Chapter 10

"Where are we going again?" asked Kaya, quite startled as she pushed the blanket off herself and got off the bed, looking at her emotionally distant husband. Noctis' smile was genuine and excited. She wondered what was the reason.

"Date?" He replied with a satisfied look. He was looking forward to spending some "friendly" time with Kaya. He also felt quite conflicted about what he had done yesterday, promising Kaya to be with her for lunch and then spending that reserved time with Luna. It was not fair to the wife, was it?

"Date...? early in the morning?" Kaya asked with a raised brow, she wondered what caused him the idea.

Noctis turned to look at her with his arms crossed and mimicked her expression which earned him a surprised smile.

"Ofcourse it's a... breakfast date?" Noctis replied returning the smile before shuffling through the closet looking for something worth wearing for the occasion.

"Breakfast date? such thing exists?" She asked, shrugging her shoulders octis rolled his eyes and sighed.

"Its a type of date, why? Have you never been on a date before?"

Upon not receiving a response, Noctis looked towards Kaya who was looking away, lost. He was confused and it dawned upon him few moments later.

"Wait, you've never been on a date before?" She shook her head as a response never meeting the husband's gaze. She felt slightly awkward.

"So you've never had a boyfriend before?" Noctis asked, walking over to her and hesitantly Kaya nodded looking at him. He was quite surprised by the revelation...

what sort of a girl in this age doesn't have a boyfriend? even 16 year olds have had breakups and patchups...

He stared at her quietly before shaking his head and wore a smile assuring enough. It was alright not to be too outgoing, friendly or even romantic, everybody have their insecurities and reasons. So did Kaya. But he was curious to know of those.

"It's Okay. Just hurry up and change, I don't do well starving too long for the breakfast you see?" Noctis warned with a playful glare and poked Kaya in the cheek, causing her surprise. She just stared at him, amazed and somewhat content. She couldn't help but reach up touching her cheek. It felt nice to have Noctis act open and maybe affectionate towards her."

"I'm waiting, wifey." Noctis added waging at her before making his way out of the bedroom. Kaya still feared something might come up again, and Noctis would have to leave but she couldn't let the mere thought ruin her mood. She was looking forward to spending some time with the husband and she would make the most of it.

Noctis waited in the living room settled onto the couch while staring at the screen of his phone. Luna had been calling him but he didn't feel like accepting her call because he knew, she must have planned something for today and he won't be able to turn her down.

'Pick up the damn call, Noct! I want to talk to you.' came the text lighting up the screen and Noctis sighed staring at it. He didn't think lying would be okay, but then again Luna would react too paranoid if he didn't text back.

'Can't. am busy. Call you later?' He texted back before stuffing his phone back in his pocket and stood up as Kaya came out of the bedroom, modestly dressed. She always wore dresses, at first Noctis thought it was only back at the manor because of being around elderly people but she wore them here too. But he didn't mind, she actually looked pretty and they suited her. She had put on a coat incase the cold decides to be cruel for the sky was clouded. She looked at the husband with a faint smile, expecting a compliment for whatever reasons.

"Well...you look... good." Noctis said holding back a sigh and Kaya rose a brow, pretending to be dejected which didn't go unnoticed by the husband.

"I mean, pretty. It's very pretty, the dress and you also." He added and it made Kaya smile, it felt nice. Smallest gesture of appreciation and attention.

"Same goes for you, you look... princely." Kaya replied, gesturing towards Noctis, giving him a complimenting look from head to toe.

"Well thank you, so shall we?" Noctis added, holding back a chuckle. Being formal was making him feel comical and same was the case with Kaya. Last night, everything the wife had said to him had made him aware of the fact that she notices him, appreciated him and it made Noctis want to appreciate her too. He could start by dropping the formality and reservance. Kaya nodded gesturing towards the door.

"Sure, after you?" She said and Noctis rolled his eyes, having had enough of this.

"Come on." He added grabbing Kaya's hand and pulled her along. It didn't come as a surprise since last night, she wouldnt stop him from grabbing her hand, holding it or eve embracing her. But knowing about Luna, she would respect the boundaries she needed to have.

"Have you been on such "breakfast" dates with Luna?" Nocts was quite taken aback by the question, it caught him off guard. He hadn't expected Kaya to outright mention Luna leaned alone asking anything related to their relationship.

"I guess... yeah. but not so often... you know? she has stuff to do in the mornings, I have stuff to do in the mornings as well..." Noctis replied slipping inside the car and buckled up. Kaya was just curious, right?

"So uh... you said you've never been to a date before? I mean, is there any problem?" Noctis was curious too. Just too curious to accept it. He thought she was lying just because it felt awkward to talk about previous relationships with your husband. Didn't it?

Kaya shook her head, a faint smile on her lips. It wasn't a shameful secret or reservance of any sorts.

"I never had the time, neither did anyone show such interest towards me." she thought she was too reserved or confined within herself for anyone to want to establish such mutual connection with her. Noctis didn't want to know more than that because it didn't feel right. He let out a heavy groan.

"Why is that?" He asked, finding Kaya's explanation quite hollow. She shrugged her shoulders, looking at the husband with a smile.

"Maybe I'm not pretty enough?" She taunted and Noctis rolled his eyes. His expression was so weary and unbelieving that she couldn't hold herself back from laughing.

"Don't you think so?" She asked and the husband cleared his throat.

"Of course not, you're very pretty." Noctis replied with a satisfied smile and Kaya couldn't her own back. Still...

"Is being pretty enough?" She asked, her smile deflating a bit and Noctis looked at her, wondering what the question meant.

"Is being pretty enough to be loved?" She added looking down at her empty hands. Noctis went quiet, knowing well why Kaya asked so. It wasn't about looks, if Luna hadn't been in his life, he would have gladly accepted Kaya because she was perfect. Luckiest man in the world would it be to be the one having her. But it wasn't him, it just wasn't him.

soon enough, Noctis pulled over unbuckling himself since they've arrived. Kaya was surprised at how short the journey was, they were having a conversation very interesting but then her mood faltered she didn't know why neither would Noctis ask.

"This is like the best place in this city, their pancakes are amazing." Noctis said, letting out a satisfied sigh looking at Kaya who just returned the smile with a warm one but the moment soon enough ruined by the disturbing buzzing of the husband's phone. He rolled his eyes, pulling his phone out and stared at the caller I.D. Just what was Luna's problem? can't she just let him alone for a day? Kaya could tell she had been bugging him constantly, probably worried.

"It's alright, you can answer her. I'll head inside then." She said, hoping to lighten up Noctis' burden, assuring with a smile before getting out of the car. Before he could respond, Kaya had already made her way inside the restaurant. He could only let out an exasperated sigh before picking up the call.

Kaya walked in, looking for the farthest spot, she wanted peace and some moments to herself. She didn't want to come between Noctis and Luna, not as a rift. She wanted to build her place in his life with her efforts, not by ruining that girl's own. She didn't want to struggle to defeat Luna, she wanted to struggle to win over Noctis.

She made her way, to the table by the window in the last spot and sat down. Looking at the door and not finding Noctis anywhere around, she could tell he had picked up the call. It wasn't something to be stressing about but she couldn't help herself. It felt awkward and almost unfair...

"Well Hello there..." spoke a very familiar voice sending shudders down Kaya's spine and she deflated slightly. How can she forget that voice, that ever so annoying voice.

"Out on a date?" the stranger added and Kaya turned to look at whoever was talking. Her gaze narrowing as it met with the face she didn't want to see any sooner.

"You..." She said, frowning. She didn't know if it was just a coincidence or this guy was stalking her. It gave her unease.

"Nah, not you. Nate, did you forget me already?" the stranger added with a content smile and invited himself into the chair next to Kaya's earning a surprised glare from her.

"Why are you here? are you following me?" She asked, her gaze searching for the husband as anxious as ever. Nate shrugged his shoulders, looking around as well following Kaya's gaze.

"Maybe. Why are you here? Out on a date with your husband?"

Kaya's eyes widened slightly, did she hear it? Or it was just her imagination? She turned to look at him with an anxious expression. Nate smirked, proud of the reaction he had from her.

"Why are you so surprised? Isn't that the way it is?" He said, his tone taunting slightly causing Kaya sudden distress. She stared at the table, speechless. Nate didn't have anything against HER, personally at least.

"Don't worry. I'm not going to tell anyone about it. Not even... Luna." Kaya looked up at him at the mention of the said woman and she could tell he meant it as a warning rather than assurance. Hinting that he COULD do it if he wanted.

"How... do you know?" She asked, her gaze narrowing. For some reason, she felt the weight of the secret when spoken with someone's else's words. Nate sighed reaching for the menu and looked through. Everything had been so boring in his life until a certain stupidity came into highlight and he couldn't help but want to enjoy as long as it lasted.

"Hm? Prompto told me. Or more likely..." He looked up at Kaya and smiled.

"I made him tell me." He added and Kaya frowned, her brows furrowing. She was stressed now, what did this guy want and what was he trying to imply. It was her problem. Even if Nate knew about it, he didn't have the right to interfere. He sighed dropping the menu and leaned closer, his gaze fixated on the girl's face.

"I just find it hard to believe, that YOU didn't even like when I sat next to you, a stranger but you could marry someone you barely knew?" Nate stated, causing Kaya to deflate slightly. Everything he said made sense but it wasn't his problem and Kaya had her own reasons.

"Funny, isn't it? Ruining your own life just because you were indebted to someone?" He added with an intently mocking chuckle, leaning back in the chair. Kaya crossed her arms, clenching her fists tight enough and looked anywhere but at Nate. She couldn't wait for Noctis to get back. He just stared at her, knowing very well about her feelings scattering right now.

"You know, Kaya? that's why girls like you are never someone's choice. Because YOU just don't care about logic, reason. know why Noctis would choose Luna over you?" She felt her heart slowly drown into her chest, looking up at the man before.

"Because he KNOWS, if you could marry someone just because they asked you to, you could do anything. Because YOU lack the brains to question whether it's fair to you or not." Nate added, his tone slightly loud an intent glare he held for the girl. It was true... Kaya should have questioned the probability of this succeeding but she took blindly to the hope that things could possibly. Nate was just being cruel shoving the bitter reality to her and it was weighing her down.

"Actually wait, not just that but you lack something very important as well. Know what that is?" Nate added, getting up from his spot and leaned over and Kaya leaned back in her chair. She couldn't meet up his gaze for it was too hateful right now. She didn't know why he was doing this but it was hurting her.

"It's something called "self respect". Because you never considered it important or even paid attention to the fact that everyone is using you. Noctis is going to dump you after his plan succeeds and Regis would gladly let him do so BECAUSE YOU don't have the guts to be more than used." He added, bitter as ever before walking away. It was true. Kaya had been letting her being used since she learned about Lunafreya... was it even worth it? trying?

few minutes later, Noctis stumbled over to the table. He was really worried to what Kaya might be thinking for he had been outside for a good 15 minutes now. It was Luna's fault. She was being an emotional mess for whatever reasons asking her importance in his life and it was very concerning. Noctis didn't know what came over her but if he hadn't listened to her, it would have been a huge problem for him later on. He had had enough of his share of trouble for now and didn't want anymore.

"I'm sorry. It took longer than I thought." He said, plopping down into the chair next to the wife and grabbed the menu.

"Well, let's see. Have you decided on what to eat? I was thinking about waffles." He added looking through the menu, his senses clouded by hunger. Upon not receiving a response, Noctis looked up from the menu to Kaya who just stared at the table, almost numb. It worried him instantly, the expression she had. It was almost as if someone had slapped her hard in the face and didn't even tell her why.

"Kaya? you Okay?" He asked leaning closer. He didn't know what happened. Kaya didn't respond, shifting in her seat as she reached up wiping an almost escaping tear from her cheek.

"Can we go home?" She finally spoke and it stunned Noctis, the expression she had. She met his gaze for a split second before getting up and walked off. Leaving a concerned Noctis behind, who couldn't help but wonder what happened...He was sure Kaya had been over thinking lately. But about what? Was it about Him and Luna? or her family? Or maybe herself...?