Owen

Rosie watched Owen as he smiled happily while chatting with God knows who on his cellphone. She sighed sadly. She was seated on a side stool placed beside him.

"Owen," she called him for the third time and just like before, she got no reply. Watching him resting his head on the couch while engrossed in his phone stepped on her anger scale.

The deep purple curtain cast a dull purple shadow on her skin, her face glowed from the effect of the fluorescent bulb on the white painted wall and it registered no sign of smiles. A look at the clock showed that it was 8:43pm already, and she knew it was just a matter of time before Tessa, her flatmate, started bombarding her with messages and calls to be certain she was all right. Adjusting her position on the side stool, she turned her gaze back to Owen.

"Owen, I'm talking to you." She called again, this time, tapping him gently on the shoulder. "You've been giving me the silent treatment, what is wrong with you?" She asked.

"I've been giving you the silent treatment, really, How?" He asked, finally putting his phone away with a concerned appearance. "Can't you see I'm on a business blog? I'm here on this blog trying my best to find wealth related inspiration. But of course, you chose now of all times to disturb me." He went on suddenly changing his tone to show that he was upset.

"Owen!" Rosie exclaimed. "Calm down will you, what's with the tone. Did I do something wrong?" she asked again with concern written all over her face.

"There is nothing wrong Rosie. You asked where our relationship was headed last week, and I figured you wanted me to propose, don't you? Why am I even asking," he continued, preventing her from providing a reply. "It's obvious you want a proposal. Marriage is the perfect explanation for such a rash question from you, unless you have a better explanation. Do you?" He asked again, looking at her. Rosie disappointed him with her silence, so he continued his long annoying chatter.

"Right now, I'm checking out a wealth related blog, trying to figure out ways to accumulate more wealth because we can't get married with the way things are presently. But you obviously can't relate, because you really do not know what it means for someone to be financially ready. How do you even intend to get married to someone when you are almost broke?"

"Owen!!" Rosie called angrily. "Stop," she said in a low, shaky voice, unable to keep it steady. "I work." she added.

"There she goes again!" Owen exclaimed. "You need to be realistic honey, because your response to reality is funny at times. You are just an intern in a company I work in as a top Manager and I know the meager salary you get every month. Do you think that peanut is big enough to sustain you in a marriage?"

"I have a side hustle." She reminded him with a firm yet low voice. If there was anything she didn't want presently, it was raising her voice at him. She was scared he would hear the fear and sadness she was trying so hard to conceal. "I'm a very hardworking person, and I'm not useless. You know that already." she added.

Owen let out a chuckle. He swung his head to the side and back. He looked at her and smiled even more. "By side hustle, do you mean the bead making that barely gives you a dime? Oh, please, be realistic for once. You make some cheap bead for a set of low income earners that can barely afford two square meals a day, and suddenly, you call that a source of income, a side hustle! You must be kidding me." He said standing up.

"When you asked where our relationship was headed," he continued as he started pacing the short distance from his seat to the window. "At first, I was mad at you because I know so well that you are broke, and I'm not even where I want to be, financially. But I'd like to assume you have some money stashed up somewhere, because I don't even intend marrying a liability, nobody in their right senses will want to marry one. So Rose, you need to wake up, no man or woman would love to be with a liability. I want a partner that will be productive, active, smart and financially stable, enough to march up with me. Not some broke woman who will wreck my life. Kindly note that I'm not referring to you baby, I am not. I'm just trying to explain the whole scenario." He said.

Getting a hold of Rosie's hand, he squeezed it gently. In reply, she stared at him blankly.

"But honestly, honey," He continued. "I doubt marriage should be on top of our list right now. Believe me, this is actually true, and it's coming from a place of love, total love."

Rosie, who had her eyes on their hands before now, gently slipped her hand from his grip and looked up at him. "What are you even saying?" She started angrily. I wasn't entirely talking about marriage. I only asked because I needed us to define the relationship we share. The question was more about where we are headed, what the plan is. Owen, I love you and I wanted to be certain you feel the same way for me, that was really all I wanted to know. Again, I'm not a liability. I take care of myself well enough, and I plan on working even harder for the kind of life I want. Do you hear me?" She asked in a raised voice, finally giving up on her plan to conceal her hurt and fear. She immediately turned to make her way out of the room but was pulled back by Owen, who ran up to her at once.

"Look, baby, I'm sorry." He started an apology. "The last couple of days have been a bit tough and crazy for me. The boss is looking up to me to get this new client on board with us, and I'm so close to signing the deal. But you know, it's quite challenging for me at the moment. All the stress, sleepless nights, deep thoughts and all are catching up with me, interfering with my normal life." He pleaded, but when Rosie didn't say a word, he continued.

"I know, I know it's my fault that I let these things catch up with me. It's my life and I have the power to decide what affects me or not." He added, making a sad and remorseful face, the face that he knew Rosie was definitely going to fall for.

"Oh no baby," Rosie said, touching his face. All the anger she felt minutes ago suddenly vanished. "Not this one," she said.

"You really do not have the power to push this one away, no matter how hard you try, it will definitely get to you. We are talking about something that has to do with your psychological well being." she continued.

"Yes, I know." Owen started with a barely noticeable lip twitch, very happy and satisfied that his tactics worked perfectly. "I just hope you understand and forgive me, baby." He added, shifting his hold to her shoulder as they drew closer, staring at each other.

As usual, Rosie found herself unable to resist his gorgeous charms as he drew her in a hug. She hugged him right back, caressing the back of his hair.

"I'll always be here if you need my help or support with any of your stressors." she reassured him as they still held each other in a warm hug. "Just don't talk to me in such a manner again. Please, it breaks my heart." She added.

"I promise, I would never do such ever again." Owen reassured her.

"Let me make it up to you," he said, breaking their hug. "Let's have lunch together this weekend." He said with a smile.

"Hmm, that sounds impressive." She replied. "You always know how to make me smile." She told him, smiling. Looking at his soft and tender facial features, she knew instantly there was no way she could say no to Owen, her Owen.

"Okay," she told him happily. "Friday is a public holiday. So, what day are we having lunch and where are we going?" she asked.

"Any place of your choice." He told her, caressing her cheeks. "I can only suggest this place I've heard so much about. It's new and there are so many positive reviews about it already. You might want to try it." He told her.

"Okay, let's go there then." She replied as he drew her to a kiss. They kissed tenderly, with Rosie blushing and almost turning pink.

"Ugh, I just recalled that I had a short briefing with the boss on Saturday at one of his club houses." Owen said in a sad tone. "I totally forgot. Can we move it till next weekend? I mean that way, we can have more time to ourselves." he added with a coy smile.

"What about Sunday?" Rosie asked.

"oh, Sunday is a bad idea, baby. I have a date with the boys and I can't cancel. I'm sorry." he replied.

"That's okay, I can go with you. It's been a while since I saw Rex and the others." She pressed.

"you have no idea how much I'll love that," Owen started. "but we're hanging out alone. None of the guys are coming with girlfriends or wives. So, you'll end up very lonely if you tag along." he said.

"Now don't worry baby," he said, smiling seductively and drawing her closer. "Next weekend is just a couple of days away. We'll have fun together, and next Friday is a public holiday. So we might have enough time to spend together."

Rosie nodded cheerfully. There was no need to be angry or worked up when she'll still see him every single day at the office and can always visit him at home.

"Okay," she replied. "Maybe I'll get to Stephanie's baby shower on Sunday then." she added.

"Who is Stephanie?"

"One of the interns at accounts." She replied. "Will you mind dropping me off at the venue before heading out with the boys on Sunday?" she asked.

"Oh baby, I don't think that will be advisable, I can't be seen at an intern party nor dropping off an intern. it doesn't sound right my darling. don't worry, I'll transfer some cash to you for a taxi all right?"

"But I want you, not a taxi! I see absolutely nothing wrong with you dropping me off at a harmless party. I didn't ask you to join the party. just drop me at the gate. You're acting like being seen with an intern can give one a sort of communicable disease or something." Rosie insisted as she saw no reason for his refusal.

"Let's not argue about this sweetheart. you'll take a taxi, that's the best option, all right?"

"Owen, I d..."

"Please baby, a taxi is perfect." He interrupted her while massaging her shoulders with soft strokes of his index finger and thumb. Rosie looked up at him grudgingly and nodded.

"Okay." she finally said.

"Good, now forgive that I'm distracted, but you are so beautiful, my Rosie." He told her as her smile widened."

"And you are so handsome, darling." She replied, brushing her index finger past his cheeks. "Now, I have to go home. Tessa will be worried sick if I don't get home any time soon." She told him as the wall clock struck 9:22pm. Will you drive me home?" She asked him.

"Of course." He replied, picking up a black shirt from his couch. "Make sure to rest well when you get home." He told her as he slipped a shirt on.

"I definitely will." she replied. "I scooped out some soup for you in a small pot and stored the rest away in the freezer. I did the same with the stew." She told him. "Make sure you eat before going to bed.”