254: WHAT A GREAT TIME ARIEL’S POV “I do love you, Ariel. Don’t think I just want to have sex with you,” Lake told me. “No, no, that wasn’t what I was saying. Why would you think like that?” “You just threw that question right at me after we just had sex.” “Makes sense. But no, that’s not it. I just don’t want anything terrible to happen to our relationship; ! do not want misunderstandings. “Why do you think there will be misunderstandings?” Luke quizzed me, now smirking at me. “There are thousands of reasons for me to think like that.” “Give me one, then.” “Luke, I need to go take a shower.” “Not the response I was looking for.” He kept on smirking. I chuckled without getting a reply. I walked to the bathroom after that. “You’re going to need a towel, Ariel.” “Don’t worry, there’s one right here,” I answered, loudly to a certain degree. Now I’m in the bathroom. “That’s mine.” “So what if it’s yours? You’re my husband; what belongs to you apparently belongs to me.” “Even my company?” “Of course, but I’m not that heartless.” I turned on the shower, enjoying its calmness, and it was a transformative experience for me–a brief escape from the chaos of the outside world into a sanctuary of tranquility and bliss. The moment I stepped under the warm cascade of water, a sense of calm enveloped me, washing away the stress and weariness of the day. The water streamed down my body, carrying with it not just physical grime but also mental burdens, leaving me feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. As the water flowed over me, it massaged my muscles, loosening the tension that had built up throughout the day. The gentle pressure of the water relaxed my body, melting away the knots of stress that had gathered in my shoulders and back. With each drop that fell, I felt lighter, as if the weight of the world were being lifted from my shoulders. The sound of the water created a soothing symphony, drowning out the outside world’s noise and allowing me to focus on the present moment. The rhythm of the water hitting the tiles was like a meditation, calming my mind and slowing down my racing thoughts. At this point, there was only me 254 WHAT A GREAT YOU 274 and the water, a peaceful coexistence that allowed me to be fully present in the moment. The steam rose around me, creating a cocoon of warmth that wrapped me in a comforting embrace. The heat relaxed my muscles further, releasing any remaining tension and allowing me to fully unwind. The steam cleared my sinuses, allowing me to breathe deeply and fill my lungs with fresh, clean air. As I reached for my favorite shower gel or soap, the scent filled the air, awakening my senses and adding another layer to the sensory experience. The familiar fragrance brought a sense of comfort and nostalgia, transporting me to a place of peace and contentment. With each passing minute, I felt the day’s stress and worries melting away, leaving me feeling light, refreshed, and renewed. When I stepped out of the shower, I was clean on the outside but also cleansed and rejuvenated on the inside. The world may have been waiting just beyond the bathroom door, but I was at peace in that moment of blissful calmness. And then Lake had to dive Inside the picture. “You’re finally back from the shower. I thought you were going to spend a million years there,” he teased. I had his towel wrapped around my body, my hair wet, and my skin as well. So I tread to the mirror, staring at myself, a And before I knew it, Lake threw me a night dress. “Here, you can put that on for tonight.” “Well, thank you,” I said, looking at the dress. “Whose dress is this?” “Why are you asking?” “Nothing, really. I’m just curious, that’s all.” “Don’t start thinking too far, okay?” I rolled my eyes at Luke’s response, but anyway, I slipped into the night dress, which was a little too big for me, but it was comfortable nonetheless. I turned to face Luke, sprawled on the bed, scrolling through his phone. Just so you know, he had a towel wrapped around his waist. “So, what’s the plan for tonight?” I asked, plopping down next to him. “Plans for tonight?” He chuckled, his eyes still fixed on his phone. “Go to sleep.” “Nah, I’m not feeling sleepy.” “Are you being real now?” “Yes, duh. Look at the time; it’s just around eight. There’s no way I’m going to sleep this early.” “Your daughter’s asleep,” he said almost inaudibly. “She’s just a little kid.” “Okay, fine. What do you want to do then?” wax thinking we could order some takeout, watch a movie, and just relax.” “You want to watch a movie” “We don’t tell me you don’t watch movies.” “That’s craps you know. Who the fuck in this world doesn’t do that?” “I don’t know, you?” He gave me a serious expression immediately. Don’t look at me like that. You know you can be really weird sometimes.” “Keep on talking shit, Ariel,” “So, what’s your decision, sir?” Are we still going for the order?” I queried, and suddenly, my stomach let out a loud growl, causing Laike to burst out laughing. “It looks like someone is hungry,” he teased, poking my side. “Shut up,” I said, playfully swatting his hand away. grabbed my phone and dialed the number for one of the Chinese restaurants in town, Laura was the one who took me there. It was “Thanks for making this night special, Ariel.” Luke smiled at me. “Thank you, too.” I playfully poked his nose. After placing the order, I settled back on the bed next to Luke, who had now put his phone away. It didn’t take long before his gateman, Marcus, showed up, informing us about the delivery man. I followed him out of the room, and the guy who had our delicious meal with him was right there. He was a young man, tall as hell and sort of handsome. I wouldn’t stress on that. “Here’s your order, ma’am.” He handed the packages to me. “Thank you,” I replied, taking the bags from him. I closed the door and turned to see Luke already setting the table. He had laid out two plates, chopsticks, and some napkins. I smiled at his thoughtfulness and joined him at the table. This was a simple moment, with no maids helping us. Sometimes, it is good to try things on your own. We dug into our food, savoring each bite and making satisfied sounds. We watched a comedy movie that had us both in stitches as we ate. The delicious food and hilarious movie were perfect for a relaxing night in. After we finished eating, Luke cleared the table while I snuggled on the couch, already feeling sleepy. He joined me, wrapping his arms around me as we continued watching the movie. And when the movie came to an end, I yawned and stretched, feeling completely content and relaxed. Luke turned off the TV, and we made our way to bed. 254 WHAT A GREAT TIME “Thanks for a great night, Ariel.” He pulled me closer to him. “Anytime, Luke,” I replied, kissing him on the cheek. What a great night this was! Life felt absolutely different. How were the rest of the days going to be after this?