He let her cry, staining his shirt with her tears.
"Do you feel better now ? " he asked after hearing her sobs lessen.
She lifted her head and left his chest. Realizing he was still in the doorway, she invited him in.
"Am sorry about that, maybe I had kept it in for too long " Rose apologized.
"No big deal, crying isn't a crime, "Arthur said.
" I seem to always meet you when I am in trouble. I hope it doesn't bother you? ".
He moved closer to her and wiped her tears away. " I am not bothered at all " he smiled
She watched as his hands touched her face gently wiping her tears. Why was he so worried about her.
" Tell me what happened. Was it a robbery?"
"Yeah "
"Did you see their faces so we can report this to the police ".
She didn't want to cause more trouble. The bastard might hurt his brother instead.
" No, I didn't. They knocked me out "
He wondered what to do .she seemed to be hiding something and didn't want to talk about it.
"I don't think you are safe here. You live alone so it's easy for them to target you " Arthur said.
"I know, but I can't leave"
"Can your brother stay with you then "
"He stays in the hospital dormitories. And is always busy "
"Then you can come and stay with me until we are sure it's safe. Those thugs might come back and do something worse"
" I know it's dangerous but I can't just go and stay with you " Rose protested.
"Why can't you. You know me and I know. We are friends "
She thought about it. He wasn't a bad guy he had helped her twice already. But she didn't want to look desperate and needy.
But after a while he persuaded her. She packed a few clothes and other necessities leaving with him.
He was going to be late for work again.
She didn't say a word all the way. keeping her eyes on the road. When they arrived he helped her with her bags.
The house helper remembered her giving her a warm smile.
"We meet again miss. How have you been?
She smiled making her wounds hurt.
" Am sorry Miss " the helper said.
"It's alright, I was just careless and ended up this way and please call me Rose "
He leads her to the guest room .which looked twice her room as beautiful. She was happy just looking at it.
"You can stay here for the time being," Arthur said.
"Thank you " she whispered
"In case you need something, you can tell Dorothy " Arthur informed her.
They left the room and went back downstairs.
After making sure she was comfortable he left for the office.
"How could you fail to get the money she's just a weak girl and you two failed to make her talk" Marcus shouted.
"Boss she kept her mouth shut even when I hurt her "
His boss was enraged he almost spitfire.
"I told you not to lay a finger on her but you still did it. Are you dumb "
After yelling at them he told them to disappear. He thought about it, if she went to the police his petty plan would have lent him to prison. And her brother was a hotheaded person he didn't want to mess with again. But nothing happened since his men came back. Which means she didn't do anything yet.
Dorothy prepared something to eat. They chatted about how she looked after her when she had the fever which she was still thankful for.
Later she called Irene and told her what happened but made her promise not to tell her brother. Irene opposed it but later gave in. She told her she was safe.
She sent a text to her brother who she knew was busy. Later he answered asking how she was. She lied and said she was okay.
She lied more and told him how she had left for a few days with her friends he didn't even know. So he won't appear at home without her being there.
He left work early amid Sean's protests. He wanted to see her, know what she did the whole day, and if she was comfortable at his place.
The moment he arrived he asked Dorothy where she was.
"Upstairs in her room, Sir, " Dorothy said.
He moved to the guest room but stopped at the doorway. Was she sleeping or awake he thought.
He knocked but no reply, so he opened the door peeping in to see what she was doing.
She was laying on the bed, peacefully sleeping He moved towards it and sat on the bed.
He now had her in his house. He almost jumped with joy. He had finally taken the first step. He pulled the covers to her shoulders so she could be warm and left the room.
After a hot shower and dinner, he was ready for bed. But as he approached his room he heard her scream. He didn't know how he reached her room but he was by her side in a flash.
She woke up her eyes depicting fear and pain, he hugged her.
"It was a bad dream " he whispered in her ear with a pat on her back. She fell back to sleep but he didn't leave her side. Just like at the hospital when she had a fever.
When he was sure she was deep in slumber he left.
He lay in his bed feeling pain and worry for her. He had to find the bastards who had done that to her face.
He found her seated at the table waiting for him to have breakfast.
"Morning Rose. Did you sleep well ?" he asked
" I did "
They had their breakfast after which he left for his study to do his work. Since it was a weekend he stayed home.
She moved around the house and watched TV.
When he later returned he found her helping Dorothy in the kitchen. Seeing him appear she came to him.
"I have a question"
"What is it ?"
"What should I call you, Arthur or Mr. Ramon"
"Call me Arthur," he said back.
"OK. Anyway, I don't have a job right now since my brother made me quit all my part-time jobs so I will spend most days home."
"I don't mind you can stay here "
They had lunch after which he gave her a tour of the house. She admired every corner of it but loved the pool more.
"My first time seeing a house pool. It's so cool " She shouted. He loved her smile.
" You can try it out. if you want "
"Really! but I don't have swimming attire right now," said Rose.
He laughed "You don't have to. Just put on anything free and dive in "
She wanted to try it but didn't want to invade on his kindness.
Watching her expression change he knew what she thinking.
"I invited you to my house. So if I say it's OK, then just trust me. I can join you if you are uncomfortable going in alone "
"I will give it a try "
They both went in to change, he wore his swimming trunks and waited for her at the pool.
She checked her luggage but couldn't find anything suitable. Checking the wardrobe she found different types of clothes.
The rich did have the money to stock the guestroom wardrobe with clothes for the guests.
Finding her size she checked for swimming attire. Amazingly finding one that fitted her body.
The moment his eyes fell on her body. His chest tightened.
The swimming costume was sky blue. It accentuated her curves exposing her slim waist.
The top part exposed the V part of her breasts bringing back the images of the night in the hotel.
Her skin shone when the sun hit her she was a hidden jewel he thought.
"Do I look fine?. I found it in the wardrobe and it fit" Not seeing his expression she asked innocently.