ROSE“So I have come to a conclusion that Rose will be staying with me, at the main house till further notice.” He dropped as my mouth dropped in shock.“What?!”“That won’t be possible.” Valerio said smoothly as if he had the final say.“Isn’t that too much?” Vicente chinned in.“It’s not.” The chairman maintained his stance without wavering. “That is my responsibility.” He continued. “Till Valentino wakes up, she should be under my care. I can’t obviously let her live with you both in the same house. Who knows what other atrocities you all would engage in.”“We are not kids, Grandfather. And don’t talk to Rose like that.” Vicente started to attack him again.Seemed things has been quite tight between them during this period. With the way Vicente has been attacking him.“You don’t get to have a say on this, Vicente.” The chairman said sternly but Vicente wasn’t having it with him.“You have be hostile towards her all this well and all of sudden, you want her to start living with you?
ROSE“Marco….”I called the Marco who was driving me in the limousine back to the house as he looked by his side to regard me and listen to what I have to say.“Yes, Miss.” He replied and my mind suddenly went blank on what to say. It is just ten minutes since Marco came to the hospital saying the Chairman has asked him to bring me home. The same home he was hellbent of throwing me out.And to make this thing more crazy, I was the only allowed to enter the car. His grandsons were let to use any of mode of transport home.Oh well, that wasn’t the point. The point is still that I am now his sole focus and I can’t even do anything about it.“Miss?” Marco called again, his eyes still on the road, as I snapped out of my thoughts.“Ah….”I entwined my fingers nervously on my leg. “You see…the whole chairman’s being overprotective thing and….”“If for your own good, Miss Arturo. I promise.” He said, his eyes still on the road.“Ah…I see. That’s your view on this.” I started to nod. “And there’
ROSE“Hey…you okay?” He asked again as I feigned a smile. “Yeah sure. I am.” I said quickly, looking to brush off further conversation.“You were talking about the pregnancy.” Marco asked still driving as I bit my lips.“It’s nothing. Just kinda scared since it’s my first and Stuff.” I shrugged as he nodded slowly.“Don’t worry. The chairman won’t let anything happen to you. To the chairman, it’s like you are carrying Valentino in your womb. He will make sure you get the best treatment in the world.” He said as I nodded with a tight smile as I rested back on the chair. What I need is Valentino to wake up. I thought painfully as I unconsciously rubbed my body, as if there were invisible shivers.Few minutes later, we got home and it hasn’t changed a bit, my room was still the same. As I sat on the bed and rubbed the soft mattress….I just couldn’t help but reminisce about Valentino. That night when we had laid….“Hey….”The door opened abruptly as I raised my head to find Valerio stand
ROSE“Why are you here?” He asked still crouching down, while regarding me with that ever gentle look.“Ah….”I quickly looked away and stood up, having how breathless I became that moment.Why was I feeling this way? Yeah, I know how crazy Valerio drove me. But I came back to this house for Valentino, right?Or else I would have just eloped with him, instead of meeting him around in the night like two teenagers who are crazy over each other but are forbidden to meet. “Your grandfather….,”I started to say but hesitated for a while as I watched him stand his gaze intent on me. The old man has been clashing with them too much lately, and everything seemed to be my fault. And all for nothing. It nagged me to some extent. “What did he do?” He asked with a frown perched on his face.I watched him for while, as if is face would tell me exactly what to say. But I realized something, I felt a burning need within me. During dinner when he placed a held me, and few minutes earlier when I was
ROSE“What games are you playing, Rose.” He asked as my heart went out to him at that moment.None of this was his fault, his attraction towards me.“Stay away from me, Valerio.” I said with a straight face as started to walk away but he held my arms in time, his face more like a frustrated person who was desperate.I turned to look at him, trying to hard the fact that I am struggling with my decision too. “Why?” He swallowed as he stared at me, giving me the expression that made me want to go back to my words.“Like I said…..”I said slowly. “I am pregnant for you brother.” I completed with a defiant look.Some had to stop the madness that the two of us were involved in. No matter what, we would find ourselves involved in each other and I too, would be always filled with guilt.This time, as I walked away, he didn’t bother to go after me. I felt the sting of tears in my eyes. Was this similar to a breakup scene in a melodrama. It hurt more than the Tv series detect it to be. I sniffe
ROSE“Valerio?” I called as he approached me causally as if he got the whole time in the world to get to me.“What’s with the face? Aren’t I allowed to come here?” He said with an irritated look and walked up Valentino’s side, his hands tucked in his pocket as he looked causally at his brother without showing any sign of emotion.I watched him careful, trying to decipher what was going on in his head but nothing. Just nothing.“I thought you didn’t care.” I loved slightly away from Valentino, while avoiding his gaze.I felt his gaze on me, but I didn’t shift my attention to him, just on Valentino, hating this scenario as the minute went by.“Didn’t care?” He chuckled bitterly. “What do you take me for?” His eyes was still intent on me, I could feel it.I finally raised my gaze to him. “Are you mad at me?” I asked finally, hating the kind of energy he was giving. I could only feel toxicity and it hurts.His eyes darkened as he watched me for a moment and exhaled deeply.“No.” He shook
ROSEI wasn’t sure why I felt grateful for the interruption when the door opened to reveal the doctor in charge of Valentino. Trailing behind him were two nurses, and Valerio walked in later, wearing an expression I couldn’t decipher.“Can you excuse us, miss?” the doctor asked with a polite smile. I glanced at Valentino, hesitating to leave him, and walked a considerable distance away, giving the doctors space to work.My eyes remained fixed on Valentino as the doctor began his check-up, engaging in a small conversation while Valentino still appeared weak.“Are you happy?” Valerio's unexpected voice interrupted my thoughts.I glanced at him briefly, then shifted away, creating a small distance between us. I wasn’t sure what had influenced that behavior. Perhaps I was afraid of being seen around him, not wanting to upset Valentino. Even though he had made it clear numerous times that he was pleased to see her with his brother.“Of course,” I forced myself not to look at him again, war
ROSE“Why….”Came the first word from Valentino’s lips as I stared at both of them, desperate to know what was going on.Have we being caught? I wanted to know badly.I quickly walked towards him with an almost shaky body, guilt washing over me as my gaze was intent on Valentino, completely ignoring the look the chairman was giving me. I didn’t care, that was the truth.“Valentino. I-“ I wasn’t sure of how to start. When Valerio started this charade, I didn’t think much of how we were going to solve this.Fuck! I should have just figured it out on my way when Marco had asked.“I’m so sorry, Valentino. I didn’t know….”His head has been raised slightly upward, it only meant one thing. He could move slightly and talk. It was a big leap in his recovery for real.Then the confused look on his face slowly shifted to a smile. “What are you on abiut, Rose.” His brilliant handsome eyes regarded me in amusement.“She still can’t take a joke. I can’t seem to get the look of your face when you’re