Chapter 04

Aidan’s POV

I sat I my office lost in thoughts. Who dared to hurt my Rosé? Whoever it was should count them lucky she didn’t tell me their name. He never wanted to see her sad again.

‘You should have seen her face’ a voice broke his thoughts, it was his assistant’s.

‘Too bad she ran out of the room, but she can’t hide from me forever since we are working in the same building now’. Really, couldn’t she just do her job instead of gossiping?

‘She just recently started working here right?’ the other voice asked.

‘Yeah she’s the receptionist’. Regina said, wait receptionist? Were they talking about Rosé?

‘Did something happen between you two?

‘Why do you ask?’

‘Because you talk about her like your enemies’

‘That’s because we kinda are. She stole my boyfriend back in college and ever since then I’ve hated her guts, that encounter we had in the cafeteria was just the beginning, she’ll be seeing more of me’ I heard Regina say, was she the reason for Rosé’s tears? If so she will pay for it.

How is Rosé? I should check on her. I left my office, Regina was still gossiping with that friend of hers, ‘back to work’ I spat at both of them. They were a little bit frightened ‘Yes sir’ her friend said scrambling to her station.

The elevator landed on the ground floor, I saw my Rosé speaking to that guy again, I got information on him from Steven his name’s is Joshua, works in the auditing department. What will it take to make him leave her alone? I didn’t like seeing her all buddy-buddy with another man.

I stood beside a pillar looking into my phone but I was really listening to their conversation.

‘So, won’t to tell me about what happened between you and Regina? You seemed like you were about to cry’ Joshua asked her.

‘I wasn’t and I don’t want to talk about it. It’s a little personal ok?’ Rosé replied exasperated.

‘Fine, I won’t ask again’ Joshua said.

‘So, Wendy and I were supposed to see this movie this Saturday but she says she can’t come, so would you be interested?’ No, he did not just ask her out.

‘I’ll think about it’ Rosé said.

I’m glad she didn’t say yes but she didn’t say no either. Was she interested in him? That guy is really pushing his luck, what do I do about this situation now?

I waited till Joshua left before I went back to the office. Regina followed me.

‘Sir, one of your clients called earlier and would like to meet with you over dinner’ Regina continued ‘going over your schedule I recommend Saturday sir’.

‘Saturday’s fine’.

A smile came up to my face. ‘I’ve got it’ I said

‘Got what sir?’ Regina asked

I didn’t realize I was speaking out. ‘Nothing you are dismissed for now, and call Wayne, I need to speak to him’ I ordered.

I’ve got the perfect plan to bring her close to me and avoid her meeting with Joshua its killing two birds with one stone. I smiled to myself.

Rosé’s POV

I got back home from work. I walked into the living room and greeted my dad who was watching the news. My mom called from the kitchen. ‘Rosé are you home?’

‘Yes mom’ I answered entering the kitchen. ‘Baby how was work?’

‘Stressful as always, you seem busy?’

‘Yeah we have guests coming over for dinner’ she informed.

‘Oh well who are they?’

‘I don’t know your father didn’t give me all the details only that they’ll be here by 7:00’.

‘Ok is there anything I can do to help?’ I asked.

‘No, don’t worry about me just go and rest you must have had a long day’.

‘And dress very nice too’ dad called from the living room.

I went to my room and took my bath. I walked up to my closet and wore a laced white dress that hugged my waist and stopped just above my knee. I styled my hair and sat on my bed going through my phone until I heard a car pull up. I looked out the window and saw two figures walk up to the front door. I could tell by their silhouette that they were both men but I couldn’t see their faces because it was dark.

‘Rosé come down they’re here’ my mom called from downstairs.

I put on my black flats and came downstairs but I couldn’t believe my eyes.

Our guests were Adam and his parents. What were they doing here? I never accepted the marriage proposal my dad better not be acting on his own.

I kept a smile on my face and greeted them. ‘Good Evening Mr. and Mrs. Wright I had no idea you guys were coming’ I said with a fake smile.

‘Call me Melody’ Mrs. Wright said. ‘Mrs. makes me feel old’

‘Michael you didn’t inform them of our arrival?’ Paul asked clasping my dad’s back. ‘Well Rosé started working and was mostly tired when she came back so I never had the opportunity’. My dad said. Yeah right.

‘It’s good to see you again’ Adam said extending a hand my way.

‘Hey Adam’ I said shaking his hand.

‘Why so much formality, hug her’ melody said to Adam.

‘Oh we don’t have to – don’t be shy’ my dad interrupted me.

I rolled my eyes making sure he didn’t see, hugged him then went to the table. The others were already seated. So Adam and I sat next to each other. My mom stood up and served the food. And soon everyone started eating.

‘This is really delicious you really outdid yourself’ Mr. Wright praised my mother.

‘Thank you’ my mom said.

‘Indeed and this flavor is it cinnamon?’ Melody asked my mom.

‘Good job figuring it out, what I did was –‘she then started chatting with Melody.

‘Food this quality should be pared with the best wine, Rosé could you get special wine for me’.

The wine was on the top shelf I tried reaching it but I couldn’t. Looking around I muttered ‘Where’s that stool?’

‘Let me’ Adam said reaching from behind me. I was startled by his voice and turned around and came face to face with him. He was close, too close.

He just smiled and held the wine for me. ‘Here’.

‘Thank you’ I said looking down and taking the bottle.

I gave the bottle to my dad and went back to my seat. Looking up I saw Melody wink at me. I don’t know what my dad hopes to accomplish by bringing them here but nothing will change my mind.

‘Would you like some wine?’ Adam asked holding out the wine bottle to me.

‘No, thank you I’m good’ I said.

Dinner went on and I didn’t say a word only speaking when I was spoken to. The Dinner ended I helped cleared the plates then disappeared into the garden without anyone noticing. ‘Hey’. Well almost everyone.

‘What do you want Adam?’ I said without turning around.

‘You were awfully quiet during dinner is everything alright?’

‘Everything’s fine’ I said

‘I don’t think so cuz I saw your face when you came down the stairs earlier you didn’t look happy to see us’

‘No it’s not that I was just…surprised to see you. My mom told me we’re having guests but she didn’t say who’.

‘Ok’ he didn’t sound convinced well I could care less.

‘So, you started working?’ Adam asked.

‘Yeah I like to earn my own money instead of living off of someone else’s’.

‘Hm, what kind of job is it?’

‘Receptionist’ I said

‘Hmm receptionist’

‘Why are you here?’ I asked

‘What do you mean?’

‘Did your mom tell you to come here?’

‘No she didn’t. I came out for some air and saw you standing here’

‘Well don’t let me stop you from receiving your air’ I said then turned to walk away but a hand stopped me.

‘What?’ I asked

‘Do you dislike me?’

‘What?’

‘Or did I offend you in some way?’

‘What, no you didn’t. Where did that come from?’

‘Well you hardly speak to me, and when we do speak you always seem disinterested or annoyed and find a way to get out of it. If I did something to make you feel that way towards me then I am truly sorry’.

‘Stop you don’t have to apologize’ I said. I didn’t know he paid so much attention to me. ‘I don’t dislike you and I’m sorry if I gave that impression’.

‘You don’t? Then how come you’re always so cold towards me?’

‘How do I put this? My dad has been trying to get me to accept the marriage proposal to you for months now. I wouldn’t want him to think I support or entertain the idea so I try to be closed off to you as I can in hopes that he’ll drop it or better yet you’.

‘So in other words, you’ve been acting cold to me so that I’ll drop the marriage?’

‘Yes. Why do you want to marry me anyway?’ I asked. Because I didn’t really know him, we’ve met a few times during visits but I never became close with him so why would he want to marry me?

‘The marriage thing wasn’t even my idea’s, it was my dad’s'

‘What?’