Harsh Reality

"I swear Owen, if you don't stop this very moment, I'll slap you!" Rosie warned feeling disgusted. She was indeed surprised to hear all that trash coming from a man that claimed he loves her.

"You take things too seriously. Don't go all macho on me, I was just joking. Although I wouldn't mind if you throw a little of your sexy feminine charms around when we get there".

Rosie started walking out on him. This was him, disrespecting her and she wasn't having it.

"Rosie, wait." He pulled her back gently.

"Fine, I'm sorry. Can we just go and stick to the work-colleague plan? I promise you, I won't say anything you wouldn't want to hear." He said and smiled at her.

They walked up to a Waitress and inquired about Gregory, stating that they had an appointment with him.

"What's your name Sir?" The Waitress asked checking her tab.

"Owen Wilbert."

"This way please."

She led them to a table already occupied by three people. A lady, probably in her early forties and the other probably in her early twenties and a rather stylish man Rosie couldn't place his age because he had his back to them.

"Excuse me Sir, Mr. Wilbert is here to see you." The waitress announced.

The man turned to them, and Rosie felt a heavy lump in her throat when she realized he was the man from before, the one that mistook her for someone else. He was the same man she encountered earlier.

The one she asked to get up from Owen's supposed seat. Thinking back, she tried to recall the tone of voice she used on him by attempting a recreation in her head. But, she wasn't sure if she had sounded disrespectful or not.

Gregory looked at Rosie and smiled. She quickly hid behind Owen, shifting the older man's gaze to Owen.

"Good evening everyone." Owen greeted with his usual million-dollar smile that always melted hearts.

"Good evening everyone." Rosie greeted with a tiny, almost inaudible voice, and remained hidden behind Owen.

"Good evening Mr. Wilbert and to you too Miss. It's very nice meeting you outside the office, Mr. Wilbert. You look great by the way." He smiled.

"Oh, thank you sir. Honestly, I really didn't know what to wear. I just had to go with a suit." Hе replied.

Mr. Gregory laughed and Owen joined with his fake-laughter. Even with a laugh so fake and mocking, his face still looked adorable.

"Please, sit down." Gregory offered pointing at the empty seats that were brought in by two Waiters.

"Thank you Sir. Owen replied and shifted the chair to allow Rosie to sit comfortably.

"This is Miss Bainer Sir, my junior colleague at work."

"Hello Miss Bainer, how are you?"

"I'm fine Sir." She replied, trying her best not to meet his gaze, even though he kept staring.

"Where are the documents?"

"Here they are, Sir." Owen replied, handing him a file.

"Alright. I'll love to sign these now. But, I have to go through them before doing so. And seeing that I'm with my daughter, I'll just go through them this evening. Then, I'll have them signed and delivered to your company by Monday. I hope this arrangement works for you?"

"It's very okay Sir, thank you so much." Owen replied excitedly.

"Miss Baines, what would you love to eat? Forgive my manners Mr. Wilbert, but it's the ladies first." He said smiling.

"Of course." Owen replied, flashing a couple more fake smiles.

"We would have loved to stay and dine with you sir, but we have another client we ought to meet with and we really need to hurry if we're going to catch up with him." Rosie replied and shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

"We do?" Owen asked with raised brow.

"On a Saturday. Hmmm, that's too much work for you two. Maybe I should speak to your Boss about that." Gregory said and waved them off. A good sign to say that they could go.

Owen was already fuming with anger. While Angie on the other hand, watched the unfolding drama with smiles. You won't need a soothsayer to know that Beatrice was burning with anger, and all that anger was directed at Rosie.

Rosie gently stood up smiling uneasily. She looked at Owen gesturing to him to stand. Which he did unwillingly.

"Thank you Sir."

She said and made her way out without waiting for Owen. He had already embarrassed her enough anyway.

"Goodbye Sir and thank you so much for today. I'm very grateful." Owen said in a rush. Then rushed off to meet up with Rosie. She had lots of explaining to do.

"Where are you rushing to, Roseline? Why are you suddenly in such a hurry to leave? What's the problem and what's all that stuff that was going on with you and that old man?" He asked, grabbing her hand gently and leading her to his car.

"Owen, I think I messed up." She said inaudibly. This time, her eyes were teary.

"Messed up, how? What did you do?" He asked, and for the first time with rapt attention.

"Promise me you won't freak out." She pleaded. Owen hugged and pecked her on the forehead.

"Tell me what's bothering you. I'm worried."

"The man inside, I didn't know he was your client. He walked up to me while I was waiting for you. And I told him to get up and leave before I returned from the restroom. I was angry then, so I'm not certain of the tone of voice I used on him. I'm so scared he might not want to sign the papers just to punish me." She narrated.

"Are you mad?" Owen spat out. "How can you do such a thing? Is something wrong with you? Let's assume you didn't know who he was, which is very likely because you prefer your social media gossip blogs over real news channels. Courtesy demands that you show some respect at least. This is Coastal-inn for christ sake Rosie. You hardly see an average income earner here because people like that, people like you, can't afford this place!"

"Owen... the words you use, most times they hurt. They are quite harsh to be used on any human." Rosie whispered.

"Look, I'm sorry. But if your action will prevent me from getting those documents signed, then I suggest you look for a way to make it right. Because we need that man in our space and the MD will not find it funny if we lose him because of your carelessness." He said opening the driver's seat.

Rosie stood there speechless, watching him start the car. His words had pierced her heart like a sharp sword.

"Aren't you going?" He asked, propping out his head through the car window. Rosie opened the passenger's seat and settled in.

"Just take me home. I've had enough for one day. I just want to go home, "she said.

"Fine." He replied coldly and channeled all his attention to the road in front of them.

Rosie kept stealing glances at him and asking herself if this was the kind of man she really wanted.

It was obvious her feelings meant nothing to him. He only cares about himself and his source of livelihood.

They got to her place, one she stepped down from the car, he drove off without a word. Rosie sighed and went inside, regretting that she'd wasted a large sum of money on her dress for no good reason.