372

372

THIRD PERSON POV

Miss Rose sat across from Adrian in the softly lit restaurant, the golden glow of the chandeliers reflecting off the polished wooden table. Outside, the city was alive with distant traffic, but inside, everything felt intimate, almost suspended in time. She picked up her glass of water, turning it in her hands as she listened to Adrian speak, his voice calm, warm, and patient. For the first time in a while now, she didn’t feel the weight of Ashley’s presence or the tangled emotions that came with it. Sitting here with Adrian, she felt light and happy like a person with no worries.

“You have that look in your eyes again,” Adrian said softly, leaning back in his chair, “the one that says you’re thinking about something important.”

Miss Rose chuckled, feeling a small blush rise in her cheeks. 

“I’m just… enjoying being here. It’s nice to not have to think too hard about anything.”

“You’ve been thinking too much for a long time,” he replied gently. “I want you to forget all of that for a little while. Just enjoy tonight.”

She smiled, letting her shoulders relax. The restaurant’s soft music seemed to engulf them, cocooning them in a quiet bubble of comfort.

They ate slowly, savoring each dish. Adrian was playful in small ways, pointing out details about her gestures, teasing her when she made tiny mistakes with the utensils, and complimenting her with an ease that made her chest flutter.

“You know,” he said, pushing a stray strand of her hair behind her ear, “I could sit here with you forever and not get tired of your laugh.”

Miss Rose’s lips curved into a shy smile. “You flatter me too much.”

“And I’ll continue to do so,” he said with a grin. “Because it’s true.”

She shook her head, laughing softly, and the sound felt free and light, something she hadn’t heard from herself in a really long while. The days of stress, worry, and lingering thoughts of Ashley seemed to fade, replaced by this warmth she hadn’t allowed herself to feel in a long time.

After a moment, Adrian’s tone changed slightly. “Rose… can I ask you something a little bold?”

Her eyebrows lifted. “Bold? Go on, I’m listening.”

He reached across the table and took her hands in his, holding them gently. His touch was steady and comforting.

“The next time we meet, would you consider spending the night with me?”

Miss Rose blinked, her heart skipping a beat. She felt her cheeks grow warm as she looked at him. 

“Adrian…”

“I mean it in the right way,” he said quickly, sensing her hesitation. “Not anything uncomfortable. I just want to spend more time with you. To talk, laugh, and be close.”

She lowered her gaze, thinking. For a long time, she had clung to the past, letting the pain and confusion around Ashley keep her from opening up. But now, she saw something different in Adrian; something patient, genuine, and kind.

“I… I’ll think about it,” she said softly, finally meeting his eyes.

Adrian smiled, squeezing her hands lightly. “Rose, I know it might feel fast, but I can’t ignore how I feel. You are the love of my life. I know it sounds hasty, but I want to spend every moment I can proving that to you.”

Her chest tightened. She wanted to say no, to resist, but her heart whispered a different truth. “Adrian… stop,” she said playfully, hiding a shy grin. “You’re making me blush too much.”

“I can’t stop,” he said with a mischievous twinkle in his eye, letting go of her hands. “But I promise to be patient. I’ll wait for you, no matter how long it takes.”

Miss Rose laughed softly, feeling a sense of peace and security she hadn’t felt in a long time. Perhaps it really was time to let herself feel something new, something real.

~

Meanwhile, at Roland’s house, Damien was pacing the living room, his thoughts filled with a lot of things, and he was restless. He had invited Jacqueline over, knowing this could be a decisive night for him. All day, he had rehearsed what he wanted to say, but now, standing there with the familiar walls around him, his confidence faltered.

He had been thinking about his relationship with Jacqueline and whether it was truly meant to last. Everything between Roland and Karen, the heartbreak, the chaos, the decisions had shaken his faith in love.

“What if this doesn’t work out?” he muttered under his breath. “What if we end up like them? I can’t… I can’t afford that.”

He ran a hand through his hair again, staring blankly at the floor. His phone laid on the coffee table, untouched, as if it could answer the questions in his mind if he just stared long enough.

Then the doorbell rang.

Damien’s heart skipped a beat. He straightened his back, trying to calm the sudden rush of nerves.

The maid opened the door, and Jacqueline stepped in. She was smiling softly, her eyes warm as she looked at him. Instantly, his chest tightened, and his heart began to race.

“Hey,” she said, stepping inside.

“Hi,” he managed, his voice quieter than he intended.

She walked closer, her steps light and measured, yet commanding enough to capture all of his attention. Damien found himself unable to look away. She smelled faintly of jasmine, the scent familiar and comforting, yet stirring feelings he hadn’t fully admitted to.

His mind raced. 

“I don’t think I can do without her.” he whispered in his mind, feeling the truth of that statement pressing against his chest.

He wanted to speak, to say everything he had rehearsed, but the words stuck. Instead, he just watched her, noticing the subtle grace in her movements, the way her eyes met his with quiet understanding. He felt a rush of emotions which was nothing but fear, hope, longing, all tangled together.

Jacqueline, sensing his hesitation, tilted her head slightly. 

“Are you okay?”

He swallowed hard, finally finding his voice. 

“I… I’ve been thinking a lot today,” he said slowly, carefully. “About us, about everything. And… I think I’ve realized that I don’t want to imagine my life without you.”

Her smile softened, and she took a small step closer. 

“Damien…”

He ran a hand nervously through his hair, feeling the vulnerability he had tried so hard to suppress. 

“I know we’ve had doubts, and I’ve been scared. But seeing you here now… it makes me realize that some things are worth fighting for.”

Jacqueline’s eyes sparkled, and she reached out to touch his arm gently. 

“We are going to be together, forever.”