EPISODE FIFTY TWO
THEME: Rosalyn’s confession
ROSALYN RAMIREZ APARTMENT, CHICAGO
Jaylen looked lost as he stared at Rosalyn. He couldn’t place what was wrong with her, he had never seen her so vulnerable. He was becoming worried that she might have a concussion and there would be the need to call the doctor.
Rosalyn was crying bitterly and then it made him wonder if he had done something wrong. All of the years he had known her, Rosalyn was one lady he knows to keep her shit together. Even when she was going through an heart break from her ex, he wouldn’t have known anything about it if his grandmother wasn’t such a loose mouth when drunk.
Rosalyn never joked around her work and she was always consistent with her delivery, her impact on Moon Stone Group was something he would never take for granted. Having her cry in front of him, with him not being able to figure out what might be wrong made him feel helpless.
“Please talk to me Rosa. Why do you keep zoning out?” He said to her.
The look on her face was really weird. “Can you really keep a secret?” Rosalyn responded.
Jaylen’s heart beat faster, different negative thoughts came to his mind and he hoped she wasn’t at the verge of death. It would be too much blow for him to take, considering the fact that his father was going through such ordeal.
“What’s going on Rosa?” He asked again with his voice on the edge.
“I see you have finally found the one your heart chooses.” Rosalyn faked a smile.
Jaylen shook his head. “That isn’t the case right now, Rosalyn. Please tell me what the matter is, you are scaring the shit out of me right now.”
Blinking her eye lids, she talked slowly. “You know I always wished and hope I would be the one to bring that smile to your face.”
“What are you talking about?” Jaylen raised his eyebrows.
Rosalyn eyes watered as she tried to express her feelings. “I love you, Jaylen. And it has been this way for a while now.” She sniffed, not attempting to stop the tears from falling. “I had always thought maybe one day you would see me differently. But then I was wrong-”
He interrupted her. “Rosa-”
She cut him off. “Don’t Jaylen. Stop being so thoughtful and trying to understand me. I am to blame for ever hoping you would feel that kind of way towards me. I am so sorry, Jaylen.”
Jaylen sucked in his lips. He had been too preoccupied with viewing Rosalyn as a person who got all of her shit together. But it turned out he was wrong and she was just a person with emotions too. To think that he had been so insensitive and had told her all about Lorelei without taking a moment to wonder why she acted distant at the time he was talking his heart out.
“How do I make this up to you?” His voice quivered.
Rosalyn smiled as she wiped her tears away laughing lightly. “You are really indulging me, Jaylen. But the truth is it can’t always work out the way we want. I just hope you really wouldn’t start giving off a different kind of attitude towards me. I don’t want to lose your friendship. I don’t want to have to leave. I am not saying this for you to act pitiful towards me, please.”
The room atmosphere was completely still and they both slipped into being lost in thought. Jaylen didn’t know what he was supposed to say and what not to say. This was an important moment for him but not being able to express himself in the midst of the situation he found himself was making him feel bad.
“I don’t know what to say.” He admitted.
“Don’t say anything.”
“Can I hold you then?” Jaylen asked.
Rosalyn sniffed. “Sure.”
“Come here.” He called to her, holding on to her weak body as he got into the bed well. “I would never have thought you could be so mushy.”
“Stop playing around.”
“I couldn’t help it, you don’t seem like one who would break under such pressure.”
“You act too sweet I couldn’t help falling for you.” Rosalyn giggled lightly.
“Yeah, I know. I am extremely sweet.”
“Stop gloating already.” They both laugh leaning further into each other. “So, tell me all about her.”
Jaylen’s face lit up at that. “Lorelei!” He said, letting out a deep sigh. “She is amazing.”
“Really?”
“Hmmmm Hmmmm.” He nodded. “I can’t explain how it happened. But I knew I needed to know her more and spend more time with her. Her presence just gives me peace of mind.”
“I could sense it in your smile when she called.” Rosalyn noted.
“Am I that obvious?” He teased.
Rosalyn nodded her head. “Yes. I could sense it from a while away.”
Jaylen laughed out. “Honestly it feels so good.”
“So, tell me. How is home?”
Jaylen took in a deep breath. “Home is fine! My parents and I have been able to have a certain level of conversation that brings us together.”
“And Jayden?”
“He definitely doesn’t want to have anything to do with me. It’s not like I am bothered either.”
“Did he get to see you when you left?” She asked.
“He went on a business trip for about a week now. He should either return before me or I do.”
“Your dad?”
He paused. ” Weaker. I can almost see him fading off.”
Rosalyn rubbed at his arm gently. “You shouldn’t feel bad about it. It’s not your fault and it’s not in your power to control it.”
“I just wish I had been able to spend more time with him. I had almost forgotten how it felt to have a father.”
“I know right. I lost my dad when I was eight, but his memories still linger until forever. He loved me with all of his heart.”
“My dad is amazing, he loves endlessly and that is something I want to be able to offer to those who matter to me. He would be missed, but his impact on the Fortress and our family would never be forgotten.” Jaylen smiled heartily at the thought of his father.
“Unintentionally, he is your role model.”
“He has always been.”
“You have done really great, Jaylen. You should be proud of yourself.”
Jaylen nuzzled her hair. “Yeah. I should be proud and it’s all thanks to you”.
“I will take it. I deserve the accolades.” She laughed.
“You know what, how strong are you?” Jaylen asked as he moved from the bed.
“Quite strong, why?”
“Come with me, let’s take a walk.” He smiled at her, dragging her out of the bed in her pyjamas before she tried to protest.