RIVER'S POV

"Can we go on the Ferris Wheel? And the drop tower and the airborne shot?" I rambled on listing all the exciting things on the Google page.

"Sure waridi we can do anything you want as long as there's time."Dean replied looking at me with a smile.

Dean wanted the destination of our first date to be a surprise but I had forced it out of him. We were going to Two-Rivers mall, ironic right, but it was one of the largest malls in East and Central Africa with the biggest Ferris Wheel Ride in Africa.

"You're bouncing with excitement. I thought you have places like these everywhere in America?"Dean asked.

"True but my dad never let me go, too many people."I replied with a sad smile.

"Dude might as well have kept you in a cage. I mean what's the point of having a kid if you're going to keep them locked up their whole life."Dean gritted out getting angry on my behalf.

I wanted to tell him the real reason as to why my father was so vigilant and careful when it came to my safety but I had no idea how Dean would take it. Even though I didn't like how my father raised me, I understood because of his work. He had to keep me safe and he needed an heir to take over the throne after him. Now that I was gone I had no idea who would become the next Don after my father. Maybe he would get one of my cousins from Italy. We had a big family back home and lots of capable young men and women willing to take over the business. It would still remain under the Anderson name without me having to ruin my life.

"My dad loves me the only way he knows how."I defended.

I still loved my dad and I missed him but not enough to go back to California and let him ruin my life.

"I'm happy you got way in time and now you're here and I got to meet you."Dean confessed taking my hand in his and kissing the back of it.

"Me too, I'm really glad."I smiled squeezing his hand.

Dean was amazing and now that I was dating him, I got to see that on a deeper and more intimate level.

Spending my first ever proper valentine's day with him had been amazing. Surprising him had been a spur of the moment thing and I was so glad I had done it. The look on his face as he saw everything had been so worth it. Dean deserved to be spoiled just as much on such a special day. His gifts for me had been so sweet and thoughtful reinforcing what I knew about Dean being a great man. He made me happy and it was a privilege to be able to return the favor.

"We're here."Dean announced.

I looked up from my phone just as we drove up to the gates. After a brief search by the security guards they let us through directing us to the underground parking lot.

"Wow, this place is huge."I exclaimed in wonder.

"Hopefully we don't get lost."Dean replied as he drove to find a suitable parking lot.

Dean should not have made that joke because we did get lost. After wandering around for ten minutes we finally found a guard who directed us out of the vast parking lot and out to the main floor of the mall.

"So what do you want to do first?"Dean asked me.

"I want to try all the rides before we eat then we can do some shopping after, I saw some really cool stores here."I answered.

"Sound like a plan, let's go."

I took Dean's hand as we walked across the mall to the fun activities theme park. It was outdoors next to the food court.

I picked the airborne shot ride first since it didn't have a queue. I was saving the Ferris wheel for last so that Dean and I would be able to enjoy the sunset as we rode the highest point. We had time as it was only three in the afternoon with enough time for all the rides.

Dean was a peach as we rode the airborne shot but as soon as we got drop tower that's when the trouble started.

"Yeah I am definitely not going on that."Dean declared as he eyed the drop tower.

"Come on its going to be fun."I enticed.

The previous ride made me a little queasy but they were fun nonetheless. The drop tower held a lot more promise.

"Fun? No I don't think so. I'm not going to ruin my day on that thing."Dean declared.

"Dean it's perfectly safe."I assured him.

"No it's not. That is a death trap and nothing you can say will convince me to go on it."He asserted.

I didn't want to go on the Drop tower without Dean so I had to find a way to talk him into going on it with me.

"Wanna bet?"I challenged raising an eyebrow at him.

"No I do not wanna bet. I don't like it when you get that challenging look in your eyes."Dean argued.

"If you don't go on that ride with me, you're not allowed to touch me for a week."I declared.

Deans love language was touch, I'd realized that two days into us dating and the signs had been there ever since we met. Physical contact was a big thing for him and he always had to be touching me somewhere. I loved it because I liked his touch as well so I knew I could use it against him. It was cruel but the only way for me to get what I wanted.

"You wouldn't dare."He accused glaring at me.

"Oh I definitely would. So what's it gonna be?"I challenged.

Dean was torn between something he didn't want to do or losing something that he was obsessed with.

"Okay I'll come with you."He relented making me beam.

"You are perfect."I grinned at him jumping excitedly.

"And you are manipulative, now let's get this over and done with."Dean groaned unamused by my ways.

I did a small victory dance in celebration of getting Dean to go on the ride with me. He scowled at me as he paid looking miserable that I almost pitied him but I was used to getting what I wanted and Dean was no exception to my charms. It was a low blow to manipulate him like that but in the end, I got what I wanted and to me that's all that mattered.

"Okay let's go."Dean sighed sadly as we made our way to the queue to wait for our turn.

"It'll be fun, I promise."I grinned at Dean as we sat next to each other on the ride.

"Mmh."Dean mumbled looking scared.

I leaned over quickly and kissed his cheek distracting him for a moment.

"It'll be okay."I reassure him one last time before we got shot into the air.

It was definitely not okay nor fun.

I was the one who had talked Dean into the ride promising lots of fun but I ended up screaming my lungs out the whole time feeling scared and holding on for dear life.

"Glad I crossed that off my bucket list because I am never doing that again."I cried as I drained a whole bottle of water to stop myself form throwing up.

"I don't know, it wasn't so bad, let's go again."Dean suggested retrieving his wallet.

"Are you crazy? No!"I screeched the thought of getting on that ride again making me queasy.

"Come on its gonna be fine and so much fun."Dean enticed.

I stared at him wondering where the scared Dean I'd coerced into the ride had disappeared off to.

"Nope."I asserted.

"Good now you know how I felt when you threatened me into riding that death trap with you."Dean glared dropping the act.

"I'm sorry."I apologized with a pout.

I wrapped my arms around his waist and buried my face into his chest. Dean hesitated for a moment but hugged me back nonetheless kissing the top of my head.

"Let's go chase the sunset shall we."He proposed pulling back.

I nodded taking his hand as we made our way towards the Ferris Wheel. At least this ride was slow giving us enough time to enjoy the sights it offered. From the highest point we could see a large part of the city below us.

"This is awesome."Dean admitted his gaze locked onto the city beneath us.

He looked so handsome bathed in the setting sun's light I couldn't resist retrieving my phone to take a picture of him. Dean was startled by the flash so he turned to me with a playful glare.

"That's my job."He scolded taking my phone from my hands and taking photos of me.

I posed for a couple of photos and managed to convince him to take a couple of selfies together.

On the second rotation, when we got to the highest point I kissed Dean recreating every cliche Ferris wheel riding movie scene in history.

"What was that for?"Dean asked in a daze when I pulled away.

"I've just always wanted to kiss someone at the top of a Ferris Wheel. Blame the romantic in me."I replied biting my lip.

"Well then who am I to say no."Dean asked recapturing my lips in another kiss.

His soft lips on mine always made me feeling like I was floating on the highest cloud. I liked Dean, a lot and the fact that we were dating now felt unreal to me but each time he touched me, looked at me with nothing but adoration, kissed me like I was his only reason for breathing made me a believer. It was real, what we had was real. I had found my freedom away from my father and happiness in the arms of the most handsome Kenyan man. I was a lucky girl and Dean had no idea just how much he meant to me but I would make sure he knew through my words and action.

"I like you so much."I confessed our gaze locked on each other.

Dean smiled at me and kissed my nose. "I like you more."

I cuddled into his shoulder as we enjoyed the rest of the ride glued to each other.

"Now we can go eat."I announced as we got off the ride.

"What do you want to eat?" Dean asked.

"Japanese food, sushi sounds good."I replied.

Dean scrunched up his face repulsed by my suggestion. "Nope, I'm not eating raw fish."

"Japanese food is not all raw fish, they have other things on the menu. I'm sure there's one here at the mall. Let's go find it."I enticed.

"Is this how our whole relationship is going to be like?"Dean asked as he allowed me to drag him through the mall.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean this, you talking or more like forcing me into things I don't like or want to do and me agreeing just to make you happy."Dean explained.

"That's how all relationships are like darling, remember happy wife happy life."I grinned at him.

"But you forget, you're not my wife, we haven't even defined our relationship."Dean retorted.

His statement had me stopping in my tracks. Dean was right, yes we were dating but we weren't even boyfriend and girlfriend yet. I was so excited at the fact that I liked someone and they liked me back that I'd forgotten there was more to dating than just liking each other. I was behaving like Dean was all mine yet that wasn't the case.

"I'm sorry."I apologized letting go of his hand.

"Waridi, I didn't mean it like that."

"No you're right, I'm imposing my will on you which I have no right at all to do."

"That's not what I meant. We're not having this conversation here, let's find somewhere where we can eat. Ah, would you look at that. A restaurant that serves Japanese food."Dean commented.

I looked up ahead to see a nice looking restaurant a being advertised on the floor above us.

"No, let's find somewhere else to go."I replied.

"No we're having Japanese. My girl wanted sushi and that's what she shall get."Dean retorted taking my hand and leading me to the escalator reversing our roles.

His words had hit deep so I didn't even have the energy to fight with him as he led the way. Dean was my first relationship ever and I was already messing it up. We were barely through our first date and I'd already ruined things. What if I was going too fast? What if I really was my father's daughter and had inherited his controlling ways?

"Stop it."Dean gritted out.

"What?"

"Overthinking, actually just stop thinking completely. You're driving yourself crazy drawing up scenarios in your head of hypothetical situations that do not apply to us. We are going to sit down and discuss this, us, so stop overthinking, it's all probably wrong anyway."Dean answered.

Dean was being so sweet but I'd already started having those thoughts and I couldn't help it now. He kissed my temple as we got off the escalator making our way to the restaurant. We were led to a table for two and I felt grateful that we didn't need a reservation. There weren't that many people anyway. Thankfully the table was private enough for the conversation Dean and I were about to have.

"Would you like help making a decision on what you'd like to have?"The waiter asked.

"No thank you, we've got it."Dean replied taking the menus from him.

"Okay, I'll be back in a few to take your order."The waiter said with a polite bow disappearing from sight.

I took a sip of the water he had poured for us as soon as we sat down dreading the conversation ahead of us.

"I've been ordering food for you ever since you arrived so this time you order, I've never had Japanese food before. Just no raw fish or meat please."Dean pleaded.

His pleading look made me smile amidst of my inner turmoil. I went through the menu and found a dish Dean would be comfortable with. When the waiter came back I made our order and we were alone once more.

"Dean ..."

"Waridi ..."

We looked at each other and smiled. It was awkward. Dean and I had never felt awkward towards each other before but now it was almost palpable.

"Can I go first?"He requested.

"Sure."I nodded because I honestly had no idea what I would have said given that chance.

Dean held his hands out for me across the table urging me on. I sighed and placed my palms over his. He enclosed his fists around my much smaller hands encasing them in his warmth.

"River this relationship is a first for the both of us. It's your first time dating someone and its my first time being in a serious relationship with someone I truly care about. I was not looking for a relationship but now I can't think of not being in one with you. River you're beautiful, smart, kind, funny, but also sassy, spoilt and hot headed but all those qualities make you, you and I like all of them. I'm used to taking charge and leading so it's rare for me being told what to do especially by a woman. Relationships are all about compromise, and accommodating each other at least as far as I know. It's a learning process and there's no one I'd rather be taking lessons from. You beguile me River Mae Anderson so I'd like to ask you to keep teaching me how to he with you and hopefully love you one day. Will you be my girlfriend?"Dean asked.

My jaw fell onto my lap. I had not expected such a question from Dean especially in the middle of a disagreement between us. But when I thought about it, my answer would solve half the problem we were going through at the moment.

"So what do you say? Will you be my girlfriend and keep bossing me around knowing you have the right to do so as my woman?"Dean asked.

"Yes."I nodded laughing through my tears.

Dean laughed with me reaching out to swipe my tears away with his thumb.

"Now you can stop doubting your position in my life. I'm all yours to boss around and impose your will upon."Dean grinned at me.

I leaned into his touched covering his hand with mine holding it to my cheek. He held me as if I was the most precious thing to him, looking me with so much adoration I couldn't help but feel humbled by his raw feelings towards me. How could I ever have doubted what Dean felt towards me? I was a moron.

"No more crying now."Dean demanded softly handing me a handkerchief to clean my face.

"This isn't a fling River, I wouldn't date you if I didn't see a future with you. You deserve more than a short physical relationship and I want to be the one to give you everything you deserve from a man who truly cares about you."Dean added and it only made me cry more.

He was being so sweet, baring his whole heart out for me to see. Dean was giving me everything I'd ever desired for in a man and more.

"All I want is you Dean, just you."I replied.

"And you have me, all of me."He assured me.

I watched him glance around before leaning in and kissing me softly.

"I am yours and you're mine and that's a promise I'll never break."Dean swore our lips a breath apart.

I kissed him pouring all my feelings into that moment hoping he could feel everything my words were failing to portray.

A throat was cleared above us and we pulled apart grinning like fools refusing to feel shame for being caught. The waiter set our food down and left just as quickly as he had appeared.

"This looks good."Dean said looking at his food.

The restaurant was serving different kinds of food so I'd ordered Dean Kung Pao Chicken.

"And its all cooked, enjoy."I invited.

I loved Kenyan food but I'd missed everything I used to eat back in California and Korean had been one of my favorites.

"I don't know how to use chopsticks."Dean admitted.

"That's okay and its not hard, I'll show you."I offered picking up my chopsticks.

I showed Dean how to hold and eat with chopsticks. He was frustrated at not getting it right away but he was determined to learn and he eventually did. He was not perfect but he was able to eat without spilling all over himself.

"Good?" I asked as he took his first bite without my help.

"Yeah, it's different but delicious."He replied taking about bite.

I smiled and dug into my own food revelling at the delicious flavors exploding in my mouth.

I managed to convince Dean to take a bite of my sushi and he hated it. It wasn't for everyone so I understood. We didn't much during dinner but we had moved past the awkwardness and were now enjoying each others company over good food.

"Thank you for the food and for everything else."I said to Dean as we left the restaurant an hour and a half later.

I had walked in feeling unsure of my relationship with Dean and had walked out as his girlfriend, more sure of our bond than ever.

"You're welcome, let's go shopping."He replied linking our hands together.

I beamed gluing myself to his side as we picked the first store to visit. It was the best first date ever even with our minor disagreement.