William noticed people looking at them, so he remained seated in the car and drove away as soon as she buckled up.From the darkness of the car, he had seen her parents looking at her as well. He felt conflicted looking at them. They had hurt his Rosaline too much over the years. Yet, they were also the victims. But William had no sympathy to offer them.Rosaline’s cries filled with despair were still ringing in his ears. He had a feeling he would never forget it in this life. The ride back to the hotel was quiet. William had begun to sense estrangement in their comfortable silence.Rosaline had never been an open book. With everything that happened, she seemed to have closed off even more.She would still kiss and flirt with him, but her emotions were closed off.He could not see anything in her clear eyes, but he knew that was because she hid her emotions, not because she did not feel anything.They arrived at the hotel, and she slumped on the couch as soon as she entered the roo
William and Rosaline sat on the bed, hugging each other tightly.After a long time, when William was beginning to think she may have fallen asleep, Rosaline finally said something normal.“William. Thank you! I am exceptionally fortunate to have met you. I am happy that I fell for you.”“One day, I will love you with my heart and soul and make you my topmost priority. Not because I feel like I owe you or because of gratitude.”“But because I can see myself growing old together with you, and very happily so. And I can see myself completely and utterly in love with you.”“I am sorry that I have made you upset and worried. I am sorry that I am not ready. And I apologize in advance if I did something stupid again.”“I fucked up, but I don’t know how to fix it. I feel numb. I don’t want to start feeling anything or face anything because I am scared I won’t be able to take it.”William tightened his grip around her at her words. He had suspected as much but hearing her say it made it much w
William let her go as Rosaline had yet to freshen up.“There’s tea in the pot. Anything specific you would want to eat?”“Let’s check out and head back. There’s a cafe an hour from here which provides a good breakfast. It’s en route to Apex city.”“Alright!”William packed their things as Rosaline freshened up. They did not have many things to pack, as they had stayed only for a day.Rosaline snickered, witnessing that. “What?” He asked, confused at her reaction.“I was just surprised by your efficiency.”“It’s good to be efficient.”“In everything?”William picked her up and threw her on the bed, stilling himself on top of her.“Are you not going to pay me for being your driver and assistant for the last few days?”“I was under the impression I got those privileges being your girlfriend.”“You are right. That’s why you should compensate me with boyfriend benefits.”“Boyfriend benefits? Really? And those would be?”“Kiss me!”“Huh. Can’t you do it yourself? You are on top anyway.”“O
Rosaline did not know whether she should laugh or cry. She somehow felt proud of herself.“We certainly don’t want that!”She whispered seductively before sucking behind his ears.William’s arms around her tightened, and he grabbed her ass almost painfully.She only smiled on his neck and left slow and wet, deep and bruising kisses all over his neck, chin, and shoulders.She moved down to his chest, but he grabbed her by the hair, pulling her up for a kiss.He kissed her, alternating between passionate and urgent to gentle and slow. “Calculating Capitalist!”She murmured as she ran her hands on his hair, neck, shoulders, chest, waist, and stomach. He tried to flip her over to take charge, but she stopped him and asked him to turn over. She lay on his back, caressed him, and kissed his entire back. The scratches she had left a few days back were still there, though barely.She ran her tongue through them all and bit him randomly, leaving hickeys all over.He could barely take it as
William did not want Rosaline to dwell on that anymore, so he shifted the topic.“You are lucky. Good foods find you themselves, rather than the other way around.”“Maybe they want to be savored and appreciated, rather than just being devoured.” She replied right back, leaving him speechless.Thankfully, the waiter came with their food, and Rosaline was successfully distracted.They chatted the entire ride.Rosaline drove back despite William’s objections.She had always liked driving this route and stopped two times to show him things she liked or admired.When they arrived back, she drove straight to Tessa’s place.William was very unhappy with that.He knew they both had less than two weeks together before they both went back to work. He wanted to spend all their time together, but clearly, Rosaline had other plans.She got out of the car and did not even invite him in.“Go home. Don’t ruin things like that.” She replied, placing a chaste kiss on his lips.“What are you going to do
After sending William away, Rosaline carried her bags as she went inside.It was late morning, but all the lights in the house were still on. Tessa was sleeping on the couch in the living room.Looking at the tear stains on her face and dark circles under her eyes, Rosaline could tell she was having a rough time.Tessa was strong and would never cry easily. Most of the time, her tears were always related to Grammy’s death.Rosaline panicked, seeing her like this.She dropped everything and called her gently. She caressed her hair just like Grammy used to caress theirs.Tessa uttered weak ‘Grams’ in her sleep and pulled her hand, half-hugging her to sleep.Tessa was never clingy.Rosaline wondered if the events from the previous day had shaken her up.She did not wake her but hugged her tightly, squeezing herself on the couch as she caressed her hair.When her hand was sore, she switched to the other hand and continued to caress her hair.When Tessa woke up after three and a half hours
Rosaline pretended to leave the house and went halfway towards AR Mansion before turning back.Rosaline and Tessa had been friends for almost their entire life. They both knew each other well.Tessa knew Rosaline felt guilty for putting her parents in a spot. And even towards her for being hurt and almost raped. But she knew it was not her fault.Tessa could not contain her fear, but she could keep Rosaline from the truth.She did not want her best friend worried and blaming herself. If worse came to worse, she would get therapy, and Rosy would never have to know.She sent her away and had someone in the hotel follow her to a small distance to ensure she left for real.When they confirmed she had, she heaved a sigh.She then did a few things to kill time and keep herself from overthinking.Rosaline, on the other hand, also knew Tessa was not well, and she was hiding something from her.She pretended to leave and even drove more than halfway through to ensure she believed it. Then she
Rosaline came out of her trance when she heard her phone ringing.By then, the water had gotten cold, and her skin had wrinkled.She took a quick hot shower and changed into a full-sleeved t-shirt and pants.She applied some make-up to hide the redness of her eyes. But she could do nothing for the swelling.It was already fifteen-odd minutes when she returned the phone call.It turned out to be William’s father. It took her by surprise.She was even more surprised to hear him requesting a meeting.Strangely she asked him if William knew they were meeting, only to get a negative answer. She asked him to keep it that way. She told Tessa she was going out as Leena called for something urgent.Tessa did not doubt it as Leena was going to Bellum city in a few days.Since Rosy acted fine and did not want to talk about things, she could only let it go.When Rosaline arrived at the teahouse as requested by Anthony, she got ushered into a private room.“Uncle!” Rosaline greeted the man who wa