Chapter 3

MALAYSIA

Chocho: Welcome to Malaysia, Mrs. Uzumaki.

Me: And as for you, Cho, you have a lot to explain.

Chocho: I know! But can we put it aside for now? I have really cool places that you need to see!

Me: Like? (pointing at Boruto) Mr. Don won't allow such without fussing about safety.

Boruto: True, which is why I am taking you somewhere we will be free in.

***

Sarada: No... way.

Chocho: Yes way!

I looked at the sight in front of me. It has the initial 'B' from the restaurant to the towels. There was no one except for men patroling every place.

Sarada: You have a private island...

Boruto (smirks) Impressed?

Sarada: Haha.

Boruto: You just don't want to say it. It's okay - I will wait.

I went to the beach side of the island and reclined on one of the chairs. I didn't even realize that I had fallen asleep.

THE NEXT MORNING

I woke up in a bed.

And Boruto was asleep - for the first time since we got married - in bed. With me.

Me: (shocked) Boruto...?

There was no response. He was truly asleep. His sleeping form moves up and down. I stepped out of bed quietly and went to the window after grabbing a glass of water from the table.

Me: (whispering) I can't believe this. Boruto?

I moved to the side he was sleeping on. I looked at his peaceful, sleeping form.

Me: You always have something to say to me, but you never tell me.

Boruto: (in his sleep) Sarada.

I stared at him in shock. He called my name, though his eyes were still closed.

Boruto: Sarada...

I walked back to the bed.

Me: I am here Boruto.

I reached out for his hand, sitting on the chair close to the bed.

Me: It's okay. 

I felt him shift slightly but quickly went back to sleep. His hand gripped mine firmly, and I did not stop him. I moved his hair to the side. His eye scar looking gut-wrenching yet attractive.

Another murmur.

Boruto: Come back.

Me: I am right here.

He then opened his eyes and looked at me. My breath hitched.

Boruto: This is the first time I could finally be close to you.

Me: You are sleepy.

Boruto gently tugged my hand, and I stumbled backwards, my face inches away from his.

Boruto: Please, Mrs. Uzumaki?

I blushed.

Me: Since when do you call me that?

Boruto: We are married, are we not?

I pulled away and walked to the other side of the bed.

Boruto: Come.

Me: You are not helpful, Don.

Boruto: But I must be something more than a Don, right?

I got into bed and looked at Boruto, a smile on my face. I laughed a bit as I leaned closer to him while he did the same.

Sarada: Of course, you are something more than a Don.

Boruto: (smirks) What am I then?

Sarada: My husband.

I touched the pendant that I have been wearing for 9 years.

Sarada: And my baka.

Boruto looked surprised.

Boruto: (shocked) You... knew?

Sarada: Boruto, how long did you think I would have carried on without knowing?

Boruto: I remembered, but I thought you forgot.

Boruto's eyes then went to the pendant I had on my neck. He reached to touch it, his hand brushing my neck.

Boruto: Salad.

I shook my head.

Me: Jeez, Boruto, you went on to become this mafia Don and decide to abduct me-

Boruto: Salad, that wasn't abduction. You agreed to the marriage fair and square.

Me: But you fooled me. That wasn't cool.

Boruto: If you knew who I was and what I have become, would you have still said yes?

Me: Although the life you now lead is dangerous, if I had known it was you from the start, I would have still said yes.

Boruto let out a silent sigh of relief.

Boruto: Why?

Me: (smirking) Because I wouldn't want you to be left out.

Boruto chuckled, and a part of me cracked - I was not supposed to laugh. Boruto was my childhood frienemy.

But here I was, brought into his world of shadows and lurking betrayals, married to him, though fast. I never admitted this, but I was happy to see him. But another part of me had to know the risks involved. 

Boruto gently poked my cheek, bringing me back to my senses.

Boruto: Stop overthinking things.

Me: Who said I was?

Boruto: It's written in your eyes.

Me: ...

Boruto: I won't let anyone touch you. If they do, they will have to go through me.

Me: That's what I don't want.

I heard myself blurt out.

Me: I mean, it's time I just accept how my life has always been.

Boruto: What do you mean?

Me: Don't lie to me.

I looked at him.

Me: I know my parents are also in the mafia. My brother was assassinated by a rival empire. They are probably looking for me as well. (looking at Boruto) So, you do know, right? That's why it was easy for you to ask me that night?

Boruto: (sighs) True. 

Me: (nodding) Well, you did save me from all the pressures of being asked when I am getting married, so thanks.

Boruto: But that's not why I married you, Sarada. You are independent, a well-known celebrity. I didn't marry you because I felt sorry for you or wanted to rescue you.

Me: Then why? Why not ask Sumire or someone else?

Boruto: I was asked to marry Sumire.

I widened my eyes.

Me: Oh?

Boruto: But I refused. (looking at me) And that's when that night when the building was on fire, I rescued you. This was because I wouldn't have found anyone who matches me the way you do.

Me: ...

Boruto: Sounds cliche but-

Me: Baka.

I poked his cheek.

Me: I guess you really grew up, huh? You finally confessed.

Boruto: If that was a test, well done.

Me: No, it wasn't, and I'm glad we are being honest. And... I am also sorry for running away that night. I was still wrapped around the marriage, and finding out about everything... kind of took a toll on me.

Boruto gave me a genuine smile.

Boruto: It's okay. I am the privileged one.

I tilted my head in amusement.

Me: Because...?

Boruto: I have you.

I turned red again and looked away.

Me: You should return to your stoic, no-nonsense persona again.

Boruto: I know you love it.

I turned in the other direction, but Boruto pulled me closer to him swiftly before I could escape.

Boruto: Right, Mrs. Uzumaki?

Me: (blushing) Boruto!

Just then, Chocho walked in, and we both stopped quickly, waking up to face her.

Me: Cho?!

Chocho: Sorry! I didn't mean to

Me: (shaking my head) It... doesn't matter. What's going on?

Chocho: I thought you might want to know what the news is about recently.

Me: (confused) Wait. What news?

Chocho: Figured you didn't see them.

Chocho handed me her phone, and I saw posts and people talking about me. I looked at Chocho, and she nodded.

Chocho: Pictures of you and (looking at Boruto) a mysterious young man running down the road during the fire incident are circulating in social media.

My nightmare was starting to grow. I got a bodyguard/husband overnight, and now rumors of me and Boruto were circulating in Korea. Giving the phone back to Chocho, I took my phone and went to my social media platforms.

Me: Nothing else apart from these?

Chocho: Nothing.

Me: Not even the night I ran?

Chocho: Nothing at all.

I let out a sigh of relief.

Me: If these are the only ones, that's good.

Boruto: So, what do you suggest we do?

Me: I don't know. Besides, you are the one who made them.

Boruto: (smirks) Then I will have them cleaned out by the next 30 minutes.

Me:?

Boruto: You don't believe me?

Me: No, I'm wondering how that's even possible. News circulates fast.

Boruto: There's a lot about me that you will soon find out... salad.

Chocho looked at Boruto and I's interaction and grinned.

Chocho: I will leave... bye!

Me: Bye, Cho.

I turned to Boruto.

Me: You did that on purpose, didn't you?

Boruto: Is it wrong to feel jealous about my wife?