Romance in Roses

CHAPTER 7

I spent hours again inside my office and when I looked up on the clock its already 8:54. I spent so late inside my office, so I removed my white coat and kept it inside my handbag. I’m on my way to home, but I don’t have a car to drive in since Henderson called me earlier and told me he is going to use the car and drive all the way to the hotel where my parents own. I was told to commute but I rather walk all the way home since I need to feel better, I was about to step out of the entrance door but I suddenly notice tiny bits of raindrops falling from the sky and then the heavy rain began to pour down, luckily I have my umbrella from my bag so I quickly grab the umbrella and put it up. I started to walk all the way home with a frown on my face, I couldn’t put myself together, so I silently cry under the rain, it was never easy for me to accept how that happens. While I was walking, I pass by the Sixth Street Viaduct bridge where I always pass by going back and forth from house toward the hospital. I went towards the side for a while and looked below and saw a huge parterre, I took a sight for a while, maybe it would make me feel better if I got distracted by its amazing sight. I saw a guy sitting on the railings so, I called him out

“Hey” I exclaim, and he glance right into me. He gave me a cold look and he immediately avoid having an eye contact. I walk closer to him, but he seems to be chilling, sitting on railings but he was soaking wet under the rain.

“Are you deaf or something?” I ask, he seems to be ignoring my words, so I pulled his shirt in a sudden and he wobble both of his arms and clasp her hand around the railings. “WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!” He hoarse

“Well do you know you’re going to fall from there”

“I’ll just fall when you’re going to push me from here” He response while his eyes are focused on the parterre. I looked at him from head to toe, but I couldn’t see his face clearly since it’s too dark to where I stand.

“Get off from there” I say worriedly. He looked at me and I finally see round pale face, marble grey eyes and his messy expresso light chestnut brown hair. His eyes widen took a very deep breath, I wondered why but he finally gets off the railings and stand in front of me. He is like 20 centimeters taller than me, and then he rushed in passing me by, and my head follows where turned and walk by.

“Hey, what’s got into you?” I rise my voice up as he was a foot away from me. He ignored my word again and rushes to run away. I rolled my eyes and continuously walk away, I rushed to get home as soon as possible since I’ve been so exhausted today. My phone suddenly chimed, received a message from Heiley (Lukas is coming over the penthouse). Well, what do you expect? She would probably invite Lukas around after that one day of argument. I replied (ok) to her and continuously walk towards home. As I arrived at the penthouse, I unlocked the pin code and entered the house. As soon I entered, I saw Heiley and Lukas, eating popcorn, watching Netflix and chill.

“Good evening” I greeted lifelessly. They both glance into me then Heiley ask “What took you so long?”

“Try asking Henderson about that” I response while placing my hand bag on the desk right in front of them, I sat beside them and rested my weary bones on the soft and very comforting couch, I could close my eyes and feel so relaxed, after that heavy paperwork I have done I can finally rest. I remembered that its Heiley’s first day of work, so I wanted to ask her about that

“How’s work by the way?” I glance into them as I lean my back on the couch

“Hm… its fine, it wasn’t so exhausting at all” Heiley responds as she looks at me happily “How about you?” She asks. I looked on the other way and felt so upset again

“A cardiologist asked me to perform a surgery of a CHD patient”

Those words caught their attention on me, looking so surprising until it turns into frown, Heiley leans her to my arm and cuddles with me

“Actually, it’s up to you if you’ll perform the surgery or not. When I saw you yesterday, burning all those traces of Noah, I expected you to throw all your past behind you and take a step for the another chapter” the way Heiley explains it is so soft and gentle that could inspire me to do the surgery

“We can’t keep the past hunt us down Rosie, we must move forward” Lukas added

“I’m just not ready to…” I smile sadly, that made them frown more but Heiley when Heiley suddenly smiled and say “You know what they say, “as she carried out Darling and placed him on my thighs. Darling looked up to me with his tail waggling joyfully, it cheered me up a bit, so I pat his head and poke its nose.

“By the way, tomorrow is Friday, have you ever asked his parents yet?” Heiley asks. I glance at Lukas and offer my palm “phone” I say then he hands me over his phone directly. I carried Darling and place him on the couch as I walk a little away from them, near the counter table.

I unlocked his phone and open his contacts, called his mother’s number and it began to ring.

-Hello?

I was glad that she immediately answered

“Uhm hi, this is Luke’s friend, Rose. I expect we already met before, at De’ Restaurant” I respond kindly

-The Diaz family, our mutual enemy of the Jay Resto. What do you need preposterous girl?

“Look, I wanted to have a word with you ma’am, regarding to my best friend Heiley- “She cut me off

-Let me tell you this Ms. Diaz, I don’t want to see that inferior friend of yours. She doesn’t deserve any of our inheritance!

That boils my blood in anger, I slam the table so loud that made Heiley and Lukas glance at me

“My friend is not gold digger” I response, holding my temper that I might scream at this old hag like she deserves it

-Wait a minute… how on earth do you have my son’s phone? Is he with that bitch again?!

“HEY! YOU’RE CROSSING THE LINE!” I aver

-Hand him over the phone right now

“If you wanted to see your son, dinner tomorrow at my restaurant. Attendance is must, and if you never show yourself out there, then perhaps your son isn’t going home” I leave a threat then hung up the phone call, I glance at Heiley and Lukas who was watching me the whole time, I slammed Luke’s phone on the floor but nothing to worry about because of the carpet.

“Lukas, you ‘are staying in here, I will let you borrow some of Henderson’s clothes, so you have nothing to worry about” I say

I sat beside them with a grumpy face, then Heiley rested her head on my arm and smiles “Thanks for doing this”

“I would probably do it for you”

She stood up and carried Darling and placed him on my lap “You know what they say, no matter how you're feeling, a little dog gonna love you”
After that frustrating call, I went straight to my room, a place where I can take out all of my anger. The Johnson family is our most terrible rivals in business, but Lukas isn't one of them. He doesn't want to work at their resto and wants to work in the coffee shop instead. There are rumors of his parents, they said they are gold diggers, I certainly agree with that. I walk inside my wardrobe to prepare for the dinner tomorrow. I am definitely a forgettable person that's why I'm preparing my stuff before I forget them. I rummage for dresses suit for a dinner night, until I found a burgundy red, slit, thigh length, body-con dress, perfect for my red peep toe heels. I placed it on a hanger and hang it on the wardrobe. I went back inside to my room and lie my exhausted body on the bed until I drifted off to sleep.

Early in the morning, I hear the deafening sound of the bell of my alarm clock, so I immediately turned it off and snuggled my face on the pillow. I heard the door opened and heard someone say,
"Wake up you lousy woman!" I can tell by that strong voice that its Heiley so, I glance into her with my eyes squint.

"It’s already 10 in the morning and your shift is on 12. Are you crazy?" I have no response and my eyes are still droopy, I don't even understand what she's talking about. Until I saw Lukas showed up behind her

"Hey Babe, I better go bye" He kisses Heiley goodbye. He glances at me and scoffs "Hey wake up, help Henderson with the laundry" and he left all of a sudden, I slowly stood up from my bed and immediately grab my phone "is the Wi-Fi on?" I ask Heiley

"Get up from there" She orders

“Can I have breakfast in bed?” I insisted

“Sure” Heiley responds before leaving, my head really hurts, and I feel so dizzy. My phone rings, receiving a call from my mother so I immediately answer it.

“M-err m?” I groaned

-Sweetie what’s going on? You missed 10 of my calls

“I overslept, sorry. I was just very exhausted yesterday after work”

-Oh sweetie, I don’t know why you’re already working at this young age. Why wont you enjoy your teenage life for a while? Start taking adventures, road trips and open your heart once again! Honey, you can’t just be focused on your career, try having fun for a once in a while

“Okay, okay, I get it”

-When is your day off?

“Next week”

-I will loan you $10 000 on your bank account. It is for you to travel around the world and please honey, find someone who you can make you feel special again.

“I will mother, now goodbye” I hung up the call with a smile on my face. Perfect timing, Heiley came over with a tray on her hand.

“Mm, what’s for breakfast?” I ask

I grab the little desk and place it above me, she placed the tray on, and found pancakes on my plate with a maple syrup on top and fresh milk on the side. “Aww, you know what I wanted” I smiled, appreciates her actions for me

“Nahh, you always have pancakes for breakfast”

“By the way” She added, I glanced into her and wondered

“I’m a bit nervous for tonight” She nervously smiles

“Don’t be, I will be there” I hold her shoulders, smiled to cheer her up

After that, I had taken my breakfast, took a bath and worn out my gray turtleneck shirt and dark blue jeans underneath my white doctor coat. Black bondage boots and my leathered handbag for a match, I tied my hair into a bohemian bun before I go to work. “Bye guys” I waved goodbye and then Darling sits in front of the door and barks “Bye Darling” I pet his head and closed the door. I don’t have a car, so I borrow Henderson’s car instead, I drove all the way to the hospital with no heavy traffic. Enjoyed the nice scenery of the city of Los Angeles, I don’t care how many times I see this scenery every day, it still impresses me like I just seen it today. I parked the car at the parking lot, locked the car before proceeding inside the building. As I entered, “Hi Cheska”, “Good morning Rose”, “Hey France” greetings from nurses and the other staffs that I usually hear everytime I came in. I make my way to my office, but a nurse blocks my way and say

“Good morning Francheska”

“Good morning Taylor”

“By the way, you have scheduled surgery tonight at 6 pm” He informs

“What?!” I exclaimed. “But I have dinner tonight with the Johnson, can’t you reschedule it for tomorrow?” I beg, then Mrs. Betsy showed up again

“What’s the commotion in here?” She asks

“She is asking if we can reschedule the surgery tonight” Taylor explains

“Rose, how many times do I have to tell you? We can’t reschedule surgeries, whatever that urgent you have, a person’s life is what we prioritize. I think that urgent of yours can wait” Mrs. Betsy scolded me but in a kind way

I sighed and just nodded my head, I have nothing to do than to agree what she say, except for one “Anyway, about the CHD patient- “

“No” I cut her off “I haven’t settled my mind yet” I hold my arm and looked down

“Its okay, the patient is not even ready yet, so you still have time” She beamed and walks away with Taylor.

I continuously head to my office, ride on an elevator like I used to. As I enter my office, I rested my body on the chair and sighed heavily. I covered my eyes with my palm, thinking for a plan. I grab my phone and called out Heiley, but she didn’t answer

-Hiya there! This is Heiley can’t talk right now but please leave a message

“Hey arsehole, tonight I’m going to be late so please go at the restaurant without me, I’ll follow you guys” I put the phone down and continued with my paperwork.

As always, I spent hours with the paperwork once again and when I looked at the time, its five minutes before 6 pm. I removed my coat and wear the operation uniform, that includes gloves and mask. After I few minutes, I was called on mic to proceed to the operation room at once. I rushed into the operating room and got there on time. I performed the surgery with full focus on the patient, it was a bit exhausting because the patient’s vital signs are slow, and we have to stay on its normal beats. The patient is showing bad results which us, cardiac surgeons, are having a hard time already. I looked at the time and its already 8:21 pm, I took a deep breath and keep my mid focused on the operation, until…

“Success!” my co-worker exclaimed with glee and everyone began celebrating.

After the surgery, I rushed on removing my gear and run towards my office. I send a text to Henderson to bring my clothes with him to change at the back of the car. I rushed to go outside and saw Henderson at the front door. “Heiley and Lukas?” I rushed in speaking, “Don’t worry, they’re at the restaurant” he response as he leads me inside the back seat. He’s at the driver seat and gave me a paper bag “your clothes”

“Close the window!” I exclaimed as I closed the window on both sides and in front of me.

I got nothing to worry about since the side windows are tinted, I rushed in changing my clothes even though I’m hardly moving because of the closed place. After changing I began wearing my heels and removed the ties on my hair and waved it freely, my hair is now gorgeously wavy, so I started applying make-up, the hardest thing to do when riding in a car. “Are you doing Rose?” Henderson ask from the front side of the car

“Drive a bit slowly, I’m applying lipstick!” I aver

“okay, okay”

To be honest, this is crazy! Changing my clothes and applying make-up inside the moving car is really hard, you can barely move and you cant even put lipstick on properly, Henderson encountered bumps on road which on applying my lipstick exceeds on my lips, and do you know what is more painful? Applying mascara! I’m on to a lot of tries which I can’t do the mascara properly, my eyes hurt so much…But there’s on thing I have to make sure, I’m gonna get to the restaurant before 9 pm. I have to stay strong, for Heiley! I’m not going to let her down.