Chapter 13

"Dad, this is Rose Laverne, my boss's daughter. This is my dad David," I introduced them.

"Oh, is she your new girlfriend?" Dad asked.

"No, no, we aren't dating," I replied quickly.

"Alas, you finally bring a gorgeous woman home and you aren't even dating her. I'm disappointed in you Liam," my dad smirked.

"Pfft...who would date this dork?" Rose remarked.

"You are right, he is quite dorky, isn't he. He doesn't take after me that's for sure. But no worries I am still available," dad said. Leave it to him to flirt with the first woman that walks in.

"Are you hitting on me, old man?" Rose laughed. I looked at her admiringly. I've never seen her laugh so freely.

"Maybe I am. Lucia may not approve though," he winked at her.

"Who is Lucia?" I asked.

"I am Lucia," A female voice spoke. A woman entered the room with some medicines in her hands. She must be the nurse.

"I've been taking care of your father," she smiled. "My, aren't you a handsome young man!"

"Yes, he got his looks from me. Lucia and I are getting married so say hello to your new mother, son," my dad grinned.

"We most certainly are not," Lucia frowned.

"She is in denial, we are in love," his dad insisted.

"Dad please, stop harassing your caregiver," I laughed.

"It's either she or I'll sweep Miss Rose away off of her feet. I'm much more handsome than my son, aren't I Rose?" he said.

"Oh absolutely," Rose nodded.

I rolled my eyes. "That's great. Rose and I are leaving before she becomes my new mom too. Bye dad," I said.

"Your dad is so cute," Rose said after we left.

"I'm glad you think so. This was the friendliest I've seen you act around someone," I said. It was the truth. She was so calm and collected aside from the fact that they banded together to make fun of me the whole time.

"I wish..." she started to say but stopped midway.

"You wish what?" I asked.

"Nothing, never mind. Are we going home now?" She asked.

Always so secretive, I thought. "We are going to eat. I'm starving," I said. She didn't protest.

I took her to a decent restaurant without breaking my wallet. I just received my first paycheck so I was feeling happy and generous.

"Shit!" Rose exclaimed all of a sudden.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"It's Elliot, he is here. With her!" she cried.

I don't know who 'her' is, so I turned around to take a good look.

Elliot walked in with a girl aright. She snuggled close to him like they were on a date.

Rose started to stand up but I grabbed her arm. "Don't.." I said. I just want to eat food in peace.

She sat back down but she had a dark expression on her face. Her mood changed from happy to anger just like that.

"What's the deal with that Elliot guy?" I asked. "And don't tell me it's none of my business because believe it or not, I consider you my friend. I want to be there for you Rose, whether you want me to or not," I said firmly.

"I had a crush on him for a long time and last month he asked me out," she paused.

"Then what happened?" I asked.

"I can't talk about it right now, not here," she whispered.

"Okay, but I want you to tell me when you are ready," I said.

"Look, just because you are being paid, doesn't mean you have to sit here and listen to my sob stories," Rose said.

"I want to listen. I want you to trust me. And it's not because I am getting paid," I said honestly. I was genuinely interested in her life and wanted to help her.

"I don't believe you, but fine," she said without smiling.

"I have to go to the bathroom so I'll be right back. Don't do anything stupid," I said.

Rose just mumbled something under her breath and looked away. At this point, I was dying of curiosity. Whatever happened between her and Elliot must've been really bad. But then why was she trying to get his attention so much? Maybe she was the one who did something bad to him and now he won't forgive her.

I came out of the bathroom and immediately heard a commotion.

Oh no...

Just as I suspected. Rose started a fight with Elliot and the girl. How long was I in the bathroom?

Elliot was holding Rose in a headlock while she struggled to get out of his grasp. The girl he is with was standing there glaring at her. The girl's hair was messy and her face was red. Rose must've tried to beat her up.

"ROSE! What the hell!" I cried and ran over to them. "Let go of her!" I glared at Elliot.

Elliot didn't hesitate and push Rose towards me. I caught her in my arms before she fell.

"Control your psycho girlfriend," Elliot said.

"I AM GOING TO KILL YOU!" Rose screamed and tried to attack but I covered her with my entire body and hugged her tightly.

"Stop, Rose, calm down!" I said in her ears.

Rose tried to struggle and get out of my embrace but I didn't loosen my grip. I turned her around and held her against my chest." What the fuck happened here?" I asked.

"She attacked me!" Elliot's date complained.

"She is crazy, man, you all need to get her committed," Elliot commented.

"Shut the fuck up alright?" I snapped.

"Rose, shh..it's okay. Just calm down okay? I am here," I buried my face in her hair and spoke to her gently.

"He hurt me. He hurt me, Liam," she whispered and sobbed in my chest. I stroked her back to make her calm down as she was trembling from anger.

"I am going have to ask you guys to leave or I'll call the police," The restaurant manager said.

"We are leaving. Let's go, Rose," I said and pulled her out of the restaurant. I didn't stop walking until we reached the car.

"I can't leave you alone for 5 minutes," I shook my head in disappointment.

"I am sorry," Rose apologized.

I was shocked. She never apologized for her unruly behavior.

"We are talking about this when we get home and you are going to tell me everything about that bastard," I declared.

She looked down and didn't say anything else.