Eastern District School

Chapter 93 - Catch up with the bestie.

Rose wasn't sure what had irritated her so much. Was it the fact that Rich had actually met with her father - in the middle of the night no less- and asked to marry her? Was it the fact that her father had felt the need to call her up to tell her this detail? Was it her own reaction from hearing this information, actually dropping her phone from shock, straight onto the hardcore rubble of the yard? Was it the fear of losing her independence? Was it a combination of all these things and more? More hidden reasons that petrified her and reduced her to a shaking mess in the middle of the yard?

She tried to conceal her reaction so that others around her didn't notice. This was all happening way too fast. Dreamlike! In a complete haze of confusion, irritation and shock. 

How many men went to the father to ask for his blessing? Well, of course, back in the day it would have been a popular thing to do. A respectable thing to do. But it wasn't necessary in this day and age. That was Rich though. He was a respectable man, and he definitely respected others too. That was something that shone clear and bright with him for all to see. It annoyed her, yes, but she was pretty sure that had something to do with her pride. Acknowledging that fact left the other facts quite clear in mind also. What she didn't want to admit was the butterflies in her stomach at the thought of him asking her father, perhaps right here at Eastern District. Knowing her father's way of things and the safety net of E.D, this was quite likely the case. How was her father's reaction though? That was something she had to picture with a little more concentration. She hadn't spent the majority of the past week with her father, she wasn't learning more and more of this ways, personality traits and secrets. He was still very much a stranger to her...sadly. Was he happy to hear the good news? Did he perhaps feel that his plan had worked? Or was he intrigued to know about Rich, even surprised? No! The way he had kept such a close eye on her, he would have done his research on Richard Stork. 

Rose hadn't realised she was continuing to walk, but she found herself walking out of the gates almost in auto-mode. She realised as she was a few yards up the road, that her legs were carrying her to the little cafe she had visited a couple of times last week. Her body obviously needed real coffee, she thought. 

She declined any lunch from the waitresses in the cafe, and settled down with her double shot cappuccino. She sat staring out of the window, gently toying with the cup by her finger. Her mind was clearly anywhere else to anyone who would have approached her, thankfully no one did. 

So her father would have been pleased. No doubt thinking one less thing for him to arrange, as Rich had come to him. She wondered if they had sat down and planned the whole of her life. Where they would marry, if she would continue to work or stay home and look after the kids.

Kids?!

She hadn't even thought along that avenue. She quickly snapped her head up as she took a large breath of air into her lungs. Wake up! She told herself. Daydreaming would not help her right now. Her mind was far too active and imaginative. She needed to take a step back and address the situation with simplicity. 

He wants to marry her.

He hasn't asked her yet, but asking her father...sure meant he was serious about it. Unlikely to back out of something once he had made him mind up. Just as she would react if the situation were the other way around. 

The other way around?

Was that the way? Was that the best way of simplifying things? Okay, so she met Rich a week ago...just over, and then he finds out his history is threaded through the history of the building that she had bought. They find a picture of what looks like him, but find out is really his grandfather. Then they find out that his father...or mother - she wasn't sure which way to put that - was in fact not dead, but fighting for his freedom. They are almost there...now the only way to complete the work that they have done is if Rich is married. So she wants to marry him...well she says she loves him, then asks for his father/mother's blessing to ask him.