The days following Zeke's strange words felt like a delicate balance between tension and familiarity. Rose couldn't quite put her finger on it, but there was something different in the way Zeke was acting. It was like the barriers he had built around himself were starting to crack, revealing a side of him that he hadn't shown before. But he wasn't exactly ready to let her in—not yet.
Rose kept her distance, focusing on her responsibilities. The hours spent babysitting Jasper had become more like moments of normalcy, punctuated by the awkwardness she tried to ignore. She could tell that Zeke was still watching her closely, his presence always lingering, even when he didn't speak.
Today, Rose had returned earlier than usual. She had a break between classes, and she decided to use the extra time to study at the penthouse. As she entered the spacious living room, her mind was already absorbed in thoughts of her assignments. She barely noticed the tall figure standing by the window, gazing out over the city skyline.
It wasn't until she was a few steps into the room that Zeke turned his head toward her. His eyes met hers, and for a fleeting moment, it felt like the world had stopped.
"Rose," Zeke said, his voice softer than usual. "I didn't expect you to be here so early."
Rose, startled by his unexpected presence, adjusted her bag over her shoulder. "I had some free time between classes. Thought I'd get some studying in before Jasper wakes up from his nap."
Zeke gave a slight nod, his expression unreadable. His dark, tousled hair looked like it hadn't been combed in hours, and there was an unspoken weariness in the way he held himself.
Without waiting for her to respond, Zeke turned back to the window. The room was silent for a long time, the kind of silence that was heavy with things unspoken. Rose had a strange feeling in her gut—a feeling that this silence wasn't comfortable for him, not anymore.
She took a deep breath and decided to break the ice. "Is everything alright?" Her voice was steady, but inside, she could feel the edges of her patience thinning.
Zeke didn't answer right away. He continued to stare out of the window, his back to her. It was as if he was lost in thought, distant and unreachable. Rose could feel herself growing restless, her mind racing with the possibility that she was overthinking things. Maybe she had misinterpreted his words the other day. Maybe he didn't mean to show any weakness, any hint of vulnerability.
"I'm fine," Zeke finally responded, though his voice lacked its usual firmness. He turned to face her but didn't meet her eyes. "I'm just... tired."
The words felt like a confession, an admission of something Rose hadn't expected to hear from him. Zeke, the unflappable businessman who always seemed to have everything under control, was tired? She didn't know how to respond, unsure of whether to press him further or leave him in peace.
Before she could speak, Jasper's excited voice echoed down the hallway. "Rose! I'm awake!"
Rose's eyes lit up. "I'll be right there, Jasper!" she called, turning toward the hallway and away from Zeke. She could feel his gaze on her as she left the room, but she didn't turn back to acknowledge it.
---
Jasper was already sitting up in his bed, his small hands clutching the sides of the mattress as he looked up at her with wide eyes. "I had the best dream ever, Rose! Do you wanna hear it?"
Rose smiled, feeling the warmth in her chest. She had always enjoyed spending time with Jasper. He was a lively, imaginative boy, and his energy was contagious. "Of course I do, Jasper. Tell me all about it."
As he launched into a fantastical tale of dragons and treasure hunts, Rose couldn't help but feel a sense of peace settle over her. This was her moment of normalcy—her moment of escape from the swirling chaos that seemed to surround Zeke.
But her peace was short-lived.
She heard the sound of footsteps approaching the door. Zeke's tall figure appeared in the doorway, his face still shadowed with exhaustion. "Jasper, don't make too much noise," he said in his usual calm, authoritative tone. "Rose has work to do."
Jasper's face fell a little, his enthusiasm dampened by his father's words. But he quickly recovered and turned back to Rose with a wide grin. "It's okay, Rose. I'll tell you more later, promise!"
Rose nodded, her smile warm. "I'll be looking forward to it, Jasper."
Zeke's gaze lingered on her for a moment longer than necessary before he turned and walked away. There was something in his eyes—a flicker of something Rose couldn't name.
When she returned to the living room, the tension in the air was thick. Zeke was sitting on the couch, his elbows resting on his knees, his hands clasped together in thought. The room felt suffocating with his silence.
"I'm sorry about earlier," Zeke said, breaking the silence in a voice that was quieter than usual. "I didn't mean to make things awkward."
Rose was taken aback by his apology. It was rare for him to speak so candidly, especially about his emotions. But there was something in the way he looked at her—vulnerable, like he was offering a piece of himself that he didn't usually show.
"It's okay, Zeke," Rose said, her voice gentle. "You don't have to apologize. I know things have been a little tense lately, but we're still getting to know each other."
Zeke looked at her, his eyes dark but sincere. "You've been... good with Jasper. You're patient with him in ways I can't be."
Rose felt a knot form in her throat. "He's a great kid. He just needs someone who can be there for him."
Zeke's gaze softened. "I don't always know how to be that person."
Rose hesitated before speaking again. "I think... I think you're doing the best you can, Zeke. That's all anyone can really do."
Zeke's lips twitched at the corners, as though he was considering her words. He leaned back on the couch, looking weary but thoughtful. "Maybe," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
The silence stretched out between them, but it wasn't uncomfortable this time. It felt like an understanding had been reached, an unspoken truce that neither of them was willing to break. For a moment, Rose allowed herself to think that maybe—just maybe—there was more to Zeke than the cold exterior he wore so carefully.
---
As the evening settled in, Rose finished her work for the day and prepared to leave. She had become accustomed to the quiet rhythm of the penthouse, but now, as she packed her things, there was an undeniable tension between her and Zeke that hadn't been there before.
"Goodnight, Rose," Zeke said, his voice quiet but not unkind.
She looked up, meeting his eyes. "Goodnight, Zeke."
She didn't know what the future held for their relationship—whether it would remain professional or whether something more would grow between them. But for now, she was content to leave things where they were. For once, the uncertainty didn't feel so overwhelming.
As Rose walked out of the penthouse, she couldn't shake the feeling that things had just shifted. And though she didn't fully understand what that meant, she knew one thing for sure—her life, and perh
aps her heart, were about to become more complicated than she had ever imagined.