The Accidental Fate.

Chapter 10: Unseen Struggles.

Rosie.

The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across my bedroom. As I got ready for the day, I couldn't help but reflect on my evening with Nate. The dinner had been perfect, and for a few hours, I felt like I could leave all my worries behind. But today was a new day, and I had a lot to focus on.

I headed to my little home office, which doubled as my design studio. Sketches were scattered across the desk, fabric samples pinned to a board on the wall. I sat down, determined to make progress on my fashion brand. I had been working on some new designs, but the challenges were starting to pile up. Sourcing materials was proving to be more difficult than I had anticipated, and I was struggling to find the perfect balance between creativity and practicality.

A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. Addison walked in, a bright smile on her face. "Hey, fashion queen! Ready to tackle the day?"

"Hey, Addie," I replied, grateful for her energy. "I could definitely use your help. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed."

Addison sat down next to me and looked over my sketches. "These are amazing, Rosie. You've got this. Let's brainstorm and see if we can come up with some solutions."

We spent the next few hours discussing ideas, making phone calls, and sending emails. Addison's enthusiasm was contagious, and I started to feel more confident about the direction my brand was taking. Just as we were getting into a groove, my phone buzzed with a message from my dad.

Dad: We need to talk. Come to the office.

I sighed, feeling a knot form in my stomach. "Looks like I have to go deal with my dad. Wish me luck."

Addison gave me a supportive hug. "You got this, girl. Stand your ground and don't let him get to you."

I drove to my dad's office, my mind racing with thoughts of what I would say. When I arrived, he was already waiting for me, his expression stern.

"Rosie, I hear you're planning to leave the company to start some... fashion business," he began, his tone laced with disappointment.

"Yes, Dad. It's something I'm passionate about, and I believe I can make it work," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.

He shook his head. "You're throwing away a stable career for a pipe dream. Do you really think you can succeed in such a competitive industry?"

I took a deep breath, determined to stand my ground. "I know it's not going to be easy, but I have to try. This is something I need to do for myself. I need to follow my passion."

He looked at me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. "I hope you know what you're doing, Rosie. But don't expect me to bail you out if things go wrong."

"I understand, Dad," I said, feeling a mix of relief and sadness. "Thank you for everything you've done for me, but I have to follow my own path."

The drive back home was filled with a swirl of emotions. I knew pursuing my dream wouldn't be easy, but I was determined to make it work. As I pulled into the driveway, I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me. I decided to take a quick nap before getting back to work.

When I woke up, it was dark outside. I glanced at the clock and realized I had slept for hours. I got up, feeling disoriented, and noticed that some of my things were out of place. It hit me—I'd had another sleepwalking episode.

Sleepwalking had always been an issue for me, ever since I was a child. It usually happened when I was stressed or overwhelmed, which made sense given everything that had been going on lately. During these episodes, I would often move things around, leave doors open, or even walk outside. It was frightening to wake up and find things out of place, knowing that I had been wandering around without any awareness.

One particularly terrifying incident happened when I was about ten years old. I had sleepwalked out of the house and down the street in my pajamas. A neighbor found me and brought me back home, much to my parents' horror. Since then, the fear of where I might end up during these episodes had always lingered in the back of my mind.

I sat down, feeling a knot of worry in my chest. My sleepwalking had been getting worse lately, and I didn't know what to do about it. I needed to find a way to manage it before it caused any serious problems.

A little while later, I heard a knock on the door, and my mom walked in with Michael. She was holding a tray with coffee and some snacks. Michael carried a small jukebox, looking up at me with his big curious eyes.

Mom always dressed elegantly, embodying the quintessential Hamptons style. Today, she wore crisp white blouse tucked into a knee-length navy skirt, her hair perfectly styled in soft waves. Her pearl earrings and matching necklace added a touch of classical sophistication. She looked every bit of the picture of grace and poise, a stark contrast to the chaos I felt inside.

"Hey, sweetheart," Mom said, her voice gentle and soothing. "Michael and I thought you could use a little pick-me-up."

I smiled, feeling a wave of gratitude. "Thanks, Mom. And thanks buddy," I said ruffling Michael's hair.

they both sat down with me, and mom handed me a cup of coffee. "You look exhausted, Rosie. Are you okay?"

"I had another sleepwalking episode,' I admitted, taking a sip of the coffee. "It's getting worse, and I'm starting to get really worried."

Mom's face softened with concern. "Oh Rosie. I wish you'd tell me sooner. We need to do something about this before it gets out of hand."

Michael climbed onto my lap, hugging me tightly. "It's okay, Mommy. I love you."

I hugged him back, feeling a lump forming in my throat. "I love you too, Michael."

Mom reached out and took my hand. "You need to see a specialist, Rosie This isn't something you can ignore. Promise me you'll make an appointment."

"I will," I promised, though the thought of adding another thing to my plate felt overwhelming.

We continued talking, and having my mom and Michael there made me feel a bit more at ease. Mom shared stories of her own struggles and how she had managed to overcome them, reminding me that I wasn't alone.

Later Addison arrived to help with the plans for the brand launching. We discussed potential investors and started planning a small launch party. The excitement in the air was palpable, and it helped to distract me from the stress of the day.

As we wrapped up our planning session, my phone buzzed with a text from Nate.

Nate: How's your day going? Hope everything's okay.

Me: It's been a tough day, but I'm hanging in there. Thanks for checking in.

Nate: Anytime. Let me know if you need anything.

I appreciated his encouragement and understanding. It was nice to know that someone was there for me, even if we couldn't see each other in person.

That night, as I lay in bed, I felt a mix of anxiety and hope. The challenges were real, but so were the possibilities. With Addison by my side and Nate's support, I felt like I could face whatever came my way.

Tomorrow was a new day, and with it came new opportunities. I closed my eyes, determined to keep moving forward, one step at a time. But as I drifted off to sleep, I couldn't shake the fear of what the night might bring. Would I wake up somewhere unfamiliar again? Would I do something dangerous without realizing it?

Sleep came fitfully, my mind restless with the possibilities. I dreamed of wandering through dark, endless hallways, unable to find my way back. The dream shifted, and suddenly I was a child again, standing on that dark street in my pajamas, looking up at the neighbor who had found me. Only this time, there was no neighbor, just darkness all around.

I jolted awake, my heart racing. It took me a moment to remember where I was. I checked the room, relieved to find everything in its place. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. The fear of sleepwalking was something I had to deal with, but I couldn't let it control me.