GERALD
"What is going on here?" I asked, questioning the horrible sight of the man next to Rosaline, and instantly recognized him. He was the same guy from the picture at the party, and now he was in my house, smiling giddily.
My anger level rose a notch as I scanned both of them. Rosaline looked surprised, too. Surprised to see me? Was this supposed to be a secret meeting? Why had she brought a man to the house? "Who's this?" I added, looking straight at her.
She smiled coyly. "This is Harry... a good friend of mine, and he came visiting." She turned to him, her smile still so wide that it punctured my chest. I was so uncomfortable about the fact that another man was seeing her smile so widely. "Harry, this is my... husband, Gerald."
"Oh, his reputation precedes him," the Harry guy said. "Everyone would recognize Gerald Thorne by the mere tip of his hair. Good day, and nice to meet you, Gerald." He outstretched his arm for a shake, and I eyed it, desperate to hide my displeasure.
I placed him under scrutiny. He seemed like an okay guy, which made the situation even worse. His fashion sense wasn't bad; neither was his hair nor height. And he smiled with his eyes as though he didn't age as his face predicted. I folded my hands across my chest.
"For a man visiting a married woman in her home, you seem rather chill. Is it expertise or... the power of friendship?" I responded with a low chuckle, but every word I said dripped with sarcasm. I didn't know why I said that, either. I was acting out.
"Some would call it bravery," the guy responded defiantly, but somehow managed to hide it behind a friendly tone. He gave me the weirdest vibe, or maybe I was just jealous.
No, I wasn't. I wasn't jealous. I had no reason to be. She wasn't even my wife, so whatever anger I was feeling was probably from the intrusion. I hated having other people in my home.
"... But I call it respect," he finalized. "Rosaline here is one of the most wonderful women I've ever met. It's only right I find at intervals to catch a bit of that charm and blessings she has swarming around her."
My Adam bobbed as I swallowed hard, furrowing my brows. This. Whatever this man was, he wasn't just a friend. He didn't plan to be, and it was clear to me in that second.
I smirked. "Looks like someone has been using Google quite a lot."
"What?"
"Those lines," I scoffed. "They roam around the internet. I almost mistook you for being sophisticated."
"Oh, I'd break down into the earth's crust to make Rosaline aware of her worth. As a good friend, there isn't a low that's too low for her. You should consider that, too, Gerald. She's special."
Would it be crazy if I punched him across the face, ripped his shirt off, and threw him into a pool of piranhas? I hated this dude! I knew all my responses should be in the line, as I didn't intend to make Rosaline uncomfortable. I might still owe her an apology from yesterday.
Might...
Rosaline beamed, seeming completely oblivious to his flirting attempts. "Alright, Shakespeare. I should take notes from you," she joked, momentarily making eye contact with him, and then me in the span of a moment. "Why don't we pick this lovely conversation up another day? We could invite you to dinner--"
What was she saying? "Isn't that a bit too much?"
"Ah, I'd love that," Harry cut in, his eyes not leaving mine. "Gerald is one of the people I've been ecstatic to meet. It will do wonders to sit at the same table as him!"
"Who knows," Rosaline shrugged. "You two might end up falling in love and getting married." She nudged me as though she expected me to laugh, but the only thing funny here was Harry's audacity and her approval of it.
Harry glanced at his wristwatch again and picked up pace. Rosaline seemed to understand immediately. She exclaimed. "Oh, you're meeting. I'm so sorry about the hold-up. I'm sure you can find your way, right?"
"Come on," he rolled his eyes. "I'm Harry Potter. There's nothing impossible." His gaze darted to me. "Nice to see you again, Gerald."
Again? Funny because this was my first time meeting him. Every single word in his mouth had me on edge, and I clutched my hands, fighting the urge to cause a scene. He brushed past me and headed out, while Rosaline escorted him.
Harry was a weird and off-putting person. Not to mention, I hadn't seen his car parked in our compound. Where did he park then? So many things about his presence didn't add up. He made me feel so uneasy. I took a seat and placed my suitcase on the table when I heard the door close, and Rosaline appeared from behind me.
"That was such a friendly meeting. Was I going to learn about it?" I asked, and she stopped in her tracks.
"Yeah, he came visiting as my husband wasn't acting husband enough. In case you haven't noticed, if you weren't a businessman, you'd most likely be a serial killer with that look."
"Is that what we're doing now? Swerving from the main discourse? I'm asking you why there's a man in my house. A grown ass, weird man?"
She sighed. "What are you worried about? The man in your house or in house with me? Jealousy isn't a good look on you, Gerald. Stop this, Harry is a friend. Do I have to print it on my forehead for you to believe it?"
Her words caused me to rise to my feet, feeling terribly insulted for the little attention I'd given her. Maybe I gave her too much credit. "You're being unreasonable right now. What? A friend? The same friend you were at the bar with, attended a worldwide birthday with, and now visited in your marital home?!"
"That!" She pointed her index finger at me, raising her voice. "That is precisely what your problem is. You keep forgetting that this isn't a fucking marriage, Gerald! It is a shitshow, make-believe! So tone this craziness with my business and remember the rules, just as you always have."
"Just as I always have?" she was referring to yesterday, and honestly, even I couldn't tell apart the reality of it anymore.
"Yes!" She gestured with her hand. "Don't act like you fucking care about me, only to do something shitty and leave me all alone in this huge apartment without an explanation, an apology. Hello? Do you remember yesterday? How many rules you have broken? How many boundaries have you trespassed just by taking me there!?"
"That was a different thing, Rosa."
"Of course it is!" She chimed. "Getting me there would have guaranteed another business deal, right? So stick to it, Gerald. Stick to doing things for your selfish interest. Concern doesn't look good on you."
That was hurtful. I gritted my teeth and let out a slow breath. "Who says I'm concerned about you?" I ruffled my hair. "The last time you messed up who came running to clean it up? Jealousy? Get over yourself, Rosaline. That will only imply that I'm interested, and I'm telling you right now. I'm not. Get off your high horse and walk. If you're falling in love with a stranger, you might want to hide it better."
Her eyes were red with tears. As if I weren't the one hurt by her, but still, I wanted to pull her into a warm hug and tell her how sorry I was.
She sniffled. "Thanks for proving me right. And yes, if I'm falling in love with a stranger, you'd be the last to know. What does someone like you even know about love? Don't throw the word around. It's embarrassing."
There, I thought I was invincible. I itched to respond, but she was already hurt. Even hiding it wasn't possible. This discussion wasn't even the most important matter at hand. There was a reason I came early. "Wait," I said as I fished for an envelope in my suitcase and handed it to her. "Here."
Rosaline eyed the envelope without taking it from me. I expected that as much. "Did my father put you up to this?"
"Just take it. I have no more to do with your family feud."
She snatched the envelope from me, tearing it open rather aggressively. "This better be important."
It wasn't important, just inevitable. That envelope contained two vacation tickets gifted to us by my father. A three-day trip to Maui that I tried every possible way to decline, but he remained adamant, throwing around subtle threats and hiding under the guise of concern for me. He said it was a honeymoon gift, a chance to get away, probably like he and my mother did.
The trip was sponsored by some of our major shareholders, which meant my presence there was necessary, and Rosaline's too. She looked up at me, meeting my eyes. "No. No way," She flung it in my face. "What is even this?"
"I suppose you read well..."
"Don't be a douche, Gerald. You know what I'm asking. What are those for? Why did you give them to me?"
"Those are sponsored vacation tickets for a trip to Maui. Our sponsored vacation tickets, Rosaline. You should get your swimsuits ready."
"You're joking, right?" Her brows pinched together, and her eyes widened in disbelief. "I can barely coexist with you in a place that is your home; talk more of somewhere that miles away from here. And with you?"
"With me? I make all the difference," I taunted, crossing my legs. I didn't hate the idea of it, surprisingly.
"Gross," she rolled her eyes. "I'm not doing it, so tell whoever gave you these tickets that they keep dreaming of the impossible."
It was finally time to break it down for her. We didn't particularly have a say in this matter, especially when more business is involved. "They're from my father, and as you already know, nothing surpasses business with our families. This vacation is a planned tactic, and our presence there is just to seal the deal. We are going, whether you like it or not. This marriage is a business contract anyway. We might as well dive into it."
I watched the corners of her lips twitch, but she seemed to have no arguments. More of this will happen, and we'd have no choice but to submit to the needs of the industries.
"Look, I hate this more than you do--"
"No, you don't," she jeered. "You don't look like you do. I'll think about it and give you a response tomorrow. I can decide not to go. Maybe the companies should go to fucking hell!"
She stormed away, and I slouched onto the chair. She was ever so temperamental compared to her size. I fumbled with the tickets, already knowing what her response would be. I should start packing.
*
"This must be why your arrogance surpasses your height," Rosaline said as I helped her aboard.
What did she expect?
"So you have a whole plane to yourself with your name on it?"
Rosaline ascended the stairs. I said nothing more, my hand clutching the rails as I followed with my heart in my mouth. It was flattering to see her so bemused, like her father wasn't the second-richest man in the country.
Warmth fluttered in my chest, and my lips tugged into a smile while she took short, tired strides until we were finally in, and she settled on one of the plush leather seats. She was wearing a red, flowery dress that showed off her toned legs. It took way more resolve than I expected to stop staring at her.
"Damn, it's beautiful in here!" Rosaline announced again. "I love it!"
"See?" I folded my arms, leaning back. "Maybe the vacation isn't such a bad idea."
Her smile pulled down and melted into a scowl. "As if... I can't wait to get separate rooms and be away from you."
"Wow, really?" As if.