Rosie was dressed in an orange sweatshirt paired with blue jeans, and had styled her hair into a high ponytail with flowing tendrils framing her face. She opted for minimal makeup, only applying lip gloss to add a little shine.
As Raymond answered the doorbell with a "ding," Rosie stepped in and complimented the grandeur of his home.
"Wow, your house is enormous!" she exclaimed.
"It's not a house, it's a mansion," Raymond replied.
Rosie couldn't help but giggle at his response.
"Your home is stunning."
As she sat on the couch in the sitting room, Rosie's eyes fell on a large family portrait hanging on the wall.
"Wait, are those your parents?" she asked in surprise. "I can't believe you're from the Harts. Why didn't you mention it before?"
"I just don't like to talk about my family," Raymond responded.
"You have every reason to be proud of them," Rosie countered. "Your parents are among the top ten richest and most influential people in the country."
Raymond hesitated to add anything to the conversation, and Rosie noticed the silence.
"Why do your parents keep you hidden from the world?" she asked.
"I can't handle all the fame and attention," Raymond admitted. "Plus, any minor mistake from me could ruin their reputation."
Rosie continued to press, recalling their previous conversation.
"Wait, I thought your mother had passed away," she said.
Raymond let out a sigh before confessing, "I lied. I just wanted you to come visit me today. I'm sorry for taking advantage of your sentimentality.".
"No, I'm not," Rosie retorted.
Raymond sighed, "Even if the jacket was a gift from my late mom, it's replaceable. There are over a million items in this world."
Rosie frowned, "But it holds memories and sentimental value."
Raymond chuckled, "What memories?"
Frustrated, Rosie rolled her eyes and said, "Whatever."
Raymond tried to make amends, "Come on, don't be mad. I'm sorry for making fun of you."
"It's okay, let's forget about it," Rosie said, trying to move on.
Raymond asked casually, "Have you had dinner?"
Rosie replied, "No, I'm not particularly hungry."
"Let's go fix something to eat in the kitchen," Raymond suggested.
Rosie asked if he could cook, to which Raymond replied, "I don't mean to brag, but my cooking skills are excellent."
Rosie laughed, "You wish! Just get me some snacks like cookies and juice. I may eat dinner when I get home."
Raymond went into the kitchen, and Rosie decided to take a tour of the house. She admired the luxurious decor and accessories – a testament to the family's wealth.
As she returned to the sitting room, Raymond offered her cupcakes and pineapple juice. Raymond then mentioned that she hadn't seen his room yet, but Rosie didn't seem keen on seeing more of the house.
Raymond teased her, "Don't be lazy, come upstairs and see it."
Rosie shook her head, "It's too much work. I think I'll take a rain check."
After finishing her cupcake and drinking juice, Rosie felt strange. The uncomfortably silent atmosphere in the house made her anxious. She wondered how to start a conversation.
"Something most rich people have in common," Rosie broke the silence, casting a glance towards the piano, "a piano that no one plays."
They both chuckled together, and Raymond said, "Actually, my dad plays it for my mom."
"Really? That sounds romantic," Rosie said.
"No, it's not. Honestly, it's annoying," Raymond replied.
"Why?" Rosie asked.
"My parents aren't whom you think they are. Yes, they are capable of business, but parenting? Not so much," Raymond replied.
"I'd like to hear more about it. I hope it's not boring," Rosie said.
"I'll tell you later. Let's watch a movie. What's your favorite movie genre? Romance?"
"I know it sounds unusual, but I prefer action movies to romance movies. If I want to watch a romantic movie, it must be a romcom," Rosie replied.
"I love romance movies, but I hardly watch action movies. I'm gonna play a romance movie, and I bet you'll love it," Raymond said.
"Let's see how it unfolds. But I won't watch it to completion. I have to leave soon," Rosie said.
"That's okay. I'll play a short movie then," Raymond replied.
As the movie began to play, Raymond turned off the lights and sat close to Rosie, wrapping his left hand around her neck. It felt weird to Rosie.
"What's the name of the movie?" Rosie asked, trying not to think about the close proximity of Raymond's hand to her left breast.
"Freaky," Raymond replied.
"That sounds freaky," Rosie chuckled.
"It's just thirty minutes long, and you have to watch it to the end with me. I'm not changing it, even if you don't like it," Raymond said.
"Is that how you treat your guests?" Rosie jokingly asked.
"Shh," Raymond hushed her and placed his right index finger on her lips. "The movie is starting."
Raymond turned up the volume to the highest, and the movie began with a woman moaning.
"Why is she moaning?" Rosie asked.
"Because she's getting freaky," Raymond replied.
****************
[A/N] Sorry for the late updates.
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