"He used to hurt the mother and Ralph who got in his way in the process. So Ralph and I grew up hating him. But it wasn't like that at first " Rose looked down feeling angrier.
Sean, Irene, and Arthur all were silent as she talked. They had gathered outside the terrace making barbeque as Rose talked about her past with her father.
"When I was still a kid before Ralph was born, he was kind and sweet to me and mother but since the situation became worse with time. He changed and started gambling and getting drunk leading to loans. And when mother protested he beat her black and blue " her tears flowed none stop.
"Ohh Rose am so sorry," Irene said.
Sean pretended to be attending the barbeque to avoid being seen crying as for Arthur he sat next to Rose and dried her tears.
"He stopped coming with time and soon we heard rumors that he was cheating on mom with a rich woman. We decided to move on but without warning, he would still appear and raid us clean of our money throwing mother into despair "
"He was a real punk," Sean said.
"So one day when I saw him around our neighborhood I followed him, ....but when I lost him someone grabbed me and that how I ended up being raped by Archie " Rose felt Arthur's hold on her hands tightening, he was thinking about it. She held his hands instead making him put his attention on her again.
"After going through my dark days and moving on again. Mother got sick pushing me to start working part-time jobs to support us all and pay her hospital bills. And that's how I was able to meet a man who helped me out of my pain and gave me joy and love " Rose hugged Arthur.
"I love you hubby," she said.
"I love you too, Butterfly " Arthur responded.
Sean frowned while Irene smiled.
After telling them her past she calmed down and soon they were having a barbeque at the terrace.
Sean and Irene rushed to the pool after and enjoyed the cool water. Arthur stayed with his love as they watched the others swim.
"If he's here to hurt you, I won't let him get anywhere near you " Arthur promised.
"It's okay I have decided to talk to him and see what he wants, " Rose said.
"Sean found out that your father's company is on the brink of bankruptcy so I think he wants money from you," Arthur told her.
"He took enough from us already his not getting any more from me or my brother "
They had kept her father's return a secret from Ralph so he could still be in peace with Alex who right now was pregnant.
Sean and Irene stayed at Rose and Arthur's home till the weekend ended.
"See at work you both " Sean said as he left Arthur's home.
"And you, see you at lunch," Irene said as she hugged Rose before they left.
Rose went upstairs to change for work while Arthur talked with someone on his phone.
"Make sure he doesn't get anywhere near my sister or brother in law," he said through the phone.
After he hung up he wants upstairs to get ready for work too.
"She hasn't even called you to get and you still claim she will help " Natalia shouted.
"Be patient I know she knows why am here and what I need. Her husband is a billionaire but dangerous at that. His only weakness is Rose so am going to use her to get what I want from him " Richard chuckled.
"Arthur is the coldest heartened person I know so I don't think he will abide by your request even with Rose on the line," she said.
"Every man no matter how strong and mightly they are. They all have a weakness and Arthur's is my sweet kind daughter Rose. All I have to do is use that and we are back in business "
Rose arrived at work in high spirits, the employees who had become worried became happy upon seeing her back to work. She soon was absorbed in her work to realize her father had arrived at the company again.
Arthur called her in his office and within seconds she had arrived.
"Why is he here?" she asked.
"You said you wanted to talk to him so I invited him, " Arthur said.
Her father gave a sad look as he looked at her.
"I was wondering if we could have dinner tonight and talk things over?" he said.
Rose didn't say anything for a while.
"Meet me at this restaurant at eight, hope to see you there," he said as he gave the card to Arthur and left.
After he left Rose collapsed into the couch and let out a heavy sigh.
"Just his sight creeps me out," she said.
"I can go with you?" Arthur suggested.
"Thanks, hubby but I think I should do this on my own "
Arthur smiled and nodded.
Rose stood up to go back to her office and stopped in the doorway.
"I have observed that when I call you hubby, you smile like a puppy. You like it " Rose said.
Arthur walked to her trapping her between the door and himself and said, " Not sure why you started calling me that but I love it " he said.
She looked up at him and smiled, he always loved being given attention and love especially with their son in the picture.
"Okay hubby why don't you let me go now," she said.
Arthur was moving his hand behind her back bringing her closer to his body.
"I think I missed today's dessert " Arthur kissed her lips.
Rose's father left the company feeling triumphant. He knew Rose would come to see him and that was the start of his plans.