Liam and Ava walked into another store. Ava's eyes widened as she looked around at the fancy shelves and shiny decorations. The place looked super expensive, and she could already guess the price tags would be way out of her budget.
"Why did you bring me here?" Ava asked, her eyebrows pulling together with worry.
"You've been spoiling me all day," Liam said with a smile.
"You should treat yourself too."
Ava looked around nervously.
"But this place looks pricey."
Liam let out a little laugh.
"Just take a quick look around."
Ava gave a small nod and wandered over to look through the racks of designer dresses. She picked up a few price tags and gasped.
"These prices are insane," she thought.
"They might as well rob me!"
Meanwhile, Liam took out his phone and made a call.
"James, sell out the mall. I want you to sell everything at 99.9% off."
Ava walked back to him, her face full of curiosity. Liam ended the call and slid his phone back into his pocket.
"I told you, you shouldn't have come here," Ava said, shaking her head.
"Did you see those prices?" she groaned.
"It would feel rude to leave without buying anything."
Liam leaned in and whispered, "Relax, it's on me today."
Ava rolled her eyes.
"Come on, you just lost your job. Stop trying to impress me."
Right then, a saleswoman walked up to them with a polite smile.
"Sorry, good evening. Tonight, we have a special promotion – everything is 99.9% off."
Ava's jaw dropped.
"99.9% off? So, if I bought something that's $1,000, it would only cost me $1?"
The saleswoman nodded.
"That's correct."
Ava squealed with excitement.
"I'll try the whole rack!" she said, running straight toward the clothes.
She started trying on dress after dress while Liam waited outside the fitting room, giving her thumbs up or down for each outfit.
When they were done, they headed to the counter. The saleswoman rang up everything, and they left the store with bags in hand.
As they loaded the shopping bags into the car, Ava practically bounced with joy.
"This is the best shopping spree ever!" she said, grinning.
"I got so many designer clothes. Thank you! I feel like a rich lady. And I only spent a hundred bucks!"
Liam smiled, his eyes crinkling.
"Not bad," he said in a smooth, calm voice.
Ava looked at him playfully.
"Okay, be honest. Did you know there was a sale going on today?"
Liam chuckled.
"You can think of it as a little gift. Today is a special day."
Ava tilted her head.
"What special day?" she asked, confused.
Liam just smiled and shut the trunk. As they drove, Ava kept wondering what he was up to.
They pulled up at a building, and Liam helped her out of the car. Then, he gently blindfolded her.
"Just keep your eyes closed, don't peek. Follow me, follow my voice. We're almost there."
Ava's heart was racing, but she nodded.
"I'm ready."
Liam took off the blindfold, and Ava's eyes went wide. The room was filled with red flowers, and a big sign that said Happy Birthday hung above the bed.
Liam stood in front of her, holding a cake.
"Happy birthday, Ava."
Tears welled up in Ava's eyes.
"How did you know it was my birthday?" she asked, her voice shaking.
Liam smiled.
"It's on the marriage certificate, remember?"
Ava teared up even more as she looked around.
"No one has ever celebrated my birthday before," she whispered.
"I grew up as an orphan. This is the first time someone's done anything like this for me."
Liam's expression softened.
"I'm really happy," Ava said, her tears falling freely now.
Liam smiled warmly.
"Me too."
They sat down together and started eating the birthday cake. Liam handed her a slice, and Ava took a bite, her eyes closing with happiness.
As they sat on the bed, surrounded by all the decorations, Ava turned to Liam with watery eyes.
"Liam, how are you the perfect husband?"
Liam smiled gently.
"Me?" he said in that deep, soft voice.
Ava nodded.
"Mhm."
"How so?" Liam asked, smiling with curiosity.
Ava smiled back, her voice warm.
"Well, even though you're broke and unemployed, and all your friends are already successful, and you haven't even found a job yet…"
Liam raised an eyebrow, cutting her off with a laugh.
"Is this a compliment?"
Ava laughed hard, her shoulders shaking.
"I mean, you still manage to be kind and passionate and just a true family man who cares about his wife. You're the perfect husband."
Liam's expression turned emotional.
"You really feel that way?" He dropped the cake plate he was holding and looked at her.
Ava nodded seriously.
Liam grinned brightly.
"Why don't we just scrap this whole agreement?"
Ava looked confused.
"What agreement?"
Liam's eyes lit up.
"The marriage agreement. Let's not get divorced. Let's stay together for a lifetime."
Ava's eyes widened. Her voice was soft.
"It sounds great, Liam, but we only just met each other."
Liam's grin didn't fade.
"Yeah, but true love can grow over time. Back in the old days, people got married first, and then they fell in love. Let's give it a shot."
The room went quiet, just the soft buzz of the flowers in the background.
Then Ava smiled slowly.
"Well, it might not be the worst idea."
Liam looked thrilled.
"Great! That settles it."
Ava grinned, a playful sparkle in her eye.
"You have a little bit of frosting on your…" Liam tried to point out the spot on her face.
Ava giggled.
"It's ah…"
Before he could finish his sentence, Liam leaned closer and kissed her gently. They stayed like that for a moment, lost in each other.
When they finally pulled apart, Liam's voice was low and husky.
"Delicious."
Still holding Ava's necklace, he leaned in for another kiss, this one deeper and full of passion.
As they kissed, they fell back onto the bed, tangled up together. Liam looked down at Ava, his eyes full of emotion.
"I think we should make up for lost times," he whispered.
Ava hesitated, her eyes wide.
"Isn't it too soon?"
Liam gave her a soft smile.
"Don't worry, practice makes perfect."
He gently ran his fingers along her shoulder, making her shiver.
Then he leaned in again, kissing her deeply. As the kiss went on, they sank into the bed together, wrapped up in the moment.