The Former Marine

Chapter 27: In the Media's Eye

Since the official dinner with the Kardashian-Jenner family, Derek Rogan and Kylie had grown increasingly close and comfortable in their roles as a couple. For Derek, it was a new dynamic: from undercover operations in the most dangerous parts of the world to attending glamorous parties and events alongside one of the most famous women on the planet.

Kylie enjoyed introducing Derek to this world, including him in moments she had previously kept more private. He accompanied her to charity events, product launches, and even the lavish family parties the Kardashian-Jenners were famous for hosting. At first, Derek was a little uncomfortable, but over time, he grew accustomed to being in the spotlight—and, more importantly, with Kylie by his side, who made it easier for him.

It was a warm March night in Los Angeles, and Derek and Kylie were at a huge party thrown by Kris Jenner. The venue was packed with celebrities and influential businesspeople, all there to celebrate the success of Kim Kardashian's new business venture.

"Are you okay?" Kylie asked quietly as they walked past a group of photographers at the entrance.

"Yeah," Derek replied, holding Kylie's hand tightly. "I'm getting better at this."

Kylie smiled. "You're doing great. It's just a matter of getting used to it."

They walked through the party together, exchanging greetings with other guests. Derek noticed the curious looks, especially from those who recognized Kylie. The media had been speculating about their relationship for some time now, and although neither had spoken publicly about it yet, rumors were circulating.

Later on in the evening, Kendall joined the couple, a glass of champagne in hand. "Have you seen what people are saying about you guys?" she asked, laughing. "Everyone is speculating that you're dating."

Kylie rolled her eyes. "It's no surprise. They've been suspecting it for weeks."

Derek just laughed. "I guess the media will never stop, will they?"

Kendall shook her head, still smiling.

"Definitely not. But you two make a great couple. They're just curious."

Derek knew it was part of the package. Being around someone like Kylie Jenner meant living under the watchful eyes of the media and fans. He had always led a low-key, private life, but now, with more and more appearances with Kylie, the paparazzi and magazines were starting to notice him.

In the days following the party, the headlines began to multiply. Celebrity websites and gossip magazines were full of photos of Derek and Kylie together at the party. Rumors of a serious relationship were gaining momentum, with each photo scrutinized.

Speculation ranged from "Kylie's new mystery boyfriend" to more exaggerated articles predicting marriage and children.

At a coffee shop the next morning, Derek opened his phone to check the news. He knew something big was happening when he saw his own face on the homepage of a major entertainment website.

"Good morning," Kylie said as she walked into the kitchen, still in her pajamas.

Derek showed her the screen of his phone, laughing. "I think we've made the news."

Kylie looked at the article and laughed. "Oh, that's nothing. They'll keep speculating until we decide what we want to say publicly."

Derek shrugged. "What do you think? Should we say something?"

Kylie sat down next to him, grabbing a cup of coffee. "I don't really care. I think we can let them talk for now. If we're going to come out publicly, I want it to be on our own time, not because of the media pressure."

Derek nodded. He admired how Kylie handled all of this so calmly. She had grown up in the spotlight and knew how to control the narrative when necessary. It was a whole new world for him, but he was willing to adapt as long as he was by her side.

A few more weeks passed, and Derek's presence at Kylie's side at events and parties continued to draw attention. The media was increasingly convinced that something was serious between them, and the paparazzi began following the couple more frequently. One night, as they were leaving a restaurant after a quiet dinner, they were surrounded by photographers.

"Kylie, are you dating this mystery man?" a reporter shouted.

"Is it serious between you two?" another insisted.

Kylie kept a polite smile but didn't answer any of the questions, holding Derek's hand tightly as security cleared the way for the car.

Inside the car, Derek sighed. "This is... intense."

Kylie laughed lightly. "Welcome to my world."

"How do you deal with this all the time?" he asked, intrigued.

"I just learned to filter it," she replied, still smiling. "Most of the people you see at events, at parties, on the news... they don't know what's really going on. They're just curious, so I try not to let it get to me. At the end of the day, what matters is what we both feel and decide together."

Derek nodded, realizing he needed to adopt this mindset. He had faced extreme stress in the military before, but nothing had prepared him for the constant pressure of being the center of attention in the celebrity world.

"I think I can get used to it, as long as you're by my side," he said, looking at Kylie.

She smiled and leaned in to kiss him lightly. "And I always will be."

While the rumors continued, Derek and Kylie's life continued relatively normally for the couple. They supported each other, balancing their work and personal lives. Derek, now well-established in Los Angeles with his gym, was becoming increasingly familiar with Kylie's surroundings, but he still maintained the calm and poise of a man who had faced challenges far greater than the media's gaze.

Despite all the speculation, they continued to live at their own pace, in no rush to announce anything. anything to the public. For Derek, the important thing was to keep their relationship real, intimate, and genuine, without letting the outside world interfere. Kylie, in turn, loved how he stood by her side, not only physically, but emotionally as well.

At Derek's gym, things were going well too. The flow of clients continued to be strong, and the occasional appearance of Kylie, Stormi, and even a few other members of the Kardashian-Jenner family brought even more visibility. But Derek was proud that his reputation as a trainer and his hard work continued to be the main reason for the business's success.

As the two continued together, Derek knew that this was just the beginning of a new phase in his life. He had built a solid career, faced immeasurable challenges, and now he was ready to deal with a different kind of challenge: balancing love and fame. And with Kylie by his side, he felt he was more than ready for whatever came his way.