The Former Marine

Chapter 109: "Met Gala Surprise"

The night of the Met Gala finally arrived. Derek and Kylie's home was abuzz with preparation energy as stylists and makeup artists milled about, fine-tuning the final details. Derek stood, staring at his reflection in the mirror, still getting used to the one-of-a-kind suit Julian had designed for him.

The deep navy suit, with subtle silver accents that resembled military insignia, made Derek stand out in a refined, elegant way. The impeccable cut and silver accents gave him a touch of sophistication, while still maintaining the strong, masculine essence that reflected his history as an elite operator. The modern design balanced his military stance well with the fashion-forward demands of the Met Gala.

"Wow," Derek murmured, still processing the change in his appearance.

Julian, smiling proudly beside him, patted him on the shoulder.

"I told you, Derek. You're going to blow everyone away tonight."

Meanwhile, Kylie was in the next room, wearing a stunning navy blue silk dress with silver details, perfectly complementing Derek's outfit. The dress had a long train that moved gracefully with every step she took, while the delicate neckline and fitted cut highlighted her elegance and beauty. Her hair was tied back in a sophisticated updo, and she wore minimalist jewelry so as not to distract from the dress.

Kendall arrived shortly after, ready for the event. She wore a stunning black ensemble, with sheer and embroidered details, drawing the attention of everyone present. Kendall always looked impeccable at fashion events, and the Met Gala would be no exception. She looked at Kylie, admiring her sister.

"You look amazing, Ky," Kendall said, with a genuine smile.

Kylie smiled back. "Thank you! And you, as always, will steal the show. But..." She looked to the side, where Derek was coming from the next room. "I think we have a surprise tonight."

When Derek walked into the room, both Kylie and Kendall were silent for a moment, watching him. He looked stunning. The suit perfectly matched his imposing, confident stance, and the silver details really captured Julian's idea of ​​honoring his history. Kendall smiled in surprise.

"Wow, Derek… I don't think I've ever seen you like this before. You really look ready for the Met Gala," she said, jokingly but with a tone of sincere admiration.

Kylie looked at him with a look full of pride and affection.

"I told you you'd rock, babe," she said, walking over to him and smoothing the shoulders of his suit. "We're a perfect match. We're going to be the most talked about couple of the night."

Derek laughed, still adjusting to the idea that he was about to attend the most prestigious fashion event in the world.

"I don't know if I'm ready for all this attention, but… if I'm with you, I think I can handle it," he said, squeezing Kylie's hand lightly.

"You two look amazing together. Everyone's going to be blown away," Kendall added as she grabbed her bag and got ready to leave.

The three of them left the house and headed for the Met Gala red carpet. The walk was smooth, but Derek couldn't help but feel the tension in the air. He had never been to something as big as this, and even though he had been through high-pressure situations throughout his life, this was different. This time, he wasn't on a military mission, but in the spotlight, alongside one of the most famous women in the world.

As they arrived at the Met Gala, the buzz of photographers and journalists was immediately evident. The red carpet was packed with celebrities, each one more extravagantly dressed than the last. Flashes flashed constantly, and the sound of voices and cameras was deafening. Kendall, accustomed to events like this, led the way with confidence.

When Kylie, Derek and Kendall began to walk the red carpet, the reaction was instantaneous. Photographers, accustomed to seeing Kylie and Kendall, were shocked to see Derek standing next to them, with his imposing presence and a look that perfectly matched the glamorous tone of the evening. The cameras immediately focused on the trio, and the photographers' cries for them to pose for pictures filled the room.

"Kylie! Kendall! Derek, please look this way!" the photographers shouted, trying to capture the best angle of the couple.

Kylie smiled, accustomed to the attention, and gently pulled Derek by the arm, positioning herself next to him for the photos.

"Just smile and pretend you're having fun," she whispered to him, as she waved to the cameras.

Derek, a little stiff at first, gradually relaxed, trusting Kylie's advice. He smiled for the cameras and adjusted to the rhythm of the event. Kendall, standing next to them, seemed perfectly comfortable, posing like the supermodel she was.

People's reactions was immediate. Comments erupted on social media about Derek's look, praising his impeccable style and how he managed to balance his strong personality with the sophistication of the event. Some fans and journalists were quick to notice the subtle military details in his suit, which generated even more praise for the originality of the look.

"Who would have thought Derek Rogan would rock the Met Gala so much?" read one tweet.

"Kylie and Derek are the perfect couple. And his suit? Incredible!" commented another.

As they walked the carpet, several celebrities stopped to greet the trio. Derek, although still adjusting to the environment, was surprised to see so many familiar faces from the media. He nodded to a few, while Kylie and Kendall chatted with other fashion and entertainment personalities.

Inside the event, the glamour continued. The main ballroom was dazzlingly decorated, with artistic themes and fashion pieces displayed throughout. Kylie held Derek's hand, leading him through the crowd.

— See? It wasn't that bad, was it? — she said, looking at him with a satisfied smile.

Derek laughed, feeling more at ease.

— Yeah, I don't think so. But I'm here for you. I don't know if I would do this for anyone else.

Kylie smiled, leaning in to kiss him softly.

— And that's why I love you.

As the night went on, Derek began to feel more comfortable in the environment, realizing that even amidst all that glamour, he could still be himself. Kylie by his side made everything easier, and he realized that, after all, the Met Gala wasn't as intimidating as it seemed especially when you had the right person by your side.

And so, together, they stole the show on that memorable night.

Chapter 110: "Between Connections and Discomforts"

After a brilliant night at the Met Gala, it was time to join the other celebrities at the famous after party. The venue was enveloped in an aura of luxury and excitement, with soft lights illuminating the space and the music creating a vibrant atmosphere. Kylie and Derek arrived together, hand in hand, ready to relax after the formality of the main event.

The party was full of familiar faces actors, singers, models, and all the hottest personalities of the moment. Kylie seemed to feel completely at ease there, greeting several people with hugs and smiles, while Derek, although more reserved, was starting to get used to the glamorous setting alongside his wife.

"This is the part you're really going to like, honey," Kylie said, leaning into Derek as they grabbed a drink at the bar. "No cameras, just fun."

"I hope you're right," Derek smiled, relaxing a little as he realized the atmosphere had lightened.

They were joined by a group of friends, including Gigi Hadid, Justin and Hailey Bieber, and a few other acquaintances of Kylie's. Conversation flowed, with laughter and stories being shared, but something caught Derek's attention as he looked around.

Across the room, he noticed Kendall. She was deep in conversation with someone familiar, someone he recognized instantly: Bad Bunny, her ex-boyfriend. They were laughing and talking quite closely, which made Derek raise an eyebrow.

"Look who's over there," Derek murmured to Kylie, leaning in slightly to speak in her ear as he glanced in Kendall's direction.

Kylie followed Derek's gaze and saw her sister chatting animatedly with Bad Bunny. She rolled her eyes, but then smiled.

"Oh, they're talking again?" Kylie said, not looking surprised. "I always thought they still had a connection. I don't know if they're really over, you know? They always end up running into each other at these parties."

Derek, however, didn't seem as relaxed as Kylie.

"I don't know... I've never been a big fan of that guy," he admitted, taking a sip of his drink.

Kylie looked at him, surprised by the comment.

"Really? You never mentioned that. What don't you like about him?" she asked curiously.

Derek shrugged, trying to find the right words.

"It's not really about him as a person. It's more about some of his music," Derek explained. "I've listened to a few tracks, and honestly, some of the lyrics are pretty explicit. It's not exactly the kind of thing I like to listen to, especially with all that gratuitous vulgarity."

Kylie laughed a little, shaking her head.

"Oh, I get it. Yeah, I know he has some songs with more... direct lyrics. But that's part of his style. I think deep down, he's not a bad person. Kendall likes him for a reason.

"I know," Derek said, crossing his arms. "I just… I don't know if someone like that is the kind of guy I'd want to see his sister getting involved with again, you know? I'm not judging, but… it's complicated."

Kylie squeezed Derek's hand, trying to ease the situation.

"I understand your concern, but Kendall knows what she's doing. Besides, they're just talking. You know my sister," she said, looking at him with a comforting smile. "She can take care of herself."

Even so, Derek continued to watch the interaction from a distance, with Bad Bunny leaning in to whisper something in Kendall's ear, who soon burst out laughing. Their intimate manner didn't go unnoticed by Derek, who still kept his expression reserved.

"Are you worried about that?" Derek asked, curious about Kylie's opinion.

"Not really," Kylie replied, shaking her head. "I know they have a past, but if she's happy, I support it. I think sometimes we need to trust that people learn from their experien"ces, and maybe this is just a moment for them to sort things out, you know?

Derek nodded, even though he wasn't entirely convinced.

"I guess I'm just more cautious around those types of guys," Derek admitted. "And to be honest, songs about objectifying women really bother me. Maybe I'm being a little too protective."

Kylie laughed and ran her hand down his arm.

"Yeah, maybe I am. But I like your protective side. It's part of who you are," she said, before giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Now, why don't we just focus on having fun? That's what we came here for."

Derek sighed, letting some of the tension go.

"You're right. I'll let it go, at least for today."

They walked back to their group of friends, and the night continued at a relaxed pace, with laughter and conversation between everyone. Derek tried hard not to keep an eye on Kendall and Bad Bunny, but it was hard not to notice the two.

As the party wore on, Kendall and Bad Bunny stuck together, sometimes laughing and sharing moments, but without anything too compromising.

The loud music filled the space, and the atmosphere was vibrant. Derek tried to focus on enjoying the company of Kylie and her friends, but at some point, Kylie realized that he was still a little distracted.

"Look, if you're really worried, I can talk to Kendall later," Kylie suggested softly. "But I don't want this to ruin our night, okay? Let's have fun."

Derek looked at Kylie, who was clearly trying to keep him focused on the present moment. He smiled, acknowledging that he might be overdoing it a little.

"You're right, love. I'm going to relax and let things happen naturally," he said, leaning in to kiss her on the forehead.

Kylie smiled back, pleased with his answer.

The party continued, and little by little Derek was able to let go more, enjoying the night with Kylie and her friends. Despite his initial concerns, he realized that he had no control over Kendall's decisions, and that the best thing to do was to trust that she knew what she was doing.

Later that night, as they were getting ready to leave, Kendall said goodbye to Bad Bunny and joined them. She was in high spirits and seemed to have had a great time.

"What an amazing night, huh?" Kendall said, a twinkle in her eye.

Derek smiled at her, trying to put his worries aside. "Yeah, it was great. I'm glad you had a good time."

Kendall glanced at him, noticing the cautious tone in his voice, but didn't say anything. Instead, she just smiled back and followed Kylie and Derek out of the party.

That night, as Derek and Kylie walked home, he was finally able to truly relax. He knew he couldn't control everything, but he was grateful to have Kylie by his side, always ready to help him see things in a more balanced way.

Chapter 111: "An Afternoon of Reflection"

It was a quiet afternoon at Kris Jenner's house. The Kardashian-Jenner family had gathered for a small get-together. The living room was filled with laughter and light conversation, while Kylie's children ran around the large space, playing happily under the supervision of the nannies and some of Kylie's sisters.

Derek sat on the couch, watching the warm interaction between the family. He enjoyed these more relaxed moments, away from the spotlight, where everyone could just be a family, without worries about the outside world. Beside him, Kylie was fiddling with her phone, sending a few quick messages while joining in the conversations.

Kris was setting up a table full of snacks, while Khloe and Kim played with the children. Kendall, as always, was relaxed, sitting by the fireplace, while Caitlyn chatted animatedly with Kourtney about some recent event. It was a cozy, family scene that Derek appreciated.

— Hey, guys, how about we watch a movie? — Khloe suddenly suggested, stretching out on the couch. — Something to relax a little after all that talking.

Kris readily agreed. — Good idea! I think we have some good options here.

— What do you think of 'American Sniper'? — Derek asked, remembering the movie he had seen a few years ago, starring Bradley Cooper as Chris Kyle, the most lethal sniper in the history of the United States. He knew that Kylie's family rarely watched movies of that kind, but he thought it might be interesting, especially to offer a different perspective.

— American Sniper? — Kylie asked, arching an eyebrow as she looked at Derek. — Isn't it that movie about the navy seal sniper?

— Yes, it is — Derek confirmed. — Chris Kyle. Based on a true story. It's a strong movie, but I think it would be interesting to watch.

— I've heard a lot about that movie — Kendall commented excitedly. — I don't think I've ever watched it all the way through. Let's put it on!

With everyone approving, Kris grabbed the remote and searched for the movie on the streaming platforms, while everyone settled into the couch. The lights were dimmed, creating the perfect ambiance for the session.

The movie started, and the dramatic sound of the soundtrack enveloped the room. As Chris Kyle's story unfolded on the screen, showing his training, his missions in Iraq, and the challenges of balancing life as a soldier with that of a father and husband, Derek watched intently. He was well acquainted with the realities of military operations, and the film, while emotional, brought up certain reflections.

As the plot progressed, Derek noticed the curious looks on Kylie and her sisters' faces. They seemed to absorb the intensity of the battle scenes, the weight of Kyle's responsibility, and the effects that war had on him and his family.

In one of the most tense scenes, where Chris Kyle faces life-or-death decisions while protecting his fellow soldiers on the battlefield, Khloe glanced sideways at Derek and asked,

"Derek, does it really happen like that?" I mean, those quick decisions, and the pressure they show in the movie... is it all that real?

Derek took a deep breath, considering his answer.

"In some parts, yes," he said calmly. "The pressure to make split-second decisions is real, especially when you're in combat and lives depend on your choices. But what the movie doesn't show accurately are the little details, the nuances of day-to-day life in a war zone. Some things are simplified or dramatized for the cinema."

Kylie looked at Derek curiously.

"What exactly do you think was the most exaggerated?"

Derek took a sip of his drink before answering.

"Well, they tend to exaggerate a little bit the way the lone gunman works. In real life, everything is much more coordinated, there's a lot of communication with the team, planning and strategies that involve multiple parties. The movie focuses a lot on the figure of an individual hero, but in the field, it's all about the team, about mutual trust. And of course, there are certain things the movie doesn't touch on, like the uncertainty and moral complexity of missions.

Kourtney, who was standing a little further back, interrupted with a question.

"What about his personal life in the movie? That part where he comes home and can't seem to adjust does that really happen?"

Derek nodded, looking a little more serious.

"That's very real. A lot of guys who have served in combat zones have a hard time adjusting to normal life when they come back. War changes people. And sometimes dealing with the routine, the little things of everyday life, seems almost impossible. Your mind is still on the battlefield, even if your body is home."

Kylie squeezed Derek's hand, feeling the weight of his words. She knew he didn't talk much about his personal experiences, but she always respected what he chose to share.

When the film reached its most dramatic moment, with the tragic end of Chris Kyle's life, the room fell silent. The final scenes showed the impact his death had on his family and his brothers in arms. Bradley Cooper's face, playing Kyle, seemed to convey all the pain and sacrifice.

Kendall, who was deeply involved in the film, let out a tear.

"I knew the ending would be sad, but this... this is heartbreaking," she said, wiping her eyes.

"It's always sad when someone who gave so much for their country ends up like this," Kim said, also emotional. "It's hard to imagine what his family went through."

Derek, on the other hand, kept a more reserved stance. He respected Chris Kyle's story, but he also knew that there were many layers and controversies that the film did not address.

"Kyle's story is tragic, no doubt," he said, breaking the silence. "But it's important to remember that things are not always as they seem. There was a lot of discussion within the military community about how he was portrayed, and not everyone agreed with the hero image the film projected."

Kylie looked at Derek in surprise. "Really? I thought he was well respected by everyone in the military."

"He's respected by some people, of course," Derek explained. "But there are also those who question some of his decisions and how he's presented himself to the public. Especially the number of kills he's claimed to have caused and some of the stories he's told. Reality is always more complex than what we see in a movie."

Kris, who had been quiet until then, said, "Anyway, it's a powerful story, and I'm glad we watched it together."

Everyone nodded, and the mood in the room grew more reflective. The movie had touched everyone in different ways, but mostly it raised questions about heroism, sacrifice, and the complexities of war.

Kylie, sitting next to Derek, was grateful to have someone like him, who deeply understood what it was like to be in a combat zone and how it affected people's lives. She squeezed his hand again and whispered,

"Thank you for sharing your perspective. It helps me better understand what you went through."

Derek smiled at her, grateful for her understanding. "Anytime you want to talk about it, I'm here," he replied softly.

And so, as the movie ended, the family continued their fellowship, but now with a new perspective on what it means to fight for something greater and the consequences it has on the lives of those who do so.

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