Chapter Four: pretending everything was fine.

Rosa’s POV

I sat on the edge of my bed and stared at my phone, the messages still glowing on the screen. Who could have sent me such messages? I began to wonder. My thoughts got out of control. Should I tell you the truth? Does he know this? With each passing second, the room's size decreased. My phone unexpectedly rang while I was jotting down my thoughts.

I looked at Donald's caller ID for a moment. It made my heart sink. Despite my fear, I made myself take a deep breath before answering.

"Hey, sweetie. How are you? His voice remained warm as he asked.

"I am fine," I say in an attempt to sound normal.

Ignorant of the storm brewing inside of me, he kept talking. "Is it possible for us to have lunch tomorrow? With excitement in his voice, he said, "I would like to discuss when you will meet my family and I will meet yours.

After a brief pause, I answered right away. Tomorrow sounds amazing. "Okay, babe."

His gentle words, "I love you, babe," helped to ease my anxiety.

On the contrary, I grinned and said, "I love you more." However, I felt bad even as I spoke.

I let out a sharp exhale as the call ended. The moment of relief was fleeting. Those messages hovered like a black cloud in my mind.

Donald's Point of View

"I am already starving. On the couch, I stretched out and muttered to myself, "I better marry Rosa soon." I was not paying attention to whatever was on, but the room was dimly lit by the television screen. I could not stop thinking about Rosa and our future.

My thoughts were interrupted by a sharp knock on the door. It was answered by one of my janitors.

Loud laughter erupted as a familiar voice exclaimed, "Look who is getting married soon!"

I shook my head and said, "Gabriel," as my best friend entered, beaming broadly.

"Hi, dude!" Gabriel sat down on the couch and gave me a playful shoulder slap.

I gestured to the chair across from me and said, "Have a seat."

"How is business going for the CEO himself?" He leaned back and smirked as he asked.

"Business is fine," I said, attempting to sound humble. Gabriel, though, was not one to give me a pass.

Alright? Is that all you have to say? Don, you are practically making a fortune. Come on. In relation to that, I have heard you intend to get married shortly."

I grinned. Yes, Rosa and I are discussing it. However, I want her to first meet my family. You are aware of my mother's temper.

Gabriel gave a knowing nod. "That is accurate. Your mom is really... intense. He took a moment to observe me. But do you think Rosa is the one? No offense, but you have barely introduced her to anyone in our social circle."

"Rosa is different," I stated firmly. "She is not like the women we used to hang out with. She is smart, caring, and keeps me grounded.

Gabriel raised an eyebrow but did not press on. "Good enough. But you better invite me to the wedding. "And do not make it one of those boring high-society events with a hundred people you do not know."

I let out a laugh. "You will be right in the center. I will make sure the bar is fully stocked especially for you."

"That is exactly what I am talking about!" Gabriel laughed, raising a toast.

Rosa’s POV

The next day, I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my own reflection. I had chosen a simple dress for lunch with Donald, but my thoughts were far from simple. My stomach turned as I imagined sitting across from him and pretending everything was fine.

When I got to the restaurant, Donald was already there. When he saw me, he stood up and gave me that charming smile that had drawn me to him in the first place.

"Hey, babe," he said, pulling a chair out for me.

"Hi," I said with a forced smile.

When the waiter arrived, we gave him our orders. Donald leaned forward as he walked away, his eyes sparkling.

"I have been thinking," he explained. "I would like us to schedule a time for you to meet my family. My mom has been asking about you, and I believe it is time."

I tried to show excitement by nodding. "Baby, that sounds amazing. Tell me when, please.

He took my hand as he reached across the table. "I am going to meet your family after that." I want them to know how serious I am about us."

My throat tightened. My family? My family is the last place I will want to take him to. My wicked step mom and sister, I can't stand them. I quickly pushed the thought away and smiled.

"Of course," I said, squeezing his hand. "We’ll figure it out."

As the meal went on, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was living a double life. Donald saw me as this perfect woman, someone who had it all together. But if he knew the truth... if he knew about David, that I have a son out of wedlock, about the messages from that stranger...

"Rosa?" Donald’s voice snapped me back to the present.

"Huh?" I looked up, realizing I’d been staring at my plate.

"You seem distracted. Is everything okay?"

"Yeah," I lied. "Just... work stuff."

He frowned but didn’t press further.

Later That Night

I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. The messages were still on my phone, unanswered. My fingers flipping over the screen, debating whether to delete them or respond.

Suddenly, a new message came through.

"You can’t run from the truth forever."

My blood ran cold. Whoever this person was, they weren’t going to stop.

I sat up, my heart pounding. I needed to tell someone. But who? Could the person be my step sister Alexis?

Taking a deep breath, I opened the message thread. My hands trembled as I typed a response.

"What do you want from me?"

Seconds felt like hours as I waited for a reply. When it finally came, it was short and chilling.

"The truth."