0026

••TWO MONTHS LATER••

It was a Tuesday morning, and the bright morning sun shone brightly through the streets of States. Alex, now ranking amongst the top five successful business men, was known for his precision, had make sure to spend extra ten minutes preparing for today's work and to look good than usual as well.

He'd landed a contract as a new lead supplier of office material for a large trading firm and needed to make a good impression. As he cautiously straightened his black tie one more time, his right lingered on the reflection in the room mirror hung before him.

The businessman admired himself, all smiles, and felt a jolt of excitement. Today would be a start of new chapter in his life, a day filled with larger budget and even loftier aspiration —the weather was unusually good that morning, so he could promise himself that.

Within that same room of his, also beaming in anticipation was his wife, Rosy. A true vision of femininity, she bore an image that bought compassion to the Greek goddess. Beneath this pleasant unruffled exterior, she held within her a powerful desire to make her mark in the world. It was this surface of her appearance, the longing for greater influence and wealth, that had drawn her close to Alex.

On that fateful Tuesday, the radiant sunlight made its way through narrow slit between the curtains and gently caressed Rosy's golden look. The room, steeped in warm, ambient light, present an air of heavenly comfort and the couple felt it.

It was in this divine settings that Rosy, feeling confident in her delicate beauty, resolved to traverse the line of business management and assert her position in her husband's heart and asset.

As Alex was about to leave the room, buttoning up his suit jacket, to project an image of authority, Rosy intercepted him, her footsteps were as light as waltz, yet somehow maintained command over the room with a warm smile on her face. She gracefully tilted her head, and her blond curls dance like waves on the sun kissed beach. Her eyes glistered like the surface of the Thames catching the afternoon sun and she spoke with an irresistible allure.

"My dear husband..." She called out softly, placing delicate hand on his chest to halt his progress towards the door. "We must talk."

Alex, fascinated by the sudden deflection, met her gaze. "Of course, my dear beautiful wife, we can always discuss anything. In spite of it, I must remind you that I have rather important meeting today." He told her in reply in the most calm voice he could muster. "I don't want to be late to work today, I'm sure you understand what I mean."

Rosy, though with unwavering resolve, continued. "Yes, I am aware of your meeting, my dear Alex but this is a matter that pertains to both of us —our future, I wouldn't be stopping you like this if it's not important." She paused for a moment, allowing Alex to weigh the gravity of her words before she would continue again.

As expected of Alex, he did not interrupt her and still keep his cool even after her brief pause: the best he could do was watch her finish whatever she has to say to him.

"As you know, our Union is a one that speaks of love and dedication. It is one that has unites our lives as completely as we are able. And, since we now share the same path in life, I believe it only fitting that we share name in all aspect including your properties and company." She completed her words, her gaze fixed on his and giving him the kind of stare he can barely resist or look away from.

Caught off guard, Alex initial excitement for the day begin to completely changed into a pressure paved mountain within the space between them —this was the least he expected from her. Even though he did expect this from her since they are married, at least, not this soon.

He managed to retain a hint of smile as he replied. "Rosy, my love, I understand your willingness to contribute to our life together, but surely you know that such a conversation requires a great deal of thought and time. Perhaps we can broach this subject when I return from work today?" He sound cajoling, his facial expression gentle and kind.

Rosy, did not try to hide her disappointed, nonetheless remained poised and elegant. "Very well if that is what you wish." She accepted tacitly in a soft voice, feigning contentment. As she gracefully distanced herself, her eyes betrayed a glimmer of frustration —a fleeting moment of vulnerability that Alex had just refused to address.

As Alex stood squarely at the door, the way of his choice carried by his hesitance and even a hint of sorrows. The sturdy wood of the door frame feel like a barrier between their ambitious and affections as he couldn't shake the gut feeling that his response had created a tiny hairline fracture at the foundation of their marriage.

With knot brows, he delicately spoke his parting words. "It is not my intention to disappointed you, Rosy, you know I wouldn't. Trust that I will give this my utmost consideration upon my return, we shall, together, find a proper resolution." He uttered softly.

Rosy, sensing the sincerity in his words, offered her husband a gracefully warm smile —she knew it, she knew he's just too soft to refuse her requests; literally, he can't. The least she could offer him was her usual charming smile, the type Alex could not resist, not even anyone and then, it's done!

"I trust that we will come to a good conclusion..." She remarked, brushing his shoulders lightly as though she was dusting off perk of dust on his blazer. "...when you return from work."

Alex grinned in return, but his countenance displayed an air of strained determination. "Sure, Rosy, we will..." He responded with a positive vibe. With that expression held within his heart, he kissed her softly on her forehead before he turned and left, closing the door gently behind him.

As the door latched, Rosy, abandoning her initial loss of hope and disappointment, regard the room with new hope found. Yes, she had not yet manage to implant her name in Alex's achievements but the seed has been sown, but she believe that with love, strength and perhaps a little bit of cunning, it would bear fruit —greater than her initial thought.

At that moment, the sun that's always a witness to human fortunes, spilled across her face, emphasized the contours of her beauty and the intensity of her dreams. Now the two, love and ambition, intertwined as deeply within her as they did with the unions she shared with her husband.

“Will their love be strong enough to bear the weight of their ambitions, or will the surface of that dignified dream crack, revealing a abyss too vast to traverse?” These would have been any other lady's thoughts but with Rosy, things were completely different —she wasn't really chasing love, her intentions might not be as Alex had thought them to...