Love & Secrets (Unedited)

Chapter Two

One month later
Rosemary

Job interview after job interview and nothing. Sighing I walk into the doors of the finale spot I applied for and was contacted back. If I don't get a job I won't have enough for the following month's rent. I had savings but had to dip into it already and even that's not enough anymore. My parents are too far away and my best friend lives with people who I don't really like. I have no options. If I could move back to my parents and still attend school I would but I'm in my finale year, I'm not giving up now. Next year is graduation as this year just started. I'm so close to everything I worked so hard for.

I look around the buildings space and it's so calming. The artwork hanging on the walls and a few people roaming, looking. The receptionist desk empty with a fancy help wanted sign. I take a seat waiting for someone to come out and grab me for my interview.

  Ten minutes pass before a guy comes out and looks around. I decide to stand and go up to him. "Hi I'm here for an interview." He relaxes and smiles. "Thankfully because I thought you didn't show up but I was the one late!" He laughs. "Come follow me to the back office." He says and leads me through a hallway full of doors and into an open space where a desk is full of papers. "This is the bosses area, if you're hired you'll probably be cleaning this up organizing it along with taking calls in the front and scheduling appointments with art dealers. Sometimes he has conferences so you'll let him know when those are taking place." He says and takes a seat on the sofa after grabbing a folder with my name on it.

  "So it says here you're in school?" He asks as he skins through the pages. "Yes in college. It's my finale year but I also live alone and the place I worked at before closed down so I'm in desperate need of a job." Definitely sounding desperate. He chuckles. "I see and do you have any experience with being a secretary?" He asks even though he Joe's I don't because he's seen my portfolio.

  "Not quite honestly but when I worked in retail I did have to answer the phone and track inventory too. I know it's not the same but it's kind of similar. I promise I can do it." Ah my desperate self again. I just look at my hands instead and he breathes out. "Well I'm going to hire you. But I do need to talk to the boss first to make it official. It's technically not in my position to hire anyone but he trusts my opinion for the most part." He gives me a smile and I nod. "I'm Henry by the way." I shake his hand. "Of course you know but Rosemary."

  After our shake someone walks in carrying a large item covered with a black sheet. I assume a painting. "Morning Henry. I finished the painting last night and thought I'd bring it in today so we can set a price on it and put it out on display." He finishes as he places the painting on the easel. He uncovers it and my it's gorgeous. It's a females side profile painted in black and white. It's so pretty. I can't tell since he used lines and didn't make it more defined.he turns and there's a look on his face when he sees me. I study his face and since it's been a month I nearly didn't recognized him but it's Rome. Rome my one night stand whom left a note on my pillow the next morning.

  "Who's this?" He asks and my heart breaks a little. "Rosemary, this is Rome, Rome this is Rosemary. She checks all the boxes on your list of requirements." Henry says handing him a paper from my folder and Rome takes it. "Okay .. she's hired please pull up the official paperwork that I need to go over with her. While the front while I get this done please." Henry does as he's told and shakes my hand again saying welcome before he walks out of the room.

"It's nice to meet you Rose, can you start tomorrow?" He asks me and I nod. "Yes sir." He walks behind his desk and takes a seat and signals for me to sit across him. "You may call me Rome. I appreciate it but please." He smiles gently, dimples sinking in where I put my lips that night. I shake the thoughts from my head and get down to business.

—

Rome is letting me work full time even with being in school. He said after my last class to just come in and get started, he's having Henry keep watch for the front desk until I go in. I do a lot of my classes online but anything else I can't do I go in person. So during work when it's slow I'm allowed to get my school done then I finish up when I go home.

  I'm currently on my way home now. I pass the store and realize I need food for dinner so I make a u-turn and head back.

  While I'm shopping for a minor about of groceries needed I walk passed the ladies isle and decide to go in. Do I need pads? What's today? My eyes trails off to the pregnancy tests. Nah.

I debate but grab it. Can never be too safe right? Ha.. being too safe? That's what has me guessing right now. I believe we used protection but it was an all nighter type of thing so anything is possible..

Sighing I pay and head home.

—

Currently in the bathroom waiting for the 5 minutes to be done. My phone rings with a notification. I check and see Rome messaged me. Your name tag is ready for you, it was lovey meeting you. See you tomorrow Rose.  How doesn't he remember me? We barely drank. So can't blame it on being drunk. Maybe he sleeps around so much he just doesn't remember. My thoughts are pushed to the back of my head when my timer goes off and I slowly walk over to the stick.

I close my eyes as I turn it over and my breath takes a pause. A dark line. Really dark. It's positive. I'm pregnant.