The Former Marine

Chapter 37: An Unusual Double Date

It was a warm night in Los Angeles, and Kylie was excited for her first double date with Derek, his sister Kendall, and her boyfriend, the famous singer Bad Bunny. Kendall and Kylie had been planning the date for weeks, waiting for a moment to get together and spend some more relaxed time with their respective partners.

Kylie stood in front of the mirror in her bedroom, putting the finishing touches on her look. Derek sat on the bed, wearing a black leather jacket over a white shirt, a simple combination that made his striking presence even more striking.

"You look beautiful," Derek said, watching Kylie as she applied her nude lipstick.

Kylie smiled in the mirror, appreciating the compliment.

"Thanks, babe. And you look...perfect, as always," she replied, turning to face him. "Ready for a fun night?"

Derek smiled.

"With you and your sister? I'm always ready."

A few minutes later, the couple headed out to the restaurant Kendall had booked. When they arrived at the elegant beachfront restaurant, Kendall and Bad Bunny were already waiting outside. Kendall, tall and stunning in a tight black dress, gave her sister a hug, while Bad Bunny, with his uniquely laid-back style, greeted Derek with a firm handshake.

"Hey bro, how's it going?" Benito asked in Spanish, with a friendly smile.

"Everything okay, and you?" Derek replied, in his fluent Spanish, which immediately surprised Bad Bunny.

"Wow, you speak Spanish?! I didn't know that," Benito laughed, impressed. "That's great!"

"It's part of the package," Derek joked, winking at Kylie, who beamed proudly at her boyfriend.

Kendall chimed in, laughing.

"You two are going to get along great, I've seen it all. Shall we go in?"

The restaurant was upscale, with an incredible view of the ocean. They were led to a table with a panoramic view of the water, where the gentle breeze came in through the open windows, creating the perfect atmosphere for a relaxing evening. The conversation started off lightheartedly, with everyone ordering their favorite dishes.

"So, Derek," Kendall began, leaning forward curiously. "Are you used to these celebrity get-togethers? Because I'm sure the media will freak out when they see us here."

Derek shrugged calmly.

"I guess I'm getting used to it, but it's always a different experience. At the end of the day, I prefer to keep my life private, but I understand that with Kylie things are different."

Kylie smiled at him, giving his hand a little squeeze under the table.

"He's being modest. Derek is great at keeping his cool no matter the situation."

Benito laughed, lifting his glass of water.

"That's good, because being around the Kardashian-Jenner family is definitely a challenge sometimes."

Everyone laughed, knowing he was right. The conversation flowed naturally, with Kendall and Kylie swapping childhood stories, and Derek and Bad Bunny discussing music and culture. Derek revealed that he was a fan of Bad Bunny's unique style and praised his international success.

"I've always liked different styles of music," Derek said. "And you brought something new and authentic. It's cool to see someone have so much success while being so true to themselves."

Benito smiled, surprised by the compliment.

"Thanks, bro. I try to be as real as possible, you know? And it seems like you do that at your gym too, from what Kendall told me. People respect you when you're real."

Kendall and Kylie exchanged knowing glances, happy to see their boyfriends getting along so well.

"I think we're going to have to do more of these double dates," Kendall said, laughing.

After finishing dinner, the four decided to take a walk along the beach near the restaurant. The moon lit up the waves, creating a romantic and peaceful landscape. Kylie walked hand in hand with Derek, while Kendall and Benito followed close behind.

"That was a good idea," Kylie said, looking at Derek. "I love spending time with Kendall, and seeing you two get along so well... it just makes it better."

Derek smiled, looking out at the horizon.

"Yeah, it's nice to have these moments. I think I'm adjusting well to this new reality with you. And your family is really great."

Kylie pulled him closer, wrapping her arm around his waist.

"They love you, and so do I."

Kendall and Benito were close behind, chatting about an upcoming trip they were planning together. Kendall looked at Kylie and Derek and smiled, clearly pleased with how things were going.

"I knew Derek and Benito would get along," Kendall said, moving closer to her sister. "They have a lot in common, more than we think."

Kylie nodded.

"Yeah, and I'm glad we got to have this time together. We need to do this more often."

Benito, overhearing the two women's conversation, laughed.

"Absolutely! But next time, Derek, you have to show me some defense techniques to help me."

Derek laughed, nodding. "Sure, I can teach you a few things. It'll be fun."

As they walked back to the restaurant, the group was more united and relaxed. The double date had been a success, with everyone connecting in a genuine way. For Derek, it was another important step in his journey with Kylie, strengthening not only his relationship with her, but also with the people closest to him.

Before they said goodbye, Kendall hugged Kylie tightly.

"Thanks for organizing this, Kyls. It was an amazing night. We needed it."

"We really needed it," Kylie agreed. "And we'll do it again soon."

Derek and Benito exchanged a firm handshake, with a promise to continue to stay in touch.

"Let's schedule that practice," Derek said, laughing.

"Sure thing, bro. We're together," Bad Bunny replied in his distinctive drawl.

Back in the car, as they drove home, Kylie leaned into Derek, a satisfied smile on her face.

"I loved tonight. I think this is just the beginning of many more moments like this."

Derek, with one hand on the steering wheel and the other holding hers, looked at her with a twinkle in his eyes.

"Me too, Kylie. I'm really enjoying all of this. With you by my side, everything seems easier and more natural."

Kylie smiled, feeling more secure than ever. She knew that with Derek by her side, not only at family events or dates, but in every aspect of her life, everything was on track.

Chapter 38: Media Reaction

The morning after Kylie, Derek, Kendall, and Bad Bunny's double date, social media and entertainment sites were flooded with photos and rumors. The dinner had been low-key, but a few paparazzi managed to capture moments of the group walking along the beach and entering the restaurant. The images of Derek with Kylie, and especially Kendall with Bad Bunny, quickly went viral, generating a whirlwind of speculation.

As Derek prepared to open the gym, his phone buzzed incessantly with news notifications and messages. He ignored most of them, uninterested in how the media reacted to his personal life. However, when Kylie called him into the living room, he realized he couldn't completely escape.

"Derek, have you seen what they're saying about us?" Kylie asked, sitting on the couch with her phone in her hand and an amused expression on her face.

Derek shook his head as he approached.

"I didn't look. Should I have?"

Kylie laughed and tossed her phone into his lap.

"I think you'll find it funny."

Derek picked up his phone and saw a headline on a gossip site:

"Kylie Jenner and Mystery Boyfriend Derek Rogan Go on a Double Date with Kendall and Bad Bunny! Who's the Billionaire's New Boyfriend?" He rolled his eyes and laughed.

"They really don't have anything else to write about, do they?" Derek said, handing the phone back to Kylie.

"Seems not," Kylie replied, scrolling through the screen to see more headlines. "But that's to be expected. People are always going to want to know more about your life when you're with me. And of course, the fact that you don't have social media only makes them even more curious."

Kylie continued to scroll through some of the comments on her Instagram, where people were praising Derek and commenting on how well he seemed to be adapting to the Kardashian-Jenner lifestyle. She read one out loud, laughing:

"'Finally a decent guy for Kylie!' That's a good one."

Derek smirked.

"Well, at least they're being nice."

"For now," Kylie joked. "But don't worry, I'm used to it. And you'll get used to it, too."

As Kylie scrolled through social media, she saw that the hashtag #DerekRogan was starting to trend. Even though he had no online presence, Derek was already becoming a public figure just by being associated with Kylie.

Later, as Derek was at the gym welcoming his first students of the day, he heard whispers among some regulars who had clearly seen the news. Ana de Armas, who was still training with Derek for her upcoming film, arrived a little later and couldn't help but make a comment.

"So the whole world knows you're in a relationship with Kylie Jenner now," Ana said with a smirk.

Derek chuckled, not looking up from the equipment he was adjusting.

"It seems that way. But to be honest, I don't really care what anyone says."

Ana raised an eyebrow.

"Really? Because I've been in the media for a lot less, and I can tell you it can be hell if you let it get to your head."

Derek shrugged, still focused on the task at hand.

"I'm a former Marine. I've been through a lot worse than a few online comments or rumors. And besides, I trust Kylie. She knows how to handle it better than anyone."

Ana smiled, impressed by Derek's calmness.

"Well, that's a good attitude to have. I think you'll survive the media chaos."

As the workout continued, Derek's phone notifications kept coming. He finally decided to take a quick look during a break and saw that, in addition to the news about the meeting, Kylie's fans were asking for more details about Derek and wanting to know more about his personal life.

Kylie, for her part, was already dealing with the situation in her own way. Back at her house, she recorded a series of Instagram stories, clearing up a few things for her fans.

"Guys, yeah, Derek and I had a really fun double date with Kendall and Bad Bunny. It's nothing new. We've been together for a while, and you know I like to keep my personal life as private as possible," she said, smiling for the camera. "And about Derek… Well, he's not on social media, so I'm sorry, but you won't be able to follow him there. And I guess that's part of his charm," she added with a laugh.

Fans loved the interaction, filling the comments section with support and curiosity. As Kylie continued to answer questions, she also mentioned the importance of keeping a relationship private, something Derek has been very clear about since the beginning.

Later that day, Derek came home after another busy day at the gym. Kylie was in the kitchen making them something to eat. He hugged her to back, resting his chin on her shoulder.

"So, how was your day dealing with the media?" Kylie asked with a smile.

"It was interesting," Derek replied, kissing her lightly on the cheek. "Ana gave me some advice on how to deal with the press. But overall, it was smooth sailing. I don't let that stuff get to me."

Kylie turned to face him, looking him in the eyes.

"I love that about you, you know? You're so… centered. Nothing seems to faze you."

Derek smiled.

"I've learned to stay focused on the important things. And now, you're one of those things."

Kylie smiled back, feeling grateful to have him in her life.

"I'm focused on us too. No matter what the media says, what really matters is what we have together."

They sat down to dinner, talking about what they were going to do this weekend. Even with all the external turmoil and the ever-watchful eyes of the media, Derek and Kylie managed to maintain a safe space for their relationship.

The media speculation continued in the days that followed, but with Derek's relaxed attitude and Kylie's experience in handling the spotlight, the couple didn't let it get to them. They knew the attention was part of the package, but they were determined not to let it affect their connection.

As time went on, the rumors and sensational headlines began to die down, and the focus turned to the next big event for the Kardashian-Jenner family. Derek, for his part, continued to balance his gym life with his relationship with Kylie, without losing sight of what was truly important: the happiness and well-being of everyone around him.

Chapter 39: Clarification in a Special Live

Derek sat on the couch in the living room, staring at Kylie as she checked her phone. The rumors about their relationship continued to grow, and it seemed that no matter how many times they tried to keep it private, the speculation and theories multiplied. Although Derek had always maintained a calm and reserved demeanor, he knew that it was starting to affect Kylie, who, although accustomed to the media attention, did not want their relationship to be constantly discussed without her having the opportunity to speak out.

"Maybe we should do something about it," Derek said, breaking the silence.

Kylie looked at him, confused.

"What do you mean?"

He shrugged.

"I know you're used to the media by now, but I was thinking… maybe we should do a live together. Explain once and for all to your fans how we are, and make it clear that this is the only time we'll talk about it. That way, we can clear the air and move on."

Kylie thought about it for a moment, considering the proposal. She knew Derek didn't like the exposure, but at the same time he was willing to open up a little about their lives for the sake of her fans. She smiled softly.

"Would you do that for me?" Kylie asked.

Derek nodded.

"If it helps put an end to the rumors, and if it makes you feel better, of course."

With the decision made, Kylie grabbed her phone and started preparing for the Instagram Live. She knew her fans would be curious, but she wanted them to hear directly from her what was happening. She made a brief announcement on her stories saying that she would be going live soon with Derek to talk a little about their relationship.

Minutes later, Kylie and Derek were sitting side by side on the couch. She adjusted the angle of her phone's camera, while Derek watched, calm. Kylie started the live, and soon thousands of people were tuning in to watch.

"Hey guys!" Kylie began, waving to the camera with a warm smile. "I know you've been seeing a lot of rumors about Derek and I, and we wanted to talk to you guys today to clear the air. This is going to be the only time we're going to talk about this, so I hope you understand."

Derek smiled softly at the camera, a little uncomfortable with all the attention, but determined to do this for the woman he loved.

"So, first off," Kylie continued, "I want to tell you how Derek and I met. I met him through Kendall, actually. She took me to an event he was at, and I remember thinking he was really hot right away."

Derek chuckled, shaking his head. "She's exaggerating," he said sheepishly.

"No, I'm not!" Kylie insisted, smiling at him and then looking back at the camera. "Anyway, after that event, Kendall and I started going to Derek's gym. At first, I was just going with Kendall, but then I started going by myself because… well, I wanted to spend more time with him," she said, laughing.

Derek looked at her with a loving look.

"And that's how we started to get to know each other better."

Kylie nodded.

"Yeah, after a while, we started hanging out. And then there was a moment where we kissed, and from there we decided we wanted something more serious. And now, here we are." She paused, smiling at the camera and then at Derek. "I just want you guys to know that I'm so happy with Derek. He's amazing. He's a former Marine, and these days he has his own gym, which is where I spend a lot of time," she said, winking at Derek.

"And honestly, he's the love of my life." Kylie's words took Derek by surprise, but he smiled genuinely, taking her hand in his.

"I feel the same way," he said, looking at Kylie with a look of affection. "She's amazing, and I'm so happy to be a part of her life."

The comments on the live stream started to explode. Kylie's fans were full of love, supportive messages, and expressions of happiness for the billionaire.

"Kylie deserves to be happy!"

"They make such a beautiful couple!"

"OMG Derek is so cute! Protect this man!"

"Finally someone who truly loves Kylie for who she is!"

Kylie read some of the comments out loud, laughing and getting emotional at the support she was receiving.

"You guys are so sweet! Thank you for all the love and affection," she said.

As the live stream continued, Kylie took the opportunity to clarify that, although they had decided to talk about their relationship this time, they would continue to maintain their privacy in the future.

"I know you guys are so curious, but this will be the only time we will open up about our relationship like this to you. We appreciate all the support, but we also need some privacy. I hope you understand."

Derek agreed. "That doesn't mean we don't appreciate the love. We know you love Kylie, We just want to have some peace and quiet so we can live this more peacefully."

The response from fans was overwhelmingly positive. People respected Kylie and Derek's decision to keep things private and were happy to see how radiant Kylie was with Derek.

Before ending the live, Kylie thanked her fans again for all their support.

"Seriously, you guys are the best. I'm so happy, and part of that happiness comes from the love you give me every day. So thank you so much for always being there for me."

Derek waved at the camera next to Kylie.

"It was a pleasure talking to you guys," he said, still a little shy, but genuinely happy with what they had done.

As soon as the live ended, Kylie put her phone away and plopped down on the couch, breathing a sigh of relief.

"I think that went well," she said, looking at Derek.

"That was great," he agreed, leaning in to kiss her on the forehead. "Now, hopefully this will calm things down a bit."

Kylie laughed.

"Oh, don't worry. They'll be talking about us for a while, but I think now at least they know how it really happened."

And so, with a simple gesture of opening up a little bit of their lives to their fans, Kylie and Derek managed to not only satisfy the public's curiosity, but also reaffirm the love they shared. The world now knew how happy they were together, and for Kylie's fans, that was all that really mattered.

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