THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT: paired with a rose

CHAPTER 2

AN: Hey y'all, Thank You so much for the reviews! They are appreciated. Based on the comments I'm receiving I think I'll continue with the story, I'm new to this and still trying to figure out the flow so suggestions are welcome and please feel free to point out any grammar. 🙌🏾

{This is dedicated to Mpho for the suggestion made, so here goes. Hope you enjoy it, also I'll be alternating POVs for the letters and as expected this is Rose's letter to Maria}

Dear Maria

I just walked into my new apartment after a long day. It's the same apartment you said you would like to own one day. Now that everyone has moved on with their lives after the show, I finally get to rest as there isn't a lot of touring happening. When I do have to tour, it's usually with my dance crew and I must say the days are pretty long, mainly because well it takes a while for us to perfect our art.

Since you and I had broken up, I rarely enjoy the things I love, dancing with my girls has become my only escape. Though we have grown apart, I always look forward to seeing you. This is what keeps me sane, reminiscing back to a time when we were happy... together. Toward the end of our relationship, You and I were straining to get back to that happy place. When you started seeing Kevin again and I went back to Emmanuel the little chance we had was gone.

I have so much on my mind. I'm just not as happy as I used to be. I keep thinking of the days you and I were happy. It was just you and I ... together.

My mind floods with memories. The trips to Dubai, the dance club dates, holidays with each other, the dates to the reunion party. Remember the reunion party? That was the first time and only time we really didn't care if people saw us together like that. We had already told our close friends, but we hadn't mentioned it to several others. After the Réunion party, Cross invited us, Michael, Jackie, Saskay to his place for an "After Party", we were finally surrounded by people we could trust. So we decided to embrace it. We didn't want to hide from them anymore. that was the happiest I had ever been knowing our close friends embraced us back.

Then two months later into our relationship at one of the events we attended. It was right before our brake up. We were starting to feel a little distant from each other. I started to worry everyone knew about our relationship. We decided together that we'd show up less together publicly, and arrive separately to events we were both invited to. When we did arrive, I would see you first. My breath would become short, and everyone around me disappeared. I walked up to you and without a second thought, you would wrap me in your arms. We had seen each other just the day before, but for us, it had felt like a lifetime. I'd never forget that moment. I never forget that night.

The next weekend we all went to Lagos to celebrate Jackie's birthday birthday. You had to finish a shoot back in Dubai for one of your deals, so you had to fly in later. I was bummed because the only person I needed there was showing up late. Me, Jackie and some of the other former housemates had gathered for the day in the suite playing games, trying new drinks and sharing laughs. All I could think about was when would my butterfly fly to me.

When You finally did show up, you took Jackie aside. You were so sorry for missing the early day festivities. Jackie knew it was out of your control, but you were adamant about making sure you made it up to her, starting with her gift. You pulled out a box and handed it to Jackie. When Jackie opened the box, her face lit up, and her mouth dropped open. She pulled out a simple diamond bracelet. It was to die for, I must say I was a bit jealous, it was just like you to find something so simple and understated, but so beautiful. It was perfect and Jackie loved it. You sure do go all out for the ones you love.

I wear the necklace you gave to me everyday. Knowing it is there, so close to my heart, makes me feel like you are still with me. It makes me feel that even though we are apart, you know I keep you close to my heart every minute of every day.

There has never been anyone like you for me. The two of us just have this understanding of each other. We didn't even have to say anything to know what the other was thinking. I recall moments in the house where we'd both say the same thing unknowingly about each other or give each other knowing looks when some of our housemates would ask questions in regards with our friendship.

I often wonder why everything went so awry and how I had let it get that far. I have to see to you. Even if it is just for a day. I have to talk to you, so that I could at least let you know that I miss you. I have to come find you.

When I read your letter I immediately teared up and as I read more and more of the letter, tears began streaming down more my face, beyond my control. A pit formed in the bottom of my stomach, as I read the last part of the letter.

My heart was breaking with every word I read. 'So I'm leaving. I'm moving back to Dubai. I'm going to focus on building my brand'. This couldn't be happening. I had to be dreaming. You would never leave your career behind. Your friends behind. Me behind. 'I need to move on, and I think you do too'. We both know that being here, being around each other, is just bringing us both down'. That's the opposite of what I wanted. I wanted to be with you but you were with Kevin. That wasn't my fault. Our break up was just as much as your fault as it was mine. 'It's doing exactly what you were afraid of: breaking us. It's breaking your career. It's breaking my heart.'

I broke out into a full-blown sob, curled up on my bed and wrapped my arms around myself when I was done reading that letter. My eyes were closed as tight as I could close them. It all had to be a bad dream. How did it get this far? You were leaving everything behind, and for what? Just to get away from our relationship?

I know that I have been distant, but I never wanted you to leave. I never wanted to break your heart. My heart was broken, too. The minute I found out you were talking to Kevin again. It didn't mean I didn't still love you though Maria.

I need to find you. I cannot let you believe that I resented you for getting back together with Kevin. I cant let you think that I would have put my career before our relationship. I can't let you go thinking that we needed to move on from one another. We can fix this. I want to fix it. I want my best friend back.

I have to stop you, Emma and Kevin aside, we have to fix our relationship, starting foremost with our friendship. Whatever happened, I know we will figure it out. We always have. But I'm surely never going to let you walk out on your career here, On your friends. On your life. On us.

I am not about to let the woman that changed my life the most walk out of it forever, and I'm going to do whatever it takes to get you back.

Your Rose