CHapter 21

Darwin woke up from sleep. Gathering all of his consciousness while continuously blinking his eyes, he clearly felt how his left arm felt numb and painful.

As he slowly lowered his gaze, Darwin was immediately taken aback. There is Velove who is currently sleeping in a position hugging his body.

The woman's breathing sounded very regular. His peaceful face indicated that his current sleep must be very deep.

Darwin slowly tried to pull his arms and body from Velove's embrace. But, instead of letting go, the woman reflexively tightened the hug even more. Which made Darwin even more confused and finally had to wake him up.

"Velove..." the man whispered. "Velove Vexia Fernando. Wake up quickly," he ordered gently while occasionally patting his wife's cheek.

Velove didn't give a damn. Maybe don't hear. Or is she also bored of sleeping so soundly that she doesn't realize that her husband has been trying to wake her up.

As Darwin recalled, last night the two of them spent time talking until one o'clock in the evening. Perhaps, due to sleeping too late, his wife woke up late this morning.

"Velove..." Darwin called again. He just kept trying to wake her up. It is nothing. His hands felt increasingly cramped, even now starting to tingle. "Hurry up and get out of my body."

Velove in the end seemed to squirm. Slowly opening her eyes, the woman muttered under her breath.

"Why else, Win? You're really noisy. I'm still sleepy. So, please, let me sleep first."

"I'm not forbidding you to sleep," Darwin said. "It's just, let's see how your sleeping position is now."

Velove could be heard clearly sighing. To be honest, he was still very sleepy. And when he wants to enjoy his rest time, his husband even bothers him.

Because he was lazy to argue, Velove slowly opened his eyelids. Seconds later, the woman looked up and immediately shot a sharp gaze at her husband.

"What's wrong with my sleeping position? Is something wrong?"

Darwin sighed softly. Usually Velove still act normal. In fact, even looks so relaxed.

How can Darwin not be dizzy himself. He is a normal man. It doesn't matter if Velove treats him like this, the defense he has worked so hard to build will collapse too.

"You haven't realized yet? Take another look. What you're hugging right now is my body. Not a pillow let alone a bolster."

"Yes, just let it be, Win," Velove said casually. "I'm too lazy to move. Besides, it's okay if I hug you like this, right? You're my husband after all."

Darwin was stunned. He wasn't even sure about the answer Velove had just made. I also thought, maybe his wife was still half conscious.

"Huh? What? What did you say just now? Just let it be? Didn't you give a warning yesterday that you shouldn't touch each other? Why has it suddenly changed? You've never been consistent, have you? You really like ---"

"Ssst..."

The second Velove hissed too. Deliberately cut off the chatter of the husband who sounded at length. In fact, Darwin is male. But, why talkative beat women. In fact, it's a hobby to protest and comment on other people.

"It's really noisy. Let's talk later. I'm still sleepy, Win."

"Yes, just go to sleep. But, move first. Besides, my hand cramps for you to make a head pillow like now."

Velove growled lazily. Slightly reluctant, the woman raised her body a little and then shifted position. Then without saying much went back to sleep. Deliberately ignoring Darwin who could only shake his head at his wife's behavior.

Because he was free from Velove's entanglement, Darwin chose to immediately step down and then step into the bathroom. Rather than waiting for Velove who was still sleeping, it was better for him to clean up and then get ready.

Because today he personally has no more scheduled meetings or activities to do, Darwin decided yesterday to take Velove around the best places in Malaysia. Not without reason. This, he deliberately did as an image in front of Darius. He wants to build an image as a romantic husband, a caring husband, a husband who protects his wife and other perfect husbands.

For that, after completing the entire morning series, he returned to Velove. Sitting on the side of the bed to then wake his wife.

"Ve ... wake up," the man called while shaking his wife's arm. "Come on get up. It's already eight o'clock. You have to take a shower and have breakfast."

Velove squirmed lazily. Stretching her body muscles for a while, the woman straightened her body, then slowly got up and chose to lean first on the headboard of the mattress. Maybe still want to collect lives. After a while, he heard him speak.

"You want to take me for a walk?"

That sentence was the first time Darwin heard from Velove's mouth. Sighing, he immediately replied.

"Just remember to take a walk."

"You did promise."

"Yes, so hurry up and take a shower. It's really hard to wake you up," the man protested. "Besides, I've been hungry waiting for you to sleep for so long."

"Why don't you eat first?" Velove replied carelessly.

"And let your Papa wonder why I had breakfast alone? Why didn't I have breakfast with Velove? Why this, why that?"

Velvet chuckled. This time is the time to eat breakfast. He was also sure that if Darwin went alone to a restaurant for breakfast, he would be able to meet his father there.

"You can order hotel services for breakfast in the room," joked Velove then.

"Ah, it's really complicated. It's better to eat at a restaurant as well. There are many choices. Now, you hurry up and take a shower. Anyway, we have to go down in 15 minutes."

Velvet just nodded. Nodding off the bed, a little lazy the woman dragged her feet towards the bathroom. This morning, he couldn't help but take a quick shower so he wouldn't get scolded by Darwin.

After taking a shower, getting dressed, and also applying light make-up, she followed her husband's steps to the restaurant. As he expected, Darius and Nathan were already there. The two seemed to be enjoying breakfast at the same table.

In fact, his father, who saw his arrival with Darwin, immediately waved, called and asked them to sit together. While Velove approached his father, Darwin himself chose to go around getting food.

"How are you today, honey? Much better?" asked Darius when the princess was already sitting next to him.

Velvet nodded.

"From the start, Velove was fine. Even if you use it too much, you want to call a doctor of all kinds."

Darius smiled. Taking his hand, the man stroked the peak of the princess' hair affectionately. How not to worry, Velove is the only soulmate he has. His daughter is a gem of a heart that he painstakingly looks after and cares for.

"His name is worried. Of course Papa is concerned."

"But Darwin has handled Velove well, Pa. So, you don't need to worry about all kinds of things anymore."

Darius nodded then continued to sip the jasmine tea that was in his cup. Meanwhile Nathan, who had excused himself from taking dessert, was now crossing Darwin who was choosing food. Seeing what the man took made Nathan interested in commenting.

"Mr. Darwin, are you choosing breakfast for Mrs. Velove?" suddenly scolded Nathan.

Darwin turned his head. The man then nodded.

"Yeah, I'm choosing breakfast that he can eat." So afterwards, Darwin took a bowl filled with Zupa Soup which was specially served on the buffet table.

"Rather than Creamy or Western food like this, Mrs. Velove prefers fried rice, nasi uduk, or chicken porridge for Pak Darwin's breakfast. When he eats dinner alone, he likes sushi, steak or Chinese food the most."

Darwin paused in thought. No wonder when at home, Velove prefers to cook breakfast with a heavy menu, rather than toast, sandwiches or other simple foods. He also just found out that his wife prefers Chinese food over western food.

"Mr. Nathan really knows Velove's habits, doesn't he?" Darwin chirped afterwards.

"A-a, not like that, sir," Nathan said nervously. He realized that his words might make Darwin uncomfortable. "I have no intention of offending Pak Darwin. I'm just sharing what I know."

"Yes, I thank you very much for sharing. Very helpful," he replied in a nonchalant tone. For some reason, every time he met Nathan, he always felt hot.

Darwin then put back the Zupa Soup he was holding and then walked towards another table. Luckily, the fried rice menu was actually available that morning at the restaurant. So Darwin chose the menu for him to give to his wife.

"This is mine?" asked Velove when he received the plate proffered by Nathan.

"Yes, that's yours," said Darwin, then sat right in front of his wife.

Darius, who noticed the attention Darwin gave to the princess, immediately smiled and reflexively replied. "Papa is very happy to see Darwin taking care of Velove like this. In fact, he can tell what kind of food his wife likes."

Darwin swallowed a smile. Like it or not, he seemed to have to thank Nathan because the advice the man gave earned him praise from his father-in-law this morning.

"It's only fitting for a husband to give his full attention to his wife, Pa. Isn't that right, dear?" Darwin said, then turned to Velove and gave a meaningful look.

***

As promised, today Darwin took Velove for a walk around. At exactly 10 o'clock, he took Velove out of the hotel. Because the location of their hotel was in Kuala Lumpur, he invited his wife to visit Batu Caves in the Selangor area first.

Driving for about 30 minutes, the two arrived at the limestone hills where there is a temple and a giant statue of the god Murugan in front of it. Darwin also invited Velove to have a look at the cave there. Even climbing hundreds of steps to reach the top of the temple.

"Darwin, this is crazy. I'm really tired going up the stairs," Velove complained when he reached the top of the temple. The woman's breath was out of breath, a sign that she was really tired of what she had just done.

Darwin himself chuckled. There was a sense of humor mixed with pity to see Velove, who had been grumbling because he was tired.

"It's only now that I'm complaining. It's really bad."

"Is it possible or not? Let's just change the destination. It's not happy, it's even tiring."

Darwin laughed again. The man complied and then took Velove to Kuala Gandah to see and feed the cute elephants there.

Luckily when they arrived at this place, Velove did not protest. In fact, enjoying the activities of feeding the elephants there. It wasn't until around three in the afternoon that Velove decided to ask Darwin to take him to the next place.

"Where do you want to take me this time, Win?" asked the woman while on the way.

"Soon you will know."

"Pretentiously using secrets," Velove chuckled then.

The two of them then traveled for about an hour more to arrive at Genting Highland. Located on the border between Pahang and Selangor, this location is indeed famous for the Awana Skyway Gondola ride. By climbing the Gondola, we can see the peak of Mount Ulu Kali which is famous there.

"Would you like to take me on the gondola?" asked Velove doubtfully.

"Yeah, so what? Are you scared?" Darwin inquired as they both walked towards the station to queue for the ride.

"Honestly, I've never ridden like this, Win."

"Are you serious?" asked Darwin in disbelief.

"For God's sake, I've never been on this ride in my life."

"Gondola ride is fun, Ve. You'll just feel the sensation later."

"But, I'm afraid," the woman squeaked.

"Don't worry. I'm here."

For a moment Velove reassured himself. Also consider whether you really need to ride the vehicle. There was a doubt in his mind. However, because Darwin kept convincing, he couldn't help trying to work up the courage to go up.

Upon entering the gondola, at first everything seemed normal. However, after the boxy booth walked across the heights, Velove couldn't hide his tension.

Darwin, who was aware of this, took the initiative to grab Velove's wrist and then held it. Reassure his wife that his condition will be fine.

"Don't be afraid. You'll be safe with me."

Velvet nodded. Ignoring his fear, he tried to enjoy the view that was presented. Even the fear mixed with worry that he previously felt, slowly faded away. It was replaced by excitement because as long as he was on the gondola, Darwin never stopped chattering. I don't know what the man was talking about.

In fact, when they were at a height, the two of them managed to capture several moments by taking pictures together. Up to 20 minutes on the cable is not felt and just ends.

"How?" Darwin asked when the two of them got off the Gondola.

"Not bad. I think next time it can be repeated."

"If you want something good, you should try the best Gondola rides in Aussie, Switzerland or Italy. In my opinion, they are the best ever."

"Try with whom? I don't dare to be alone," Velove asked innocently.

"Yes, it's me. Time with Nathan. It's just delicious!"

Velvet laughed. While continuing to walk, she just followed where else her husband after this took her away.

Time is running out. Dusk has already begun to appear. If you pay attention, it's already six o'clock in the afternoon. And now, Darwin brought Velove to the final destination. It is Bukit Bintang which is the destination that the man chose to spend with his wife.

Bukit Bintang itself is not a quiet hill for us to see the stars. Rather, it is an urban center area in Kuala Lumpur, which is full of noise and bustling with people.

While walking along the busy streets, Darwin asked Velove to talk. Because it happened to be entering dinner time, Darwin decided to stop at a restaurant first before actually returning to the hotel.

"Today was really exciting," said Velove. From her face, the woman could not hide the happy look that radiated on her face. "Thank you for inviting me around. Yes, even though this is just an image, I don't care."

Darwin nodded. Smiling back, the man replied.

"You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed it."

"Next time before parting, I think we really have to go on vacation again," Velove suggested. "Actually, I really like traveling like this. Unfortunately, I don't have a partner to go with. In the past, when I was in college, I was often with Deasy. But, since each of them has a job, I don't have time for holidays together."

"Haven't you and Nathan ever gone on holiday together? Or at least gone for a walk?"

Velove shook her head.

"Holidays are boring. Just being able to meet every day is already very grateful."

Without realizing it Darwin smiled contentedly. That meant that he was indeed the first man who could take Velove on a vacation like today.

"Why are you smiling to yourself?" reprimanded Velove when he found his husband at night smiling for no reason.

"It's okay. Next time, we'll just go to Europe. So that the holiday will be more exciting."

"Yes," Velove nodded enthusiastically. Instead of refusing, the woman actually agreed with what Darwin suggested. "If necessary around how many countries at once."

While discussing vacations, Darwin and Velove then returned to continue their dinner activities. Once finished, the two of them chose to walk to the hotel because the restaurant was not that far from the hotel where they were staying.

"Oh my gosh, the streets are really crowded," Velove complained as he left the restaurant.

Because it coincided with one of the major festivals and celebrations, the streets of Bukit Bintang that night were indeed very lively and packed with visitors passing by. Worried about being separated, Darwin unexpectedly grabbed Velove's wrist and then took his wife.

"Hold on tight so you don't get lost or even get kidnapped," Darwin mocked on purpose.

"Really I'm a child," Velove squeaked.

"In fact, your behavior is more than a child, Ve."

Velove pouted in annoyance. Then just enjoy it when Darwin really holds her hand all the way to the hotel. Sometimes smiling is not because you feel happy. But, more to the feeling of not expecting a man who used to be so bad, now slowly starting to show his good side.