- Caden -
I rested next to her. She snuggled close to me, her face twitching yet again with another nightmare.
My heart sank, I had no idea.
Someone raped my Rose. I wasn't there to protect her. I didn't even know her then.
I sighed and pressed her body closer to me, "I swear with all my heart I won't let anyone hurt you Rose. I will protect you if my life depended on it."
She stirred and her eyes flew open, she took a deep breath, eyes filled with tears.
I rubbed her back and she looked at me, she let out a huge breath and leaned onto me.
I hugged her and she wrapped her arms around my waist. She sobbed quietly and I waited until she calmed down.
"Rose?"
"Hmm?"
"You wanna talk about it?"
She turned to look at me, gazing into my eyes. I loved her eyes, deep, dark and beautiful.
"Caden, it took me so long to get over it."
I nodded, "I know, and I understand if you're not ready to tell me. I'll be here if you need to tell me anything though."
It felt weird hearing things like this come out of my mouth. I was never one to commit, yet here I am, telling this girl I'll be there for her.
Ray will laugh like a mad man if he found out.
She sighed, pulling her knees to her chest and staring at nothing in particular, "It hurts."
The way she said it so coldly actually scared me, "Come on Rose, no pressure. Just share with me what happened like how you would with your best girl friend. Heck I'll be your best girl friend if you want to."
She smiled slightly but her eyes went dark.
She took a deep breath, "It was five years ago, I was only 20. I was just learning the ropes to my father's hotel business. I met up with my college friends to hang out for the night.
We went to the club, it was crazy. We were dancing and soon we separated but I was too drunk to know that.
Some guy came up to me, it was Michael."
I clenched my fists, I hated where this was going. If that Michael wasn't in jail I would have beaten him into a pulp.
Just like how I did with his brother.
"He kept dancing with me. I kept pushing him off. He tried to kiss and touch me but I kept moving away from him.
Then he gave me a drink and I drank it absent-mindedly. I passed out after that."
"Oh my God Rose, didn't anyone teach you not to drink something a stranger gives you?"
She nodded weakly, "Yes I know, I regret it so much." Her voice sounded thicker and she was on the verge of tears.
"Rose," I held her shoulders and she heaved heavily. It was a hard topic to bring up but she was trying.
Someone knocked on the door and I cursed under my breath but Rose sighed and let whoever was out there come in.
Parker came in, eyes full of worry and concern. I hated it.
"Miss Rose, are you okay?" He strode over to her and I held onto her shoulder firmer.
Parker stared me down, "Can I have some time alone with Miss Rose please?"
I glanced at Rose and she was spacing out. I didn't know how to handle her at this point and it would be better for Parker to take over.
But I fucking hated to.
"She'll be fine with me," I told him sharply, void of any emotion.
Parker eyed me and leaned down to tilt Rose's chin to look at him.
I growled but Parker stood firm, "She's having a panic attack Mr Jones, I would appreciate it if you leave her to me. It's my job."
The way he said it somehow made me feel better, it was just his job to make sure she was okay.
Nothing personal.
I removed my hand from her shoulder and watched her glassy eyes one last time before turning to Parker, "Take care of her."
He nodded stiffly at me and I left the room.
***
- Cassidy -
I woke up at the same moment Parker came into my room, with a glass of water and a tray.
I sighed, the tray meant pills and I had a panic attack again.
I could never remember what happened when the attacks came but I was glad when it was over, Parker or my father would be there.
He placed the tray on my bedside table and I sat up, "Was it bad?"
He shrugged, "Good morning to you too," He eyed me sarcastically and I rolled my eyes.
"Good morning Parker, was it bad?" I repeated.
"I've seen worse."
I rolled my eyes and he handed my pills to me, I quickly gulped it down with some water.
"Mr Jones was with you most of the time, I had to retrieve the medication from your father's house because we've not stocked it up here yet," Parker mentioned.
My eyes widened, "Oh."
I briefly remember Caden yesterday. The hospital and whatnot.
I told him.
I grumbled, "Ugh I told him."
Parker chuckled, "Everything?"
I shook my head, "No, just part of it."
"You've not shared it with anyone, is Mr Jones the special man?"
I felt my cheeks go red hot, "Fuck you Parker, this conversation ends here. If you continue I'll have another attack." I placed my hands on my chest for effect.
Parker scoffed and put his hands up, "I know when you're faking it or not princess. Go get ready, you're supposed to go to the orphanage today."
I smiled and quickly went to get ready. I can't wait to go to the orphanage.
The Children's Foundation that I founded supported that orphanage and the children there were so sweet.
I felt my smile fade, I wonder how that child will be like if he or she was born...
"By the way, Mr Jones is coming along with you. He insisted and I'm busy with your arrangements for the trip to Korea so it's a win-win. Be nice to your Prince charming alright?"
I popped my head out from the bathroom, "I hate you Parker!"
I heard him laugh and just before he closed the door he yelled, "Have fun Cassidy!"
I smiled to myself, Parker was incredibly annoying but he helped me through the toughest of times and he was like an older brother to me. I wonder what I'd do without him.
I got dressed and grabbed my bag, checking myself in the mirror one last time.
Then I opened the door and smacked into something or someone.
"Ouch fuck!"
I felt his hands on my shoulder and I looked up at Caden.
My breath stopped, he was gorgeous. His slicked-back hair, his rolled-up casual dress shirt and denim jeans.
His muscles were wrapped nicely in his sleeves and I wanted to reach out to touch them.
Wow, I'm not creepy at all.
"You alright?" Caden's voice pierced through my thoughts.
His eyes were concerned and I straightened myself, "Yeah I'm fine."
His eyes became playful the moment I said that, "I know I look good but you don't have to fall for me this early in the morning."
I rolled my eyes, "I didn't even fall."
"You would have if I didn't catch you."
His tone sounded like he was meaning something else but I brushed it off, "You're coming with me to the orphanage huh?"
"Yeah I am, sounds fun."
"Alright then, I'm driving."
He put an arm in front of me before I could take a step and shook his head, "No no please, let me be the gentlemen. I'll drive."
"But I wanna drive."
"But I wanna drive you."
"Caden-"
"Rose-"
I sighed, "Fine you're driving."
He punched his fist in the air, "Yes! Let's go!"
I quickly ran from him and towards the main door to my car.
I felt Caden scurry behind me but it wasn't even three seconds before I felt him carry me up.
"Caden put me down!"
He chuckled and his huge back rumbled, "You don't seem like the kind to not mean what you say Rose."
"Ugh," I gave up struggling and Caden carried me to his car.
I was normally quite persistent but Caden was really strong and it wouldn't really help if I continued putting up a fight.
He strapped me into the passenger seat of his Camaro and drove off with my directions.
"I don't understand why you have to drive, why can't I drive?" I whined. I didn't want to whine but I was annoyed.
I didn't like being manhandled.
"Well princess, you just had your medication and you had a rather traumatic yesterday so being a good best girl friend and your fake-for-now boyfriend, I advice you to let me drive."
I stared at him, I never expected him to be this caring. Yeah sure he sounded like an ass, but he was still really caring
And, fake-for-now?
"Why do you guys keep calling me princess? Is that a thing?"
He side-eyed me, "Who else called you princess?"
"Parker."
"Ugh Parker, is he your other best girl friend too?"
I shrugged, "Yeah kinda, my dad employed him since the incident to help me cope with my work and psychological therapy as well."
"So he knew everything?"
"Yeah of course."
"I don't like that Parker, he seems to know you more than me and I don't like it."
I smirked and turned to him, "Caden Jones are you jealous?"
His face twitched a few times, as if deciphering what I was saying.
"Well yeah, I guess. Some guy knows the girl I love more than me, of course I'm jealous."
What the fuck?
Did he just say he loved me?
The air in the car became thick and hard to breathe and I chanced a glance at Caden.
He faced the road but his knuckles were white from gripping the wheel too hard.
"Caden-"
"I'm sorry Rose, I didn't mean for it to come out that way."
I felt my heart crack a little, first I got scared when he said it now I feel hurt that he's taking it back.
What's wrong with me?
"We barely met for a week, it's too early to say that you love me, isn't it?"
My hands were balled up into fists, scared that Caden actually felt this way about me.
How will things change between us?
"That's not really up to you to say, I'm the one who loves you, I know how it feels. And I don't want to prove my love to you by calculating how long we've known each other, love is supposed to be timeless. Am I right?"
I felt so stupid now, I was being lectured about love by a Casanova and he actually sounded serious.
"I guess you're right, in a way," I mumbled and he chuckled.
"Well do you like me Rose?"
I eyed him, was he being serious?
I felt my heart beat exceptionally fast at his unexpected question.
Sure I knew he kinda liked me, but did I feel the same way about him?
"Okay before you answer, are we going left or right at this turn?" Caden asked and it broke my bubble of thoughts.
"Erm left," I whispered and he heard me.
Caden drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, "Do you like me Rose?"
I looked out the window, totally unsure yet my heart already knew.
"Yeah, I do like you. But I'm not ready to start anything with you, I can't."
His eyes were dark but he managed a smile, "Okay Rose, I understand. We'll go at snail speed as long as it makes you happy. For now, I shall be content with my best girl friend status."
I giggled at his attempt to try to lighten the mood, he was good at it. He was perfectly comfortable and confident even in the most awkward situations.
It's his charm I guess.
"Rose I can't concentrate on driving when you're staring holes in my head," he side-eyed me and chuckled.
I take it back, he's annoying.
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