ROSALINE
Facing Gerald wasn’t difficult because I didn’t get to do it. By the time I got downstairs, he’d already left for work. My stomach folded, creasing with anxiety and that bit of nervousness that I hadn’t hoped to feel. That I didn’t want to feel. We kissed yesterday, so what?
It was just a mere kiss, and I was being dramatic for thinking it was more, for wanting him this bad and consistently making excuses for it. God. What have I become? I could still feel the ghost of his lips on mine, every stroke of his tongue and its disrespectful slides in my mouth.
The way he held me made my body shudder, and thinking about it aroused the same feeling without me. I didn’t plan to get so messily involved with him. Sometimes, I lost track of what was real. My relationship with Gerald was a faux deception system, and every single time I looked into his eyes- I forget. I just forget what we were meant to be to each other, and it seemed it appeared that way to him, too.
The honeymoon vacation was our undoing, especially. I quickly prepared myself a cup of coffee, and the aroma soon filled the kitchen. The cup to my lips and the enticing taste of warm goodness gliding over my tongue didn’t melt away the thought of Gerald haunting my head or the edgy, unkind lump that sat at the depth of my throat as though it were a one-sided mockery.
Was I… falling in love with this man? I didn’t get to answer the question, thank goodness, as my phone vibrated and almost slid off the sleek-surfaced table. It was Ava again. I knew she was calling to remind me. I picked up and was welcomed to her speedy reminder before she finally disconnected.
At least she was buying.
Ava seemed extra bubbly today, and that might be precisely what I needed- a good distraction from all these factors that slowly gnawed at my self-worth and pride. I headed back to my room to get prepared.
We met at a restaurant that also doubled as a hotel, the ambiance serene was inviting. It was high-end from the look of it, and also very famous. The first thing I was bothered about was lurking stares and judging eyes. Since the little vacation rendezvous, my face had been flying around everywhere, along with Gerald’s, of course, as I certainly hoped it would be so.
The public was fooled, I included. Looking at those pictures made me question whether we meant anything to each other. His eyes spoke otherwise. Then again, I wouldn’t trust my judgment- I was already the most delusional woman I knew. Well, after Ava.
“I can just tell that this is where I find love!” she chimed, “A young, beautiful man that has never felt the touch of a woman, and I’d be his first everything!”
My brows shut up, and I fought back a laugh that would break into her fantasy, unfortunately. “Wouldn’t that be a gay man?”
Ava grinned as she patted my shoulders. “It is all about quality, my dear friend. Quality.”
As we settled into our seats, I couldn’t help but pour out my frustrations to Ava, recounting the arguments with both Gerald and my father. I’d forgotten that he was also something I should be worried about. His influence scared me, and I tried to think he wouldn’t try to sabotage it, right?
He wouldn’t go that far. I twirled my hair as I ranted, my mind blank to reasons. “He wants me to just take over, can you imagine? Is that like ‘oh, you bagged a rich man, here’s a job for you’ kind of tag?” I rolled my eyes like a gaunt zombie. “He makes me sick!”
Ava listened attentively, her expression sympathetic as she reached out to squeeze my hand. “What are you going to do, Rosa?” she asked, her voice filled with concern. “You already got a job. The least he can do is try to be supportive of it.”
“I’m not sure yet,” I admitted, feeling a knot forming in the pit of my stomach. “But I know one thing for certain I’m not going to let anyone dictate my life choices. If I decide to work as a teacher, open a bakery, or anything else! It is my choice. I don’t get why no one wants to understand that.”
Ava leaned in and patted my hand. “It’s all going to be fine, Princess. You’ve gone through worse, you know that, right?”
“I don’t want to go through worse anymore!”I whined, reaching for the menu. “I have had my share of misfortune in this cruel world!”
“Which is why we’re here to eat expensive Italian food and pig out,” Ava laughed. “Let’s hope Gerald doesn’t mind a little pot-belly!”
“Ge-Gerald,” I stuttered, tucking my hair behind my ears. “What does he have to do with anything? Who even cares what that jerk likes?”
That lips curving downwards and eyes squinted combo suddenly appeared on Ava’s face. She leaned in. “Oh, you seem to care a lot about what that jerk likes? You want to share some of your escapades with me, because I know damn well something is going on between you two! It is written all over your face!”
I dabbed my face hurriedly as soon as I heard her mention it. Of course, it was hot, and probably an embarrassing shade of pink from her perspective. “There’s nothing going on…” my voice trailed, fading to nothing. “W-we just-”
Mid-discussion, Ava pointed ahead, her eyes widening in surprise. “Rosaline, isn’t that Gerald’s mother?” she asked, nodding towards a woman standing by the door.
I followed her gaze, my heart skipping a beat as I caught sight of the familiar figure. Gerald’s mother was the last person I expected to see here, and the sight of her filled me with a sense of apprehension. Jeez. I didn’t like that woman.
Gerald’s mother’s sudden appearance sent a shiver down my spine, and I couldn’t help but notice the nervous energy radiating from her as she approached. The way she tapped her leg incessantly showed jerkier anxiety, a stark contrast to her usual composed demeanor. The question was, why was she nervous to see me?
I should be the one nervous, considering how heavily intimidating she usually was. I stood from my seat while she approached with a big smile on her face as though the two of us weren’t pretending to tolerate each other.
“Rosaline, dear, how are you? It’s a bit surprising to see you here,” she leaned in and hugged me briefly, although it was merely a pat on the back.
What was so surprising about seeing me in a restaurant? Was I not supposed to eat? I was so tempted to tell her that, but on the other hand, that would be too troublesome. “Ah, it’s a mini date with my friend. I just… wanted to get out.”
She glanced at Ava, who was about to greet her, and smiled, Ava fell back to her seat. ” And is everything alright with Gerald?” she inquired, her voice tinged with concern. “I saw some pictures of you two on your honeymoon. It was quite beautiful to see him so lit up like that. The videos didn’t pass me by, too.”
Who was this woman, and what had she done with my mother-in-law? Her reaction was all over the place and was a huge giveaway that something was wrong. I also noticed that she was closer to the hotel region of the place than the restaurant. Perhaps she had a confidential meeting?
I plastered on a fake smile, masking my discomfort. “Oh, everything’s just fine at home,” I replied, trying to sound as convincing as possible.
“Just enjoying some quality time together… like a normal couple would, am I right?”
Her scrutinizing gaze made me squirm, and I quickly changed the subject. “What brings you to this restaurant, Mrs. Thompson?” I asked, hoping to divert her attention and also try to tap into her bizarre reactions and expressions.
Gerald’s mother hesitated for a moment before responding, her voice faltering slightly. “Oh, just checking it out for my husband and me,” she replied, forcing a smile. “We’re planning to come here for a date night soon. It’s going to be fantastic! Oh, please.
Something was definitely wrong. “Ah, that’s beautiful, actually. I uh- hope that goes well, and you enjoy it.”
She nodded, slightly. “Hopefully. You and your husband should visit soon. We should have a proper dinner, unlike the last time, you know? That was a bit messy, and I’d like to make up for it.”
An apology would suffice, but that certainly wasn’t on her plate. “Very well. Thank you.”
“Take care of yourself, Rosa.”
“You, too.”
As she walked away, Ava leaned in closer, her expression puzzled. “I am not the only one who thinks that was weird, right?” she whispered, furrowing her brow. “She looked like she was set on fire.”
“Yeah, definitely,” I agreed, feeling a knot of unease forming in my stomach. “I don’t trust her sudden interest in this place and… I don’t know, and she doesn’t seem like she hasn’t been here before.”
Before Ava could respond, Harry walked into the restaurant, catching our attention. My heart skipped a beat as I watched him approach, my mind racing with questions about his unexpected appearance.
“Isn’t that–”
“Yes, it is him. My new… boss?”
First my mother-in-law, now Harry?
Talk about a dramatic day.