Chapter 4

As Rose got ready to go to bed, she patted her face and looked in the mirror, trying to see if the innocent look she used to have four years ago was still on her face. All she saw was a strong confident woman. 

She remembered the conversation she had with Timothy, even though one couldn't really consider it a conversation as the boy said nothing yet, it made her heart warm. 

Four years ago, if she hadn't lost that child, wouldn't it be that same age as the little boy? 

Shaking the thought off her mind, she got in bed and prepared for the next day. 

The following morning, Rose had slept in and she could swear she had set the alarm. Rushing through her small apartment to get dressed on time, the whole place was left in total chaos by the time she left. 

Upon getting to Pearl Corpotation, she rushed towards the elevator that was about to get in but couldn't catch up. Franctic that she would be chewed out by her boss, her eyes landed on the private elevator that was only meant for the president and executive members of the company. She looked around like a thief, confident no one was really paying attention to the elevators and pressed the button, hoping it would open on time before she gets caught. 

As if the heavens were smiling at her, she got on before anyone noticed and was about to press the 20th floor when someone stopped the elevator. 

"Who the fu…" she muttered but was cut short when she saw the face. "Oh!" 

He simply glanced at her and got in. He pressed the 26th floor and stood in corner. "Good morning. Thank you for last night." 

Rose placed her hands behind her back like a meek cat. Something baout Timothy's dad seemed off, she couldn't place her finger on it, but the man had an intimidating appearance even though his looks were godly. "You are welcome." She glanced at him and knew he must be over six feet tall. His jaw was sharp and strong, his nose pointed and standing proudly, his lips were pressed into a fine thin line and he exuded an aura of elegance. She was sure if she looked closely, his skin would have no pores. 

The elevator stopped on the 20th floor and Rose got off, waving her hand at the man. A colleague of hers saw them and bowed his head in greeting towards the man who simply ignored him. 

Jake, her desk neighbor and colleague pulls her into the office, his face all excited for no reason. "What were you doing in the private elevator with the President?" 

Rose's bored eyes lit up with surprise when she heard him talk. "That man is the President?" 

"You didn't know?" He clicked his tongue. "Figures. Seeing as you are always so serious with work, you don't know the gossip around. President Zeke Freeman, unmarried, sexy as sin, a billionaire, wanted by all women and our new boss." 

Rose patted her chest as she sat at her desk, muting James' voice when he continued to chatter and ask her irrelevant questions. 

She continued with work, looking through all the necessary documents and searching the internet to make sure there were no dirty articles about the company. Most people would think the PR department spend their time on the internet alone but in reality, they kept the image of company sparkling clean. 

It was about two hours into her work time when she got called into the office by her strict boss. 

The woman adjusted the glasses frame on her nose, and looked down on Rose through her lens. "Go to the 26th floor, the President's assistant needs you." 

"Yes Ma'am." 

With heavy feets, she dragged her body to the 26th floor, her mind flashing with different reasons why she would needed on the top floor. 

Maye he wanted to chide her for using the private elevator and warn her to stay away from him. A man like him would not like any lady trying to act familiar with him. And Rose had met his son. Of course he needed to take preventive measures. 

On getting to the 26th floor, the first person she met was a bulky man who introduced himself as the President's assistant. 

"You must be Miss Rose Walker." He said with a professional smile and stretched his hand out for a handshake.  

Rose awkwardly shakes his hand and smiles in return. "Yes. I was told to come up here." 

"I am Executive Assistant Joey Paul. This way please. I will lead you to the President." He kindly said as he watched the young lady. She was obviously just a weak little human. She didn't even have the height to look intimidating. What could Timothy have liked about this lady? 

He stopped when he opened the folding door and gestured for her to walk in. 

Although she was feeling very uncountable, she mustered her courage and walked in. The first thing she noticed was the clear view of the busy city from the President's office. It made her wonder if a powerful and wealthy man like Zeke looked down on everyone from this height. 

By the time she noticed the man, the group of directors in his office had packed their documents and were preparing to leave. Not knowing what to do, she stood at a corner and watched as they all walked out while giving her weird glances. 

Zeke focused his intense gaze on her and gestured for her to take a seat on the couch. "It seems you like the view." He comments as he sits opposite to her. 

With her legs clamped together, she placed her hand in her lap and watched the man pour her some tea in a weirdly tiny cup. "Yes. I was wondering if you looked down on everyone from this height.' 

He raised his head and stared at her, brows furrowed, a smile seemed to be blooming on his lips but he kept it. "My son has never been so clingy towards anyone until yesterday, when he met you Miss Walker." He starts ignoring her comment. 

Rose knew she had blurted the most stupid thing in her mind, she picked the cup and took a sip of the bitter tea. Her expression immediately giving her away.

"You can add some sugar if you want." He advised when he noticed the look in her eyes as she took a sip. 

Rose waved him off with her hand and managed a smile though she had a feeling it turned out creepy. Being in his presence made her feel unsettled. "I am glad Timothy likes me. He is an adorable child and is easy to get along with." 

He paused when he was about to drink his tea. His son was easy to get along with? It was the first time he had ever heard such a thing. "Timothy is getting too attached to you. He is happy, likes you a lot and I hope you can put his feelings into consideration and come live with us for a while." 

Rose almost choked on her spit when she heard his words. She patted her chest and the man was quick to extend his handkerchief to her. She casually took it and wiped her mouth, staining it with her red lipstick. "Ohh…I will wash this and return it later." 

"Not a problem." 

She took a  glance at him. He looked too calm for someone who just proposed something ridiculous. "I am sorry Mr Freeman but I can't accept such offer." 

He seemed surprised. "Why not? What concerns do you have?" 

"It is improper for an unmarried man and woman to live together." She begins carefully explaining it to him. "Besides, I think the idea might be a bit ridiculous. I like Timothy and if he wants to see me or spend time with me, I will be more than happy to. I could take three days a week to spend some time with him." She gladly offers. 

"Improper?" He rubbed his chin and gazed at her as if she was a piece of puzzle he was trying to figure out. "If that is what you are worried about, how about you marry me. That way, living together will simply be proper, appropriate and necessary." 

Rose almost fell on her back when she heard him. His words were so strong she had to reprocess her brain before finding a suitable response. Didn't he know that she was blatantly rejecting him? She glanced at the man's serious expression and thought he must be the type of person that has a low Emotional Quotient. 

"Mr Freeman, you really need to start choosing your words. These kinds of words should not be said to just anyone." She clears her throat and continues. "I am sorry but I have to decline your offer." 

The man looked like he wanted to say something else, so she quickly got on her feet and gave him a slight bow. 

"I have to go back to work now. Send my regards to Timothy." 

Before he could hit her with any more marriage proposals.

Zeke watched the little girl scurry out of his office and released a sigh. What was so scary about him that made the little bunny run off? 

He didn't think he had said anything wrong. 

Rose didn't get a chance to settle her mind when she heard her phone ring. Surprisingly  it was a video call from a strange number. 

She looked around and turned her back to a wall before answering. 

The cute little face of Timothy came up on the screen and it made her smile. 

"Oh…my sweet boy. I was just thinking of you. How have you been?" 

He gave her a cute smile and patted his belly. 

"You just ate? Good boy. Good boy. Adorable boys have to eat to grow stronger, okay?" 

Nodding his head, he bent to pick something and then raised an ipad to the screen for Rose to look at. 

Bending her head slightly, she read the content of the ipad. 

'Are you my mother?' It said. 

His question made her sad and gazed at his huge black eyes that were full of hope. If she hadn't gotten into an accident back then, she was sure her child would be as adorable as the cute lad. Losing her child was the most painful thing for her and so it hurt her more when she saw his question. 

Even though she didn't want to hurt his feelings, she couldn't lie to him as well. 

He dropped the ipad and pouts his lips as he stared at her with watery eyes. Seeing as she was taking long to respond, he began to feel extremely sad.