Chapter VI

I want to stay married. Jared's words echoed in Rossie's head. It took her three long minutes to react, opening her mouth and blinking in disbelief again. Did she hear it right? Or is her mind having thoughts of its own?

"C-Come again?" she asked.

"I want to stay married," he repeated.

So, she didn't mishear it. It was just hard for her brain to process the thought that Jared was making this more complicated for her. She breathes in and out. 

"Now why would you want to stay married?" She tries to be calm. "You know I have a boyfriend, right? I can't stay married to you!"

"I know but he doesn't need to know," he casually said.

Why is it so easy for him? she asked in her head, feeling her blood boiling in her veins. This guy clearly didn't think this through.

"I am not that kind of girl!" She completely broke composure. "I am going to divorce you no matter what happens! I'm sure we'll see each other in court!" 

Rossie was about to open the car door but it was locked. She shifted her head and throw a glare at Jared, eyes burning. "Unlock it!" she orders him.

"You're not going to win the case," he softly said. "You can tell your boyfriend what happened. Unless you want to keep lying to him and make this more of a mess than it already is."

"It's not going to be a mess if you just agree!" she gritted her teeth. Arguing made their faces closer to each other. Then just out of nowhere, one corner of Jared's mouth curved up making her frown. "What are you smirking for?"

"You're honestly cute," he blurted. Immediately, she leaned back, eyes wide and her cheeks hot. That's when his chuckles were heard. "I am not divorcing you. You can file the petition but I'm telling you. You'll lose the case."

They didn't say any more words. Jared just dropped her at the block before theirs and she was surprised he could remember that she isn't supposed to be seen with him. The door unlocked and Rossie knew she was good to go. But before that, she needs to tell him something.

"My boyfriend is coming home," she softly said. "You should not come around anymore. You're not helping with the divorce anyway."

Without hearing Jared's response she left the car, slamming the door behind her. Now she's marching towards her wooden gate and inside their house. Her dad is awake and she came over to greet him.

"Morning," she greeted, her voice sounding so tired than usual. "What are you watching so early in the morning?" 

"Reruns of my favorite show," her father answered. "You're a bit early today. How was work?"

"Good." She sighs and his father turned to her. Later on, she had to face him too. "What?"

"You seemed more tired than usual. Anything you want to tell your father?"

"Nah." She looks away. "Why don't you watch the live airing of the episode?"

"Your mother watches television all night. I have to give her the space she needs."

So there is just respect between them or it could still be love. Who knows? None of them ever really say anything or explained to Primrose and her what actually happened. No one dared to ask anyway. She can't be troubled right now. Her problem is getting out of hand. 

Rossie stayed with her father watching that comedy show and she enjoyed sharing a couple of laughs with him. From working too hard, she barely has time for laughing-- all she does was fake it most of the time. 

It was all joy until her mother came out of her door and gave them a stare. It was telling them that they were loud and she had woken up from that. Instantly, Danny turn off the television, display an apologetic smile at Rossie, and stood up.

"I'm going to help her do the morning so you better go get some rest," Danny stated and left her to follow his wife to the kitchen.

It appears to Rossie that her father actually still loves her mother. Or it could be that they got used to each other. Whatever it is, they're showing love without communicating. She wouldn't realize that if she wasn't troubled like this.

As she went to her room, her phone started vibrating. She took it out and saw it was Ellisa face timing her. She immediately slides to answer.

"I need some tea!" Ellisa sang so loud. It was a good thing that Rossie had already shut the door behind her. "I was hesitating to call you 'cause you might still be with your husband. But heck I couldn't bear the anticipation!"

"He didn't." Rossie sighed that stopped Elissa. Her best friend had a creased forehead which she knew the meaning was. "He didn't agree to the divorce. He's making it--"

"Wow!" Ellisa cuts her off. "He's my type of guy for you! Your husband is exactly what you need."

"Yeah, I obviously need him to sign the damn divorce paper!"

"B*tch chill! You haven't even filed one!"

"Which side are you on, Ell?" She couldn't help but roll her eyes. It's frustrating to hear your friend disagreeing with you.

"To where I think you'll be great with."

"And you think it's not Jake?"

"I never liked that guy for you!" 

It's true. Ellisa would always disapprove of Jake for reasons she doesn't know. But... Jake has helped her a lot of times when she doesn't know where to go. Jake always sets her on the right path and there's no way she'd betray him... yet she did and that was a mistake-- her biggest mistake.

"Listen," she spoke softly, "I love Jake, Ell. There's no way I can leave him just because I married someone while I was drunk."

"And do you think he'd still stay with you when he finds out about this?"

The atmosphere suddenly changed in Rossie's room. It was like she was struck by lightning and someone is choking her right now. Even just the thought of Jake leaving her hurts her so much that she knows her eyes were starting to flood.

"I didn't mean it that way, Rose. But think about it." Ellisa softly said, her face softening. She knows her best friend has made sense. "We better fix it before he finds out about this."

Slowly, she moves her head up and down, agreeing with Ellisa. Why can't that guy just agree with her? There's a lot she has to do now. She needs a lawyer, someone she can trust so she can file the divorce.

"Do you know any lawyer who can handle my case?" she asked.

It took Ellisa a couple of minutes to shout, "Aunt Natalie is a lawyer!"