Rose woke up with a headache she opened her eyes and realized she was at Irene's place. She turned around and saw her sleeping next to her.
Rose smiled as she watched her friend still sleeping. She pulled the covers over her and left the room.
She took a shower and changed into one of Irene's clothes. She went to the kitchen knowing her way around it soon made coffee and some eggs.
Irene woke up and heard Rose in the kitchen. She walked in yawning with her messed up hair.
"Morning " she yawned.
Rose smiled passing her a cup of coffee.
"Morning bestie "
Irene took a sip and smiled, " You have always been better than me in the kitchen "
Rose passed her some eggs.
"Am not that good, just a bar higher than you " she joked. They both laughed but soon the room was filled with silence.
"So what do you plan to do?" Irene finally asked.
Rose was mute as she watched Irene finish her coffee.
"I know it's hard but if you sit down and listen to him you will understand, " Irene said.
"I know and I want to let him explain but I just feel betrayed to be left in the dark for so long " Rose let out.
"I did tell those two blockheads to tell you sooner but Arthur was scared. And to think he is the most feared man in the country " Irene sneered.
Rose looked up, " So you knew?" she asked.
Irene frowned as she looked Rose in the eyes.
"Sean told me a long time ago so I told him to tell Arthur to tell you but he was afraid you would not love him anymore "
Irene held her friend's hand, " I know what he did was wrong but put yourself in his shoes, would you have told the woman you love about how you enjoyed hurting and harming other human beings for your success? "
"But I had accepted every flaw he had just like how he did mine but he still kept all those secrets from me " she cried.
"Rose all the people he harmed were very bad people. But he changed when he finally found you. Getting on a clean path just for you. So please just let him talk to you" Irene tried convincing her.
Rose pulled away from her friend's, " I think I need some air to clear my head" she said moving to the door.
Irene watched her walk out, " Don't take too long and take care of your self " she told Rose.
Rose walked aimlessly on the street as she watched others pass by her.
She didn't know what to think anymore.
Was she being selfish by not letting Arthur tell his side of the story or was she right to avoid him? She continued moving as her thoughts run around her head. Had she walked the same path her mother did by believing someone who wasn't worthy of her love.
Arthur and his family had given her a home and love she couldn't expect to get. Was it his past or a secret life he lived without her knowing about it? But he was a perfect husband and father.
Rose felt someone pull her back waking her up from her thoughts.
She landed in someone's chest as she heard a voice telling her to be careful.
Rose looked up recognizing the face of the stranger who had pulled her from danger.
"Harry " she called.
He looked down at her and smiled, " You seemed absent-minded a car almost hit you if I didn't pull you the way in time " he said.
She felt tears form in her eyes, dropping her head back in his chest she started crying.
"I think am lost " she cried.
Harry was confused by her reaction so he held her feeling her tears wet his shirt.
"Arthur don't go out " Sean blocked the door of the car.
"Who is that charlatan hugging her " Arthur shouted.
"We both know Rose wouldn't go around hugging strangers that means she knows who he his " Sean said.
Artur sat back in his seat trying to make out who was hugging Rose.
But the car was parked far from where she was so he could not see who it was since they only saw his back.
They had been parking outside Irene pace waiting for her to come out. But when she did Sean prevented Arthur from approaching her and ended up following her. But before Arthur could jump out of his car to rescue her from the speeding car, a stranger had pulled her away.
But to their amazement, she decided to stay in his arms.
Arthur and Sean watched as he leads Rose away.
Rose had stopped crying as she sat next to Harry. He passed her an ice cream cone he had bought.
"It will help you feel better," he told her.
Rose took it and slowly licked it. The coldness hit her senses waking up every nerve in her body.
She felt her mood lighten up as the flavors of the ice cream melted in her mouth.
Harry watched her eat her ice cream in silence. Her face gaining warmth it always had and her sad eyes brightened up
"Feel better," he asked.
Rose nodded with a smile
They sat in silence as they watched different people walk by them. He had taken her to a park filled with people.
They watched some kids play making them smile as Rose thought about her son.
"The last time I saw you, you had a smile and a spark in your eyes. What happened?" Harry asked.
Rose found herself looking down.
Harry watched her behavior, " It's okay if you can't talk about it, let just keep you company " he said.
"Am wasting all my military training on spying on your wife and a stranger " Sean quarreled.
They had followed Rose and Harry to the park but kept their distance.
"He's not a stranger, he the guy who was in prison," Arthur said.
"You mean her high school best friend?" Sean asked.
Arthur nodded.
Sean gave the stranger a look and smiled.
"Well, all I can say is that you in trouble. With that face and the history, they have together, you are soon losing her " Sean laughed.
Arthur pushed him away and looked back at Rose and Harry.
"Let's revisit our high school memories" Harry held Rose's hand and walked away.
Sean saw his action and felt the temperature around him drop.
"I said it, didn't I," He said but Arthur was already off following them.
"This is going to be along day " Sean got up and followed Arthur.
Rose smiled when she saw Harry pull her into an amusement park. He held her hand and didn't let her go.
Arthur watched as Rose's smile turned into laughter with every ride they enjoyed.
He could not keep himself from feeling angry or jealous at how Harry was having fun with her.
"You know am now a mother and a married woman " Rose shouted in Harry's ears while they rode the pirate ship.
"So what?" he asked.
"I should not be enjoying such things," she said.
"That's a lie, you have a right to have fun" he showed back.
They rested as they ate cotton candy.
"Arthur let's go back am tired and Rose seems fine now " Sean suggested.
"You can go ahead," he said.
Sean frowned knowing what Irene would do if she found out he had left Arthur spying on Rose. So he stayed by his side.
Stilling holding hands Rose and Harry left the park and took a taxi.
Arthur and Sean who had parked far from it failed to tail them.
Sean could feel Arthur's mood worsen with every moment that passed by.
They arrived at Irene's bakery and took their seats.
"Hi there, I see you smiling. Feeling better?" Irene asked.
She saw Harry and smiled.
"He worked his magic on you," She said next to Harry.
"How have you been old friend," Irene asked.
"Been doing fine until I found out you failed to keep our best friend safe " Harry complained.
Irene bought the snacks and coffee giving them space to talk.
Rose looked out the window, " I don't know if am making the same mistakes
as mom did " she said.
"I remember the smile you had when you visited me that day telling me how you were going to marry the man of your dreams. Then when I met you again at the hotel "
Harry held her hand again, " Rose you have never been that happy even with me. But you did with him, he made you bloom into a remarkable woman "
Rose knew what he said was true she looked Harry in the eyes as he told her the truth.
"You explored every side of you with him and only he can do that to you. You just have to see past that man your father tried showing you and see the man you fell in love with "