Miss Rose

"Hi, this is Fred, well I'm unavailable right now, please leave a voicemail, take care"

Beep " Hey, honey, I'm already dressed. I've been calling you. Where are you? Please call me back as soon as possible " Rose said as the call disconnected, she sighed, looking quite upset, her make up was already fading, she looks at the time on her phone, and it was already getting late, she tried to force a smile on her lips, not overthinking things for a change, she quickly got up and went to check herself out in the mirror again, her dress looked amazing, She wore a simple yet elegant burgundy dress that suited her perfectly.

Rose reached for the makeup kit, retouching her face again. Just then, she got a notification on her phone. She quickly reached for it, and it was a message from her mom. "Rose honey, where are you? Fred is already here and he said you should be on your way by now, get here already, drive safe"

Rose was stunned "How could her husband go to their family dinner without her? Was he still upset about this morning? She thought to herself as she tried to come up with an excuse in order not to get upset or worked up about it, she doesn't want anything to ruin the dinner, Rose knew the last thing she needed was her family picking up on her problem, as a tiny drop of tears ran down her cheeks, she raised her head, preventing more from rolling down her cheeks.

"Get it together, Rose, please* she mumbled to herself. Taking a deep breath, she forced a smile on her face while quickly rushing up her touch-up. She grabbed her purse,stared at the mirror once again, and walked out while locking the door from behind.

Sometimes one can never predict how fast things and people change. The most terrifying part of it is that you get to live with it for the rest of your life. Rose vividly remembered just how much Fred worshiped the ground she walked on. After high school, she attended college, where she met Fred for the first time during orientation.

Rose walked into the hall unable to find a seat, just then someone gently called out to her, she turned around to see a girl waving at her, and beside her was a space, Without wasting time, Rose rushed off to occupy it, on getting there she accidentally stepped on Fred who was seated beside the space.

"Oh my God, I'm really sorry, I'm sorry" she quickly apologized before sitting down. "It's fine, it's hard to find a seat anyway," he replied, barely looking at her. Rose smiled and then turned to the girl who had called out to her, "Thank you so much, I'm Rose Louis," she said as she reached out a hand towards the girl.

"You're welcome, I'm Rita Deanna," Rita said and shook her hand. They both smiled. Rose's gaze drifted to Fred, her eyes locking onto his chiseled features. His strong jawline and piercing eyes seemed to command attention, but it was the sparkle in his gaze that truly captivated her. He wasn't just handsome, but adorable, with a warmth that radiated from within, making her feel at ease. "His name is Fred, I don't know his surname, but I heard his friends call him Fred, he's cute, right?" Rita whispered to Rose.

She was a bit startled as she tried to deny that she was not staring at him, but Rita chuckled, indicating that she didn't believe or blame her because Fred was a fine man. When the orientation finally got to an end, the students began leaving the hall in groups including Fred and his three friends, Rose tried to hide the fact that she was maybe expecting him to talk to her after the orientation, but for her peace of mind and self respect she waved it aside determining to enjoy herself regardless "Are you down for lunch?" Rita asked, and Rose nodded her head, "Let's go then".

Rita and Rose were seated having lunch and talking about their high school days and the funny guys they once had a crush on, the moment was filled with laughter and excitement of getting to know more about each other, just then Fred walked over with his friend Mark who happened to be Rita's brother "What's up ladies hope we are not interrupting, I mean you two seemed to be having a great time, the laughter was tempting" Fred said while Rose swallowed her food hard, Rita seemed quite surprised to see her brother with him

"You two know each other?" She asked fixing her gaze on Mark, it turns out they worked out at the same gym, Rose didn't say much she quietly ate her food but she could feel him looking at her, Rita broke the silence by introducing her brother to Rose "Anyways Rose, this is my elder brother, Mark, Mark this is Rose, my friend"

She quickly raised her head and shook hands with Mark still making no eye contact with Fred whatsoever, Fred on the other hand was quite impressed seeing her resist communications with him which often doesn't happen via his appearance but then he was not feeling bad just indifferent "Anyways, We have to get going, I just wanted Fred to see her little sis, and it was nice meeting you Rose" Mark said and placed his hand on Rita's head as she pushed it away, they both chuckled and walked away.

"Why didn't you talk to him?" Rita asked, still staring at their backs, Rose smiled at her and said nothing. "I mean, I could have introduced you to Fred, but I don't even know him. I'm surprised he even knows my brother," she added. While Rose assured her that it was fine, since she was still going to be seeing him maybe every day........

Rose's thoughts were shattered by a loud horn blast and a man's angry shout: 'What the f*** lady?' She snapped back to reality, realizing the streetlight had turned green and the driver behind her was furious.

"I'm so sorry," she said softly, though she knew the man was not going to hear it, but she still said it. Rose quickly started up her car and drove off.

The warm glow of the dining room enveloped the gathering, filled with laughter and chatter. The aroma of home-cooked meals wafted through the air, making everyone's stomach growl in anticipation. Extended family members exchanged stories, their faces lit up with smiles. Children giggled and played, while the adults shared tales of their week. The table was filled with an assortment of dishes, each one more delicious than the last. It was a night to cherish, surrounded by love, food, and the people who matter most.

Rose's mom, Helen, approached Fred, who was seated with a few family members. She gently tapped him on the shoulder, signaling him to come.. Fred quickly got up and followed her. When they got to a free corner, she stopped and said, "Is everything okay between you and Rose?" Her face looked so worried while her eyes searched for answers. Fred was surprised by the fact that Helen was asking such a

question because he knew that Rose wouldn't talk about their marriage issues, especially with her family, so how did her mother figure it out? Except Rose did say something to her, he thought to himself.

"Well, Mom..." Before Fred could say something, Rose drove in, Helen looked outside and saw her, her face brightened up finally her princess has arrived, she excused herself from Fred and walked away to welcome her daughter, Fred on the other hand was relieved his marital issues were the last thing he wanted to discuss that moment. " Ohh my darling, you look like a goddess" Helen said as soon as Rose got out from the car, she pulled her for a hug, Rose's emotion got a hold on her, she hugged her mom so tightly not letting go, there was so much going on inside of her that she couldn't just figure it out, taking longer than expected Helen knew something was definitely going on with her daughter "Are you okay my princess?" She asked. Rose got hold of herself and pulled away from the hug. "Sure, Mom, I just missed you, can't I hug you as long as I want to, Mom?" She asked, trying to act casual.

Helen smiled at her, but deep down, she knew something was going on with her, knowing her daughter so well, she wasn't someone who would open up easily about her problem, but she wasn't going to let her daughter dwell in so much misery and silence.

Rose and Helen walked in hand in hand, the room lit up with greetings and laughter, Helen let Rose have her moment with the family members, they approached her, some complimenting her hair, how much weight she's lost and how beautiful she now looked, Her face was full of smiles, following the issues with her marriage she felt maybe she had lost her beauty or maybe she wasn't so beautiful as before but everyone's words had assured her that she was still the beauty goddess. She's stunning with porcelain skin, bright blue eyes, and a radiant smile that lights up her face. Her features are delicate yet striking, with high cheekbones and soft, flowing hair that frames her face.

"Ohh my angel...hey allow me through" "Daddy" Rose said her voice now full of life now, George her father hugged her "I can't believe you are now a full grown woman, you use to be so small" he said using his hand to show her how small she once was, Rose chuckled "Can't we not do this in front of everyone" she said as her eyes scanned the room it dropped on Fred who was busy sipping his wine, he smiled at her when their eyes met but Rose away without even smiling at him.

Helen and Rose's Aunties came out from the kitchen carrying plates of food. There was laughter and chuckles in the room; everyone was excited that the food was finally here.

Fred walked up to Rose, he gently wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her closer to himself "You look amazing honey" he said and placed a kiss on her cheek, Rose felt disgusted, he came here without her after leaving close to ten missed calls for him, he didn't return any nor did he even leave a message for her.

"I'm glad you still remember my wife?" She said softly not wanting anyone to hear them. The anger Rose was feeling inside was nothing compared to the words she was limited to say with so many eyes on them.

To the family Fred and Rose was the ideal couple, because of how much they both adored each other, they both met in their first year in college and ever since then they loved each other got married everything seems perfect with them but that wasn't true, the constant fighting and misunderstanding, it was taking a huge toll on them maybe on Rose only, she couldn't understand how things went wrong.

"Why are you both standing there? Come over here and sit down" Helen said to them. Rose pulled Fred's hand away and walked up to the table. Her brother, David, pulled out a chair for her. "Thank you, David," she said as she sat down. Fred came over as well and sat down next to his wife. Helen's eyes were on both of them, she could notice the distance and the awkwardness going on between them, Fred's eyes got on her and he could feel she was being suspicious, it was unlike them to have to be quiet and he understood the more quiet they were the more her mother becomes suspicious, he came closer to Rose and whispered "Your mother is looking at us, can we please not make things awkward?" He asked, Rose raised her head and took a glance at her mother and she was staring right at them. "What's wrong Rose?" Helen finally asked.......

"Are you going to be able to finish that food? It's big," Helen said, not wanting to draw unnecessary attention to her daughter. She doesn't even know why she asked that in the first place. Rose felt relieved. "I'm fine, Mom," she said, gently devouring her food.

Charles cleared his throat, commanding the room's attention as he raised his glass with a warm smile. "To family, friends, and making memories that'll last a lifetime," he said, his voice filled with sincerity. The room fell silent, glasses paused mid-air, as everyone echoed his sentiment, "Cheers!"

Rose's younger sister, Isabella, who was seated right next to her, discreetly tapped her arm with her elbow, a mischievous glint in her eye. "How come Fred came with Zoey and not with you? I was surprised how they got here together" she whispered to her. Rose's eyes went wide in surprise, she raised her head and looked at her single cousin sister Zoey, who was seated across the table, giggling with her sister as well. She turned around and looked at Fred, who noticed the way she was staring at him.

"What?" he said softly, not wanting to attract the already suspicious looks. "How are you doing Zoey"? Rose asked, her gaze not leaving Fred's eyes, and she noticed the discomfort in his eyes. Zoey, on the other hand, was a bit startled. She and Rose have never been the best of sisters; there was something off about Zoey, according to Rose. They never liked each other since they were teens, or you could say Rose never liked her.

"Umm, wow you're asking?" She said, looking really surprised, " Zoey could count how many words Rose has said to her since childhood. They don't get along well, so Rose just doesn't like her. "Anyways, I'm doing great and you?" Rose nods her head, indicating she was doing well as well. The atmosphere in the exchange was such that some were surprised by the ongoing interactions, while a few found it suspicious, maybe Rose has grown out of the hate. "You came from work?" Rose threw another question. Zoey, who began feeling uneasy about her questions, had no choice but to keep answering, "No, I came from home. Is there a problem?" She asked politely, and Rose shook her head

"Everything is fine, you look good anyway," she added. Zoey thanked her, and the room went silent again, except for the sound of plates and the clinking of glasses and muted conversations, as everyone's attention returned to their meals, the soft hum of intimacy and warmth filling the room.

As the evening drew to a close, warm goodbyes were exchanged, accompanied by laughter and the promise of future gatherings. The door closed behind the last guest, and the room fell silent once more, filled with the contented sighs of a joyful evening well-spent. Rose, can you help me out in the kitchen please?" Helen asked, "Sure," Rose said, and followed her to the kitchen. When they got to the kitchen,

Helen's eyes locked onto Rose's, a serious expression replacing the warm smile from dinner. "We need to talk," Helen said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. Rose's curiosity was piqued, and she nodded, wondering what was on her mother's mind

"You know very well that I can tell when you are hiding something from me, Rose, and right from the time you have never trusted me enough to tell me how you feel." Helen's words cut deep, and Rose's eyes welled up with tears. "Mom, that's not fair, How could you say that?"Rose whispered, her voice trembling. She squeezed her mother's hand, searching for understanding. Helen let out a deep breath, she just wanted to help her daughter but she wouldn't do that unless she opened up.....