Entangled Sin

Chapter 4

Rose was seated nearest to the window inside a cafe with her eyes staring outside the window. It was snowing lightly in the morning with the skies slightly gloomy. Her soft hands gently pressed against the mug of hot cocoa to provide warmth to her hands. She gently sipped on her hot cocoa before she spared a quick glance at the wall clock above the entrance door.

She bit her dried up lips and wondered what was taking him so long to get here. She wanted to see him yesterday but apparently he didn't come back home last night. It wasn't anything surprising though. Stephano wasn't one who was not punctual at any occasions but it seemed to be the exception in her case. Rose didn't mind it though as long as he did show up.

The waiter who attended to her a couple minutes ago returned to her table. “Would you like to start ordering now miss?” He politely asked to which Rose smiled and humbly declined. “He'll be here soon. We'll order together when he's here.” The waiter nodded with a smile before walking off towards the counter. Just when Rose decided to zone off her attention back to staring at the snow outside the window, her ears faintly heard the sounds of the glass doors opening with a thud. She glanced over at the entrance to see Stephano panting while circling his neck around the cafe.

He seemed like he was looking for her and when he did, he smiled and was walking towards her table. His wide smile was too infectious that Rose couldn't help but smile back at him. He was late but his smile already compensated for his tardy lateness. Rose stood up and they both shared a nice friendly hug. Rose clinged more to him as the scent of pinewood and musk flooded through her nostrils to sip into her brain. She felt her heart racing as always whenever he was this close to her. Apparently he never realized that or just didn't think much of it.

Even she felt him inhaling her scent which brought a smile to her lips. They pulled away and Rose could still hear his heart pounding from having raced down here. “I apologize again for being so late.” He pulled both his ears with an apologetic expression. Rose shooked her head and forced him to take his hands off his ears. “It's fine. Am sure you had your reasons.” She smiled and he looked at her amazed. “Don't you ever get mad at me for anything?” He asked as they took their seats.

Rose smiled and now had her face down to see her blushing reflection through the stir clear brown liquid inside her mug. She could easily answer that question of his. No matter how late he was, no matter how unkept and untidy he was with his room or how inattentive he was towards her feelings. None of these could make her get mad at him. It wasn't just possible for her in any sense. She could get angry and even lash out at anyone but not to the handsome man seated opposite her.

“You know I can't ever be mad at you.” She replied still keeping her head low. She heard him hum out with a wide smile. She stared at the mug in front of her when it suddenly disappeared after a large hand grabbed it. Rose looked up to find him sipping her hot cocoa. It wasn't a surprise to her. Stephano had the habit of sipping and taking bites of her food and drinks. Part of it was a way to tease her and get her to rant about something at least but the girl never got upset. On the contrary, she felt all giddy inside whenever he would even want to take a bite from her things.

“It's kinda weird for it to be snowing at this time of year, right?” Stephano asked to which Rose hummed. “By the way I couldn't congratulate you on winning the tender yesterday.” Stephano smiled to this. “It wasn't really anything special. I just was lucky in winning.” He said not bothering to self praise himself. “But you did secure that land which your father always wanted so badly. Am sure your dad and mom are extremely proud of you.” Rose instinctively placed her hand on his to which he squeezed it tightly.

“Yes they are, infact mom wants to throw a party to celebrate it. It's unlike her to throw parties but apparently she wants to. And as am the main reason for the party, it is my duty to invite my best friend.” Stephano smiled and Rose also smiled. She still felt like she had to tell him the truth about her feelings. Maybe afterwards, Stephano won't address her as his best friend but something more. Something more intimate and passionate. Her heart raced again at the thought. Surely Stephano should feel something at least.