72

CHAPTER SEVENTY-TWO.

JACQUELINE'S POV.

I was so pleased that Rosalie was thoughtful enough to want to wait for me before she ate, but I couldn't help thinking that something was wrong with the food. I took it upon myself to question her.

"Is anything wrong with the food? Don't you like it? If you don't, I will call the maids to change it for you right away."

She chuckled, "You better get used to this. I will be doing it often, and not because I don't like the food nor that I'm not hungry, I only want to wait for you. I want us to eat together."

I smiled, "You have the right words in your beck and call, and you surely know how to use them."

Her lips curved into a mischievous grin. "You took too much time in the bathroom, though. I was starting to think you'd decided to move into the bathroom permanently," She teased, then tilted her head to continue, "You were in there so long, do you know that I almost sent someone to check on you?"

I narrowed my eyes at her. My smile was not dropping, not like I wanted it to drop anyway. "Ha ha," I replied dryly. "I'll have you know that I was trying. I was trying my thinking thing."

She furrowed her brows confusingly, "What's that?"

"Nothing serious."

"Are you okay?" She inquired from me.

"Yes. Just keep up with your joke." I replied to her.

I didn't want her to be worried about me, not for anything. I just wanted her out of worries while I did all the jobs.

'I'll just find something to wear.' I reasoned and turned towards the wardrobe.

I made my way to it, intent on picking something comfortable to wear, but just as I reached for the handle, her voice stopped me.

"Wait," She said, and I turned to find her standing with a sweet smile on her face.

"What now?" I questioned her confusingly.

Rosalie pointed to the bed, where a neatly folded outfit lay waiting. "I already picked something for you," She announced, crossing her arms and lifting her chin slightly, clearly pleased with herself.

I raised a brow, I was intrigued. "You did what? Choose a cloth for me?

She nodded. "Go ahead, take a look."

I walked over and unfolded the clothes. It was just what my brain had processed for me to fish out in the wardrobe. A dark shirt and a pair of trousers that matched perfectly. Simple, and very much my style.

I would be able to enter anywhere with the outfit.

"Impressive," I said, turning to her with a grin. "You have good taste."

"Of course I do," she replied, her tone drastically returning to her teasing. "You should've realized that by now."

I stepped closer, my smile softening. "Thank you," I said sincerely.

Her cheeks tinted pink, and she waved me off. "Just put it on before you decide to spend another hour admiring it. I'm hungry."

I laughed and made to remove the towel around my waist to change into the clothes, but was stopped by her yelling, "Hey! Yuck!" And threw her face away from me, keeping a fake disgusted look.

I was confused for a second, but I realized, I busted into a laugh. "Oh, goodness!" I exclaimed between laughs, "I better change in the bathroom."

I took the clothes with me to the bathroom.

I finished dressing, adjusting the dark shirt and trousers Rosalie had so thoughtfully picked for me.

The outfit fit was perfect, and as I looked at my reflection in the standing mirror, I couldn't help but smile. She did have an eye for these things. Still, I knew I'd taken far too long, and the thought of her waiting at the breakfast table filled me with guilt.

When I returned to the breakfast table, the sight of Rosalie sitting patiently brought a lump to my throat.

The food on the table had been uncovered, and it looked as though it had lost its taste. Now, it had gone warm, and the aroma that had once filled the room had faded.

She looked up as I moved closer to her, her lips curving into a soft smile despite the obvious delay.

"I'm so sorry," I began, walking briskly to the table. "I took too much time. I didn't mean to keep you waiting."

Rosalie chuckled lightly, shaking her head. "Jacqueline, it's fine."

"No, it's not," I insisted, sitting across from her. "I just... I got caught up trying to take care of myself. The shower, the clothes, everything. I'm sorry, Rosalie. You must be starving."

Her expression softened further, and she reached out to place a hand over mine. "Jacqueline, it's okay. I understand."

I frowned slightly. Guilt was eating me up, and she was not helping. "You shouldn't have had to wait. I should've been quicker."

She smiled warmly, her gaze lingering on me. "You're just getting used to this," She said gently. "To someone caring for you. It's strange for you, I know, but it's not a burden. Not to me."

Her words caught me off guard, and for a moment, I didn't know how to respond. All I could do was nod, the guilt I carried on my shoulders easing slightly. "Thank you," I murmured. "I'll try to do better."

"You're doing just fine," She assured me, a small smile playing on her lips. "Now, let's eat before this food gets any colder."

I nodded, picking up my fork.

The food wasn't as warm as it once had been, but it was still good, and the small talk Rosalie initiated made the meal all the more enjoyable. She had a way of making even the simplest conversations feel meaningful, and before long, I found myself smiling and laughing alongside her.

"You've been different today," She teased at one point, her eyes twinkling. "Are you always like this, or is it just me?"

I smirked, shaking my head. "Maybe it's just you. You're too good to be ignored."

She chuckled. The sound lit me up, and it reminded me of my special bedtime song when I was a pup.

"Good. Someone needs to keep you on your toes."

We finished the meal with smiles, the earlier tension between us replaced by a warmth which was embracing us.

"I'll be out for a while, and I don't want the maids stepping in my room when I'm unavailable. So, I'll just pack the plate to the dining for easier packing for them."

"I'll help."

She gave me no time to argue with her, she bent over and packed the plates while I just stood there, enjoying the moment with her.