realizing it was just a video call.

"Hey, little human," Aaron cheerfully said as he faced the screen.

"Mini—goes." Bubble's small voice giggled excitedly from the speaker upon seeing Aaron and a surge of anxiety and restlessness coursed through me. I leaned closer, folding my arms on the table, attentively watching Aaron and the device in his hand.

"I am over six foot. It's more like a maxi-goes." Aaron grimaced and I don't know why I laughed. It was a nervous laugh, my emotions running high. My nails pick at each other. Those brilliant hazel eyes flew up, and a beautiful smile spread on his gorgeous face. He makes it so effortless to be adored.

"Where you at?" Bubble asked him.

"Somewhere I heard Catboy want all his friends to be strong."

He did watch PJ Mask, for Bubble? My heart breaks a thousand times.

Why did he have to leave us when he could be this with our child? He could have just been here from the start. He could have been in Bubble's life. He could've been a father.

"I am tongue." Bubble enthusiastically retorted and that bright melodic laughter, rich with genuine joy, filled my ears, causing an instant crushing pain in me. I watch him quietly, being mad at him and also in love with him.

"But the muscles aren't as big as Catboy asked for. He says he wants his fans to be as powerful as Gekko, to be able to help him lift things when it's action time. So you need two times my muscles." He flexes his biceps for Bubble and he wowed in response.

They were bonding so well that it was heartbreaking and satisfying at the same time.

"You tape midi—sea?"

Aaron looked at me, possibly for a clue at what Bubble was asking, the glow in his eyes at chatting with Bubble slowly faded, he didn't say anything but watched me with apprehension in his complexion. I was confounded, it took me a moment to understand what got him so baffled and I quickly wiped the tears from my eyes.

"Uhm. He's asking if you take medicine too?" I clarify, rubbing my sweaty palms over the expensive silky dress around my knees.

With a furrowed brow and a slight squint conveying puzzlement, his mouth slightly parted, and it hangs for a while like he wants to say something but Bubble repeating his question came to my rescue.

Aaron swallowed, having no option but to attend to Bubble.

"Yup. All that my mom makes me take. So I can be strong. Us men have to be." He smiled but he had lost his earlier spirit. I caused it, how couldn't I just control my emotions?

Bubble burst out laughing in the speakers.

"So you better take yours so we can join Catboy's club together. What do you say? Deal?"

"Yes yes." Bubble agreed and I smiled at the warmth that erupts in my heart.

When they were done talking, he handed over the phone to me and Mom retrieved her phone from Bubble.

"Okay, Livy I will leave you two. We will talk another time."

"Okay. Love you. And kiss Bubble for me." I waved at the screen and she smiled too.

"I will. Love you too."

I set down the phone, doing anything that would not make me seem suspicious, but the whole time I could feel Aaron stare at me. Thank god our food arrived, and we were interrupted.

"Thank you," I politely said to the server when she smiled, walking away.

Everything on the table was familiar, it was pasta and things I was sure I could eat. It was considerate of him to make the simple order.

"You have a lovely family." I heard Aaron remark while my head was down.

"Thank you. You do too." I smiled tightly and took a sip of the wine we were served, to wash the dryness in my throat. "They just happen to hate me." I joke.

He was quiet for a while. I took the first bite of my food but I didn't feel him doing anything. I took the risk to look up, finding him focused, he was jaw tightened, intently watching me.

He can't possibly identify the puzzles to their perfect places.

A knot constricted in my core. Breathing became the hardest thing I have ever imagined.

"We have never been a happy family you know? Everyone is obsessed with impressing Grandpa so they will get the biggest share, and it has become a rivalry between my parents, aunties, and uncles. And it is not like Grandpa hasn't measured every stake for everyone. He'd gift any member of the family, his blood and those married in, something to run for the family. But greed had taken control over them."

That explains the country club. So this wasn't about Bubble.

Aaron smiled sadly, his blank gaze faltering to the vase on the table.

"I do not know what holiday we had that dad wasn't occupied with work and mom wasn't either getting beautified or at business dinners that they missed Christmas dinner or Thanksgiving dinner. The eggs hunt on easter morning I only get to have every year was prepared by Keenan, I learned that over time." He scoffed. Grief was evident in his eyes.

I lost my appetite, watching him in pain.

"I am sorry about that Aaron."

His throat shifted and he looked up to me.

"I have prayed to God that if he grants me my wish with a child I would be better than my parents. I won't put work ahead of my family. I would love them first more than anything in this world."

Perhaps this was about Bubble. I felt a gripping fear clawing me to terror.

He brought his hand to the table and opened it, inviting me to take it. Mine was shaking, I settled into his either way and he tenderly squeezed the hold.

"And you will," I tell him with all the self-control I have left, trying to keep my voice from cracking.

He smiles small.

"And if it makes you feel better, for years now, my parents have always missed dinner because they take two jobs."

"Oh, that really helps." He beams. "Eat before it gets cold." He tips his head at my food.

The rain continued to pour, showing no sign of letting up even when darkness descended. It was nice sitting here in the shade, taking shelter from the persistent downpour, around the clinking of tableware in the ambiance, laughing and chatting with Aaron about a lot of things. The cool breeze blowing and carrying with it the refreshing scent of rain. The sound of water splashing against the ground mingled with the distant honking of vehicles and the discussion of people from their tables.

Keenan came over reminding Aaron about the pitching meeting starting in half an hour.

"Shot! I need to be there." Aaron said. "It is a fifteen-minute sitting for the project sponsorship. We have five bidding winners for the five samples made and now we need to proceed with making more to run for sale." He tells me. I understand how important it is for him.

"We should go then."

"I am sorry. We are supposed to have the whole day together." He frowns.

"We had the whole day together." I reminded him we had basically been together since morning. He smiles.

"Anyway, no way we are leaving in this rain." He sighs looking at how heavy it was pouring.

"I will go get the car, sir," Keenan suggested.

"That will only waste time. We have to leave together to beat time, Aaron." I suggested and grabbed from the chair next to me the coat I had taken off sometime when our orders arrived. "At least the coat comes in handy now."

A hint of an amused smile flashes on his countenance, "You sure? You could get sick."

"Do I have to remind you the amount of time I was in the rain?" I straightforwardly said and keeping up with the intense eye contact, he understood exactly what I meant by that.

His expression congealed in self-hatred, and his throat shifted, guilt swarming his eyes.

I didn't mean to hurt him.

"Come on, your father must be waiting for you." I got up and held out my hand for him, with a reassuring smile to ease the tension. "Unless it is me you fear for, you're actually scared of rain." I tease and his pupils dilate to the dare.

"Is this a challenge?" He exuberantly sprung to his feet towards me while Keenan settled the bill behind him and carried the high heels.

Retreating in backward, I shrugged flirtatiously enticing him, "Let's see what Aaron Wallace can't do."

"You bet." He chases after me, and we weave across the road to the sidelines, clear of people who are mostly taking shelter under shop terraces. They might be wondering who these crazy people running in the rain are.

It was fun and exciting, the adrenaline of being chased, wanting to be ahead, and wanting to be caught was pulling at me. I turn to see if he's closer, as the sound of his bare footsteps to my ears, and I collide into him.

Impulsively, he caught me in his arms, I swung a bit.

"You cheated."

"No, you just have small steps." He smirks, leaning over as I giggle. My smile faded realizing what he was doing, he was going to kiss me in Paris, under a freaking rainfall and I was going to devour it because it was one of those things I'd never dreamed possible for myself.

It was a deep, passionate kiss that rendered me breathless. His fingers trace the patterns of my ear tenderly until we pull back for air. My heart beat ecstatically in my chest, and my eyes lowered down, hiding my excitement, while he continued trailing lines around the side contour of my face.

"You have no shoes."

"Look at me. Madly in love."

I look up at him, my cheeks if not red already deepened more, "Love?"

He bites his lip, hiding a smile. "Come. You're shuddering." he abruptly switched the topic and took my hand, pulling me to race down to the car that's now in our view.

We cuddled on the road back in silence, holding hands and fingerplays, I had butterflies the whole time, unable to suppress my smile, it was a good thing he couldn't see my face.