ᴛᴀɪɴᴛᴇᴅ ʙʏ ʜᴇʀ

ᴛʜɪʀᴛʏ ᴛʜʀᴇᴇ

After arriving at Akira's house, they quickly freshened up and dressed in preparation for the dinner with Ciel's father at a nearby restaurant. The pressure of getting everything just right seemed to hang in the air, especially for Akira.

She stood in front of Ciel for the fourth time, adjusting the hem of her dress, her hands slightly trembling with nerves. "How do I look? Is my bump showing too much?" she asked, a mix of uncertainty and vulnerability in her voice. She smoothed down the fabric again, her eyes not meeting his.

Ciel's gaze softened as he looked at her, his smile reassuring and warm. "You look beautiful," he said, his voice full of sincerity. "You looked amazing before, and no, it's not that visible." He stepped closer, his hands gently pulling her into him, resting on her waist. His touch felt grounding, and the warmth of his embrace melted away some of her anxiety.

Akira raised an eyebrow, her lips quirking into a teasing smile. "So, I looked amazing before? Okay, let me change again—" she started, but was immediately cut off as Ciel's grip tightened, holding her still.

"Baby, you look good, okay?" He chuckled, his tone light yet firm, pulling her back into him as he kissed the top of her head. "Now, let's go, or we'll be late."

She sighed, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips, realizing how much he wanted her to stop overthinking everything. She had been changing outfits for the last thirty minutes, unable to decide on anything that felt just right. After what felt like endless choices, she finally settled on a delicate pink satin dress and silver strappy heels. She admired her reflection in the mirror for a moment before turning to find Ciel dressed in a smart baby blue blazer, dark dress pants, and black shoes. He looked effortlessly handsome.

Together, they left the house, and Ciel opened the car door for her, ever the gentleman. As she settled into the seat, he closed the door and walked around to the driver's side. When he got in, the engine hummed to life, and he glanced over at her with a concerned look.

"Are you gonna be okay in those heels?" he asked gently, adjusting the rearview mirror as his eyes briefly flicked to her feet. His concern for her comfort was evident in the softness of his voice.

"Yeah, I'll be fine," she replied, her fingers nervously fidgeting with the hem of her dress as she glanced out of the window.

Ciel squeezed her hand gently, offering a reassuring smile. "It'll be fine."

But Akira's mind was elsewhere, her nerves creeping up on her. "Okay, but what if he doesn't like me?" she asked, her voice a little more fragile than she intended.

Ciel squeezed her hand again, this time with more certainty. "He'll like you, don't worry. My dad's a nice guy. And if for some reason he doesn't, we can always leave." He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it softly, his breath warm against her skin. "Now stop being nervous."

She couldn't help the sarcastic laugh that escaped her lips. "Thanks. I didn't know it was that easy. I'll just stop being nervous now," she said, giving him a thumbs-up and flashing him a fake smile.

He chuckled, his eyes crinkling with affection. He leaned over, placing a soft kiss on her neck, the gesture intimate and reassuring. "You'll be fine," he murmured against her skin.

As they arrived at the restaurant, he stepped out of the car, opening her door and taking her hand in his. Together, they made their way inside, the soft glow of the restaurant's lights reflecting off the polished floors. The hostess greeted them warmly and led them to a reserved table where Ciel's father was already waiting.

Akira's hand tightened around Ciel's as they walked toward the older man. She noticed the striking resemblance between him and Ciel—he was simply an older version of her boyfriend, but with the same sharp features and commanding presence. When they approached, the man rose from his seat, his face breaking into a welcoming smile.