Bookworms | ✔

seventy-seven

Nicholas covered Dina's eyes, gently walking her forward to the entrance of a dusty, new building he invested most of his savings on. He knew it was a risk and knew he was testing fate by gambling their future on some silly dream of his, but Nicholas also knew the strength and faith he had in himself.

He had Dina's trust, and if he had the chance to give her an even better life, well of course he'd take it.

"Ready?" he whispered close to her ear.

Dina laughed in her bubbly, carefree way. "Oh come on, Nemo. Show me already!"

"Patience is virtue, you know."

"But did I ask is the real question here."

He chuckled to himself, shaking his head. "Fine," he said as he removed his hands. "Surprise!"

Almost on instinct, Dina's hands flew to conceal the gasp that escaped those perfect, little lips of hers. Her eyes widened, a mixture of shock and awe swirling through the branch-lined curiosity, gaze moving from every aspect of the building.

The sun gleamed down at them, luminous in its radiance and scintillating in its glares of light. There were no trees nearby to shield from the overwhelming heat that overtook his senses, familiar pangs of nervous anxiety climbing up his back as he questioned all his previous thoughts.

Why isn't she smiling? Why won't she say something? Did I go too far?

The temperature was mild, yet it felt like a thousand degrees melting his pale, cold skin off. His heart thumped rapidly against his chest, force reckoning to shatter his existence with one word of disappointment from his wife. His senses tuned to her, a bead of sweat falling from the top of his head, and his palms felt clammy.

Gross.

Dina still didn't say anything.

Nicholas was sure he'd faint from pressure if she didn't break the confusing and somewhat tense atmosphere. His wife had that effect on him. He rested in the palm of her hands where she controlled the outcome of his reactions, where she tugged his strings without any effort.

She had him tongue-tied and obsessed, and he was perfectly okay with it.

Except now when she was dead silent.

"Dina?" he dared himself to say.

"It's beautiful."

He awkwardly scratched the back of his neck. "I know it's not much and maybe even a waste of money, but I was thinking... actually scratch that. I wasn't thinking too clearly to have you this shocked," rambled Nicholas. He dragged a hand down his face tiredly. "What am I even saying?" he muttered under his breath.

"Nick."

"You might hate me right now, and I totally understand that. I really think you should give this a chance though-"

"Nick, shh!" she exclaimed, covering his mouth. "I said it's beautiful. Goodness, is this what I sound like when I ramble?"

He peeled her hand off. "Yes?" Noticing his wife's harsh glare, he visibly winced. "I actually meant no."

She threw her head back in a delightful laugh, the mere sound bringing color back to his cheeks. "Oh, you're such a silly fish," she teased.

Nicholas gave her a blank stare. "You realize I'm not really Nemo, right?"

Dina nudged his ribcage, earning a low groan from her husband. "Don't ruin this moment between us," she scoffed, crossing her arms.

"I didn't know there was a moment to ruin," he muttered under his breath as he rubbed at his probably bruised skin. "Do you have to hit me that hard?"