Through the rose p.1~
Sometimes life brings you back to the same place. Perhaps this is the essence: meeting again after all the changes that life brings, when bith of you have become what you were meant to become who they were before. Becayse returning is not a place. It is the moment when someone recognizes you amidst all that has changed.
Rose lives with James as they prepare for their wedding. Everything is going smoothly. For the past three years, they haven’t faced any problems, and Rose believes James is the right man—the one who will make her happy and help her feel alive again.
Lost in thoughts about the wedding and the future they are building together, she notices James walking into the room. He gently kisses her forehead before taking a step back, studying her with a curious expression.
~What made you drift off into your thoughts again? Ever since I left, you’ve been sitting here.
~I was just thinking about a few things. Nothing important.
He pulls a face before a faint smile appears, as though he doesn’t quite believe me but has no intention of pushing. I like the way he teases me without being intrusive.
Not wanting the conversation to turn to me, I casually change the subject.
~Am I allowed to ask where you’ve been until this late?
James flashes me a wide smile and gently kisses the top of my head.
~After work, Victor and I decided to go for a walk. We completely lost track of time.
I love the way he speaks, even the warmth in his eyes. I think that’s what I fell in love with the most. I could stay in his arms all day, simply looking at him.
My God… he’s been waiting for my answer this whole time, and I’ve been lost in my own thoughts again.
A teasing smile spreads across my face before I answer.
~I’m glad you had fun, but I think you also have a woman you left home all by herself. I wonder what happened to her.
James chuckles, trying to hold back his laughter.
~You’re right. But she’s so sweet and beautiful that I couldn’t possibly neglect her.
~Then I think you owe her a very big hug… and dinner.
I look at him expectantly. I love these little moments when we tease each other, especially like this.
~The hug can definitely be arranged. As for dinner… I’ll take you straight to bed.
He grins, waiting to see my reaction as he sweeps me into his arms and carries me toward the bedroom.
~You always find a way to win me over, even when I don’t want to go to bed.
His eyes linger on mine, as if he’s trying to figure out whether I really mean it or if I’m only teasing him. I don’t know if he can tell, though. I’ve become very good at hiding everything.
