Owen

"Look baby, I'm sorry if my words got you upset. The past few days have been quite challenging for me as I've been under immense pressure to secure a new client for the company. I'm on the verge of finalizing the deal and the stress, lack of sleep, and deep contemplation have been taking a toll on me." He explained, and when Rosie didn't comment, he continued.

"I understand, I know, it's my fault that I let these things affect me. It's my life and I have the power to decide what affects me." He added, sounding remorseful.

"Oh no Baby," Rosie said, touching his face. All that anger she was feeling minutes ago, suddenly vanished. "Not this one," she said. "You do not have the power to push this one away. This is work," she added.

"Yes, I know," Owen responded, twitching his lips, happy and satisfied that his tactics worked perfectly. "Thanks for understanding."

She nodded and hugged him, caressing the back of his hair. "I'll always be here if you need me." She assured him, still holding him in a hug. "Just don't talk to me the way you did. It hurts."

"I promise, I would never do such ever again. Let me make it up to you." He wiggled free from her hold. "Let's have lunch together this weekend." He offered, smiling.

"You always know how to make me smile," Rosie told him, smiling. "Okay," she replied happily. "What day are we having lunch and where are we going? "Saturday would be great, though."

"Sunday is a better option. I have this thing with the boys on Saturday. And we can go to any place of your choice." He told her, caressing her cheeks. "How about we go to a place of your choice, not mine? Deal?"

"Deal."

"So about Saturday, can I come with you? It's been a while since I saw Rex and the guys."

He shook his head. "It's not a couple's thing Rosie. It's the boys, just us."

"Okay," she nodded. "Maybe I'll go to Stephanie's baby shower on Saturday then," she added.

"Who is Stephanie?"

"One of the interns at accounts." She replied. "Will you mind dropping me off at the venue before heading out with the boys?"

"Interns have babies now? What the hell!"

"Hello, interns are humans, full-grown adults. I'm an intern too."

"Whatever." He sighed. "But I don't think I'll be able to drop you off. I can't be seen at a party organized for interns or be seen dropping one off. It doesn't sound right my Darling. But don't worry, I know you're running away from spending. So, I'll transfer some cash to you for a taxi, all right?"

"But I want you, not a taxi! I see absolutely nothing wrong with you dropping me off at a harmless party. I didn't ask you to join the party. just drop me at the gate of the venue. You're acting like Interns are bearers of some sort of communicable disease or something." Rosie persisted.

"Let's not argue about this sweetheart. you'll take a taxi, that's the best option."

"Owen, I don't..."

"Please Rosie, a taxi is perfect." He interrupted, massaging her shoulders with soft strokes of his fingers.

Rosie looked up at him grudgingly and nodded her acceptance.

"Now, I have to get going, it's getting late. Tessa will be worried sick if I don't get home any time soon." She said watching the wall clock strike nine. Will you take me home?"

"I can do that. Thank you." He said hugging her. He buried his face in her hair and jerked away from her in an instant.

"What's wrong?" She asked in response to his reaction.

"You should consider making a new hair. This one stinks." He added carelessly.

Rosie frowned. "That's a harsh way to state an observation. Owen, you are so bad-mouthed. If you notice that my hair stinks, there are better and more polite ways to tell me. Moreover, I told you that I had to run some errands outside the office building earlier, and the rain caught up with me. What am I even saying," She said angrily. "Is it news to you that I've been in your kitchen cooking all evening? You do know that I was bound to sweat while doing that as well."

"I have a heat extractor installed in my kitchen Rosie." Owen interrupted in a subtle voice. "You can't possibly sweat while cooking in my kitchen. Maybe in yours, but never in mine." He said letting out a soft laugh.

"It's so annoying that you find this funny. You know, it doesn't hurt to be nice with your words. You should try that sometime." She told him. "You should also stop showing off. It's becoming so annoying." She added.

"Oh, come on, Rose, you take things too seriously.