A Distant Memory

Chapter 9 - Friends

When I got out of the car, I just simply could not believe my eyes.

My little Rose was laughing, talking to no one else but Eve Anderson, the daughter of the man I desperately am trying to hate.

I got out of the car, it didn't take too much for her to quickly wave Eve off and run towards me, she jumped to me in a big hug, I caught her and spun her around as she giggled, it warmed my heart.

"How was school today, Rosie?" I asked, curiosity flooded my senses. "Good, I am friends with Eve now! everything is okay!" she said, a big, bright smile plastered on her face.

I put Rose down as I saw how Marko kneeled down to talk to his daughter, love and admiration flowed in his eyes, it made my heart turn. God I hated my body around him. I hated him.

I turned back to Rose and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Do you feel the air, honey?" I asked, she started giggling. "It's Notus!" she said loudly, I smiled brightly at her and nodded my head, "yes it is, sweetheart"

Marko cleared his throat, "Ready to go?" he asked, I turned back to Rose.

"good thing that you are friends with Eve because Mr. Anderson is driving us home" I told Rosie, she giggled as I picked her up and placed her inside the car, when I went to buckle her up, her reply surprised me.

"I'm almost five now, mommy. I'm a big girl" she said, stopping me. I simply smiled as I observed how she messed up several times, "Sometimes big girls need help, I'm a big girl and even I sometimes need help" I explained as I buckled her up, I flashed her a smile before closing the door and getting on the front seat.

I closed the door and buckled up quickly, then we drove off.

-

Throughout the drive, the girls talked and laughed, I looked out of the window despite the feeling of Marko's intense glare never leaving me. I never turned to him, despite my body begging me to.

I had already told him my address, and he parked right outside of the apartment complex, I got myself and Rose out, hand in hand, we stared at the building.

"It's perfect, Rowan" our hands were laced together, we were looking at apartments to move into.

"It has decent security and it's majestic inside" he expressed.

"It'll be perfect for us. What do you say?" I asked with a cheeky grin, he simply stared at me with nothing but adoration, that alone made my stomach flip.

"What?" I giggled, feeling nervous under his glare.

"God, I love you so fucking much Olivia Luxor Rossi Hayes" desire was written all over him before he smashed his lips against mine.

Rowan was a drug I simply could not get enough of, I craved his touch every fleeting moment. I craved him every fleeting moment.

"That's awfully long" I fake-winced, he held me by my waist and pulled me closer, I rested my head on his shoulder. His touch sent shivers down my spine, my breath quickened and so did my heartbeat.

"You're mine and I'm yours, Oli. The world should know that" he whispered to my ear, I pecked his cheek, not wanting to get away from his hold.

"Olivia?" Marko called out, drawing me back to reality.

"Yes?"

"You didn't answer my question" he stated, almost offended. "What was your question?" I shot back, annoyed.

"Would you like to grab a coffee later today to discuss some aspects about my internship?"

I fake-winced. "can't. I'm hosting a dinner. I wouldn't either way." I snarked back. "I bet so, Oli" he replied teasingly before driving off, I sighed in frustration .

"There's a dinner tonight?" Rosie asked, jumping up and down with excitement.

"Yeah, with your uncles Chuck, Matias and Elijah" I spoke softly as we walked through security, they nodded and I nodded back.

After Rowan got kidnapped, I funded a fundraiser on Rowan's name, I increased security and hired more guys with more experience. When Hatchel started to bloom, I hired more security with impressive skills and loyalty. Nothing would be happening to Rose while I was up and breathing.

I seriously thought of moving, but this apartment was the main thing that remained me of Rowan. I know that it's preventing me from moving on, but I just can't bring myself to actually pack up my stuff and leave.

We reached my personal elevator, and with a quick thumb print and eye scan, the elevator automatically took us to our floor. Another safety measure I had installed.

As soon as the elevator doors opened, I took out my keys and unlocked the door, all while holding my daughter's hand in mine.

We walked in, I let go of her hand to kick my shoes off and slipped on my flip flops, I did the same for Rosie, and she trailed behind me as I went into the kitchen.

I had someone do the groceries for dinner, I specifically told security that they were allowed and all the information required. Through voice identification, he was able to go up to my apartment, all while being escorted by armed security.

Tonight, I was making shrimp risotto, a personal favorite I had learned from my mama.

"What are you making mommy?" she asked, I had a couple of hours before I had to actually get to work. 

"shrimp risotto" 

Rose squeaked in excitement, I chuckled to myself and poured me a good glass of Luigi Bosca wine, a personal favorite. I swirled it in my glass before letting the magnificent liquor pass through my lips, I hummed in delight.

"Let's make you a bath, yeah?"

"Mommy!" she groaned in protest while hanging her head back, I rose my brows at her.

"I know you don't want to, but you gotta" I put my glass of wine on the table, already wanting more. A mischievous smirk surfaced to her cute little face, one that I knew all too well.

"Rose Hayes..." I warned, she giggled before running off around the apartment, I chased after her.

"Get back here, you little grinch!" I exclaimed which caused her to burst in a fit of laughter, I took that opportunity to flung her across my shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

"No!" she started punching my back, she got tired and stopped fighting, she fell asleep quickly.