Friendly Reset

"Roseline, you should have been home resting after the day's stress at work, but no! All you could do was go to Owen's house to cook for him! Does this even sound right to you? Why can't he cook his food? Cooking is a basic survival skill, you know, right?" Tessa thundered after listening to Rosie's explanation for coming home so late.

"Tess, calm down; it's just my little way of helping him out. I'm his girlfriend, for crying out loud." Rosie stressed.

"You should tell him that. He is the one with no regard for you. This dude is using you. He's gradually turning you into his chef, maid, and laundry man. How does that even sound to you? Does it sound great to you?" Tessa asked. "You should consider feeding him as well. I mean, spoon-feed him since you literally do everything for him, and what does he even offer you in return for all your goodness?" She asked.

"Owen is a nice man," Rosie started with a sweet smile, "and we are in a relationship." She said in defense.

"Rose, listen to me. If this guy loves you, then he shouldn't be using you the way he does. If he can't make his meals yet prefers homemade meals, then he should hire a cook, also a cleaner, and a laundry man. He should get a maid, someone who can do all these for him and also cater to his needs. The last I checked, you are none of those. This dude can afford a maid effortlessly without even lifting a finger. He is comfortably wealthy! Why does he choose to punish you unnecessarily, and you allow him? Why the whole stress, I don't even understand."

"Come T," Rosie tapped the seat beside hers, motioning her friend to sit with her.

"Things are not the way they seem." She started. "Owen doesn't have much money on him now. He is trying to save up for our marriage." she blurted out before she could stop herself.

"Your marriage? I don't even know if that's a good or sad news. Rose, did he tell you that?"

"Well, he implied it."

"Implied? He didn't say it in simple A-Z sentence?" Tess asked again.

Rosie shook her head "And you believed him? She continued.

"Of course I do," Rosie replied. "We've been together for..."

"Nine months," Tessa interrupted. "And that is enough time to decide what the both of you want in this relationship of yours." She continued, "did he say he wants to marry you? Does he even want to see your family at least? Just so they can know who you're hanging out with." She added.

"Tess, stop; I don't intend to scare him. I would rather not subject him to unnecessary pressure. So, we're taking it one step at a time. Besides, they've spoken to him on the phone several times." Rosie replied calmly.

"Baby, you deserve way better than Owen. It's been over nine to eight months of cooking, cleaning, washing, running flimsy errands, and slaving for him. That alone gives you more than enough right to make certain demands of him." Tessa continued. "You do know that you are so gorgeous and there are men out there who would give anything just to be with you. For instance, my colleague, Dennis..."

"Okay, okay, I'll stop you right there." Rosie interrupted. "I'm currently in a relationship. So, I'm all good. Okay?" she stated and Tessa nodded in agreement.

"I pray you have no reason whatsoever to end up with Owen though. I seriously do not think he will make a great partner. He's not doing an impressive job now, so he'll do worse when you are finally joined in holy matrimony." Tessa blurted out.

"Tessa!!!" Rosie exclaimed.

"What? I'm being honest, Babe. I don't like him. He's not good for you. I left some noodles in the microwave for you." She said, changing the topic. "Help yourself to some." She added, standing up.

"I'm not hungry," Rosie told her, standing up as well. "I ate at Owens." She made her way to her room with Tessa following right behind.

"Oh well, thank you, Chef Rosie. My stomach can make do with more food." Tessa said when they got to the door leading to Rosie's room. "You should also consider practicing this your new-found chef hobby more often, especially at home." She went on as Rosie stepped into her room. "Charity, they say, begins at home." She added.

"Charity does what? Oh my god..." Rosie laughed uncontrollably. "Tess, you are a mess. Why are you even at my door? I'll send these shoes your way if you don't go away right now." She added amid laughter

"I was just saying..." Tessa started but was cut short by the sight of one of Rosie's footwear coming directly at her.

She flew to the kitchen, laughing. "Good night," she called from inside the kitchen.

"Good night, B." Rosie responded, undressing and getting ready for the night.

......................

"So, what do you think?" Rosie asked Tessa, showing off the dress she was able to purchase for her date with Owen.

"It's beautiful," she replied, turning the dress over. "This must have cost you a reasonable sum. I wonder why you bother. It's not like he's ever going to notice."

"Tess, seriously."

"I was just joking." Tessa nudged her.

"But that's not fair. You know he was distracted the other day. Hence his reason for not noticing my hair and that's part of the reason he wants to make up for it with this date."

"Alright. The dress is beautiful. I love it and I know he's going to love it too."

"Thanks T." Rosie replied, taking back the gown.

"So, when is he coming to pick you up?" She asked.

"Ugh, I really don't know. I'll just have to call him and find out." Rosie replied, dialing Owen's number.

"Hello." Owen's voice came on.

"Hello Baby. What time are you coming to pick me up? I'm almost ready."

"Ahh, about that." He began. "I don't think I'll be able to make it down..."

"I don't understand, what's going on? She interrupted.

"Well, I have to stop at Festers company to pick up an item. I have another stop at this sophisticated restaurant, Coastal-Inn, and it's for work."

"Owen!" She exclaimed, cutting him short.

"Alright... alright, you don't need to yell. Let's look for a common ground here. Why don't we meet at the Coastal-Inn, we can go together from there."

"But babe.., this was not the plan, you were meant to come get me from the house." She said calmly

"Rosie, please, I have a lot on my mind right now. Just stop whining for god's sake, I already told you this was important. I'll send you the address. Take a taxi to the address, I'll pay for it." Owen hung up.

Rosie's heart sank. This man keeps treating her like a third option or something. Making her feel like she doesn't deserve to be treated any better.

"Gosh, I'm so angry right now." She fumed.

"What's wrong? He's not coming to pick you right?" Tessa asked.

"I guess I'll just take a cab." She replied, feeling down.

"That's okay. Go freshen up and get ready. I'll call you a cab."

"Thank you so much Tess." Rosie said, reining her temper. Then she left for the bathroom.