Mr. and Mrs. Frost [completed]

XVII: Anniversary

Time seemed to slip away unnoticed.

It had already been a month since the residents of the Guardian village had taken a break at the luxurious hot spring resort owned by Elsa's father. A month since Jack had nearly collapsed from the sheer panic that had gripped him when he thought something had happened to Elsa. A month since he had come this close to seeing her naked body, and even now, the thought haunted him. His mind relentlessly replayed the question, What if I had seen her? Damn, that image—he knew it would be forever etched into his mind, a permanent fixture in the deepest recesses of his thoughts.

Jack glanced at his wristwatch, tapping it absentmindedly. He was waiting for Elsa, his patience worn thin. Today was a significant day for the village. It marked the third wedding anniversary of Mrs. and Ms. Black—a celebration that involved everyone in the community. The entire village had been invited to the grand event, and Jack couldn't help but feel a strange sense of anticipation in the air. It wasn't just about the party; it was about what might unfold during this gathering. This anniversary celebration could be more than a simple festivity. Perhaps, as the gods and goddesses had ordained, it was the moment when the truth about Pitch's illicit dealings would be exposed.

Three years of marriage, and yet Mrs. Black remained blissfully ignorant of her husband's criminal activities. It was a tragic irony—love is blind, Jack thought bitterly. That's why he had sworn off love. It wasn't worth the pain, the confusion, the heartache. Love only led to regret. Love was nothing but a curse.

With a heavy sigh, Jack tried to push these thoughts aside as he waited, his gaze shifting toward the stairs.

Meanwhile, Elsa stood before her vanity in her room, applying a light touch of makeup. She was in a rush, knowing Jack was waiting for her downstairs. Her fingers worked quickly, though the anxiety gnawing at her stomach slowed her movements. When she finished, she took a deep breath and turned to the full-length mirror. She studied her reflection one last time, feeling the nervous flutter in her chest. Was she beautiful enough? Was she even worthy of Jack's attention? She had no idea what he would think of the way she looked, and that uncertainty gnawed at her insides.

Taking another steadying breath, Elsa made her decision. She walked toward the stairs, each step measured, careful not to trip over the sudden rush of emotions swirling inside her.

The soft click of her heels echoed through the hallway, drawing Jack's attention. He looked up, his breath catching in his throat as he watched Elsa descend the staircase. His pulse quickened, his eyes unable to look away.

She was wearing a black sleeveless dress that clung to her body like a second skin, the fabric hugging her curves in all the right places. The slits of the dress rose high on her right thigh, revealing far more of her leg than he had expected, and with each step, it seemed to flaunt her beauty more and more. Her hair was braided neatly, cascading over one shoulder, adding a soft elegance to the bold allure of the dress.

Damn. Jack's throat went dry. He didn't even realize he was staring, utterly captivated by her presence.

Elsa stopped in front of him, her smile tentative, almost shy. Her hands, resting nervously at her sides, trembled slightly. She tilted her head, looking up at him with wide, expectant eyes. "So... what do you think?" she asked, her voice soft, almost unsure.

Jack was lost in a daze, his mind still reeling from the sight of her. She's perfect. The words barely formed in his head as he took in the way the dress clung to her, her confidence and vulnerability intertwined in a way that left him breathless. She was undeniably beautiful—and so damn sexy—he could stare at her all day and never tire of it.