The Former Marine

Chapter 40: Fun and Jealousy

It was a sunny day, perfect for a trip to the water park. Derek and Kylie had decided to take Stormi and Aire out for some fun. The kids had been excited since breakfast, and Kylie couldn't stop smiling when she saw the joy on her children's faces.

In the parking lot, Derek helped Aire's stroller out of the trunk, while Kylie held Stormi by the hand. Derek, always attentive, made sure everything was ready for them to have a peaceful and fun-filled day.

"Are we ready?" he asked, adjusting his sunglasses on his face.

"Yes! Let's go!" Stormi shouted excitedly, already pulling her mother towards the entrance.

As they passed through the park gates, Derek's eyes scanned the place. Even though he was in a leisure environment, he still had the instinct of a former Marine, always aware of his surroundings. However, when he looked at Kylie and the children, a soft smile appeared on his face, making it clear that he was pleased to be there.

After finding a place to leave his things, Derek took off his shirt, revealing the muscular and muscular body he maintained with such dedication. Instantly, Kylie noticed that several women around him began to give Derek discreet glances (and some not so discreet ones).

She tried to ignore them at first, after all, she knew Derek was with her. But, as time passed and more insistent glances appeared, Kylie began to feel jealousy bubbling up inside her.

Derek, on the other hand, was completely oblivious to the attention. He was more focused on carrying Aire, who was laughing and waving her little hands in his lap, and on keeping up with Stormi, who was calling him to play on one of the children's slides.

"Look, Daddy Derek! Let's go there!" Stormi pointed to one of the toys, running towards it.

Kylie watched from afar, feeling a mixture of pride and irritation. She loved the way Derek took care of Stormi and Aire, how he was there, playing with them, and protecting them. But the constant stares from other women were starting to bother her.

She sighed, trying to distract herself as she adjusted her hat on her head. However, the discomfort grew more and more. She saw two women walking past Derek, laughing at each other and clearly scrutinizing him up and down.

Kylie approached, a smile on her face but determined in her eyes. She slid her arm around Derek's waist, making her presence known at his side. He looked at her, surprised, but smiled.

"Are you okay?" he asked, placing Aire in the stroller for a moment.

"I am," Kylie replied, her tone slightly sharper than she intended. She could tell Derek was still confused, so she sighed, softening her expression. "It's just… people won't stop staring at you." Derek frowned, still not understanding.

"Looking at me? What are you talking about?"

Kylie rolled her eyes, but with a playful smile.

"Derek, you're practically a shirtless mountain of muscle holding two adorable children. Of course people are going to notice you. And honestly, women are blatantly staring at you."

He laughed, unfazed.

"Really? I didn't even notice."

Kylie raised an eyebrow.

"How could I not? They're practically devouring you with their eyes."

Derek shook his head, amused.

"I'm just paying attention to you and the children. I don't give a shit who else is staring."

Kylie tried to keep a straight face, but a small smile escaped. She knew he meant it, and it made her feel better.

"Well, I just wanted to make sure you know I'm watching."

He leaned closer to her, whispering in her ear, "You're the only person I want to look at. And honestly, I notice how guys look at you too, but I don't see any reason to be jealous."

She laughed, feeling the warmth of his affection.

"Point for you, Mr. Ex-Marine."

Derek gave her a light kiss on the top of her head before picking Stormi up again and following her to the kiddie pool, where she wanted to play. Kylie stayed behind, watching Derek interact with the kids. Stormi laughed loudly as Derek spun her around in the water, and Aire, in the stroller, also giggled as she watched the action.

As Kylie got closer to the pool, she once again saw two groups of women whispering and looking in Derek's direction. They were trying to hide it, but they were clearly admiring his physique. Kylie let out a sigh and decided she wasn't going to let this ruin her day. She sat down on the edge of the kiddie pool and looked at Derek.

"You really don't notice when people are looking at you, do you?" she said, shaking her head, but with a playful tone.

Derek shrugged, smiling at her. "Like I said, I'm just focused on you guys."

Stormi looked at her mother curiously. "Mommy, why are you mad?"

Kylie laughed and shook her head. "I'm not mad, I just I'm just... watching."

Stormi didn't quite understand, but she soon turned her attention to Derek, who picked her up again and carried her to the other side of the pool.

Meanwhile, Kylie began to relax a little. She knew that Derek loved her and that their relationship was strong. Even though the stares from the other women bothered her, she trusted him. And at the end of the day, what really mattered was what they were building together as a family.

After a while, Derek came back to Kylie with Aire in his arms, while Stormi played with other little friends she had made in the pool.

"Is everything okay now?" Derek asked, with a teasing smile.

Kylie shook her head, laughing. "Yeah, it is. I'm just territorial sometimes, but I guess that's part of it."

Derek kissed her cheek. "It is. And I love that about you."

The two continued to watch the children, enjoying their time together as a family. Ultimately, Kylie knew that despite all the attention Derek received, he was committed to her and the children. And that certainty was what made her feel safe and happy.

As the sun began to set and the children began to tire, Derek and Kylie decided it was time to leave. They packed up and headed to the car, with Stormi and Aire exhausted but happy after a day full of fun.

On the way back home, Kylie looked at Derek and, with a smile on her face, said, "Thank you for always being so amazing."

He glanced at her for a brief moment and, after checking the rearview mirror, replied, "I should be thanking you. You guys mean everything to me."

Kylie smiled happily. Despite the jealousy and the stares, she knew that she had something special with Derek.

Chapter 41: A Night at the NBA

It was a Friday night, and the city of Los Angeles was especially busy. Derek and Kylie decided it was a great opportunity to enjoy some one-on-one time at an event they both loved: an NBA game. The Staples Center, now the Arena, was lit up, ready to welcome the crowd for a big game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors.

Kylie dressed casually, but always elegantly. She wore a comfortable set of skinny jeans and an oversized jacket that suited the more relaxed atmosphere. Derek, on the other hand, was also casual, wearing a fitted black t-shirt that accentuated his physique, paired with a leather jacket. They were ready to blend in with the crowd, although they knew that as public figures, they would be noticed.

On the way to the stadium, Kylie glanced at Derek as he drove, noticing how relaxed he was. She loved this more laid-back, fun side of him. "Are you excited for the game?" she asked with a smile.

"Sure. Watching the Lakers at home against the Warriors? That's gonna be awesome!" he replied excitedly.

"It'll be nice to have a night to ourselves," Kylie commented, taking his hand for a moment.

"Yeah, I missed it. And don't worry, I promise not to get too caught up in the game that I forget you're here," Derek teased, winking at her.

Kylie laughed. "I'll hold you back on that one."

Arriving at the arena, the paparazzi's flashbulbs were already out in force to capture their every move. Security cleared the way, and the couple was greeted with a mix of cheers and applause from the fans. Some people were shouting Kylie's name, while others seemed to recognize Derek, since their relationship was becoming more and more public.

Kylie held Derek's hand, not caring about the stares. In fact, she was proud to be there with him. As they walked through the VIP entrance, the two were led to their courtside seats, a perfect view from which to watch the game.

"I think this is the best view in the arena," Derek said, looking out over the court as the players warmed up.

"Definitely," Kylie agreed, adjusting her hair and looking out at the packed stands.

When the game started, the atmosphere in the stadium exploded with cheers and applause. The Lakers scored the first points, and Derek cheered enthusiastically. Kylie smiled, enjoying seeing Derek so engaged. Even though he was always so serious and focused on his responsibilities, it was nice to see that he also knew how to relax and enjoy moments like this.

"Are you a big basketball fan?" Kylie asked, as she watched Derek celebrate yet another Lakers play.

"I love sports in general. Basketball has always been one of my favorites, especially during school and work. But what about you? Are you into basketball or are you just here because I'm excited?" he asked, with a mischievous smile.

Kylie shrugged, laughing. "I like it! But to be honest, I'm more excited to be here with you. I've never been much of a game watcher, but the energy here is contagious."

The time passed quickly as the game went on, and Derek and Kylie enjoyed themselves, exchanging comments about the plays and laughing together. During one of the breaks, a couple near them recognized Derek and Kylie. They seemed hesitant at first, but soon came over to say hello.

"Hi, sorry to bother you, but we're big fans of yours," the woman said, looking mainly at Kylie. "Can we take a quick picture?"

Kylie smiled kindly. "Sure, no problem."

Derek stepped aside so Kylie could take the picture, but the fans quickly realized who he was too. "Oh, you're Kylie's boyfriend, right? Derek, right?"

He smiled politely and nodded. "Yes, that's me."

After the pictures and the thank yous, the couple went back to watching the game. Kylie leaned over to Derek and said quietly, "You're famous already, huh?"

Derek laughed, shaking his head. "I think it's because of you."

"Or maybe it's because of that picture Ana de Armas posted of you on Instagram… people are getting to know you for your own good now," Kylie commented, teasing him with a smile.

Derek shrugged. "Well, if you're going to be famous, you might as well be famous for something useful. But to be honest, I prefer to stay out of the spotlight."

Kylie smiled, knowing Derek was a private person by nature, but also aware that their life together would inevitably bring him more attention.

As the game went on, the Lakers began to gain an advantage. The excitement of their impending victory was contagious, and Derek stood up with the other fans to cheer an incredible dunk by one of the players. Kylie laughed, enjoying the moment to the fullest. She didn't care that she wasn't a huge basketball fan, because what really mattered was being there with Derek.

While the last quarter of the game unfolded, the two grew closer, taking advantage of the quieter moments to exchange knowing glances and a few soft words. Derek put his arm around her, and Kylie rested her head on his shoulder, watching the court with a relaxed smile.

When the game finally ended with the Lakers winning, the entire stadium erupted in celebration. Derek and Kylie applauded too, enjoying the lively atmosphere around them.

"That was a great game," Derek commented, as they stood up to leave.

"It was," Kylie agreed, holding his hand as they headed for the VIP exit.

The crowd was still buzzing, and the photographers' flashes were already waiting for them outside. As they walked towards the car, Kylie held Derek's hand tightly, feeling his secure presence by her side.

As they got into the car, Kylie looked at Derek and smiled. "I had a lot of fun today. We need to do this more often."

Derek looked at her fondly. "Absolutely. I really enjoyed today too. I like doing simple things with you, just the two of us."

Kylie nodded, sighing contentedly.

"Me too. These moments are special."

As the car took them back home, Kylie couldn't help but think about how happy she was with Derek. He was everything she looked for in a partner: attentive, present, and always ready to make her smile. Being with him in simple moments, like watching a basketball game, made everything seem even more perfect.

Derek, in turn, was also happy. He knew that life with Kylie would always bring attention and media flashes, but these moments alone, at more relaxed events, made it worth it.

Chapter 42: Meeting Stassie

Kylie was excited for today. She and Derek had been together for a while, and things were only getting better between them. Derek had already been introduced to most of the important people in his life, but there was someone special he had yet to meet: his best friend, Anastasia Karanikolaou, better known as Stassie. The two had been inseparable for years, and Kylie knew that Stassie's opinion mattered.

"You're going to love Stassie," Kylie commented as she got ready for their date at her house.

"I'm sure I will," Derek replied, pulling on his jacket. "If she's your best friend, she must be an amazing person."

Kylie smiled, knowing that Derek always saw the best in people. "She's one of the best. Plus, she's super fun. I'm sure you two will get along great."

As soon as they arrived at Kylie's house, Stassie was already waiting. She was sitting on the couch, a glass of wine in her hand, and immediately stood up when she saw the two of them walk in. Stassie smiled broadly and ran to hug Kylie.

"Kylie! I missed you!" Stassie exclaimed, hugging her friend in a warm hug.

"Me too, Stass!" Kylie replied, laughing.

Stassie then turned to Derek, her gaze curious and playful. "And this must be the famous Derek," she said, smiling broadly.

Derek stepped forward, extending his hand in a friendly manner. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Stassie. Kylie speaks highly of you."

"Oh, forget the hand," Stassie said, ignoring the formal greeting and pulling Derek into a tight hug. "I'm a hugger!"

Derek smiled and hugged her back. However, during the hug, Stassie did something unexpected. As she wrapped her arms around Derek, her expression turned slightly mischievous. She was facing Kylie and, with a mischievous look, she quickly slid her hand over Derek's body, as if she were "examining" his physique. Then she winked at Kylie, wriggling her eyebrows in an exaggerated way.

"Wow," Stassie said in a whisper, still with her head close to Derek's, but looking directly at Kylie. "You were hiding this hottie from me, huh?"

Kylie laughed, shaking her head. "Stassie! Behave yourself!" she said, unable to contain her laughter.

Derek, completely oblivious to what was happening, just smiled as he pulled away from the hug. "It's nice to meet a friend who's so important to Kylie," he said casually.

Stassie giggled mischievously. "Oh, the pleasure is all mine, Derek."

The tension in the air between the friends was amusing, almost like an inside joke. Stassie always had a way of joking around, and Kylie was already used to her friend's bold jokes. However, it was the first time she had seen Stassie do this towards Derek, and even though it was just a joke, Kylie felt a little jealousy mixed with humor.

As they settled into the living room, Derek went to the kitchen to get them some drinks, leaving Kylie and Stassie alone for a few minutes. As soon as he left the room, Stassie plopped down next to Kylie on the couch, crossing her legs and placing her wine glass on her lap.

"Okay, come on...," Stassie began, her voice conspiratorial. "This man is a Greek god! Where have you been hiding him all this time? And he doesn't have social media? How is that possible?"

Kylie laughed, already expecting this kind of comment from her friend. "I know, I know. And yes, he doesn't have social media. He's low-key, kind of under the radar. I love that about him."

Stassie shook her head in disbelief. "Girl, if he didn't have social media, I would have already created a secret fan club just to admire him. Because, my God, the guy is… everything!"

Kylie just shrugged with a satisfied smile. "I know, right?"

Stassie laughed out loud and then looked at her friend more seriously. "But seriously, he seems like a really nice guy. You can see in his eyes that he's crazy about you. I'm glad you found someone like that."

Kylie smiled, feeling her heart warm. "He is. I'm so glad."

Before they could continue, Derek returned with the drinks and sat down next to Kylie, placing a hand gently on her leg. He had a calm and confident presence, and Kylie loved that about him. Stassie watched the gesture with a smile, enjoying the chemistry between them.

"So, Derek," Stassie began, crossing her arms and leaning forward, a curious smile on her face. "Kylie told me you were a Marine. How did you end up in the Marines?"

Derek looked at Kylie with a smile before answering. "Well, I've always wanted to serve. I joined the Marines right out of high school and spent a few years in MARSOC, doing some special operations. It was challenging, but something I always wanted to do."

"That's amazing," Stassie said, genuinely impressed. "It must be a pretty intense life. And now you're in this world and the fitness world, right?"

"Yes," Derek nodded. "I opened my own gym and I'm focused on training people and helping them improve their health. It's a change of pace, but it's very rewarding."

Stassie seemed genuinely interested, and the conversation flowed naturally between the three of them. Stassie's jokes and playful comments eased any tension that might have been there, and Derek seemed increasingly comfortable around Kylie's best friend.

As the afternoon wore on, the trio enjoyed each other's company, chatting about everything from Derek's professional life to the crazy adventures Kylie and Stassie had shared over the years. The connection between them was obvious, and Kylie was relieved to see that Derek and Stassie really did get along.

At one point, while Kylie was on the phone with one of her assistants, Stassie glanced back at Derek, still with her usual mischievous look. "Look, if you ever get tired of Kylie, I'm available, okay?" she joked, winking.

Derek laughed, shaking his head. "I guess you and Kylie are going to have to work this out between yourselves."

When Kylie returned, Derek just smiled at her, ignoring Stassie's comment. He knew that these jokes were the essence of their friendship, and he respected that. However, deep down, he felt like he was now part of this special, intimate circle in Kylie's life, which made him even more connected to her.

At the end of the afternoon, when Derek and Kylie said goodbye to Stassie, her friend couldn't help but give Derek another hug, saying in a low voice to Kylie:

"This one is for marrying, girlfriend."

Kylie just laughed, silently agreeing.

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