Novels by John Rose

“You think I want to be with you too.”His statement felt like a slap to my face. Suddenly, I felt a rush of emotions as his words hit my ears. I must say that his statement did touch a nerve. I don't know why, but it hurt like hell. I felt tears pooled at the back of my eyes. His statement just confirmed my thoughts about the conversation which I overheard him having with his grandmother. Sterling continued, oblivious to my feelings. “I don't want to be here either. I hate that I had to lie to my grandparents. I hate the fact that I yelled at my grandmother just because of you. You mean nothing to me and you seem to be forgetting that. So you better watch what you say and stop acting up,” he warned. He seems mad. His jaw was clenched tightly and his brows furrowed deeply in the middle in exasperation. “I am acting up?” I asked as tears threatened to fall from my eyes. But I fought the urge to do so. “You think I am acting up.”“Then explain all this?” he said, gesturing with hi

“Grandpa, Callie, you are here,” Sterling's voice took our attention away from the paintings and we both turned around. Sterling was standing at the door post, a slightly worried expression marring his face. “Yes, son. What is wrong?” the older man asked, noticing the look on him. “You don't look good.”“We have a problem,” he deadpanned. “Problem? What problem?” the old man asked. “There is a heavy rainstorm all over town now. All roads are blocked. What are we going to do?” he gazed at me. “That's right. I didn't tell my parents that I won't be returning home.”“It's…”“You can just call them,” Grandma Ellen's familiar voice came from behind Sterling and then she appeared beside them. “I can't let my grandson drive back to town in this kind of weather.”“My wife is right. You should sleep over,” Grandpa Chris agreed with his wife. Sterling and I exchanged a look. He kept quiet, so angrily, I tore my gaze away. “There is enough room for the two of you.”“You can both take the

As I tried to find my way back to the living room, I found a room whose door was ajar and I got curious to know what was in it or if someone was inside. Slowly, I pushed the door wide open. And then took cautious steps inside. Suddenly, the light flickered on, illuminating the beauty in the room. My mouth suddenly turned wide agape in astonishment. Oh, my God! For a few seconds, I just stood close to the door, gazing round at the wonders in the room.I found myself surrounded by a captivating display of art. The space was adorned with paintings from renowned artists, each one a masterpiece in its own right.It was a private gallery. I would call it a mini art gallery. Was this how wealthy Sterling's grandparents were? Those were huge amounts of money. Wow! Families of Billionaires! I couldn't help but exclaim in admiration. These rich people were such lucky people. I kept exclaiming as I gazed upon the vibrant strokes and intricate details. And in that moment, my worries see

After the brunch, I decided to take a break by looking around the house. The butler decided to be my tour guide since Sterling wanted to speak with his grandparents. I took a few minutes, admiring the beautiful house and the greeny scenery that surrounded it. After a while, I felt pressed, so I turned to the older man who was my guide. “Please, where can I find the restroom?”“Oh, just walk straight down the hallway, turn left and the fourth door by your right is the guest lavatory.”I repeated his instructions and he corrected me. I said the instructions again and when I got it right, he nodded with a warm smile. “Thank you,” I appreciated and then I went in search of the restroom, following his description. After relieving myself, I tried to find my way back, but I got lost. I was confused in the large maze of a house. I was hoping to find someone who would help me find my way back to the sitting room. But no one was in sight. Then, I heard voices coming from one of the rooms.

After a couple of minutes into our food, Grandpa Chris spoke up asking me, “How do you both meet, Callie?”Both I and Sterling exchanged a surprised look. We haven't thought about that. So we don't have any plan on what to say. I raised my gaze to see the couples staring at us expectantly for our response. His grandmother had a narrowed gaze at me. This was unavoidable. I exchanged a look with Sterling, hoping he would be the first one to talk. But he didn't seem like he would respond. So, I let out a deep breath. “We met at the mall,”“We met at an art exhibition,” both I and Sterling chorused and the two couples looked at us with quirked brows.I couldn't blame them. Both of our simultaneous answers were contradicting. I exchanged a suppressed annoyed look with Sterling. He shrugged a shoulder and then plastered a sweet smile on his face. And I felt like hitting him in the face. But I held myself back. “I actually first saw Callie at a mall,” he spoke up before I could say an

Then she said something that left me utterly confused and dumbfounded. “She is not Julie Stewart!”Julie Stewart! Who is Julie Stewart?I asked myself internally. And I turned my gaze toward Sterling, silently pleading for some kind of answer. Who was his grandmother expecting instead of me? But he didn't look my way. He was looking at his grandmother. But the expression on his face has changed. He wasn't looking pleased. “No, Nana. She isn't. This is Calliope, the woman I love and whom I am engaged with.”“But, Sterling…”“Let's not talk about that, Grandma,” he said, his voice pleading as he stared at her in the eyes. The woman seemed to understand and she sighed before nodding. I saw a look of relief wash over Sterling's face before he turned to peer at me. He flashed me a small smile despite me staring at him with a confused expression. I was in the dark. “So you are my grandson's fiancée?”“Y-yes, ma. I and Sterling are in love and he…”“I didn't ask for any story.”“Oh,”